Peyton Begins Sophomore Cheer

Sophomore Cheer Season

Peyton is two games into her sophomore cheer season. Even more fun this year is the fact that she actually gets to cheer for the boys she is in the same grade as. 

She was a little rusty on some cheers during the first game but her smiling was a lot better than last year. 

By the second game, her cheers were stronger and she actually was one of only four girls on the JV Cheer Team that could throw any tumbling. She did a standing back handspring and a round off back handspring and landed both. Quite impressive considering she couldn't tumble at all this time last year. I'm so impressed with how far she's come for sure considering there are 18 girls on the squad and only four to five can really tumble. She's worked really hard to improve her skills. Her private tumbling coach is tough but effective. Most of the girls refuse to even go to him (and frankly, I'm surprised Peyton even likes him because she does not like anyone to be tough on her). 

But, it's just like any coach - believe a little bit in your athlete and they will try to do even more to impress you and that's exactly how Peyton is - she needs that constant validation whether it's from a coach or a teacher - and when she gets it, she will work that much harder for them. I wish more managers, coaches and teachers would see how valuable that one skill could be and how it can totally change the experience that each child has in a sport or the classroom. 

So keep working hard, Peyton. Believe in yourself. Be kind. Be a good leader. Be anything they need you to be on that team and good things will follow.