I have always been someone whose daily routine was waking up in the morning and instantly telling herself that I was never pretty enough, smart enough, mainly just good enough in general to be on any sports team or in any club in high school. I had no confidence in myself at all. I would hide in my hoodies and jeans and was scared of what everyone thought of my looks.

I would put myself through that everyday because from fifth grade till my senior year of high school I was picked on for something about my body. I was told I was too tall, too fat or thick (I hate those words more than ever now), and my face wasn’t blemish free. If there was a week that I wasn’t picked on it was a miracle. But, since graduation I haven’t seen those people that had said all the horrible things about me and tried ruining things for me in my senior year, supposedly the best year yet.

I am still that way today, but I recently joined the sideline cheer team and it has given me some confidence. I am not afraid to perform or even better give a speech in front of a class. I don’t feel that I need to hide in oversized hoodies everyday either. I can wear leggings just like every other girl and be comfortable without the hurtful words bothering me. I can yell out the cheers at the basketball games and really just not think of what the crowd is saying about me because I am having fun and loving what I am doing.

I may not be as flexible as some of the other girls but all of us laugh and have a good time together. I have truly loved becoming a cheerleader for all the fun, exciting, hard work, and self confidence it has given me.