Cheerleading has become my identity.

​The power of cheerleading is a crazy thing. How did something my mom signed me up to try out for when I was 8 years old lead me to my dream job almost 20 years later? Cheerleading was just supposed to be an activity to try on the side while dance classes weren't in session. How did cheering on the sidelines of flag football games turn into cheering on the sidelines in college and the greatest part of my life?

Cheerleading has become my identity. It's no secret to anyone who knows me. I'm proud to claim it as what I do and who I am...I feel so fortunate that I could make a career out of something I'm so passionate about.

When I graduated high school, I never imagined I would be here today. As I think about how I got here, I know it was through the power of cheerleading which put the right coach in my life at the right time!

As a freshman in college, I wasn't sure where life would take me after four years…but I was ready to cheer and see where the journey lead me. Luckily, it led me to my coach, former coworker and lifelong friend, Crystal Swift.


Our first Sales Conference together as Varsity Apparel Reps. (Crystal Swift pictured left, Emily Schmidt pictured right)

Crystal wasn't the type of coach that trained your skills in the gym and called it a day. Her goal was for each cheerleader she coached to graduate ready to take on the world. She is the type of coach that makes molding athletes into young professionals her top priority. 

​Kutztown University graduation ceremony. 

Did I always understand why we had such strict rules, early curfews and weekly mandatory library hours? ...Nope, not really! Would I be here today writing this article for one of the biggest cheerleading media outlets if it wasn't for her guidance? Probably not! 

Life has thrown a lot of curveballs at me, but cheerleading has always gotten me through those tough times. I can't imagine where I would be today without the friends I've met and the memories I've made all because my mom signed me up to cheer for a flag football team almost 20 years ago. I have cheerleading to thank for bringing the most influential people into my life and am forever grateful for the life lessons that Crystal taught me and for always leading me to follow my dreams in this incredible sport that has bonded us together forever.

It's not something we talk about really, but she knows cheerleading was what defined me and helped me create stepping stones to lead me to where I am today.  


​My last football game as a ​Kutztown University cheerleader.

The power of cheerleading is a special thing. I hope everyone is lucky enough to have a coach who cares about their future as much as mine did! ​I believe in the power of cheerleading...do you?

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