Dear cheerleaders, whoever you may be,

First of all, I hope you realize how awesome of a sport you get to be a part of. Cheerleading, and the world you are a part of as a cheerleader, is such an amazing thing, and it is an experience you will always cherish.

Whether you are just a high school cheerleader, an all-star cheerleader, or both, cheerleading is always there for you. Being a cheerleader will stay with you for the rest of your life. The opportunities and experiences cheerleading offers us is indescribable to someone who hasn't been there themselves.

Cheerleaders are some of the most underrated competitors in the athletic world right now. We are constantly told that we aren't athletes and that our sport is not a sport.

This also makes us some of the strongest athletes out there. Being constantly looked down upon because of your sport can really tear someone apart, but it makes us strive even harder to throw those comments back into our critics' faces.

Cheerleading is hours of hard work; conditioning, injuries, pain, blood, sweat and tears.

Just like every sport, you feel the pain of losing. You know what it feels like to see another team celebrating their win, while you stand upset over your own loss.

Cheerleading is always going to have its 'haters,' but it makes our bond as cheerleaders even stronger. We are all standing up to the critics, and we all support each other in that battle.

Cheerleading is something people on the outside looking in just don't understand. Being a cheerleader isn't just a label for most of us, its a part of us.

So don't take your time as a cheerleader for granted. Eventually, you will age out, or just not be able to continue on with the sport. And at that point, you will feel like there is a hole in your heart.

I know I did.

Cherish this sport with all of your heart, because one day, you will just be another ex-cheerleader who looks back on their days as a cheerleader with a smile, and a heavy heart that it had to end.

Love,

An Ex-Cheerleader