By: Aimee Adams
 |
| First Place Reactions |
Champions forever- Avila
Cheerleading won the 2013 UCA National Championship in Orlando Florida in
January. 10 team members took their victory to the next level and paid for a
permanent reminder. The squad members got a purple Minnie Mouse bow to signify:
cheerleading, Disney World, and a National Title.
For Paige Snyder, a senior on the
cheer team, the bow inked on her foot was a bonding experience. Snyder and five
of her teammates went to King City Tattoo to get marked together. “I never
would have gotten one by myself but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity I
can always share with my team. Even after the medals and rings are gone I can
look at my foot and know the hard work, dedication, and pain that went into
winning a National Championship.” Snyder worked for this National Title for 12
years. She started her cheering career in 5th grade. Winning such a
prestigious title meant everything to her. “It’s hard to put how I felt into
words; I couldn’t help but to scream. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity;
pure shock, joy, and a cherished memory I will be talking about for the rest of
my life.” Snyder joked, “I had to keep picking up my jaw because I was in such
shock it wouldn’t close on its own.” This unexpected win brought excitement to
the entire team.
Shelby Fletcher, a junior on the
cheer team, relived the moment with a smile that touched both ears. “I was so
happy, I couldn’t stop freaking out.” Championship comes with a price and
tattoos can be pretty expensive. “The tattoo cost too much money but you can’t
put a price on the feeling I got that day- it was worth it.” Fletcher got the
bow tattooed above her right hipbone. “My tattoo means that I am a national
champion,” Fletcher said with pride.
Being a national champion was a
first for Avila cheerleading and for Sarah Rubin, a sophomore on the cheer
team, the purple bow was her first tattoo. “I got the tattoo because it
represents a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will hold onto that moment
forever.” When the announcer called Avila University as the first place team
Rubin knew the team’s hard work was worth it. “I couldn’t believe it was
actually happening. It just goes to show that if you put your mind to something
and don’t give up on your goals, your dreams will come true.”
Hard work is what got Avila Cheer
to the top. Anna Roberts, a freshman on the team said, “The tattoo is a
constant reminder that I’m a national champion.
During my future years at Avila it will be a reminder through the really
rough national practices, not to give up and how bad I want that first place
feeling again. ” Being on a collegiate level cheer team and winning a national
title as a freshman is a surreal experience to say the least. “When we won I
was completely overwhelmed it didn’t feel real and I couldn’t stop crying,”
said Roberts.
Behind every tattoo there is a
story. The purple bow inked into the skin of the Avila cheerleaders is a
‘forever bond,’ that will keep them connected for the rest of their lives.
