Finding my place: A journey of growth and leadership in competitive cheerleading

I went to a charter school where I started middle school with the same 200 classmates I graduated high school with. I was always very involved in cheerleading, competing on both my school's varsity cheerleading team and doing all-star cheerleading at Cheer Athletics. Though my schedule was packed, I didn’t know any differently, and I loved it.

However, when I moved to Virginia Tech for college, I felt like my world was turned upside down. I was the oldest in my family, and none of my siblings or cousins had gone away to college, so the transition was overwhelming. My first year was tough, and I often found myself homesick, visiting home almost every weekend. The lack of activities and the contrast between my busy high school life and the overwhelming amount of free time I had made the adjustment challenging.

Then, going into my sophomore year, my mom started sending me Instagram posts from the Virginia Tech Competitive Cheerleading team. She encouraged me to at least check it out, but I didn’t think much of it. However, when I went home for Labor Day, she showed me their interest meeting post and urged me to attend their open gyms. I decided to give it a try, and from the moment I walked in, I fell in love with the team and the sport all over again. Joining the team gave me a sense of belonging and a close-knit group of friends, reigniting my passion for cheerleading. It was, by far, the best decision I ever made.

Fast forward to now, and I’ve been on the Virginia Tech Competitive Cheerleading team for three years. I’m now proud to serve as the President of the team, and the experience has been incredible. Being part of this team has not only strengthened my passion for cheerleading but has also taught me valuable life skills—leadership, time management, and teamwork—that I know will serve me well after graduation. It’s been amazing to watch the program grow, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have played a role in its development.

Joining the Virginia Tech Competitive Cheerleading team and getting involved with sports clubs has truly been life-changing. The connections, skills, and memories I’ve made here will last a lifetime, and I encourage anyone looking to find their place at Virginia Tech to explore the many ways you can get involved in something you love!