It’s story time, children.
Though I was a pretty busy student in junior high with Tennis Lessons, Orchestra practice (I played the Viola!), and French Club, all I really wanted to be was a cheerleader. I loved their flirty skirts, the hot dance moves, the athleticism. Did I mention the flirty skirts? As soon as I could try out for cheerleading, I did!
My school had 4 squads: Junior Varsity Basketball and Junior Varsity Football; along with Varsity Basketball and Varsity Football. The basketball squads were viewed as 2nd tier because let’s face it: in most Southern Schools Football reigns supreme. The Football cheerleaders were better dancers, had better uniforms. The goal was to get on the Football Squad whether JV or Varsity.
I tried out in 9th grade…and didn’t make it. That summer, I stretched every night. I almost broke the floors of my house practicing my toe touches and herkies. I looked at MTV music videos and copied the dance moves. Then I tried out again.
10th Grade, I finally made the cut…for the Junior Varsity Basketball Squad. I was a cheerleader, yes, but my goal was football. So I kept stretching, jumping, and dancing.
For 11th Grade, I made the Varsity Basketball Squad. And I was so committed to being the best cheerleader I could be, that everyone said I’d be captain of the Varsity Basketball Squad for my Senior Year. But I wanted Football. The stretching, jumping, and dancing continued. On the day of Try Outs, one of my contact lenses ripped, so I was blind in one eye. I still showed up, performed the routine, and wished for the best. And guess what?
I made Varsity Football.
I’ve always been a writer, and remember my journal entry from that day. I wrote, in big letters across a full page, “Guess who’s a Varsity Football Cheerleader? ME!!!” Might seem silly, but making the squad meant everything to me. The whole process showed me that with practice and determination, I could achieve anything I set my mind to, even after multiple let downs and disappointments.
And hey, I still got it.
It’s so easy to get discouraged and think “I’ll never get there,” “I’m not good enough,” “This will never work.”
Keep practicing your craft and keep your eye on the prize. You’ll get there eventually.
Just don’t give up;)
Images: Visuals by Pierre
