Dear Cheerleading…

For many, their cheerleading careers quickly came to an unexpected end when the 2020 NCA & NDA Collegiate National Championship was canceled. For others, athletes and coaches are not so patiently waiting on the official announcement of the final news of the 2020 Cheerleading & Dance Worlds.

Cheerleading has served as more than just an activity for most of these athletes, and they aren’t a fan of the current circumstances. Athletes across the globe are expressing their feelings towards the unexpected ending to the season.

Dear Cheerleading…

 

Lindsey Driskill

Oklahoma State University

"Dear Cheerleading, 

I didn’t expect my senior year to end this way. I didn’t expect to not get the opportunities with my team that we intended. All the awesome experiences together that we won’t get to share.. but I feel in a time like this I should really appreciate all the things cheer HAS given me after all these years. Thanks to cheerleading I have developed into the person I want to be. I’ve learned hard work, perseverance, mental and physical strength, and what it truly means to be passionate about something. Cheerleading has given me a whole new world that I hope to always be a part of. I can’t imagine a better group of people to surround myself with these last few years. I couldn’t be more grateful for the experiences and opportunities I have had! My life will forever be impacted in a positive way because of the quality people I have been lucky enough to meet and get to know. So even if this year didn’t go as planned I know this is not the end and cheerleading will always hold a special place in my heart. I am beyond thankful for everything and everyone." -Lindsey Driskill

 

Sydney Hays

Spirit of Texas – Royalty

"Dear Cheerleading, 

I can’t believe everything is about to come to an end. I never would have thought it would end like this. You have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Through this sport, I’ve learned many things and met many people. I’ve learned the value of hard work and what it takes to believe in myself to achieve great things. I’ve met countless team mates and coaches who have now become my forever family. Not just within my own team and gym, but across the globe and establishing lifelong friendships. You have rewarded me with a world championship title and I am forever grateful, but that’s not what it is about. Cheerleading is about team work and the feeling you get with your team when you walk off the floor knowing you gave it your all. Cheerleading is the place where you can let go and be yourself regardless of what is going on at home, school, etc. Cheerleading is the place where every team member is focused on one goal in mind. Without cheerleading, I wouldn’t be the person I am today and will continue to carry the life lessons this sport has taught me into the real world and into my future. If I had the opportunity to cheer one last time with my team mates, I would take it in an instant. Thank you Cheerleading for the memories, team mates, coaches, competitions, zeros, wins, losses, struggles and life lessons. You will never be forgotten." -Sydney Hays

 

Madison Hunt 

NC State University 

"Dear Cheerleading,

First, I want to thank you for shaping me into the person I am today. Thank you for putting so many amazing people into my life. Teammates who have become lifelong friends, coaches who have become mentors, but especially teams that have become my family. Thank you for pushing me way beyond what I ever imagined. When I started just at six years old, never did I think I would compete at some of the most prestigious competitions there are today. But more importantly never did I imagine the long life lessons I would get out of this sport. You have taught me what it means to be a leader, how to be a good teammate, how to be a coachable athlete, how to react when times get rough, and the list goes on forever. It’s so easy to get caught up in competitions and the dream of winning and hoping to get a ring. I mean I was guilty of it, but times like this make you take a step back and look at the real dream. The real dream has always been the ability to just do something you love almost everyday with the people you love. Walking into practice never failed to put a smile on my face even if I was nervous about what practice was going to entail. I always knew I was walking into a room full of talent, love, and support. I can say this to be true from the moment I started cheerleading. I’ve been lucky enough to be on teams that supported me and only wanted to see me prosper. There have been so many moments in my life that have put the biggest smile on my face just because I was simply cheering. Trying to sum up 16 years of cheerleading is not easy, but I am thankful for this being such a hard goodbye. This hard goodbye truly allows me to reflect on the amazing things that cheerleading has given me and I can confidently say that I’m leaving this sport a better person." -Madison Hunt

Ryan Claunch

University of Louisville

"Dear Cheerleading, 

Whenever we are faced with adversity, it’s important to remember why we do what we do. Having your “why” and knowing what that is for you makes all the ups and downs worth it. Our current circumstances are at a major low right now, but I know I’ll make it through because I have my “why.” It’s the reason I spend all those late nights in the gym. The reason why I put my body through so much training time and time again. The reason why I keep coming back year after year. If it wasn’t for all the athletes and coaches who came before me or reached out a hand over the years to help mold me into the athlete I am today, I don’t think I would appreciate cheer as much I as I do now. Thank you cheerleading for always having a home for me and surrounding me with a whole new family I never knew I could have." -Ryan Claunch