Varsity Cheerleader

Since I was eleven, I have dreamt of being a Varsity cheerleader on the sidelines at every football game. The last five years of my life have been filled with hard-work, determination, sweat, blood, and tears. I never made the Varsity cheer team, however, that was not my failure. My failure occurred last year after making the junior varsity team. After making JV, I was confused with the coaches’ decisions. I felt as if I had executed the skills beautifully. I developed the courage to ask the coaches why I did not make Varsity. Their response was my leadership skills were not right for the team and I should be a follower, then learn from the other leaders. I was motivated to surpass these standards during the year. Throughout the year, I was elected captain and transferred to Varsity for the State competition and the Nationals competition. I strived to take the coaches advice, so I could become the leader they wanted me to be. The time came to tryout and I felt optimistic. Unfortunately, I made Junior Varsity again. I was crestfallen and disconsolate. After lots of deep-thinking and praying, I decided it would be best to not continue cheering. I informed the coaches of my decision to step down from the team.
It took several months for me to develop a perspective on the experience. At first, I was perplexed,

indignant, and downhearted. However, my mother and close friends comforted me. It was through them that I realized I did not fail by not making the team, but I failed by trying to change myself to meet someone else’s standards. I had become devoted to making varsity that I was willing to forget about all of my values and my disposition entirely to please the coaches. I grew up thriving in Girl Scouts, where I was surrounded by strong, successful women. For as long as I can remember, I was guided by these women to be myself. I understand now that I was not meant to make Varsity. This experience revealed that I cannot change myself to meet the expectations of someone else.
By not making Varsity, I was able to discover myself and begin to encourage others to do the same.

I am now pursuing interests that display who I really am. Currently, I am involved in numerous activities that allow me to be myself. These activities include Student Council, Spanish Club, Medical Leaders of Tomorrow, and Environmental Club. I am also currently producing my Gold Award for Girl Scouts; I am hoping to incorporate my passion for science into children’s lives by creating a science fair. My ambition is to inspire them with science and to help them form confidence. I hope that I will be able to encourage others to be themselves and to be

self-assured.