Ever since seventh grade, I have been a competitive cheerleader. I began tumbling a year prior, which led me to joining the squad. My team consists of nineteen of my closest friends who push me to be the best I can be, as a person and as an athlete. What is the effect of having these girls by my side? Since it has only been a couple of years, I remember what life was like before joining the squad. It is the only sport that I have stuck to, with the exception of junior high volleyball and softball. Therefore, cheerleading is the only long-term and advanced-level sport I have participated in. What effect has competitive cheerleading had on me? How has it changed me? Have I become a better or worse person because of it? In the first place, it
