Cheerleaders worth cheering for!

Cheerleaders and cheerleading as a sport has been heavily questioned and criticized this year. The sport and its participants are criticized on many levels and for reasons ranging from the dangerous stunts to the value systems cheerleading promotes for young girls. To any of you who have reservations about cheerleading and its validity, you would have eaten your words and applauded had you seen the El Segundo Midget squad representing El Segundo at the Jr Nationals. This group of young women were a credit to our town and conducted themselves with dignity and maturity both on and off the stage. They became National Champions not via crazy stunts but with a sharp, clever routine which they performed prefectly. The scored the highest score in the entire competition with lovely smiles and neat uniforms not make up and clothes that make one blush. They came away with a trophy that represents commitment, teamwork and dedication. How can anyone suggest these are not things that we want to encourage in our daughters. Did I witness the otherside of cheerleading at this competition, the side one sees in movies and  promoted in the media? Yes I did and it can be scary but nowhere within the El Segundo Eagle organization is such behaviour tolerated. My daughter is much younger than these girls but I happy to support her in her cheerleading ambitions and I feel lucky that she can work towards her goals within the wonderful organization that is ESYFC. Well done girls. We as a town are so proud of you.

Victoria Samia

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