Dear Coach,

I wanted to take the time to reflect on you and how you have helped me. In the past seven years, I have had many coaches between high school, semi-professional cheerleading, and college. Each one of you has taught me something about myself and about the sport that I never thought about before!

To my high school coaches, thank you so much for starting a team. Though I struggled through those years, you never gave up on me. During those years, a lot of things were going on. I was at the most depressed I'd ever been, and you stepped up to be both positive role models and confidants when I felt I couldn't talk to anyone else. For all of these things, I thank you for not only being my coaches but for being my friends!

To my college coaches, I have to say between you and my semi-pro coach you taught me the most about cheerleading the sport. Though I was not as close to some of you, I was able to learn about better stunting technique, started working on my memorization skills, becoming sharper in my motions, and how to better improve my jumps. Though I never actually mastered any other tumbling skill other than a round-off,you still made me get stronger so that it might be possible in the future. You also taught me to push myself. Now, I am in a position of leadership, and I am happy that you trust me to do this. I not only think of this as an immense honor but also an amazing opportunity.

To my semi-pro coaches; you all taught me what it was like to have a family. You have made practice a safe place for learning techniques and encourage us to push ourselves to learn even more! The team has been my way of being able to continue cheerleading past college. All of you have accepted me for who I am and have taught me how to use those strengths and weaknesses to help me better my cheerleading skills! All of these things have helped me love the sport even more than I already do.

Thank you all for helping me become a better cheerleader and a better and stronger me. None of these things would've happened as quickly if I didn't have people like you in my corner to help me realize my true potential. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for me!

A Thankful Cheerleader!