Being a Leader

Participating in athletics all through out high school was important to me. As senior year rolled around, I had to make the decision to weather or not I was going to continue cheerleading and receive my final Varsity letter bar. Many factors went into my decision. I knew in the spring of 2009, that if I did in fact decide to cheer one more year, I would be the one everyone on the squad looked up to.
On the day of try-outs, I walked into Renfro gymnasium with confidence that cheering one more year was the right decision to make. I checked in and started to stretch out. I looked around and noticed that no other soon to be senior was trying out. I was quickly over whelmed with joy. During try-outs, I gave it my all even though I knew that I had nothing to worry about because I had already secured a spot on the squad. The anticipation of being able to see the tumbling skills everyone else has at try-outs has always been the most exciting. I quickly began to observe and noticed that this year would not be like years past, the tumbling capabilities were not there. I began to recall the previous year’s try-outs, all of the skills that everyone had. I wondered where it had all went. After observing everyone else’s tumbling passes I did mine, and I knew that this would be my year. Freshman year, I was not the tumbler, but I knew this year that I would be bring a lot to the squad with my tumbling abilities.
After two days of learning the material for tryouts, it was finally the day. I walked in wearing my purple shorts, white shirt, and shiny silver bow and I was ready for this try-out. I received my number, one, and was well on my way to try-out. The group that I was in, looked up to me like a leader from the very beginning of try-outs. If someone needed help, I was there to assist them. While in front of the judges, I was glad that I made the decision that I did. I preformed all of the material without flaw, and my tumbling had never been better.; my layout was solid. I left with confidence knowing that I had gave it my all, and quickly had to hurry off to the Honor’s Convocation.
Later that evening, we were to go back and pick up an envelope informing us if we made the squad and which one. After I was all done at the Honor’s Convocation, I hurried back and picked up my envelope. I ripped it open and was pleased to read that I made the Varsity competition squad.
A few days later, at our first practice, we met our new teammates and began to practice. The coach was a first year coach, and she knew that I was the only senior and the one with the most experience on the squad and was knowledgeable about all that we did. She quickly began asking me questions about the previous years and what all we did and what needed to be changed. At this practice, we began to stunt and figure out who would go in what group. I volunteered to back spot, the only place in the stunt group that I had never been. I figured that a good leader should be knowledgeable about all aspects of cheerleading and that it wouldn’t hurt to learn. I realized that if I wasn’t flying that I would much rather be a back spot.
In conclusion, my senior year of cheerleading was not how I had imagined it to be. Being the only senior was never a thought that crossed my mind. It was a great experience and taught me more than any other team that I had been apart of. I was a real leader for my squad.