This is my second year of cheerleading and all of the volunteer coaches are amazing. They push us very hard and don't allow excuses. It's hard at times, but they believe in us and because they do, we know we can do it!

I look up to my two older sisters. Gianna has been doing Cheer even longer than I have

and I always know I can turn to her for advice and honesty about how I am doing. Sophia, my other sister, cheered on the Chiefs for one year, but she’s my inspiration for being the best gymnast I can be, and that’s very important in cheer. (Put photo of two girls here.)

During our season, we practiced 4 days a week, right along side the Chiefs football players. Every day they were there, we were there... 2 hours per day beginning in the July heat and ending in the dark and cold of October! In addition to cheering on the football team every Saturday, we compete in two major Cheerleading competitions each year. ‘Mini Cheer’ and ‘Mega Cheer’ is what it is all about for us! Put photo of team here)

For Mini Cheer, we are judged on one performance, and this year we took first place! Then in Mega Cheer, we are judged on two separate performances. We finished second in the

first one, and in the other performance, we were told we were the second-place finishers only to find out a little later that the judges made a mistake and we actually won FIRST place in

that one too! I'll never forget feeling disappointed one moment and so happy learning we won our Mega Cheer competition! (Put photo of family here)

Cheer has taught me how to be coached and what hard work and dedication really means.

Sure our coaches worked us hard, but those first place medals really made it worth it!

I love doing gymnastics and dancing, so that part is a natural fit, of course. More than

anything though, I love being a part of a team. I love knowing that I can count on the girls on

my team and I want them to know they can count on me!

Valentina's Tip for Future Cheerleaders: 

“You may think it is hard at first, or may feel like you don’t know anyone on the team, but the longer you’re on the team, the better YOU will get. I promise. The coaches will really help you grow your skills and you’ll become great friends with your teammates." (Put photo of Valentina with fun pose here with all ribbons)