As both a male cheerleader and performer, being ostracized is not rare. Overcoming this feeling has helped me realize that cheerleading and musical performances are significant aspects of my identity, as well as some of my best memories of high school.
Standing in the exquisite balcony of Carnegie Hall, the rotunda of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Museum, or the wings of a stage in Hershey Park could never prepare me for the rejection I routinely felt throughout high school. Being a male performer, I found myself feeling dismissed by the rest of my school.Nevertheless, my dedication to our music department has contributed to plentiful self-growth, countless performances, awards and accolades, but ultimately it has provided me with outstanding …show more content…
Although I found myself fending off belittling remarks and negative comments screamed to me during games and in hallways, my resilience has gotten me recognized and I have been recruited to all-star teams and have competed successfully at the varsity level. Competing on a varsity team means more to me than a trophy, medal or my name in the athletic hall of fame, being a part of the cheerleading team at my school and my time as an all-star cheerleader has taught me the significance of working for something greater than oneself. Standing with my team is not something I take for granted, because of the work and dedication I have had to display to be where I am today. Initially, my school was not even entirely supportive of the idea of allowing a male cheerleader on the team because cheerleading was an "all girl" sport. After research and some persuasion, I was able to convince my administration that allowing me to cheer for our school’s cheer team would be a positive attribution to our school. Having a male cheerleader on the team opened the possibility to a more diverse and accepting atmosphere at Eastport South Manor. Since I have joined the team, three younger boys have tried out for both the JV and Varsity teams. Seeing that I have become a role model to younger people in my community has inspired me to become a leader. With this inspiration, I have become a cheer coach for children in hopes to inspire even more people to follow the path I
Standing in the exquisite balcony of Carnegie Hall, the rotunda of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Museum, or the wings of a stage in Hershey Park could never prepare me for the rejection I routinely felt throughout high school. Being a male performer, I found myself feeling dismissed by the rest of my school.Nevertheless, my dedication to our music department has contributed to plentiful self-growth, countless performances, awards and accolades, but ultimately it has provided me with outstanding …show more content…
Although I found myself fending off belittling remarks and negative comments screamed to me during games and in hallways, my resilience has gotten me recognized and I have been recruited to all-star teams and have competed successfully at the varsity level. Competing on a varsity team means more to me than a trophy, medal or my name in the athletic hall of fame, being a part of the cheerleading team at my school and my time as an all-star cheerleader has taught me the significance of working for something greater than oneself. Standing with my team is not something I take for granted, because of the work and dedication I have had to display to be where I am today. Initially, my school was not even entirely supportive of the idea of allowing a male cheerleader on the team because cheerleading was an "all girl" sport. After research and some persuasion, I was able to convince my administration that allowing me to cheer for our school’s cheer team would be a positive attribution to our school. Having a male cheerleader on the team opened the possibility to a more diverse and accepting atmosphere at Eastport South Manor. Since I have joined the team, three younger boys have tried out for both the JV and Varsity teams. Seeing that I have become a role model to younger people in my community has inspired me to become a leader. With this inspiration, I have become a cheer coach for children in hopes to inspire even more people to follow the path I