Dear Cheerleading,

First, I miss you so much. I was a cheerleader for over half of my life, so when the moment came that I had to set down my pom-poms for good, I didn’t know what to do. You enriched my life in so many ways, and I know you have done the same for so many other girls. I learned so many things, thanks to you. You helped me find my voice and ignited an intense love for my school inside of me. You gave me the confidence I needed to get through those awkward middle school years and helped me find my place in high school. Thank you for being my purpose for such a long time.

Thank you for helping me find a group of older girls to look up to, and as I got older, giving me a group of younger girls to pour myself into. The bond a cheerleader has with her teammates is something that is so special. After suffering through long practices, the grueling days of stunt camp, and a season that felt like it never ended, I grew extremely close to the girls on my squad. I considered the girls I cheered with sisters, and those moments when we hit a perfect stunt, or the routine was flawless were the times that we all truly felt like a family. I am so thankful for the friendships in my life that were born out of cheerleading.

Thank you for teaching me that hard work truly pays off. Cheerleaders pour so much blood, sweat, and tears into our sport. I can’t tell you how many times I have had my hair pulled, my face stepped on, or have been just flat out crushed for the sake of a stunt. I’ve had black eyes, cricked necks, and countless bruises, but it’s all worth it when that stunt hits for the first time. You taught me that no matter how many times I fail, I have to learn from my mistakes and try again. You taught me that success means so much more when you have to work for it. I’ll carry those lessons with me for the rest of my life.

Even though I am no longer on a cheerleading squad, I will always be a cheerleader. I’ll probably always be able to dance to my school’s fight song, hearing, “five, six, seven, eight,” will always make me perk up, and I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the sport. Thank you for instilling the values of perseverance and cooperation in me. Thank you for giving me confidence. Thank you for being so much more than just a hobby or an after school activity. You were such a big part of my life for so long, and I will cherish the memories I made on the sidelines forever. So thank you cheerleading, for all you did for me over the years. I am forever changed because of you.