Dear new cheerleading alumni,

There are not many people out there that understand what you are going through right now. Most of you are coming off of a weekend that you spent with your team in the most magical place on earth competing at one of the most talent-packed competitions of the season. However, as this weekend came to an end so did your cheerleading career as you know it. It may have been a 13-year career like mine or a 1-year career. It does not matter, there is now a huge empty space in your heart that nothing will ever be able to fill.

I remember my last competition like it was yesterday. I remember holding my best friends' hands as we walked on that floor for the last time. We were competing in the Wide World of Sports, on day two of The Cheerleading Worlds, in front of thousands of cheering people. That last two-and-a-half minutes of my cheerleading career went by in the blink of an eye and before I knew it I was back home, sitting in an airport, and refusing to leave. It sounds silly, but I knew once I walked out those doors it was really over. My flyer would eventually get a new backstop, my little sister would become a big sister, and I would never be a part of this team again. New girls would become the seniors and take over the role that I had held so close to my heart that season. My time as an all-star cheerleader was officially over. This is exactly how you will feel for the next few months (or years, honestly).

I cried for days, so don't feel bad if you are still having daily breakdowns. I wish I could tell you that one day you will wake up and be okay with the fact that this part of your life is over. Unfortunately, I can't. You will continue to stalk twitter to see what is happening at competitions you can not attend and as you see the new team start to make memories, you will take a moment to remember the ones you made.

You may go on to cheer for the college you attend, but I promise that you will never find a bond like the one you are leaving behind. I have searched and searched but have yet to find something that made me feel so loved and challenged all at the same time. Those girls become your sisters and that team becomes a part of you. You are who you are because of the character traits your coach, teammates, and supporters have instilled in you. Do not leave these in the cheerleading world. Take them with you to your next chapter.

As your next chapter is starting it is sad to think of this one ending. Never again will you travel around the United States with a group of your best friends every weekend to put sparkles on your eyes and bows in your hair. You will not get to experience another awards ceremony where you are waiting to scream with excitement because your team's hard work has finally paid off. Most importantly, when people ask what you do or who you are you can no longer respond with the phrase "I'm a cheerleader."

I wish I had some awesome advice to give all of you about how to make the next few weeks easier, but I really don't. Here is what I have to tell you: cry when you want to cry, look back at the pictures, watch the videos, continue to stay close with your coach and teammates, and visit that gym as much as you can.

In the next few weeks, there will be tryouts and a new team will be made. I promise you will cry when this happens too. You will watch as people take your spot. You will tell the seniors to not take this season for granted but they won't understand what you mean. They won't understand why you miss long practices of full outs. You won't be able to express to them how you feel because only people that have experienced it understand.

So, from one alum to a new one, welcome to the club. It has its perks but for the most part, it royally stinks. It is like one long nightmare that you want to wake up from. You will find things to keep your mind off of it for the most part but there will always be a part of you that is left behind in the cheer world. You simply have to put your big girl patines on and deal with the fact that you are one step closer to the real world.

Welcome to the club,

An experienced alum