A Relentless Pursuit
Childhood dreams are often wild and boundless—some kids imagine flying to space or scoring touchdowns at an NFL game. For me, my dream was to win the Super Bowl of cheerleading: NCA Nationals in Dallas, Texas. At just 9 years old, I set my sights on this goal, beginning a journey that would last 11 years. I didn’t come from a powerhouse gym. We weren’t the big name in cheerleading, and that made the goal even harder to reach. Cheerleading became my passion, but passion alone couldn’t protect me from the challenges I faced. The years weren’t just filled with practices and performances; they were filled with the kinds of trials that test your resolve.
I watched as friends—teammates I’d grown up with—chose to walk away. They traded cheer shoes for other sports, deciding the relentless cycle of disappointment wasn’t worth the fight. As someone who loved sharing this journey with them, their absence hit me hard. It was more than just losing teammates; I was losing a sense of belonging. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t quit. There was something inside me that refused to give up, no matter how many times we fell short, I knew that at the end my perseverance would pay off, hopefully.
Time after time, we placed second, third—close, but never quite there. Each defeat was a heartbreak, but also a lesson. The bruises, tears, injuries, and late-night practices taught me about persistence in ways that nothing else could. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about proving to myself that I had the strength to keep going. By the time I graduated high school, I still hadn’t won that elusive title. Most people would have walked away at that point, but I wasn’t ready to let the dream go. I committed to one more year, balancing college classes and the intense demands of competitive cheer. It wasn’t easy—cheerleading while in college meant mastering time management, learning to prioritize, and practicing patience in a way I never had before.
In the end, my persistence paid off. After years of near misses, countless setbacks, and endless hours of work, I became an NCA Champion. But more importantly, I emerged with something far greater: resilience. That journey, filled with highs and lows, taught me that hard work isn’t just about the final result—it’s about the person you become along the way. It was more than just a title—Becoming an NCA champion was the reward, but the real victory was the resilience and unwavering determination I built along that way – qualities that will continue to guide me in every challenge life throws my way. As NCA says, “The work is really worth it”.
