I used to be a cheerleader. I don't like to brag though. Honestly, it's a little hard to believe since when I look in the mirror, the word "cheerleader" never crosses my mind. These days, it's words like "school", "workout" or "sleep". Though sometimes, I like to reminisce on the good 'ol days when my only responsibilities were to go to school and cheer practice. It wasn't always so easy though. I had to work for my spot on the team for three years, but it was definitely worth it.
It all started in sixth grade at our first pep rally of the football season. I was a bit of a tomboy and thought cheerleaders were too girly and whiny for me to hang around. But as soon as they hit the floor, something in me changed. Next year, I was one of those girly (but not so whiny) cheerleaders rooting on our 38-season (or something like that) undefeated football team. Back then (in 1999), "tryouts" was a very loose term for middle school teams. All you really had to do was show up and do the cheers as best as you can in front of the judges to earn a spot. The only team we were really trying out for was Tiger Squad, the team that cheered at all of the away games.
I was so proud to be on the sidelines and I made tons of new friends. I even made the Tiger Squad in 8th grade. Then high school tryouts came around. We all looked up to the high school cheerleaders because they did all the cool stunts and basket tosses. I was one of only two girls that decided to tryout. Honestly, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Those first three days of learning the material was rough. I definitely wasn't in middle school anymore. But somehow, I pushed through it and did the best I could in front of the judges. I didn't make the team, but I was pretty realistic about my odds. Over forty girls tried out for only 20 spots. I was a little upset, but figured I'd take my freshman year to train (after marching band practices- which I wasn't to happy about, but I wanted to get into the football games for free so it was my only other option) for next year.
Next year came and went. I didn't make the team. I started training harder and at tryouts for junior year, I believed I had a spot in the bag. Nope. I think that year, I took it the hardest. I thought about giving up. I thought, "Maybe cheerleading isn't for me. Maybe I'm just not good enough." But despite all my negative thoughts, I had my mind set on a spot for my senior year.
Tryout week finally came and I was pumped. I had trained for about three months and I was ready to go. Then something bad happened. During gym class, I was stretching and one of my classmates decided to "help" me with my straddle stretching. She got behind me and pushed me all the way down and I heard something crack. It was my right hamstring. I flipped out. I was angry and in pain, but I knew I couldn't go to the nurse's office because she'd tell me I wouldn't be able attend tryouts.
So I limped through my last few classes and got ready for day one of tryouts. My leg hurt so bad, but I pushed though the pain and did the best I could. That whole week flew by. I was worn out, but I was so close to that spot, I could feel it, even more than the pain in my leg. This was my year. I don't really remember what happened while I was trying out. All I remember from that day was driving by hours later and seeing my name on that banner. I made it. I was so thrilled. All that hard work paid off... finally!
Senior year was amazing. Cheer camp, football games, basketball games... I'd never been so happy to go to school every day. Most of it is just a blur to me today, but I was so proud that I set a goal for myself and accomplished it. I still never got my hamstring checked out though. I guess over the years, it's healed on its own. Of course, I continue to at least try to stay in shape to prevent any further injuries with running and yoga.
I guess the whole point to me writing this is to remind everyone that most things aren't just handed to you, you have to work for them. And if you give up too easily, maybe it wasn't something you really wanted in the first place. I was also inspired to write this because of a video that I came across this morning. It's a video of a girl that set a goal to learn how to dance in a year. It's amazing and so inspiring.
I get a lot of emails through the website from young girls trying to find out how to join a cheer or dance team. I used to be those girls. Sometimes I wish I could train them myself, but the most I can do is give them words of encouragement and tell them to contact gyms or studios in their area.
I never thought that my passion for cheerleading and dance would stay with me long enough to coach recreation and high school teams, judge competitions and start a business. I guess it just goes to show that you never know where your dreams will take you in life. So stay hopeful, ambitious and dedicated because you never know where your hard work will take you!
Featured Contributor
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| Sable Talley (@sabletalley) is the CEO of National Spirit Network (formerly U.S. Cheer & Dance Directory). Her experience with cheerleading and dance goes back as early as 2000. Cheering in jr. high and school developed her passion for the sport, which carried on through her college and early adult years coaching and administrating recreational and high school cheerleading. She also received coaching and judging certifications through AACCA, USASF and Cheer Ltd. After hanging up her coaching and judging caps, she continues to thrive in the spirit industry with the National Spirit Network. |
