My non-cheerleader friends and family often ask me what it is about cheerleading that has me so obsessed. One of the first aspects of the sport that attracted me (and essentially got me hooked) was COMPETITION. When I first became interested in cheerleading, I was living in Northern Virginia. I was involved in a youth cheer program (SYC!) and enrolled in tumbling classes at Capital Gymnastics (home of Capital Cheer All-Stars). Northern VA is a bit of a “cheer hub,” so when I immersed myself into the culture, there was PLENTY to occupy myself with. The first competition routine I witnessed was that of the senior squad at Springfield All-Stars, and I later became familiar with the teams at Capital Cheer. When I started high school in Hawaii, my first priority was to cheer on a competitive cheer squad. I’m a competitive person by nature and the idea of competing with a team as one unit, dedicated to a common goal, was enticing. I became a member of Pacific Cheer Academy’s Pacific Cheer All-Stars in 2003 (Aiea, HI) and thus, my competitive cheer career had began!

The entire season, I looked forward to one thing: boarding the plane at Honolulu International Airport and flying to Los Angeles for USA All-Star Nationals. When we finally got there, I was literally star struck; seeing all the other teams interacting with each other and recognizing other gyms (I spent a lot of time learning about other all-star programs, quite like how your brother might obsess over his favorite basketball team) was so cool to me. On competition day, my nerves began to overshadow my confidence. The Anaheim Convention Center is a big place, and it was FULL of people. This was my first time ever competing, and we were at a national event! Warm-ups were stressful, and by the time we were on deck, I was literally shaking with fear. As soon as the announcer introduced our gym and we took the floor, ALL the nervousness was replaced with the most intense adrenaline rush I’d ever experienced. What came next was an almost out-of-body experience, and at that moment, cheerleading officially became an addiction for me. It was awesome, and the only thing I could think about after leaving the mat was when I’d be able to step back onto it!

My favorite part about that trip though was seeing the camaraderie that is absent in so many other competitive sports. My gym was one of only two teams from Hawaii that had entered in that competition. The other team, Na Ali’i All-Stars, showed us SO much support. It was such a relief to see familiar faces seated right at the edge of the mat, seconds before our music started. They greeted us as we left the mat with leis (a Hawaiian tradition), and we did the same for them. Cheerleaders are not only fierce competitors, but we are fierce supporters and loyal friends.

I still get a rush of butterflies before competing and sometimes I still get nervous, but it’s no longer fearful. That gut feeling is an indication that I’m ready to get out there and do what I do best—perform. While my days of all-star cheerleading are sadly over, I love it all the same, if not more now. I’ve watched the sport and industry evolve so much since my first taste of it—what an amazing privilege it is to be a cheerleader! Check out the photo of me at my first Nationals! If you have any special “Cheer Firsts” you’d like to share, I’d love to hear them! You know where to reach me: aneason@americancheerleader.com

Peace & Love,

Alex