Football has been a huge part of my life since I was very young. At age 6, I was a peewee cheerleader for my brothers on the Lewiston Jr. Lions team. I cheered for the Jr. Lions and soon the Lewiston Lions for 2 years. After that, my brothers transferred to the Auburn Recreational football program, and I cheered for the Auburn Recs. for three years. Although I was not actually part of the squad, I could have been identified as the “cute little girl” who always stood by the cheerleaders and did all the cheers with them. The next season my oldest brother started to play for the Edward Little football program. That move brought my family into the E.L. football program; from that point onward for the next four years, football was lifeliterally.

Although I was not an official cheerleader, I was a regular at every game, and a loud one. For the duration of the time my brothers were involved in football programs, I was at every practice, every game, and every imaginable football program’s ritual. Being part of a developed program is so much fun! From cheering the team on as they make their way onto the field, being at the top of the stands on the fifty-yard line, surrounded by fans that are as crazed as you-especially when the game-deciding touchdown is scored, to the last buzzer as the crowd goes wild and the players all rush towards each other in madness as the adrenaline rises.

A football dynasty. It is in me greatest hopes that this is what will become of the Poland Regional High School football program. You bet your bottom dollar that I will be on my feet every step of the way as I was for my brothers. I developed an understanding, love, respect, and passion for the game as I grew upbut this seemed to fade when my brother and I became students at Poland.

Coming to PRHS my freshman year, my brother and I were bummed that there was no football program, especially my brother because he was a senior, and didn’t have a football team to play for during his last year of high school. Merely two years later, I learned of the Poland-Buckfield football program, then for about a year after, I watched that football program being built to soon find that we now, actually have our own football team. Am I excited? NopeEcstatic is a better word. Yes, I have had, and still do have my doubts…but no doubt, ecstatic. In my fourth year at PRHS, I finally get to be part of our high school’s football program, and there is no way I will not be on my feet for every great play, “haggard” tackle, and certainly every touchdown scored, whenever possible. As a cheerleader for this new and always improving football program, I will be there to show my respect for each of the playersbecause just like them, I have respect for the game. From my experiences, I know how much of an impact football can make on someone’s life, even though my experiences have been from the sidelines. If you’re not on the field playing, YOU should be on the sidelines too.