Inked Win

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 5^th 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.