Blog post #7
We finally finished! Our first semester-long project of the year. To reflect, this is my 7th (actually 6th) and last blog post for my story, “Beyond the Pom-Poms, It’s More Than Just a Hobby.” I hope you enjoy reading!
What challenges did you overcome throughout this story project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?
Some challenges that I faced while completing these presentations were my lack of ideas and motivation throughout the process. I think that because I lacked these characteristics, it was really difficult for me to accomplish and finish each blog post with passion and emotion. I know that I wanted to get my idea across and justify it, but I just didn’t know how to start nor go about it. While trying to complete each blog post, I would have an idea, and I would try and execute it, but then I would lose my train of thought, and it got really difficult. To overcome this challenge, there wasn’t really anything that I could do except to try and try again until I got back on my train of thought and I was determined enough to finish. Even though in the end, my blog posts were good, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t struggle to finish them. But in the end, I finished my first semester-long project, and I could not be happier with how much work, effort, and time that I put into it, especially because it reflects me and my thoughts perfectly.
How did writing and researching this story change the way you think?
Writing and researching changed my way of thinking because it allowed me to realize that it isn’t only me who struggles with the cons of my sport. I researched so many athletes with similar stories, whether it was about coaches not caring or injuries that made them fall out of love with the sport. Before I thought that maybe I was being dramatic because my coaches do this, this, and this, but after researching the trouble that some athletes have gone through because of little things, it was shocking to me. I now know that it wasn’t just me being dramatic but that there is a problem with the way that some coaches work and that athletes deserve support when they are going through anything cheer-related that they might want help with. Whether it be injuries or something else, it’s important that we all have the support that we need.
What impact will this story have on others locally and/or globally?
I believe that my story could have an impact on not only cheerleaders locally but also internationally/globally because I know it’s not just me who gets asked or told that cheerleading isn’t a sport. Honestly, I think it could help other cheerleaders learn to speak out about the classification of cheerleading and also to defend themselves, that the things we do at cheer are difficult and matter to us. In conclusion, I think it will impact not only cheerleaders but also other people to speak out and chase their dreams even if it’s a difficult route ahead, as our protagonist Zoya demonstrates throughout the whole story.
Thank you for following along the process and for seeing the progress and creation of my story, “Beyond the Pom-Poms, It’s More Than Just a Hobby.” THANK YOU!
