If I had to write just one word about what the Douglasville Cheer Stars program is, that word would be FAMILY! Given the opportunity to elaborate, I would say it is part of who Karlie still is today. While it's true that she learned the sport of cheerleading and greatly improved her skills during her time as a Cheer Star, it is so much more than just cheerleading. Karlie learned what it means to be a member of a TEAM, win or lose. And while we relished in the glory of an undefeated season, I know the true lessons were learned in the victories as well as the defeats. She learned about hard work, perseverance, teamwork, dedication, dealing with frustrations and celebrating accomplishments. Karlie learned how to win and lose with dignity. She learned RESPECT, and that respect should be given to not only your coaches, but your teammates, your competitors and your sport in general. Karlie also learned that when you are "pushed to your breaking point", you dig even deeper, and never give up. The coaches and staff instilled values and work ethic in her that are now paying off in college. She also developed LIFE LONG friendships. Her closest friends all only cheered one season (her first) together on the same team, and in that season, they developed a bond that now spans thousands of miles as they each find themselves at different colleges across the nation. I strongly believe it is the experiences they went through on "Yellow Fever" that built the bond that will never be broken. Fortunately for me, the FAMILY goes beyond just the cheerleaders. I, too, have developed life-long friendships with some of the moms and coaches as well. Many of my fondest memories involve our experiences with Douglasville Cheer Stars. I know that wherever life takes us, we will always have a piece of purple in our hearts.
If I had to write just one word about what the Douglasville Cheer Stars program is, that word would be FAMILY! Given the opportunity to elaborate, I would say it is part of who Karlie still is today. While it's true that she learned the sport of cheerleading and greatly improved her skills during her time as a Cheer Star, it is so much more than just cheerleading. Karlie learned what it means to be a member of a TEAM, win or lose. And while we relished in the glory of an undefeated season, I know the true lessons were learned in the victories as well as the defeats. She learned about hard work, perseverance, teamwork, dedication, dealing with frustrations and celebrating accomplishments. Karlie learned how to win and lose with dignity. She learned RESPECT, and that respect should be given to not only your coaches, but your teammates, your competitors and your sport in general. Karlie also learned that when you are "pushed to your breaking point", you dig even deeper, and never give up. The coaches and staff instilled values and work ethic in her that are now paying off in college. She also developed LIFE LONG friendships. Her closest friends all only cheered one season (her first) together on the same team, and in that season, they developed a bond that now spans thousands of miles as they each find themselves at different colleges across the nation. I strongly believe it is the experiences they went through on "Yellow Fever" that built the bond that will never be broken. Fortunately for me, the FAMILY goes beyond just the cheerleaders. I, too, have developed life-long friendships with some of the moms and coaches as well. Many of my fondest memories involve our experiences with Douglasville Cheer Stars. I know that wherever life takes us, we will always have a piece of purple in our hearts.