My name is Aria Lewis. I was born here in Florence, South Carolina. I am 16 years old and currently a junior at Wilson High School. I currently cheer for the school and do all star cheerleading at a local gym here. I've been cheering for 6 years and tumbling for about 10 years. Besides cheering I enjoy traveling to different places. Since I've been doing all star cheer for multiple years I have been able to travel with my teams to many different places such as Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida, and more. 

Many teams in the world of sports today prioritize winning above all else. While winning is undoubtedly the ultimate goal in sports and brings enjoyment to everyone involved, it seems that there is an excessive focus on it. 

This emphasis on winning can create endless pressure and stress for the athletes. In fact, when a team's sole concern is winning, it often results in some athletes losing their passion for the sport and ultimately deciding to quit. In my opinion, it would be more beneficial for teams to direct their attention towards continuous improvement with each game or competition. Even in the event of a loss, teams should focus on the overall progress made rather than dwelling on the fact that they did not win the game.

There are many challenges faced by athletes but imagine the difficulties a student athlete goes through. A student athlete is someone that is actively engaged in both academic and athletic activities. These students have a lot to balance. Some of the most difficult challenges they undergo would be time management, academic pressure, and mental and physical stress.

One of the most significant challenges would be effectively managing time. Having to balance practice schedules, games or competitions with academic responsibilities can be extremely exhausting. This also leads to the challenge of academic pressure. Student athletes are expected to have good grades and perform well in the classroom. The majority of sports require you to maintain at least a C average to be able to participate in games and sometimes even at practices. This is incredibly challenging for students striving to excel in sports and juggle school assignments at the same time. Having the pressure to perform at a high level academically and athletically can be overwhelming which can cause mental and physical stress to the student. Having long and intense training / competitions can take a toll on the bodies which could affect them from focusing in the classrooms.

While being a student athlete has its share of challenges such as time management, academic pressure, and mental and physical stress. It teaches lifelong lessons and can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires determination and the willingness to overcome obstacles.

Some people say female athletes have it more difficult than men while others disagree with this argument and say that it's equal. To me I think both males and females have their own difficulties in sports, but I lean more towards the opinion of females having it harder. Females have faced many challenges in sports such as less opportunities, unequal pay, stereotypes, and more. 

Women in sports often have fewer opportunities than men athletes. These opportunities could be sponsorships, fundings, facilities, or even just athletic opportunities. Majority of the sports have been traditionally male-dominated which has led to the lack of investment and resources for women’s sports. This results in a divergence in training conditions, and scholarship opportunities for female athletes. 

A major contributor to this would be the lack of media coverage women’s sports get. A study shows that in the United States there are nearly 40% of female athletes, but they only receive around 2 to 4 percent of media coverage. Obviously the more you are exposed to the media the athlete or team could gain more sponsors / fundings due to its publicity, therefore women aren’t getting the same chances to get sponsored or funded. (https://moneysmartathlete.com/women-athletes/gender-inequality-in-sports-sponsorships/)

Another challenge encountered by female athletes is the pay difference between men and females. Male athletes earn way more money than women playing in the same league or even the same position. For instance, Pro League NBA male players get paid an average of 7.4 million dollars a year, whereas a female player earns an average of less than 20 thousand dollars a year. It is biased to cheat out female athletes considering the equal amount of effort both genders put into their sport. (https://bdnews24.com/opinion/comment/)

Stereotypes surrounding female athletes often maintain a harmful misconceptions that undermine their accomplishments and potential. One of the most common stereotypes is that women are weaker and less athletic than men. This perception is not only inaccurate but also damaging, as it prevents women from being accepted as equal athletes. Media often reinforces this perception by focusing on women's physical attractiveness rather than their abilities on the field. Female athletes are frequently judged based on their appearance rather than their skills. Breaking down these stereotypes is crucial to ensuring that women's accomplishments in sports receive the recognition they deserve and inspiring future generations to reach their full athletic potential without gender-based biases. (https://moneysmartathlete.com/women-athletes)

There are numerous locations that can hold a significant meaning for individuals. These places can vary greatly and be situated anywhere. Personally I would say my house and my grandparents’ house hold a significant meaning to me. Both of these spaces are filled with a multitude of memories, positive and negative. The nostalgia tied to family gatherings held at my  grandparents' house creates a vivid image of togetherness and shared laughter, reminding me of the bonds that connect my family closer. Their house displays a sense of comfort and joy, making it special to me. Similarly, my home holds immense meaning as it's one of the very few places I can actually be myself in and feel free from judgment (at least most of the time). Specifically, I would consider my room to be one of the most cherished spaces in my house because within those four walls, I have experienced laughter, faced challenging times, and grown into the person I am today. My room provides a sense of security, serving as a place for reflection, planning, and finding solace.

These two places have been a significant part of my life, surrounding a range of experiences that have shaped my memories and emotions. Whether through moments of comfort, challenges, happiness, or adversity, the unique blend of experiences in these locations has contributed to their special meaning to me.

An influencer is an individual who has a significant impact on another person. Typically, influential individuals unintentionally influence someone or something, resulting in a greater outcome. Throughout my life, numerous individuals have had both positive and negative influences on me. However, when considering the most influential people in my life, I would have to say it is my family. My family has conveyed valuable lessons and provided unwavering support, shaping me into the person I am today.

My parents, in particular, are some of the most hardworking people I have encountered. Their strong work ethic has inspired me to strive for excellence in everything I do. Additionally, their perseverance has taught me to never easily give up on challenges. Beyond that, my siblings have also played a significant role in my life. Our shared experiences and mutual encouragement have helped me develop a sense of the importance of teamwork. 

Through their actions and attitudes, my family members have become my primary source of inspiration.

To me passion is something you dedicate yourself to, enjoy and holds a significant meaning to you. The one thing I am most passionate about is cheerleading. Ever since I started cheering when I was 10 years old, I fell in love with the sport. I enjoy being able to tumble, stunt, and perform a routine with my teammates in front of an audience. One thing I like about stunting is that my stunt group can try different stunts. Although I love both tumbling and stunting, I think I enjoy tumbling a bit more because I can learn and perfect many different skills. Also since I started tumbling at a young age before I began cheering I feel like it contributed to my passion for tumbling and even cheerleading. Cheering is a way for me to meet new people and keep myself occupied and busy. My passion for this sport continues to grow as the days and even years pass. 

The importance of media in sports is that it allows athletes, teams, and events to promote themselves to their fans and other people around the world. The media can help bring attention to sports which would lead to a bigger audience. Social media lets athletes connect more with their fans which possibly could lead to people looking up to them as an inspiration. With sports on media platforms it brings in sponsors and audiences for the teams, events, and even athletes.