For the past three years, I have served as a volunteer cheerleading coach for the Andover Junior Football League (AJFL) Cheerleading program. I got connected to the program through the Andover High School Varsity Cheerleading team my freshman year of high school. I had gone through the AJFL Cheerleading program myself when I was in middle school and had always looked up to the high school coaches who were, at the time, current Varsity cheerleaders at AHS. They were the girls who had inspired me to work hard, improve my skills, and tryout for the cheer team when I entered high school. When I heard that the AJFL program was looking for volunteer coaches, I excitedly jumped on the opportunity to teach, motivate, and support the young cheerleaders in my community. I strived to inspire them the way my past cheerleading coaches had inspired me. Each fall football season I volunteer as an enthusiastic coach, leader, and role model to youth cheerleaders in Andover, MA 2-3 times a week. I teach cheers, motions, jumps, stunting techniques, and dances at weekday practices. At the weekly Sunday AJFL football games, I instruct and lead the girls in cheering on the football players and entertaining the crowd. Most importantly, I share my love and passion for cheerleading to the young girls who look up to me as a role model.

Serving as an AJFL coach has taught me a lot about myself, others, and the difference I can make in a community of young girls who are brought together by a passion we all share. I’ve learned that being a coach isn’t easy, and requires a lot of patience and work to understand each and every one of the children who trust you in teaching them the activity they love. For some of these girls, cheerleading is an escape from the realities of the world around them. For others, it is a place where they have the opportunity to venture out of their comfort zones and try something new. No matter what the circumstance is, I have learned that these girls look up to me as someone they admire, which is the reason I’ve taken my job of being their coach so seriously. Volunteering for the AJFL cheerleading program has and forever will hold a special place in my heart. I’ve strived to be the reason young girls want to push themselves, work hard, and dedicate their time for their love of cheerleading.