Self Expression Essay

Makeda Peace

        I was always involved in sports when I was younger and I am still just as interested as I was then. I have played many sports in high school, but my two favorite sports were softball and cheerleading. I was a cheerleader for basketball and football my entire high school career. In order to participate in these sports, I had to understand that I would need to put one hundred percent of my effort into every practice and game.

My mother was always athletic and I knew I would follow in her footsteps. Cheerleading was an outlet for me and it allowed me to escape from everything else and focus on cheering my team on. I was first interested in cheerleading when I was in Middle School. Being the new girl meant not having any close friends for the first part of school. I needed to come up with a way to meet new people and sports seemed like the easiest way. The decision to try out for both the cheer team as well as the softball team, were some of the best decisions I have made in my life. The connections and bonds I made with those people were so strong. These people are still my best friends to this day.

I told myself that I would be just as athletic as my mother was because I wanted to stay fit and healthy. Cheerleading also provided me with a way to reach this goal. The types of rigorous activities we did to prepare for games included running miles at a time and we even practiced with the basketball team to build our endurance level. I did not join this sport just for social reasons, I made best friends, stayed healthy, and had fun while doing so. Some believe cheerleaders do not play an incredible role in any game they are supporting. I am a strong advocate for cheerleading and recognizing it as a sport.

Cheerleading allowed me to keep in touch with other sports as well as my own. Some of my best friends played on that football team that I cheered for two years ago. My high school football was pretty decent. We went to states three years in a row and each time we went I felt as though it was me out there on that field. The football players respected us cheerleaders more than anyone else. Hearing our chants always got them pumped up for the games. My senior year of high school our football team went undefeated and once again, continued on to states. This year was particularly important because we were all seniors and this was the last time the boys had to show that they could take the ring home. I felt as though I was one of the football players running across the field every time they prepared for a game.

The state game was a nerve-wracking day for everyone involved, including the coaches and fans. The fact that the last two years we went all the way and lost the game by two points both times, made it evident that the third time is a charm. On the bus gong to the game we were all excited but there was a little fear in my heart. I didn’t want us to lose again but I couldn’t help but think about that outcome.  The game is was close with a score of 23-21, 3 seconds left in the game and the opposing team was up. We had just one chance to score and the coach pulled in the kicker. At the time, the kicker for our team was my best friend and this is where I cheered my loudest. He went in and set up for his field goal attempt. I held my breath as he drew back for the kick. The ball was flying through the air and the timer was counting down. He missed by a hair and we lost the game.