Some sports are more than just running around at practice and being sweaty. Some sports become your life and mold you into the person you're supposed to be. For me, cheerleading was that sport.
1. "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."
On the walls of my former cheer gym, there were painted several inspiring quotes, but this one always stood out to me the most. It was a constant reminder that, no matter how talented I am, it requires hard work to do better, to be better, and to win. In cheerleading, you can perfect skill after skill, but there are always more skills to learn.
2. Teamwork makes the dream work.
3. Appreciating parents.
From the cost of the uniforms to the competition fees and the travel, my parents worked hard to make sure that it was all paid for. More importantly, though, they never missed a competition. They were dedicated to making sure that I got to every practice and always encouraged me to work hard for myself and for my team. For all of their love and dedication, I am eternally grateful. Without them, I would have never been blessed with the wonderful experience that was 10 beautiful cheer years.
4. Bows over bros.
I will never forget the short, sweet, and to the point speech that my coach gave to us about boys. It went like this, “There are only three men in your life: God, your daddy, and Coach Devin. Oh, and brothers, if you have any.”
Being a teenager, I had my heart broken a time or two. None of that mattered when I was at practice or on the competition floor, though. Among other things that Coach Devin instilled in me, was the realization of how much I loved cheer. So much so that no amount of teenage boy heartbreak could ever come between myself and my sport. Coach Devin taught us to conduct ourselves appropriately when our boyfriends were around, and that our team came first. If a young boy didn’t like that, he got the infinity kick to the curb!
5. Trust.
It takes a special kind of trust in your peers to allow them to send you flying several feet into the air and catch you, no matter how you are coming down (because allowing a flyer to hit the ground is a mortal sin and you better be prepared for long periods of running as punishment if she does). Trust is an essential building block to good, healthy relationships.
6. Attitude.
Of course cheer taught me to be fierce and sassy! It is who I am and I wouldn’t change that for anything. Moreover, cheer taught me to stay positive and smile through the pain and hard times. It doesn’t matter if the entire pyramid is crashing down or the music stops mid-routine; you smile and move forward.
7. Never give up.
I have had my fair share of kicks to the face, bruises, and even a couple of trips to the hospital. None of that ever scared me away. Cheerleading taught me to take risks and be fearless (within reason, of course) and to never give up on achieving the goals that I set for myself.
8. Lifelong friends.
The friendships built between cheerleaders are one of a kind and will last a lifetime. You have so much in common, despite many other differences in your personal life. Your friendships will carry over into adulthood and you will always reminisce on your cheer days together.
9. Travel.
I didn’t even realize until I got older and went to college that many people had not had the opportunities to get out of the state or even city that they lived in. Cheerleading gave me that opportunity to travel to other places frequently, even if we didn’t go far. Cheerleading led me to love and appreciate getting out of my hometown as much as possible to see new places and try new things.
10. Never taking the good times for granted!
There are no words to express the extent to which I missed cheerleading when I grew to be an adult and my cheerleader days were over. My memories are so vivid that I could cry happy tears every time I reminisce. Cheerleading will always hold such a special place in my heart and it is so very much a part of who I am today.
In loving memory. Rest in heaven, Coach Dion.
