The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
When I say a lot, I mean I've learned more than spread eagle jumps, elevators, or arm motions, and more than cartwheels, liberty stands, and spirit sticks. It has helped with my successes in life.
In cheerleading, I gained enormous experience in being in front of a crowd. At WIU, I sometimes speak in front of 100-300 people. Cheerleading has helped me gain experience with this sort of situation.
Cheerleading has also helped me learn that sometimes I will fall in life. Well, literally, I've fallen a lot in cheerleading! Once I fell in front of a huge crowd at the Roseville Tournament. I've learned that sometimes I will make a mistake, or say the wrong thing, but that is what life is all about - not always perfect. In life, you have to learn from your mistakes and do better the next time. I've learned that in cheerleading.
Time management is crucial in a successful collegiate career. There are many times that course work, a part time job, and extra-curricular activities all seem to take all of your time. Employers and college admissions personnel want to see a well rounded student with good grades and extracurricular activities. Scholarship applications also look for these types of activities.
I've received enough scholarships in five years to pay for all my tuition at college. I've received these scholarships because I am involved in a lot of activities in leadership positions.
Cheerleading helped me learn time management at an early point in my life and I've been able to deal with growing time pressures as an adult.
Cheerleading has sparked a bug in me to get involved with organizations and be a part of activities to help better my community and my school.
It has also taught me discipline. There are rules to follow. Coaches expect you to be on time to practices and games.
I know I've expected a lot out of the girls I've coached. Many times, I did not want to go to practice or a game because I was tired, but cheerleading has taught me that once I get involved in something, I must give 100%.
I hope this is something I've taught cheerleaders I've coached. I hope they have respected me more because I have instilled rules and discipline for them.
Cheerleading has given me crucial experience in working together with my colleagues. For someone with little athletic ability, cheerleading is a great way to gain athletic coordination, get exercise and be a part of a team.
Cheerleading is fun! Smiling in front of a large crowd is sometimes not easy, but you learn to do it. Hard work becomes fun as you realize how much all that practice has really paid off.
I've learned in life a big smile is a great asset. It can help you present your case solution in a more positive light and can help persuade a critic during a debate. Of course, a smile also makes those around you happy.
Finally, cheerleading has helped me become a much better leader. (Cheer-Leader). It has given me the opportunities to develop the skills that have led to my successes.
Amy Muhleman Stronghurst
[Editor's Note: Not only was Amy an outstanding employee at The Quill and good cheerleader for our newspaper, but earned straight A's all through Southern K-12 and Western Illinois University. She graduated top WIU Accounting student and top in her college and is graduating next week from WIUs Masters of Accountancy program as Outstanding Student. Her fraternity recognized her as a great leader and nominated her to the National Board of Directors.]