Last year around the end of July we had the owner of the gym discontinue the competitive girls gymnastics program and kicked us out of the gym (there's a really long backstory to this but it still wasn't right). We all moved to go join another gym and a little into August and September I realized that I just wasn't feeling gymnastics anymore. I gave it a couple more weeks and still didn't have the fire I used to have so I quit gymnastics (training level 8) and just did Tumbling classes (one of my favorite things). Later that same week I went over to my friends house for our Science Fair project and her mom mentioned their senior level 2 is looking for a replacement.( she went to the same gym I used to do gymnastics at) I remember when I used to do gymnastics, my team would ALWAYS make fun of the cheerleaders, we didn't think of it as a sport, and honestly didn't give them one once of respect. <-- Some of that I think is just a gymnast thing but maybe not. Anyway after the first competition I was in love.The lights, the make up,the loud music. I just loved it all. I loved feeling apart of a team. Winning NCA and Grand Champions at "AMAZING" and getting our rings was an indescribable feeling and amazing way to end my first season. This is my second season with them as SrCoedLVL3 (highest level they offer we are considered a small gym) and hopefully next year move to a bigger gym and tryout for a level 5 team. I also tried out for school cheer and made my 8th grade squad. I now give All-star Cheerleaders EVERY OUNCE of respect and it is definitely a sport. Sure some of my old gymnastics friends think differently but I guess what they say is true... You don't understand it until you fall in love with it. Cheer is life.