Proudest Cheer Moments: Parent Edition

As we are we are embarking on the new cheer season it is important as parents to take the opportunity to reflect on all the memories and proud moments we have shared with our athletes along the way. These moments are what this experience is all about and something we will take with with us for a lifetime. We asked several parents to share these precious moments with us on Heart of Cheer.

Name: Deborah S.
Cheerleader Name: Heather H.
Gym: Storm All Star Cheer and Dance
Proudest Moment: "My proudest moment that I experienced with Heather was at the 2013 Summit. She had just been released from the hospital after an illness and we didn't think she was going to be able to attend the competition. She did in fact attend, and not only did she attend, when she walked out on the stage both days she found me in the crowd of many parents and smiled at me letting me know she was ok. On the second day, when I knew she was getting tired, she wanted to continue and that she did. She went back out on the stage and found me again and smiled. This time she did ' the boss pose' after Bruce Springsteen, our favorite singer. She did that for me, she knew I worried and that was for me. I didn't care if she won or not, that was the happiest and most proud moment we have ever shared together. Heather and her team did win, and we were very happy. She still wears her Summit ring today, but I will still never be as proud as I was on day 2 when she gave me and the crowd 'the boss pose'."

Name: Laura T.
Cheerleader Name: Alyssa T.
Gym: California All Stars
Proudest Moment: "I don't really have one single proudest moment. I'm proud of my daughter for all that she does through her illness. Sometimes it's just pushing through practice. If I had to narrow it down I would say performing at the American Grand in Las Vegas in 2012. Alyssa has cystic fibrosis and at that particular time she was pretty ill. She took the mat and performed like a champion. Unless you know Alyssa, you wouldn't know she has cystic fibrosis and how difficult things can be for her at times. She's my rockstar and she amazes me all the time. I'm a very proud mom."

Name: Tracey M.
Cheerleader Name: Shelby M.
Gym: California All Stars
Proudest Moment: "My child overcame a block and gained 2 level higher skills in 3 months to accomplish her goals."

Name: Kristen R.
Cheerleader Name: Tessa, Kade, Zane, Peja
Gym: Cheer Xperience
Proudest Moment: "So many proud moments, however, I would say the best one for me is seeing my kids want to do this sport together, how hard they work and how they encourage not only each other, but ALL the kids in the gym."

Name: Beth G.
Cheerleader Name: Haley G.
Gym: University Cheer Force
Proudest Moment: "I am proud of Haley every day for all the hard work and dedication she puts into the sport she loves, but if I were to pick just one moment it would be when her J4 team won 1st place at The Summit. I have never seen her so proud and feel so accomplished as I did that day."

Name: Tami M.
Cheerleader Name: Makayla T.
Gym: Tristate Cheer of PA
Proudest Moment: "Proudest moment was watching my baby meet her tumbling goals, and then this past season her team getting a bid to Summit and placing 3rd in the LJ3. .8 separated first thru fourth."

Name: Leslie P.
Cheerleader Name: Cheyenne P.
Gym: Spirit Force All Stars
Proudest Moment: "It's tough to pick just one! The two that stand out in my mind the most are when Cheyenne smiled at her first competition. She doesn't openly show emotion and to see her smile out on the mat was the best gift of all! The other would be the first time she did an elevator at a competition as a flyer on the special needs team. She had a fear of it for years and it meant so much to her to conquer that fear."

Name: Annmarie S.
Cheerleader Name: Nicole S.
Gym: Cheer Central Suns
Proudest Moment: "After Nicole was injured she was bullied by team mates on social media. She focused on the big picture and not what they were saying. She went thru 6 months of physical therapy for her injury and scoliosis. She never stopped believing in herself."

Name: Brandon C.
Cheerleader Name: Faith C.
Gym: Cheer Xperience
Proudest Moment: "Encore Championships puts on cheer competitions all over the west and east coasts. With Cheer Xperience, we have participated in their competitions for the last two years. The Encore organization, in addition to the normal 1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophies and so forth,  also gives out awards for other things, such as best stunt sequence, best dance, best pyramid, best overall male performer, and best overall female performer. I remember my daughter telling me that she was hoping to win the best overall female award someday.
This last season, my daughter competed on a youth level three team. During the awards ceremony, when they were ready to announce the Best Overall Female Performer award, the announer called out "Faith Caylor!"  I pretty much started screaming and bawling my eyes out, as I was not expecting this. When her name was called, she stood up in the middle of the crowded stage, took the microphone and thanked her coaches and her dad. (Poor mom got left out … and mom still hasn't gotten over that. heehee)
I swear, as soon as the athletes left the stage, I couldn't get to her fast enough!. I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her up as high as I could. To be recognized for her ability and sportsmanship both on and off the mat like that…well, she has become the athlete that I always hoped she could be, and I couldn't be more proud of her! This is a memory that will stick with her for her entire life."