Blog 13

One:

J It’s amazing how dedicated you are to your team!  What is your most memorable experience with cheerleading?

G Wow, this is a hard one like I could go on forever with a list of memories but I would have to say nationals last year in Orlando, Florida was most memorable and one I will always remember.  We had such a rough season and it was amazing when we won national champions.  Everyone was crying and hugging one another.  You know, it was such a bittersweet moment.  My team and I worked so hard to become national champions and when we finally did it, the feeling was incredible.  It was my first time at a national competition.  The arena was huge and the lights on the mat were so bright.  The experience as well as the memories made I will never forget.  Like we bonded so well.  It was great.

the speaker is in control, they also refer to themselves and the group as one.  

Repeats the worlds memory and memorable a few times.  Keeps on saying that the experience was full of memories and it was memorable

because it was a rough season and they worked so hard they won

claiming the team bonded well and "it was great"

Two:

J Great positive response, there is always so much negativity formed around cheerleaders.  Don’t you think? Don’t you think cheerleaders should be treated as athletes?

G Oh god, this is my favorite topic!  I always enjoy arguing with people why cheerleaders should be treated as athletes!  Cheerleader’s train, if not the same, then more than any other sport!  We are in the gym for hours perfecting our techniques and our routine.  Cheerleading is not just a season, it is a yearly sport, it never ends.  We are always thinking and doing something to improve our skills.  We have a game plan just like every other sport out there.  We train just as hard as every team out there.  You have someone try and do back flips and stunts within a 2 minute and 30 second routine and then tell me cheerleading is not athletic!  I do not think people know the hard work and dedication that goes into being on a cheerleading team.

J Haha, I know the feeling.  I always get defensive when it comes to cheerleading.  It is an athletic sport and I will argue to the bone with anyone!

This section here is referring to the cultural knowledge that cheerleading is not a sport

uses I and we as one person again but, sometimes switches the focus from I/We to something more impersonal like "cheerleaders"

speaker is in control for most of the time

makes a claim that cheerleading is not just a season, it never ends

gets defensive on the subject using key phrases like "I do not think" and "just like every other sport"

Three:

J Great!  So how has cheerleading affected your life in a positive way?

G Well lets see, cheerleading has opened so many new doors in my life!  It has taught me respect and teamwork.  I have also made so many new friends from being on the team throughout the years.  These friends are lifetime friends; we share a bond that no one else will!  Being on a cheerleading team has taught me good sportsmanship and how to be a good team player.  The life lesson I have learned and will learn I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  My coaches are such great role models and although they yell, I know they are so proud and encouraging.  Cheerleading has been a great life lesson and I wish everyone could experience this just like my teammates and I.

here the speaker talks about the positivity to cheerleading

how it has affected the speaker

the speaker is totally in control - only refers to the "teammates" once

refers to all positive things that cheerleading has done

presents them in a list way

refers to cheerleading as a life lesson - compare and contrast

Blog 12

Interview Transcript

J:  Hey girl

G:  Hey

J:  So I am going to ask you a few questions on cheerleading, you ready?

G:  Yeah, go ahead.

J:  So what team do you currently cheer for?

G:  Right now, I am currently on the senior recreation team for Bayonne Elite Cheerleading in Bayonne, New Jersey.

J:  How do you like it?  Is it fun?

G:  Yeah, you know, we are like one big family.  We fight and argue like brothers and sisters but at the end of the day I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else.

J:  Yeah, it must be nice having so much support.  That’s something I always loved about being on a cheerleading team.  But how did you get into cheerleading?  About how old were you?

G:  Hmm, that’s a tough one!  I’ve been cheering for so long.  I don’t remember what age I even started at.  I would have to say it was around 2^nd grade.  All my friends were trying out for the cubs so you know, I tried out as well.  When I made the team with all my friends I was so excited.  That was the best part.  I was with my friends.  Ever since then I cheered and when I went to high school, Bayonne Elite started so you know, I was able to continue cheering there.

J:  Oh I see.  Does your high school have a cheerleading team?

G:  well yeah, they do but I only tried out to cheer for the football games.  The coaches as well as the girls were not very welcoming.  I wanted to stay with the coaches I had throughout grammar school.  I was lucky Bayonne Elite opened my freshman year of high school.  It was the same coaches and the same atmosphere.  You know, it was like I never left.  I could be myself.

J:  Very interesting!  Are you happy with your decision to be on Bayonne Elite?

G:  I couldn’t be any happier.  If I’m not doing schoolwork or running track, I am at cheer.

J:  It’s amazing how dedicated you are to your team!  What is your most memorable experience with cheerleading?

G:  Wow, this is a hard one like I could go on forever with a list of memories but I would have to say nationals last year in Orlando, Florida was most memorable.  We had such a rough season and it was amazing when we won national champions.  Everyone was crying and hugging one another.  You know, it was such a bittersweet moment.  My team and I worked so hard to become national champions and when we finally did it, the feeling was incredible.  It was my first time at a national competition.  The arena was huge and the lights on the mat were so bright.  The experience as well as the memories made I will never forget.  Like we bonded so well.  It was great.

J:  That is so great!  I most certainly know the experience.  So what is a typical practice like for you and your team?

G:  Well, practices are normally two or three hours.  It depends on how well we cooperate with one another.  Normally we get to the gym and have like 15 minutes to get ready and be on the mat.  Usually, it takes us longer than that because everyone gets so involved with their conversations.  Then the coaches yell.  You know, we all go to different schools.  Practice is really one of the only times we can catch up.  But, anyways, practice, yes practice.  We normally start by stretching our muscles and joints so nobody gets hurts.  Depending on the day we also may condition.  Then we get a drink, talk some more, get yelled at, and were back out on the mat.  I guess we get yelled at a lot because we talk way too much.  So, we warm up sections of the routine like stunting and tumbling.  Every time a stunt falls and something goes wrong we have to do it again.  If everything goes well, we’ll run the routine.  That doesn’t always happen.

J:  Do you have a lot of practices where things don’t get done and the routine is left out?

G:  lately, we have been pretty good but it is only because we are leaving for nationals again soon.  This season was a talkative one.  We never shut up.  We were always talking and not doing what we were supposed to do.  I wish we could have got the routine correct but I know it is hard to function when everyone wants to talk and not listen.

J:  Well, there is no “I” in team, right? haha

G:  Oh absolutely! haha

J:  So, after so many years of being around cheerleading, what is your definition of being a cheerleader?

G:  A cheerleader is someone who puts her heart and soul out on the big blue mat.  That’s what I always tell myself!  We are strong independent people who learn the best life lessons through something we love doing.  A cheerleader is someone who never gives up and sparkles no matter what.  Through the pain, broken bones, and bruises, cheerleaders always want more.  For me, being a cheerleader has brought upon so many opportunities and that what I believe is the ultimate reward.

J:  Great positive response, there is always so much negativity formed around cheerleaders.  Don’t you think? Don’t you think cheerleaders should be treated as athletes?

G:  Oh god, this is my favorite topic!  I always enjoy arguing with people why cheerleaders should be treated as athletes!  Cheerleader’s train, if not the same, then more than any other sport!  We are in the gym for hours perfecting our techniques and our routine.  Cheerleading is not just a season, it is a yearly sport, it never ends.  We are always thinking and doing something to improve our skills.  We have a game plan just like every other sport out there.  We train just as hard as every team out there.  You have someone try and do back flips and stunts within a 2 minute and 30 second routine and then tell me cheerleading is not athletic!  I do not think people know the hard work and dedication that goes into being on a cheerleading team.

J:  Haha, I know the feeling.  I always get defensive when it comes to cheerleading.  It is an athletic sport and I will argue to the bone with anyone!

G:  Haha, I am glad we are on the same page then!

J:  Yes, so I am going to move onto my final question and then we have to get back to practice, okay?

G:  Yes, I’m ready!

J:  Great!  So how has cheerleading affected your life in a positive way?

G:  Well lets see, cheerleading has opened so many new doors in my life!  It has taught me respect and teamwork.  I have also made so many new friends from being on the team throughout the years.  These friends are lifetime friends; we share a bond that no one else will!  Being on a cheerleading team has taught me good sportsmanship and how to be a good team player.  The life lesson I leave learned and will learn I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  My coaches are such great role models and although they yell, I know they are so proud and encouraging.  Cheerleading has been a great life lesson and I wish everyone could experience this just like my teammates and I.

J:  That was so great and touching!  Cheerleading is a great life lesson and I am so glad you see it the way most cheerleaders do!  I thank you so much for allowing me to talk with you!

G:  You’re welcome.  Anytime.

Blog 11

For me, deciding what to ask and what not to ask during my interview is difficult because I already know the interviewee.  After long thoughts and ideas (especially from Dr. Chandler), I think I have finally decided what my interview protocol should look like.

• What is your name?

• What team do you cheer for currently?

• How old are you?

• Can you tell me how you got into cheerleading?  About how old were you?
• Tell me about your first experience as a cheerleader?  
• What about your most memorable experience?
• After your first experience, did you move to another team?  Why?  How did you get involved there next?

• After so many years of being within the cheer world, what is your definition of a being a cheerleader?
• What is a typical practice like for you on your current team?
• How does your team and you train for competition season?

• After thinking about how your practice is ran, and what goes into it, do you think cheerleaders should be treated like athletes?  Why do you believe so?

• What qualities do you think are the most important things that make a team successful?

• What are your goals, in cheer, in life?

• How has cheerleading positively affected your life so far?
• What other activities or hobbies do you do outside of cheerleading and school?

• What are you most proud of as a cheerleader?
• Why do YOU love cheerleading?

I think after close consideration these are the interview questions.  I am satisfied with the way the questions flow and how most relate to one another.  These questions hopefully call for a smooth conversation.

Blog 10

Cheerleading Myths (this will be a good one)

I know WE HAVE ALL heard at some point in our lives that "cheerleading isnt really a sport." But is that really true?  Do they people who say that even know what they are talking about?  OF COURSE NOT!!  Yes, I am sure we have all seen the disney movies showing cheerleaders as girls who get the MVP quarterback and walk around in thier uniform and jump around at the games or the movie series of Bring It On but, ask any cheerleader.  There is WAY more to being on a cheerleading team then people give credit for.

• If your pretty and popular, you'll make the team.
• A cheerleading squad is normally picked by the coaches or a qualified panel of judges who know nothing about someone's social status.  How is that even possible then?
• It doesn't take much to be a cheerleader.
• Unlike other sports who train and play for a couple months of the year, cheerleading runs all year! It is truly a never ending sport.  
•  Cheerleading isn't a real sport.
• I know this is one all cheerleaders hate to hear.  For all that DO NOT KNOW, cheerleading involes some of the most difficult elements involed in sports.  It takes the endurance of a long distance runner, the strength of a weight lifter, the skills of a gymnast, and the grace and timing of a dancer.  You try and do a round off double back-handspring full right after stunting and THEN come tell me cheerleading is not a real sport.
• Cheerleaders do not have any brains. They are all ditzy.
• The average grade point average for cheerleaders in this country is 3.00 GPA! This means that a good percentage carry a much higher GPA.  Every cheerleading program makes sure their girls maintain high GPAs unless they cannot complete. Also, scholarships are offered to many highly skilled cheerleaders.  In high school, I maintained a 3.9 GPA and finished 30 something out of 600 students while on varsity cheerleading.  So please, tell me where my brains are again?
• You can not get hurt in cheerleading, it does not take much effort.
• Sometimes, I do not even know where people get this information!  Injuries caused by cheerleading are equal to if not exceed other organized sports.  Most cheerleaders continue their performance with, sprained arms, legs, fingers, ribs, black eyes and so on. Most of cheerleading atheletes perform with colds, flus, viruses and other physical ailments primarily because their team depends on them.  I remember freshman year of High School I performed Nationals with a broken hand.  I do not want to hear it.

These are just some cheerleading stereotypes.  There are so many to touch upon but, these are the most common I remember from when I was a cheerleader.  I hope you enjoyed reading them! :)

Blog 9

Interview Protocol


I know I am posting this late but, it never published.  It has been sitting in my blog archive as a draft. I apologize.  Silly me, I know.


Possible Interview Questions:  

• What is your name?

• What team do you cheer for?

• How old are you?

• Have you been a cheerleader your whole life?

• Outside of school and cheerleading what do you like to do?

• What is your definition of a “cheerleader”

• Should Cheerleaders be treated like athletes?  And if so… what does that mean?     If not…. Why?

• What qualities do you think are the most important things that make a team successful?

• What do you think your team and you need to work on as a whole?

• What are your goals, in cheer, in life?

• How has cheerleading positively affected your life so far?

• What are you most proud of as a cheerleader?

• Why did you choose this program over others in your town?

I am still thinking of other questions to ask but, this is a great start!  I also think once I get into the conversation about cheerleading some of these questions may turn into long answers with great responses.