I have always encouraged discovering lessons from cheerleading. As hypocritical as it may seem, I didn’t realize all of the lessons I had actually learned along the way. It just so happens that Vince Lombardi, who was the Green Bay Packers football coach, and won the first two Super Bowls, knew about this competitive cheerleading back in 1959 when he started coaching at Green Bay. Of course I’m being sarcastic, but he did say some really awesome things that I will use to illustrate some of the things that cheerleading has taught me. The first lesson is to fully invest in everything you do. Coach Lombardi said “Those who have invested the most are the last to surrender”. If you have ever taken the time to look into your teammates eyes before you compete, or during a difficult practice or right before they call out competition standings, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
The second involves glory. Teams achieve real glory, and not because they win competitions or gain recognition, but because they do the impossible. He says “The real glory is being knocked on your knees and then coming back. That’s real glory. That’s the essence of it”.

Third, success, and not just winning, but success that you create. Does this sound familiar to anyone, “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious”. That quote is about cheerleaders everywhere.

My favorite lesson is next, heart and passion. We all know so much about this topic, so I will be brief. “It is essential to understand that battles are primarily won in the hearts of men.”
These lessons allow us to never to settle. Cheerleading is known for pushing boundaries, being innovative and never giving up. Coach Lombardi agreed, “If you’ll not settle from anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives”.

The final lesson is is one of my own. We all share the joys of this sport. We use cheerleading as common ground. We love our team and we love what we do. I encourage you to learn this lesson: love each other. Take a step back and look at what can be accomplished together. I have seen this cheerleading world campaign for others and help other cheerleaders in need. It amazes me and other spectators. Imagine what else we can accomplish and consider those options before everything you do.

As I depart from this sport I hope that I have left a mark on someone or something, and I hope when you are done you feel the same way. It has been an honor to share this sport with you. I am enjoying my life as a college cheerleader at UNC and at the same time being able to stay active in media engagements within all-star and school cheerleading. I love that I will be able to do this with my new show, Cheer Mashup because it will give me the opportunity to visit gyms and events and follow my career path in broadcast journalism.

Thank you for all your support and reading my blog.