Everyone has their “thing”. Whether that is a hobby, sport, or activity, everyone seems to have an interest in their life that makes each person uniquely them. For me, this has always been cheerleading. The enthusiasm, skill, and energy that come with this sport are just a few aspects that have drawn me in. I have never known a life without cheerleading, and I do not know where I would be without these experiences. The people I have met and the lessons I have learned are aspects that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. A large part of my deep admiration for this sport is accredited to a program that has shaped me into the person I am today: Lewis Cass Cheerleading.
My journey with this impactful program began early in my life. Growing up around the Lewis Cass community, I have been to my fair share of this school’s sporting events, the majority including basketball and football games. At these events, however, my attention was not focused on the sporting competition; rather, I was captivated by the girls on the sidelines: the cheerleaders. My four-year-old self could not take my eyes off the jumping, cheering, and smiling girls in their red and blue. From that point forward, I knew I was going to be just like them one day.
In 2017, I became more involved in the cheer program as my mom took on the varsity coaching position here at Cass. Of course, this was immensely exciting for me as I got to spend time with girls I so fondly looked up to. I was fortunate enough to experience nearly everything with the team. This included attending practices, riding along to games, and even participating in team events such as overnights and team dinners. I truly felt as if I had a special place on the team, and for a young girl who loved this program as much as I did, this was a dream come true. The girls included me like I was a part of the team and I knew I would always be welcome around the cheer squad.
My mom kept this position for six years until stepping down before the 2023-24 season. I, however, did not spend a year away from the program, as this was my freshman year and first year officially on the team. That year, I was one of just two freshmen on the varsity squad and had a wonderful start to my high school career. Since then, I have remained on the varsity team for the past two years and am heading into my final year as a member of this special program. Leaving the cheer program will be quite the change for me, as it has been such a large part of my identity for a long time. However, the lessons it has taught me will stick with me throughout my adult years.
To me, the most valuable lesson I have acquired through the cheer program is the importance of integrity. Integrity is doing the right thing even when you think no one is watching. For a very long time, my eyes have always been on the cheerleaders. Whether they knew it or not, I was looking up to them and following their example. This experience has made it evident to me from a young age that there is always someone watching, and it is important to ensure that you set a good example.
Just like little me once did, I know various young girls have looked up to me throughout my time wearing a Lewis Cass cheer uniform. My hope is that I set a positive example and exemplified what a true leader looks like. Thank you, Lewis Cass Cheerleading, for the impact you have had on my life. I hope I was able to leave my mark on you as well.
From the sidelines to the headlines, this is Lauren, signing out.
