Cheer World: My Life as an Illinois All-Star Cheerleader

The world of all-star cheerleading stretches beyond the imagination of a "normal" human being. Misunderstood by most, all-star cheerleading has become one of the fastest growing "industries" in the past decade. We don't cheer for football, we don't cheer for basketball, the only thing we cheer for is our teammates standing next to us. A world full of scandal, drama, drug and alcohol usage, cut-throat tactics, heartache, defeat and the adrenaline rush you feel while performing the two and a half minute routine. This is my story as a level five all-star cheerleader and coach. I take you on my journey to show you what really happens behind closed doors and what happens from the athlete's point of view. I show you why all-star cheerleading has become my biggest weakness and my constant struggle. Step into my world and experience the emotions and struggles that is my never ending addiction and how it has changed my life forever.

I was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and moved to Illinois at the age of 7. I started my tumbling career in elementary school and continued throughout junior high. Once I was a freshman in highschool I decided to give cheerleading a shot and tried out for the cheer team. I made varsity as a freshman and was recruited my sophomore year into all-star cheerleading. I’ve been on two Worlds teams and coached several different levels of cheerleading, as well as traveling around the nation teaching skills camps and choreography.