All I ever needed to know…I learned as a Cheer Mom
by Michelle Haight (mom to 2014 alumni Marisa Haight)

(Well, at least – here’s my top 10 . . .)

1. The true definition of being prompt. Being on time is being 10 minutes early. This has been most helpful to me…the mom chronically late to everything – but not anymore!

2. Always clean up after yourself. Practice isn’t over until after Circle and all the mats have been put away. For me that translates into – always bring a book to read in the car when waiting for my girl to come out that back door.

3. True Commitment. Being a team player means being there – through illness and injury. I gotta say – it’s a great feeling knowing 23 girls have your daughter’s back (or wheelchair) at all times!

4. Cheerleaders are role models AND athletes. I love that my girl and her team take no back seat to any other sport. There is pride in being academic and athletic scholars. Thank you coaching staff for this example and expectation of excellence. Special kudos to District Coach of the Year Stephanie Brosky!

5. Hair braiding is an acquired art. Not just anyone can get those long locks of hair so tightly woven and perfectly matched with ribbons! I’m so thankful for the girls who know how to do it, because I don’t have a clue!

6. A functioning washing machine is key to survival. …and the practice calendar that gets taped above it. (You quickly learn there are 100 different t-shirt/shorts combinations and the ones needed for that particular day will undoubtedly be found at the bottom of the hamper.)

7. Warm water is never needed. Because your daughter has instilled in your brain that uniforms and warm-ups MUST be Red and White. Never pink.

8. You’re never too old to cheer. …and that there is a fine art involved in Cowbell (special shout out to Mark Jones!) Cheer competitions are the perfect place to scream and shout to the world how awesome your daughter and her team are – without feeling boastful or conceited.

9. It will go by fast. It seems like just yesterday your girl was a freshman and you were begging “Please! Just try out…get involved in something!” ….And now you are here today looking at how much she has matured because of this program – you see the friendships formed, the skills mastered, and all the important lifelong habits she has learned.

10. Lastly, the most essential… although she will always be your girl, – her coaches, the parents, her teammates and this program have all played a part in making her into the special person she is today. Pride should swell your heart – your daughter is well loved and cared for in this program. As each girl steps toward her next adventure, she’ll be great. No,…she’ll be fabulous and phenomenal. She is, after all, a Red Hawk.