Ms. Carruth's Cheerleading Profile

Profile

Entering:

Pacing myself through the black and gold halls full of outstanding academic and athletic trophies, I made a quick right at the end of the hall and there her office was. As I walked in she greeted me with a dazzling smile, and on top of that I received an enormous I miss you hug. I could already tell she was elated to see me. Her office was as big as a classroom. Lots of round tables and chairs filled the center of the room. In the corner was a small computer station which contained about five to six computers at the most. The rectangular desk set far back in the right hand corner of the room. A massive number of pens, pencils, papers, folders, and calendars flooded the top of her desk. Behind it was a pink and green table decorated with little green frogs and also pictures of her family members, friends, and students. Pink and green? Yes, she was an Alpha Kappa Alpha of course.

As she sat at her desk, I immediately pulled a seat from the computer station and sat down beside her. I didn’t start the interview right away, because we had a lot of catching up to do. We chatted for a while about unimportant things. She took me around to introduce me to her coworkers. After that we went back into the office and it was time to get down to business.

Interview in Progress:

Ms. Detria Carruth is a hardworking and dedicated women that beginned her cheerleading experience 6^th grade at Amanda Elzy High School in Greenwood, Mississippi. Her journey as a cheerleader continued all the way up into her freshman college year at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi. She became a cheerleading coach at American Way Middle School in the year of 2005-2006. Her outrageous cheerleading skills lead her into becoming one of the top cheerleading coaches. Specializing in choreographing routines, she has grown extensive experience in all areas of coaching. Detria Carruth is now a parent counselor and a cheerleading coach. She is a very striving woman that only wants the best out of everyone.

Ms. Carruth loves the enthusiasm from cheerleaders. They motivate the crowd in every aspect possible. She has a passion to work with girls that are willing to improve; that inspire her most. She sees nothing but greatness in all of her cheerleaders. She explains how being a cheerleader helps you meet new people by adventuring out to different places. “It’s a big difference in high school and college cheerleading,” she says. High school cheerleaders usually stay within their district of cheering. At their football and basketball games there would be less of a crowd. The practices would likely fit your school schedule. As far as college cheerleader though, she gave a slight pause and giggled a little, college cheerleading don’t play games with you. They have larger crowds that they have to interact with in order to get them to participate. The cheers will be more on a professional level instead of those little cute baby cheers in high school. Also, your schedule wouldn’t be as flexible. Papers and homework due, classes to tend to, and you still have to make time for cheer practice every day. Just remember, cheerleaders stand out where you can go!

She continues by adding on the lessons she learned throughout her cheerleading experience. First things first, cheerleading is a sport and it requires physical movement in motions. It takes many years and lots of self-reflection to be an effective coach. It helps gain confidence and teaches you to take your own route towards life and always be a leader. For some odd reason, cheerleading made Detria Carruth feel good about herself! “Maybe, she said, “it’s because cheerleaders play an important role. We always stand with our heads held high, be strong, and just have a wonderful time. We make new friends, learn new things, and get to experience a whole new sport which is awesome.

Being a woman in her thirty’s, she started to discuss how she stayed in tip top perfect shape throughout her cheer career. Cheerleaders should always eat healthy to maintain a good body fit. Good attitude is a most. No one likes disrespectful and rude cheerleaders. Why? Cheerleaders represent their coaches; not only their coaches, but themselves and the school as well. Be respectful of yourself, coaches, and peers. You should stretch everyday all day! Ms. Carruth stated that stretching helps to improve your flexibility, jumps, and help prevent injuries. Every cheerleader should have good working habits, stay focused, and always take advantage. Last but not least, enjoy yourself. Show your bright smile, show spirit, and show that you actually appreciate being a cheerleader.

Break:

After talking for a lengthy period of time, we stopped to go get cold bottled sprites and a bag of chips from the snack machine in the teachers’ lounge. On the way to the lounge, we passed so many students and school faculty. Passing all the younger students made me feel as though I was in high school again. While we were in there, teachers were coming in from left to right asking a lot of different questions. After a while, we then returned back into her office and started the conversation back up.

Detria’s biggest challenge as a cheerleader was bringing girls up to part and making them perform at an excellence level. Cheerleaders form relationships among other girls on the squad. Through hours of practice, winning, and losing cheerleading help girls’ bond and form long life relationships. It builds school spirit and a sense of community at school and in their lives. Leaving the ones you spend most of your time with can be sometimes emotional, especially when you become really close to them she says. Every year you get new group of females that you actually have to start all over with. By that I mean get to know them all over again and cheer with a whole new group. That’s the biggest issue about cheerleading, but can also be the best because you meet new people.

Cheerleaders should be positive role models for their school by attaining good grades, working hard, and making friends not enemies. They should always show school spirit by dedicating themselves to school events. Most importantly, they must be responsible for balancing grades, home life, and cheer life. Every cheerleader must at least maintain a 3.0 GPA. It is an important athletic program to motivate and promote the team to victory. Their main job is to get people to cheer at games. Cheerleaders cheer, stunt, tumbling, and jump.

The most important thing in cheerleading for Ms. Carruth was stunt positions. Flyers are the presenters; they are the focus of the crowd and there job requires lots of arm muscles. A back spot is also very important, because they have to lift and support the flyer by pushing her to get her up. Also, if anything goes wrong they must catch her. Another important position is the base. They create a safe place for the flyer to stand on. Stunts can sometimes be very dangerous. This is one thing that cheerleaders have to practice over and over on a lot. Practice makes perfect! If they want to go out there on the field or court and be perfect than they know they’ll have to go the extra mile and put in that work.

Concluding the Interview:

Detria Carruth has taken part in so many cheer experiences. She concludes her conversation by stating that all females and males have some type of talent. Whether it’s at home, school, work, or anywhere else she encourages every female and male to get involved. In cheerleading of course! Go for it! Never be afraid to try new things. See, its more than just jumping, cheering, and screaming. “Some people thought cheerleading was just about all fun and game,” she said. No, the time you spend in cheerleading is crazy. You have hours and hours of practices, doing fundraisers, pep rallies, competitions, and performances. You have finances you have to take care of such as: uniforms, shoes, and etc. You have to set yourself to be a positive role model for others. Also, you have to work hard. Carruth adds that cheerleading is striving to think and act as one, but at the end of the day, cheerleading is worth the try!

            Overall, cheerleading is a great way to get involved and interact with a large crowd. Cheering, stunting, tumbling, and jumping are the main jobs that cheerleaders do. Cheering helps you to become confidence in yourself. You have to get out in front of an enormous crowd, smile, cheer, and do everything you possibly can to pep the team up to victory. Forming relationships can sometimes become a big part of cheering. You have to make sure to stay fit, maintain a good attitude, and always, always, always stretch.