It has been awhile since I fondly look back at my life as a wildcard. But when I saw a new batch of people passing try outs, the joy and all, it reminded me of myself when I was still a new cheerleader joining wildcards.
As I enter my 5th year of competition as a Wildcard, I have seen this team through the eyes of a beginner, a team member, a business manager and as a vice-chairman. It is amazing how quickly this 5 years has passed and looking back to the first day I walked in, I would never have envisioned myself to be where I am today.
If you ask me: "what is the best thing about being a Wildcard?"
I wouldn't lie, WINNING! and I am not shy to admit that more than anything, I hate to lose. The sweet taste of victory, the euphoria, once you taste it you cannot get enough of it. But, behind all these glory on the mats, are a bunch of team mates that have selflessly sacrificed their time and bigger things to make all this happen.
Through it all, every year, this team had shown tremendous passion, dedication and love to the team. So many names one can think of when you try to name the many amazing cheerleaders that have passed through "the cave" (that's what i call the training ground) at Ulu Pandan CC, people that inspired me and guided me as a young cheerleader, people that constantly inculcate the importance of our values and the willingness to sacrifice for the team. Faces my change but the willingness to give their all haven't as we see alumni coming back to support us in our road to nationals and even opting to compete when the team is in need. People may flog the term 'Family" a lot but this team is my second family and best of all, we have a common united passion.
I must admit, at the 5th year, it is hard to find motivation sometimes as you see old faces retire and take a step back for the new blood to rise. Yet, when I look at the new people, fearing try outs day and crying when they do not make it, reminds myself that it is a privileged position to be in. These new cheerleaders, hungry and passionate deserves the guidance besotted upon me as a young cheerleader and I want to be able to provide the same if not better for them.
To our new batch of Wildcards, saying all these is to let you all know that the journey to being a top cheerleader is not an easy one and hence it is the road less travelled. But, your seniors have laid a path for you all to follow and here, you see yourselves learning fast. I promise you, if you are passionate, committed and put the team before yourself and make the team your priority, there is an endless road of glory, but I have to warn you, it's nothing to be taken for granted and it is definitely not going to be easy but i believe in you all. It is up to you all to define the new generation of Wildcards Cheerleading Team and I hope that one day when you all are at my position, you all can look at yourself with pride for the team and be ready to raise a new batch of cheerleaders.
Last thing I want to say, was that I started from nothing and many of you all have more ability and talent to surpass me and all you need to do is work hard because hard work beats talent any day.
It doesn't matter where you start, only thing that matters is what you are now and what you are going to be.
Serve the team well and the rewards would come by itself :)
Cheers!
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