Having recently returned from the wilds of New Jersey, and the Regional Championships for Pop Warner Cheerleading, I feel both satisfied with the wonderful season the Fayetteville-Manlius Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee team had, a bit sad that fall cheer is over, and a bit relieved that there is a bit of a break (more than a week!) until the winter cheer season begins.

The season started with 18 young ladies, many who were first-time cheerleaders, coming together with the goal of having fun and experiencing the thrill of cheerleading. The season ended with a state championship in their division and both of the aforementioned goals being met and exceeded.

One thing that has remained true to me, as both a parent and assistant coach, is the obvious enjoyment this group of cheerleaders felt in forming a team; some of the members of the squad have been together in the program for half their lives.

So, you might say, there must be a lot of drama, a lot of stage moms and dads and a good dose of complaining.

You could not be more wrong. These girls did stunts, back handsprings and jumps through sprained wrists, bruises, scratches and pulled muscles. One of the cheerleaders came to practice on crutches with a sprained ankle in order to cheer on her teammates. The parents were helpful, supportive without being obtrusive and, above all, were understanding of the time and effort that had to be put into making the team the best it could be.

Through all of this, the girls remained upbeat and positive. Oh sure, there were a few complaints here and there, perhaps a tear or two, but their enthusiasm was genuine, and it was nice to see old friendships reinforced and new ones form as the camaraderie common to team sports developed.

The team went to competition in Trenton, N.J., hoping to bring home a trophy and plans to attend nationals at Disney World. They didn’t come home with the top prize or tickets to Orlando, but what they did bring home was much more important and lasting.

As we look to signups for winter cheer, I know that my daughter and her cohorts will continue on the road to success by learning new things while having fun.

Jennifer Wing is editor of Syracuse Parent. She lives in Manlius with her husband, Eric, daughter, Cassidy, and son, Jacob. Reach her at [email protected].