As a 10-year-old cheerleader, you woke up on Sundays in the fall, put on your uniform -- our most prized possession -- put on your sparkly bow that made your eyes glitter and waited for Mom and Dad to drive you to the football field. This is what you lived for. You lived for the fun cheers on the sidelines, for the football boys you had crushes on who scored touchdowns, for the halftime routine where all eyes were on you.
So to the 10-year-old girl who is in her glory at one hour practices and games that get canceled because it’s too cold out, this one’s for you -- because, unfortunately, you won’t always be on the sidelines.
I know you live for half time routines -- keep killing it.
Everyone in the stands really is watching you.
Sunday mornings turn into Friday nights.
And your first game under the lights on Friday is exhilarating. I hope you never forget this feeling.
Appreciate the no-conditioning days, they end as soon as you hit your first day of high school tryouts.
While coaches have the best intentions, an hour of conditioning after two hours of practice really makes you feel like they’re just in it to kill you.
Set goals.
For yourself. Maybe you’ll yell louder, tighten your motions, or promise yourself a handspring by the end of the season. And for your team. Do you want to be champs? You won’t be if you don’t set goals.
You have the biggest smile -- never lose it.
High school practices will get tough and, sometimes, high school games are played in below-zero weather, but I hope you smile through the conditioning and the snow.
You’re (patiently) waiting to be a high school cheerleader.
The glitz, the poms, Friday nights looking up and seeing your entire town. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t everything. I can’t wait for you to have that experience.
Love your coaches.
They’re the reason you’re falling in love with this sport at such a young age. They dedicate their lives to you for barely nothing at all, but they do it because they love you and want you to succeed at those goals we talked about. And they will always believe in you.
Cheer comps will be the best and worst days of your life.
Nothing compares to all your teammates getting their hair and makeup done together, blaring your routine music and the fun, energetic ride to the gym. But you better hit or the ride back will be the worst experience of your life.
Your team is a family.
You win together, you lose together, you cry over losses and victories together; the moments you build together are what make you one.
So, to the little girl on the sideline, I hope you never wish your games away. I know you’re excited to be a cheerleader under the lights. You also don’t know it yet, but it’s possible to go to Cheer Nationals. I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you, but keep believing in yourself, keep pushing and never give up because you might be the first from your team’s history to lead your team to a National Champion title. But don’t worry about that, now; halftime is over and you need to get out of Mom and Dad’s car, put down the hot chocolate and finish cheering on the boys.
