We have the best seats in the house. We arrive two hours earlier than any other fan. We smile even when we're losing. We sweat just as much as the basketball players. We are college cheerleaders.
I watched the movie "Bring it On" when I was in elementary school—that's all it took. I was hooked. High school was my first opportunity to try out for cheerleading, and to be honest, I didn't really know what exactly it entailed. However, stunting became a habit and bows became my favorite accessory.
To say my last season as a cheerleader in high school was bittersweet is an understatement. I still follow up with all the girls on the team and talk to my old coach about their success. (They won state last year and got fourth this year!) It was because of this missing piece in my daily routine that I decided to try out for my college's cheerleading team. Never in a million years did I think it would end with me being on the team.
It's been quite the learning experience, to say the least. Being a college cheerleader has taught me many things. For example, how to put on insane amounts of makeup that could make you seen from Mars. Tease and poof your hair so much it naturally stays there without hairspray. The rules of basketball and how much your heart can pound when you watch the ball fly through the air, praying it'll make it in the hoop. It is possible to smile so much your cheeks hurt. And last, but certainly not least, I love my school.
Easy is not the word I would use to describe the schedule that has become my life. Practice six hours each week, plus a game or two thrown in the mix, on top of homework and other extracurricular activities. It is a wonder I even have time to sleep. That's what makes us unique. Some don't consider cheerleading a sport, however, we work just as hard on and off the court as every other sport. To be a cheerleader is to have stamina, drive and determination. Always wanting to be the best you can be. Naturally, this transfers over to our everyday life. My teammates are some of the highest achievers I've ever met.
It's hard, but looking out at the hundreds of fans around you standing on their feet chanting with you makes it all worth it. People think as cheerleaders we are always suppose to be peppy, happy and full of energy. Honestly, that energy comes from the crowd. Feeding off their energy only makes us cheer louder, stunt sharper and smile bigger.
The season is almost over and looking back, I'm glad I decided to take a risk and try out. Having an experience like this has made me truly appreciate the sport that I love so much. My college life was already one-of-a-kind, but being a member of a college cheerleading squad added an element to it that I didn't even know I needed. I feel incredibly special to say that I represent my school on and off the court as a member of the team.
So next time you're walking in the quad and you see one of your schools cheerleaders, tell them good job. They work harder than you think, and I know it would mean a lot to them knowing they are not going unnoticed.
