What Does Cheerleading Mean To Me Essay

Many say “Cheerleading isn’t just a sport. It’s a way of life”. If you said that to me four years ago, I would have never believed you. Now, there is no question in my mind that this is true. I was on the varsity cheer team at my high school from freshman to senior year. I was on the sideline teams as well as the competition team. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t joined cheer. This sport changed how I view challenges as well as showed me what it means to be a family.
Every athlete faces challenges in their sports. Whether it be injuries, mental blocks, or problems with teammates, we all learn how to overcome these adversities and come out better on the other side. Summer of sophomore year, I started experiencing sharp pains in both of my knees. Being a base, there’s a lot of stress going into my legs, specifically my knees. After a summer of heavy icing, lots of ibuprofen and no improvement, I decided it was time to go to the doctor. After some tests, we found out I …show more content…
In the beginning my dad would call my teammates my cheer sisters. I thought it was so weird and would get annoyed with him every time he said it. A year later I realized what he meant. Spending every day with these girls proved to me what a team really is. From all the laughs, the cries, the frustration, the joy, I grew with my team. The person who I am today is completely different from who I was four years ago. To me, that’s what it means to be a family: to grow, learn, laugh, cry, and overcome together. Regardless what obstacles came our way we never gave up. Even after all the stunt drops and injuries, we stayed together. No matter what happened, at the end of the day we all loved each other. Before cheerleading, the only family I knew was my parents and sisters. After cheerleading, I see that I can make anywhere my home and make anyone my family if I persevere through the hard times and love them