Kaitlin Kelly

Something I am very passionate about and committed to is the sport cheerleading.  Although I did many other sports such as softball, basketball, and swimming, cheerleading was the only sport I dedicated myself to for twelve years.  Some people don’t consider cheerleading a sport.  I beg to differ. Most people do not know what it entails and they often stereotype cheerleaders.  Competitive cheerleading is more than just cheering on the sidelines.  It is a combination of dance and gymnastics along with extremely difficult stunting and jumps.  It required a great deal of strength, focus, endurance, and concentration.  Just one lapse of concentration can cause serious injury.  I have broken bones myself along with many of my teammates.

From first grade up until senior year of high school cheerleading has greatly influenced my life.  It has taught be part of a team through dedication, hard-work, and leadership, while still having fun.  I was also captain for two teams.  Practice took up a lot of my time but in the end it was all worth it.  I have made some great friends on all the teams I’ve been on.  By being with each other so much, the other girls become part of my family.

Many people don’t realize that cheerleading is an all year round sport.  I have practiced 10 months out of the year for just a few competitions.  Four to seven times a week, these practices were long and tiring.  Three minutes in the spotlight is all you are given.

This is my first year without doing cheerleading.  I have always managed to balance my schoolwork and my sport.  I still miss it but now I have dedicated all my time to school.  I still visit all my former coaches and teams.  I am proud to say I was a cheerleader for Our Lady Queen of Peace and St. Joseph Hill Academy.

“As One”

The alarm clock goes off at 5 AM.

I hear my mother shouting to get out of bed

“Today is the big day!” she says.

I excitedly put my uniform on.

And before I knew it, it was time to leave.

Horns honking, cars painted with our team colors

It was a new year and we were determined.

Practice time went well and confidence was flowing.

My nerves started kicking as the other teams stared.

I prayed, “Dear God let us hit this routine!”

Our cheer was first

The coaches and captains were saying, “we can do this!”

We all huddled up before we took the mat.

We worked hard all year and were prepared for this one moment.

My palms were sweaty and my knees were shaking.

Focus.  Concentrate.  Be strong.

When that music went on our fans were screaming

I had an adrenaline rush.

This was our time in the spotlight.

We only had three minutes to please the crowd and judges.

The last pyramid hits the crowd goes wild.

We gave it our all out there.

Tears of happiness and hugs

This is the greatest feeling in the world

Knowing that you hit your routine.

Keep on saying there is no “I” in team

We cheer as one, win or lose you cannot break our spirit.

One of my favorite past times during the summer is fishing.  I know it is not something a normal eighteen-year-old girl does but I enjoy it.  It might take patience and waiting but it is exciting and exhilarating when you feel that fish pulling on your fishing line.

Fishing is also one way my father and I bond.  We usually take day trips out from the mariners at the Jersey shore.  Whenever we vacation somewhere there is always a fishing adventure.  I even chose sports-fishing as one of my college essays.  It surprised the college interviewers.

Priceless

Rocking…Silence…Patiently waiting… Fortitude and resolve were all I needed while the sun beat down on my face.  Occasionally there was a calm August breeze.  I would glance out at the serene Mexican horizon and then glance at my father.  I saw his concentration and did exactly as he did.  Ten minutes or so had gone by.  Still nothing happened; the water remained motionless.  It was Saturday morning and the sun was already high.  The boat was now miles away from the shore and land was no longer in sight. There was no turning back.  I was on my way to a fishing adventure of a lifetime.

Sport fishing has always been a favorite past time of mine and some people find that to be an unusual hobby for a petite, blond, seventeen year old girl, but I am a thrill-seeker and reeling in big game fish is an amazing experience. The excitement, and the adventure are something that I share with my father and I was especially lucky that he was sitting next to me on this auspicious trip. Fishing is something that we are both passionate about but he already had his great catch.  This was my turn and I was ready.

“No fish biting here,” yelled the captain.  “We are heading out to deeper waters.”  Just as the captain shouted, I felt something pulling on my line and saw the pole bending.  “I got one.  I think it’s a big one,” I shouted so everyone on the boat heard me.  The crew started to go into action.  The mate pulled in all of the other seven lines so I had no chance of getting tangled up.  I was strapped in the fighting chair and I started reeling in with all my strength.  I felt the fish pulling as I began reeling faster and faster.  Sweat dripped down my face from the intense heat of the Mexican sun.  I had a burst of strength that helped me deal with this great force.

The fish broke water and I could see it was huge.  There was nothing more exciting and adrenaline producing than seeing this enormous creature jump out of the water.  It was a beautiful fish.  I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and my arms were beginning to ache but still, I had to keep reeling.  I was determined to win this battle no matter how hard or how long it took.  This was a strong and fierce opponent but I refused to give up.  The fish was fighting for its life and let me know it, as determined as I was when it came to survival of the fittest.

It took about thirty minutes for the battle to end and this mighty creature was lying on the deck.  This majestic sailfish was beautiful.  The striking colors of blue and gray glistened in the sunlight.  I was sure it weighed at least one hundred fifty pounds (more than my weight) and the crew agreed.  The captain said it was a full grown sailfish and was worthy of a trophy at ninety seven inches in length.  I couldn’t’ control my excitement.  I was beaming and then I saw my father and he looked even more excited than me.  I was thrilled and couldn’t believe I made the catch of a lifetime on one of the most beautiful boats I had ever sailed on and it was witnessed by my family.

The crew had raised the sailfish flag high on the boat.  I caught the biggest fish that day and reeled it in all by myself.  As our boat approached the dock I reflected on the perfect day, catching the perfect fish on a perfect boat with my father.  Priceless.