A FLYERS THANKS
Thank you to my bases for always being there
It's all because of you that people see me in the air
Thank you to my back spot- I've a lot to thank you for
You've landed flat on your back- but never let me hit the floor

For all those times I smacked you- trying to twist down
For all the times I spazzed out- and couldn't get around
For all the times you yelled, "Lock out! LOCK YOUR KNEES!"
For all the times you said ok when I said, "one more time, please?"

I didn't catch your shoulders- its my job as your flyer
You said ok and didn't kill me when I said, "uh, could you catch a little higher?"
When ready to give up- "Stick it!" you would scream
And I could, because of you and the faith in our team.

For all the times you were tired- your muscles were so sore
With a sigh, you toughed it out and let me stunt some more
When trying new stunts and I was scared of what to do
You calmed me down and promised, "Relax- you know we've got you"

Bruises, pain and knuckle scrapes- my basket tosses brought
Backwards, forwards, sideways- I still knew that I'd be caught

I know it can't be easy- catching all my weight
You make it look so easy- we make our stunts look great
And even when we drop one- I know its not the end
You always catch me safely and we put it up again

So for all the times you caught me- you never let me fall
I know that backs and bases work the hardest of us all
You do all the work and I get so much glory
I know it isn't fair that people don't see the full story
Just know once more I thank you- for everything you've done
Without your work and friendship cheering wouldn't be as fun
And every time someone says they're amazed by what I do
I thank you and know that it my heart,
It's all because of you.

It began at an NCA Cheer camp back in 1954 where one team stood out among the rest. It wasn't for their talents, rather for their attitudes. They couldn't keep up with the others. They weren't coordinated or technically skilled. But they were the backbone of the camp; they were always the first to arrive in the morning to class and the last to leave, they were always cheering everyone else one, they always had the best attitude and they worked great as a team.

What they symbolized was far more than any display of technical skill or talent. They represented the pure essence at the very core of cheerleading; they stood for spirit in every sense of the word. However, their spirited performance wasn't the kind the NCA scoring process recognized with a ribbon of excellence, a praise every other team would receive.

Yet it was this team's vibrant, positive energy that bolstered the camp, a creed Lawerence "Herkie" Herkimer wanted to instill in the NCA. Knowing he couldn't just up and change the scoring and award process, "Herkie" was in a quandary. He quickly needed something to acknowledge the impact the team had on the others. In expressing his desire to the other instructors, "Herkie" spontaneously reached for a twig off a tree and declared it the official "Spirit Stick". He knew that as awesome as the team was, they wouldn't care if they were handed a simple stick.

The NCA "Spirit Stick" has evolved, from a simple tree limb, being cut, painted and dried in Herkimer's garage....to a red, white, and blue wooden dowel, now manufactured by the thousands. It's now an integral part of summer camp honors given to teams that exemplify the Spirit as defined by NCA. A first place ribbon isn't complete without a "Spirit Stick".

There are little eyes upon you
and they're watching night and day,
There are little ears that quickly
take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager
to do anything you do;
And a little girl who's dreaming
of the day she'll be like you.
You're the little girl's idol,
you're the wisest of the wise.
In her little mind about you
no suspicions ever rise.
She believes in you devoutly,
holds all that you say and do;
She will say and do, in your way,
when she grows up like you.
There's a wide eyed little girl
who believes you're always right;
And her eyes are always opened,
and she watches day and night.
You're setting an example
every day in all you do,
For the little girl who's waiting
To be a cheerleader just like you.

The competition lasts but moments
Though the training's taken years
It wasn't the winning alone
That was worth the work and tears
The applause will be forgotten
The prize will be misplaced
But the long hard hours of practice
Will never be a waste
For in trying to win you build a skill
You learn that winning depends on will
You never grow by how much you win
You only grow by how much you put in
So any challenge you've just begun
Put forth your best effort
And you've already won

You realize most pyramids are not in Egypt
You know buckets, candlesticks, and blades are not made of metal
You think Liberty has nothing to do with freedom
You can build with out a hammer and nails
Your skirt is shorter than your t-shirt
Your parents consider buying stock in sponge rollers
All your friends are at dinner while you are at practice.



CHEERLEADING . . .
Cheerleading is a way of life, shared by a chosen few,
It is working as a unit in everything you do.
Cheerleading is rivalry, the competition makes you strong,
It is sharing secrets and tears, learning to get along.
Cheerleading is that ongoing drive to be the very best,
It is patience, perseverance, and very little rest.
Cheerleading is having poise and charm with every word you say,
It is total dedication twenty-four hours a day.
It is always being ready with encouragement or a smile,
Cheerleading is your chance to express your individual style.
Cheerleading is reaching out to comfort a sister who is sad,
It is defending each other in the good times and the bad.
Cheerleaders are always there whenever someone asks,
They treasure the present moment and let go of the past.
Cheerleading is a talent to be able to shine on cue,
It is hiding the pain and anguish that if only people knew.
Cheerleaders after all , are real people that sometimes get down,
but when they're in the spotlight, they must never put on a frown.
Cheerleaders are actresses, always ready to go,
That is why it is important for all the world to know.
Not every girl can be a cheerleader, it takes a special kind,
Cheerleaders are full of life and a little bit out of their mind

FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT
DWIGHT EISENHOWER
SAMUEL JACKSON
PAULA ABDUL
HALLE BERRY
SANDRA BULLOCK
KATIE CORIC
JAMIE LEE CURTIS
MICHAEL DOUGLAS
TERI HATCHER
MANDY MOORE
MADONNA
REBA MCINTIRE

YOUR ASPIRATIONS ARE YOUR POSSIBILITIES -- SAMUEL JOHNSON

THE WAY A TEAM WORKS AS A WHOLE DETERMINES ITS SUCCESS –BABE RUTH

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP – WINSTON CHURCHILL

WHAT MATTERS IS NOT THAT YOU BE THE BEST BUT THAT YOU TRY YOUR BEST. - AUTHOR UNKNOWN

NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT YOUR WORTH BUT YOU - PEARL BAILEY

SELF-CONFIDENCE IS RELAXING. THERE IS NO STRAIN OR STRESS WHEN ONE IS SELF-CONFIDENT. OUR LACK OF SELF-CONFIDENCE COMES FROM TRYING TO BE SOMEONE WE AREN'T -ANNE WILSON SCHAEF.

WINNING IS NOT THE END-ALL, BE-ALL, BUT PERFORMING TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY IS. - SYLVIE BERNIER

Listen Up! You’ve gotta want it! We can be the best! Show some positive attitude! Stay focused. Just do the best you can. Give it all ya got! There is no “I” in teamwork. SMILE! Cheer like you mean it! Enthusiasum is caught, not taught! Dream big! The difference between good and great is more practice! Somewhere there is a little girl who wants to be just like you, don’t let her down. I can’t hear you! Remember what we practiced! Yell your heart out. I like what I’m seeing out there. Concentrate. That was awesome! We Rock!!!

You can do it! Stay focused! Remember what we talked about! SMILE! Just do the best you can. Cheer your heart out! Dream Big! Have fun out there! Concentrate. Somewhere there is a little girl who wants to be just like you, don’t let her down. I can’t hear you! Just do it like you did in practice. You’re doing great! I like what I am seeing out there. That was awesome! You can do anything you put your mind to! You are a winner in my book. You’re the best! I am just soooooo proud of you.