BY CANDICE PAGES

Since the beginning of time, cheerleaders around the world have been hated on and stereotyped.  Movies do a really good job at never forgetting to put in that one typical blonde, ditsy, cheerleader who is dating the jock boyfriend.  There are also endless tv sitcoms that show the cheerleaders to be stuck up and revealing. However, that is just a history lesson in which you already knew.

Let me tell you the hate towards cheerleaders is real and happens quite often everywhere.  I believe it is wrong and unfair.  Cheerleaders should not be looked down upon because of how the media portrays them.  Cheerleaders are athletes who work just as hard as every other athlete; and if not, then more.  Cheerleaders have routines which consist of them tossing girls above their heads, dancing, cheering, and tumbling. Did I forget to mention they are also smiling the whole time? Yes they wear skirts, but that does not make them sleezy.

More than anything, I think no one truly understands the life of a cheerleader and the expectations everyone holds for one.  One of my favorites is “high school cheer is not a sport.” I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but high school cheer is a major commitment.  You are constantly being looked at by the whole school, whether that be at rallies, football games, or just in hall wearing the uniform.  Truth is, we are always being watched.  Teachers and staff such as the principal and deans, expect us to be on our top-notch game.  I think everyone in general expects us to always be happy and peppy.  But the real expectations are for us to represent the school; not just us as individuals, and not just as a cheer team, but we have to represent the whole school. We have to keep up our grades and we have to always look clean, no cursing, and the boyfriends need to keep their distance.  But no one really knows that because we automatically get the stereotype of air-head, stuck-up, easy sleezy girl.

I personally am a cheerleader and I know we have a lot of haters. So I just hold my head up a little higher and my uniform a little prouder and just tell myself “Do it for all those who are doubting you.”  The feeling after hitting a perfect routine is so rewarding because then I know we did it and all the little comments and snickers are irrelevant.  The haters will always hate so you just have to keep doing your thing.  No matter what sport or club you are in, be proud of what you represent and don’t mind anyone trying to bring you down.  Remember if someone is trying to bring you down, you are already above them.