Claire Taylor

Before I begin this biography, I want to preface with the fact that I do not describe myself as cheerleader. I was a cheerleader in high school, so of course it is a part of me. However, I want to take this opportunity to explain why I participated on the squad, even though it is not how I define myself in the least. As an 8th grader, I had giant aspirations as to how I was going to be in high school. Obviously I had seen all of the movies and shows about how high school was 'supposed' to be. I learned the basic fundamentals of the stereotypical jocks, nerds, preps, and the popular kids. From what I knew, cheerleading was a one-way ticket to success in high school. Naturally, I jumped on the bandwagon and decided to try out for the JV team in the spring of my 8th grade year. I knew nothing about cheerleading, and was practically the opposite of flexible, but for some reason I thought I had the chance. By some miracle, I ended up making the JV Basketball cheer squad my freshman year. I was now considered a cheerleader. From that year on, I made my way up to JV captain, then Varsity Basketball, and Varsity Football Cheerleading by my senior year. I had finally made it to where I had longed to be from the very beginning. However, I wasn't some amazing gymnast or crazy stunt girl. This at first was very discouraging. However, since I had the undeserving confidence that most seniors have, I decided to not let it bother me, and have the best time I could cheering on the Riverwood Raiders. So although I really was essentially the “most improved” on the squad, I participated to the best of my ability. I had an amazing high school experience, which had nothing to do with being a cheerleader, and everything to do with being happy with myself.