When I first joined the high school cheer competition team, it was not just another extracurricular activity for me—it was a passion. A passion that took every ounce of my energy, countless hours of practice, and an unwavering dedication to my teammates. Each of us poured our hearts and souls onto the mats, training for days, weeks, and months to refine our routines. However, everything changed when our coach, who was our guide and motivator, quit unexpectedly.

Without our coach, we found ourselves in a dire situation. Lacking the necessary resources, crucial time, and administrative support, our dreams of pushing forward and competing at our best have slowly crumbled before our eyes. Each day without guidance in our cheer practices pulls us further away from the objectives we were once so close to achieving.

Cheerleading, and specifically competitive cheerleading, is not something that can be sustained without significant support. We are in a small school district without the additional resources to hire another qualified coach or the means to continue training at a competitive level. Even reaching out to community resources or local businesses for sponsorships has been met with obstacles and limited responses.

With the competition season rapidly approaching, we find ourselves lost and at risk of injury due to inadequate preparation and training. It's heartbreaking because cheer has always been about teamwork, resilience, and mutual support. But now, instead of feeling empowered, we feel defeated, fighting against currents beyond our control.

Therefore, I am calling for the disbandment of our high school cheer competition team. It's not out of a lack of desire to continue, but out of necessity for our safety and well-being. We have endured with limited resources and support, which jeopardizes not only our chance to compete but also our mental and physical health.

Please, sign this petition to support our decision to disband the team and reallocate efforts towards building a sustainable atmosphere in other areas that can flourish with the resources at hand. The spirit of competition and cheer will continue in our hearts, but we need understanding and action from stakeholders to redirect efforts sustainably and safely. Your signature will bring much-needed awareness and aid in the possible redirection or support of resources necessary for future endeavors for our school teams.