Allie Benitez by Alexis Grandstaff

Many pro athletes would say “cheer isn’t a sport.” This phrase is very opinionated and over-used. People say this because cheer isn’t a normal sport where it involves a ball, running, or lifting. Cheerleaders have their opinion on this phrase as well.

Allie Benitez is a junior varsity cheerleader at Fredericksburg High School. Benitez has been wanting to do cheer for about two years now. Benitez is very passionate about cheer, and hopefully makes a career out of it.

When people say “cheerleading isn’t a sport,” it makes her uncomfortable.

“People don’t understand what it takes to be a cheerleader, and all the effort and time it takes out of your life,” Benitez said.

Being a cheerleader, there is a lot of pressure being put on her and the rest of her team. Every move she makes affects her cheer life in some way.

“We, as cheerleaders, have to make sure everything we do doesn’t have a negative consequence whatsoever,” Benitez said. 

Benitez has given up a few other extracurricular activities to become a cheerleader such as soccer, basketball, and track. Basketball was the most difficult one to give up. She decided to stick to marching band and cheerleading. She alternates between the two. It is difficult, but with good communication between her cheerleading coach and her band director, all is well.

“It’s not like I can’t play it. I just miss the friends and the team part of basketball,” Benitez said.

Many people wonder what keeps her motivated and striving to be the best she can be, and cheer to the best of her ability.

“When we smile, it makes me happy. People come up to us and say that we did better than the football players. The support keeps me motivated,” Benitez said.

Benitez puts a lot of time and effort into cheer. She has to give up time for family, friends, and school.

“I like it so much, and it shows because I chose cheer over anything else.”