Dear Cheerleading,
I still remember being a little fourth grader, looking up at my mom and asking if I could become a cheerleader. Of course, she was excited—I was never an athletic child—but I don’t think either of us knew at the time how important cheerleading would become in my life.
Like most sports, cheerleading comes with its ups and downs. There were moments I wanted to throw my poms down and walk away, and others when I never wanted to step off the eight-panel mat. I became a camp grand champion, a regional champion, a national finalist and, eventually, a national champion.
Cheerleading also gave me lifelong friendships. If you ask any high school senior who played a sport, they’ll tell you—the final game or competition is the hardest. On my last day as a cheerleader, I cried so many tears. I was no longer “Ashleigh, the cheerleader.” Looking back, I don’t think about the titles or the stunts. I remember the life lessons.
Thank you for teaching me trust.
Cheerleading is one of the most dangerous sports in the world, and trust is everything. Without trust in a stunt group, things can fall apart—and someone could get hurt. That kind of trust applies in life too: with family, friends, and even in the workplace.
Thank you for teaching me patience.
To gain new skills in cheer, you need patience. It can take 100 tries before you finally get it right. I learned to trust the process, to keep going. That patience will matter throughout my life—especially one day as a parent.
Thank you for teaching me to lead.
It’s right there in the name: cheerleader. I had to be mindful of my actions, lead by example, and represent myself and my team well. Leadership isn’t just for sports—it’s what employers look for, and it’s who I’ve become.
Thank you for teaching me dedication.
Cheerleading required full commitment—physically and mentally. I gave up holidays, parties and special events because I was dedicated to my team. Now I know how to show up and give 100% in everything I do.
Thank you for helping me come out of my shell.
Before cheerleading, I was quiet and reserved. I used to cling to my mom at family parties. But cheer made me loud, made me bold, and helped me find my voice.
Thank you for teaching me time management.
Between school, two-hour practices, competitions, a part-time job, and extracurriculars, I had to learn how to manage my time. Cheer taught me to stay organized and get it all done.
Thank you for teaching me teamwork.
Teamwork is at the core of cheer. If just one person is off-count, the whole performance can fall apart. If one stunt fails, it takes the group to figure out why. Teamwork isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Thank you, cheerleading.
You’ve given me lessons I’ll carry forever. And I have even more to thank you for:
Thank you for teaching me to get back up—even after taking a kick to the head.
Thank you for helping me learn to spell.
Thank you for teaching me not to care what others think.
Thank you for the friends who became family.
Thank you for the many trips to Disney World.
Thank you for giving me a place to escape.
Thank you for the bows, the glitter and the Friday night lights.
And most of all—
Thank you for teaching me to keep smiling.
