Sooooo great Kitty! Yes I first made it to “alternate” on Junior Varsity Cheerleading (probably for my bubbly personality more than my athletic ability), but hey, as an alternate I at least made the team. That was 10th grade at Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. Then as a junior I tried out for Varsity and made it! My high school world was now looking really rosy as I was also dating and in love with a guy who was an all-round major varsity athlete. Sad he never let me wear his letter sweater around school though. Anyway, although I was the worst on the team at doing the cartwheel into splits, cheerleading was definitely one of the highlights of my high school world. Have you ever heard the saying that cheerleaders go on to becoming the cheerleaders of life? I’d say at least for me that might be half true! And btw, how did any of us survive all the pressures of perfection reflected in all those ads you so brilliantly shared? Love all your posts!
Fun history lesson, Kitty. Though it often doesn't feel like it, we've come a long way baby!
Sooooo great Kitty! Yes I first made it to “alternate” on Junior Varsity Cheerleading (probably for my bubbly personality more than my athletic ability), but hey, as an alternate I at least made the team. That was 10th grade at Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. Then as a junior I tried out for Varsity and made it! My high school world was now looking really rosy as I was also dating and in love with a guy who was an all-round major varsity athlete. Sad he never let me wear his letter sweater around school though. Anyway, although I was the worst on the team at doing the cartwheel into splits, cheerleading was definitely one of the highlights of my high school world. Have you ever heard the saying that cheerleaders go on to becoming the cheerleaders of life? I’d say at least for me that might be half true! And btw, how did any of us survive all the pressures of perfection reflected in all those ads you so brilliantly shared? Love all your posts!
Of COURSE you were a cheerleader, Mary Anne. You still are one of the best!
Thank you for this insightful and sadly historical story.
Thank you so much for reading, Jim, and taking the time to comment!
“Oops, off topic.” 😉