I’m Desirée Coleman, AC‘s newest intern! I’m so ecstatic to be joining such a talented team of fellow writers and cheerleaders this fall. As a senior in college at the Fashion Institute of Technology (which is across the street from the AC offices), I’m working towards earning my Bachelor’s Degree in advertising and marketing communications. Writing is my number one passion, and through the world of communications I hope to find my niche as an author, journalist and songwriter.

I stumbled across American Cheerleader magazine through my cousin, Lenée, who was AC‘s Cheerleader of the Year in 2008 (featured on Nov-Dec 2008 cover). I also credit her for getting me interested in cheering in the first place. We’re as close as sisters and it would be an understatement to say I look up to her. When I first entered middle school, Lenée was on the JV team at Rocky Point high school, and persuaded me to try out for the team. Now, nine years later, I’m proud to say I graduated as a varsity captain and proud back-to-back Long Island Cheer Champion. My team became my family, my coach a second mom, and the character I learned throughout my time as a competitive cheerleader was ingrained in me forever.

As we’ve all experienced, though, cheerleading is a sport very prone to injury. Top girls (like me), bases, back spots, tumblers, etc. are constantly working their bodies to the max. I somehow made it through every fall and winter cheer season scar-free, until my senior year. Mid-football season, I took a bad fall out of a 360 Full-up and my mom insisted I get an X-ray for my back. After an intimidating visit at the hospital, I was diagnosed with severe rotational and lordosis scoliosis and recommended to a surgeon. I was frightened and disheartened that I wouldn’t be able to cheer my final competition season with Rocky Point. The doctors strongly enforced that continually twisting out of stunts and tumbling would only worsen my condition. I hated letting my team down so close to our Regional competition.

My experience goes to show that good can come from everything! We ended up bringing up two eighth grade girls onto the team and I took them under my wing to fill my spot as a top girl. I became my coach’s right-hand-man and assisted her in choreography, conditioning, and leading the team through games, practices, and most importantly, competitions. I began seeing a physical therapist a few days a week to improve the curve in my spine, hoping I’d cheer again soon, but he didn’t advise I go back to my normal routines.

However, injuries and character issues caused my team to fall short another top girl, right before LICCA Finals and UCA Nationals. My coach met with my mom and asked her to let me get back on the mat for the final two weeks of the season and compete. She hesitantly said, “Yes!”  and I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to perform one last time before I had to hang up my poms.

Now, I find myself at AC, thrilled to begin a productive semester combining two of my favorite hobbies: cheerleading and writing! Aside from my cheer career, I’m a singer/songwriter in a band called Wishlist with Lenée and my brother, Donté. We’re recording our new record in L.A. this month, so stay tuned! I’ve also co-authored a young adult memoir entitled Just Believe with my mom that will hopefully hit shelves soon.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at acmail@americancheerleader.com

Cheers!

Desirée

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