How A Benched Softball Player Became A College Athlete

My big, loud, Dominican family is obsessed with baseball. At a young age, I was exposed to this sport because of my father.
He pitched for several Major League teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Colorado Rockies, and the Boston Red Sox. Living under this shadow made me want to try my hand in athletics.
I decided that softball would be the right place to start because of my family history. My initial excitement turned to disappointment when I didn’t find my place on the team. Practices became a chore and game days were nerve-wracking. I wasn’t quick enough to be a short stop, my arms weren’t adequate for pitching. 
The only position I was decent at was the outfield. Most of my playing time would consist of me dropping the ball and being sent back to the bench.
Little did my coaches know that I loved being benched.
This would be the only time I could enjoy myself. I became known for leading the softball cheers from the dugout. That’s when I decided after that season I would try out for cheer.
Sparkly pom poms and the uniforms initially attracted me to the sport but knowing that I would have a special part in leading crowds to support our teams excited me. I grew up enrolled in dance, gymnastics, and even ice skating classes which gave me most of the skills I needed to succeed at tryouts. Getting my parents on board was the next step. My parents only heard negative things about cheerleading. 
When I had first brought up cheerleading to my mother she flat out said no but I begged herfor a whole month.
At the end of this month, we finally came to an agreement. I would have to write her an essay about ten successful people who were once cheerleaders. I set off to the internet to do my research.
Surprisingly I learned that many influential people had been cheerleaders. Such as George Bush the 43rd President of United States and Ruth Ginsburg who is an associate justice with the Supreme Court.
These people broke the stereotype that my mother previously had, and she finally granted me permission to tryout for my high school cheerleading team.
I made it on my high school team which inspired me to continue my cheerleading career throughout college. I cheered at Glendale Community College and through that program, I was able to find a four-year school with a great cheerleading program which leads me to where I am today, a cheerleader at Cal State Fullerton.
I love cheerleading because I enjoy being a part of a team. The rush of excitement, while competing or mastering a new stunt, is an amazing feeling. Cheerleading is not just a sport to me, but also a second home.