2022-23 | 2023-24 U . S . ALL STAR FEDERATION BIENNIAL REPORT
Message from an Athlete Leader
Become better than you were yesterday
My name is Jayeleigh Drake . I am a Senior Level 4 athlete at PA Starz based in Chambersburg , Pennsylvania . This is my 10th year in competitive cheerleading , my fourth year junior coaching and my fourth year serving on the USASF Athlete Advisory Council .
I have always wanted to cheer and begged my mom for two years to put me in cheerleading . Before All Star , I tried my hand at a few sports , but would always come back to cheer . I was a child who was always running around and had trouble settling down at night . When I started cheerleading , I began sleeping better as I finally had an outlet and a place where I could exert myself in a proper way . I was excited to go to practice and wanted to be there with my teammates and coaches .
Finding true friends , developing leadership skills and sharing a hobby with my sister , I truly have All Star to thank . I learned what hard work is and that beats talent every time . I learned to have confidence in myself and in my team and how to be a leader . The biggest challenge I have had in my All Star cheer journey has been facing my perfectionism in everything I do . In a sport that asks for perfection , I learned that it is not about being perfect . It is about the response to a situation , making mistakes and the growth that occurs from those mistakes . I know this is something that will help me in my future .
My favorite moments of All Star cheer have been those with my teammates and meeting new people from across the country . I have seen so much growth in my gym that has given me a second family . Another favorite memory is meeting my USASF friends in person at the National Conference in Nashville in 2023 . These people mean the world to me and I wouldn ’ t trade that experience for anything . USASF has done so much for All Star . They always work to be more inclusive and let the athletes have a say in decisions being made . They have given me the best friends and mentors that I will always cherish in my life .
Cheerleading requires so many different things — athleticism , teamwork and performance . Cheerleading has taught me to be disciplined and goal oriented . I am a senior in high school , but I am not ready to be done cheering . I want to cheer in college and plan to coach All Star as well . I also hope to continue my journey with USASF and help make a positive change .
My advice to anyone wanting to join All Star is to not take anything for granted . The time you have to be an All Star athlete is limited and it goes so quick . Chase the opportunities you wouldn ’ t normally go for . The hard work is most definitely worth it and it does pay off . Don ’ t waste your time worrying about what might happen , but instead use that time to become better than you were yesterday . I am excited to continue being involved in All Star , to watch its growth and to see how the sport evolves .
JAYELEIGH DRAKE
PA Starz Athlete Advisory Council Member
SASF
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