You never know where they'll wind up

Last summer I saw on facebook I saw how one of my former cheerleaders was a Las Vegas attorney taking a business trip to Chicago. That doesn't reflect on me in the least. This same week I bumped into another former cheerleader who had dropped out of high school and was working as a carny at county fairs. Maybe it goes to show you that all kinds of people cheer in high school. Maybe it shows what a diverse bunch of young people I've run across over the last twenty years.

Part of me thinks that it proves that the universe is unjust. That carnival barker was one of the sweetest, most gentle, picked on and made-fun-of, nerdy kids in school. The lawyer was the epitome of the "popular" kid, beautiful, successful, and generally unconcerned with the consequences of her attitudes and action.

Of course those are just my perceptions of them and my perceptions don't by any means represent all there is to know about either of them. That previous paragraph is obviously heavy with judgment and sympathy which is probably grossly misplaced. In fact I think that I was unfair to both of them.

The nerd tended to get on people's nerves and made decisions that weren't always healthy. I watched the popular girl treat underclassmen with patience and kindness and help them learn a great deal.

I'd like to think that both individuals gained something from cheerleading. Both have to be comfortable dealing with people Whether you're trying to convince someone on the midway to play your game or trying to convince a judge or client to follow your advice, a certain amount of confidence, presence, leadership, and poise are needed.

Cheerleading may not ensure that all of your dreams will come true or that your life will always be merry. But sixteen years of encouraging girls to stand in front of a crowd and encourage it to encourage their team's athletes has shown me that it definitely contributes to a person's character.

I have no idea wheter the cheerleader that became a lawyer still parties, or acts like the most important thing in the world are her looks. I don't really know her at all. I don't know the cheerleader who works for the traveling amusements company either. But I do know that she was upbeat, unashamed, effervescent, friendly and warm the whole time she was visiting with me. That made my day.

Life isn't always easy. Maybe she LOVES being a carny and I'm falling victim to society's stereotypes by worrying for her. I don't know. I DO know that it's a wonderful thing to make someone's day by being congenial and just giving the appearance of optimism. What a great thing it would be to be able to do that for even just one person everyday.

Cheerleaders aren't bubble-headed Pollyannas who are terminally cheerful. Some are remarkably intelligent, some struggle. Some are naturally effervescent and bubble, others wrestle with being melancholy, even clinically depressed. Cheerleading itself is supposed to be positive, confident, energetic, and fun.

It's my opinion that while cheerleading doesn't magically turn kids into happy, well adjusted perfect or successful people, it can be like a stake next to a sapling tree, or a wire cage around a winding tomato vine. It equips young people with the skills and attitudes which can help them cope, adjust, thrive and survive.