Cheer Banquet 2014-15

What a year this has been...a learning year for sure.  Lots to think on and lots to change but I am in it for the long haul and willing to help in all aspects to make the cheer program better and better each year at Mishawaka High School.  I think we have come a long way even in one year.  I was VP of the Cavemen Cheer Club and can happily say we helped form a competitive cheer team and we approached the school as a unit and changed the way the school views cheer - they made it a sport and for each season...football and basketball.  And rightly so.  Our girls cheered alot.  And practiced just as much.  Those were just two things I am happy to have accomplished this year!
I made the cute decorations for the tables and the food was catered by Fazoli's at our banquet.  I think everyone liked the decorations - got plenty of compliments...and two of them actually walked off...guess some liked them too much.  Had a very nice slideshow presentation and enjoyed each other's company.  Tryouts are to begin the week after Spring Break already. 

 The four freshmen JV cheerleaders from this year below...Brooke, Kylee, Gabi and Alivia

And this gem...Sophie Tobolski...Gabi's and my favorite Senior.  What an awesome role model.  This girl took Gabi under her wing when she had to cheer her first Varsity game and was a bit nervous being with the "older" girls.  She left Gabi tonight with a letter.  In it she explained how she wanted to be a role model for the younger cheerleaders.  Also gave her some great advice for high school. 
1.  Do your homework
2.  Try to find your real friends...FAST!  Your oldest friends are most likely the best ones you have.
3.  Boys suck! 
4.  Make time for yourself
5.  You're NEVER alone!
She says to Gabi at then end of her letter, "No matter what life throws at you, I know you will handle it with a smile on your face and a big bow in your hair"
How perfect is that????  I love this girl!

 And Coach Lori with the JV freshmen...love her!

Celebrating Easter

Since Chad and family are planning to go to Florida over Easter and Gabi is going to Florida with a friend during that time, we celebrated Easter with my parents this past weekend.  The kids were in heaven hunting eggs.  Tyler even came home to get in on the fun for the weekend.  A nice church service beforehand made for a nice morning.  The afternoon came with rain so we did nothing but lay around and watch March Madness.  Just wishing for the nice weather to come...sooner rather later.

Motor City Nationals Day 2

What a bittersweet day...I could tell Gabi was struggling emotionally...she was very on edge and I knew why.  Her last competition...this is a sport she has fallen in love with.  Money is a big issue in this sport so it is hard to stay so involved for a long period of time.  We just don't know what the future holds.  And that is one thing I hate...not being able to let my kids do what they love, so as a mom...I was struggling a bit too yesterday.  But, Gabi gave us a performance of a lifetime.  I saw absolute fire in that girls eyes from the time she walked out on the stage.  She was all in.  ALL IN.  With another zero deduction performance, we couldn't be happier or have asked for more.  Lots of tears were shed, that's for sure.  Knowing the competition was tough from day one, we knew it was going to be a nail biter considering there were no errors on day two from them as well.  And unfortunately, the difficulty level from the other two played a part...we ended up getting third place.  And the tears flowed again.  Not because they got third place, but because they gave it their all and they all knew it was over.  I'm so proud of Gabi and all she has accomplished this year.  Taking on cheer at school, competition cheer at ICE and school! It was a rough year, and yes, there was some complaining from time to time, but she always got it done.  Very proud.

Motor City Nationals Day 1

We were in Detroit on Saturday night for Gabi's last season competition.  We were against two other teams...one from Ohio and one from Michigan.  We were really hoping for a bid to Summit but with one girl (Caitlyn) missing in California with Lady Lightning, our difficulty level just wasn't up to par to allow us to get that.  So, needless to say this competition was hard for Gabi emotionally.  Knowing this is more than likely her last competition with ICE wore on her, but we were so proud of her to suck it all up and do her absolute best.  They had a zero deduction day 1 with just a slight bobble from our fill in flyer.  And with it being Gabi's stunt she said, "with this being it, there is NO way she is coming down!" and she didn't .  So very proud of these girls going into day 2 in 2nd place by just 0.1 below number 1.  The competition was very stiff so we were on edge with what place and how it would all shake out.

American Championships Schaumburg Day 2

Day 2 came and it was actually my mom's birthday!  We planned to see Trenton (unfortunately just for a few minutes because he had to work) in Naperville and then take her to The Cheesecake Factory because she has never been there.

By that time it would be time to head over to the Convention Center for Day 2.  And it was a MUCH better performance as you can tell by the girls' reactions at the end...a zero deduction performance so we were happy they shook off Day One and started new.  It wasn't enough to push us to the top considering the top 2 were again flawless on Day Two...but we moved up and got 3rd place.  We will take it!  One last chance the coming weekend to get a bid...it's got us on pins and needles this time AND Gabi gets to be a flyer at the next one.  Makes her nervous but we know she will do great!