MADDIE GARDNER OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Athlete's Statement To the Fierce Board

Hello. My name is Maddie Gardner, I am a cheerleader for Cheer Extreme Senior Elite and this is my first time posting on this forum. In fact, it is only the fourth time I have even visited the web page. I try to remove myself from some (not all) of the behavior on this board. It is sad that there are a few people who make our sport (that some work so hard to promote) something it is not. It almost seems unfair to we, as athletes, who put in countless hours on the mat, to be bashed by "cheer followers" on a website. So here I am, as one of these athletes who has received her fair share of support and negativity, and as a fan of our sport to post a challenge to the "fierce boarders".

I challenge you as a group to refrain from negative commentary that targets athletes both as individuals and as a team. I challenge you to not just discuss our sport, but to help it grow and make it a place where we can do what we all love to do, without being scared of judgement by anyone other than a judging panel. Finally, I challenge you to encourage rather than make hurtful comments.

I believe in this sport and I love this sport. I want to depart in April knowing that this activity, that I have dedicated fourteen years to, will continue to exhibit the qualities that I fell in love with when I first began. Cheerleaders accept challenges everyday. As you all know, sometimes we overcome, and other times we fall short. So let's do this together, as a community of people who care about this sport. I understand that by placing yourself in the public eye both good and bad comments are inevitable, but I also understand that this sport defies all boundaries and I know that together we are unstoppable. Let's make cheerleading a place to grow without apprehension, a place to overcome with the support of everyone, and a place that we can love, now and forever.

posted by Maddie on Tuesday, February 7, 2012

About Maddie

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Born in the small town of Mount Airy, NC, "where everybody knows you and will do anything for you", Maddie was first introduced to cheerleading at the age of 4 - she loved watching the high school cheerleaders and desperately wanted to be the mascot. But when all star cheerleading showed up on her radar, she knew she had found her calling. Maddie didn't want to be inside a mascot costume she wanted to shine on the competition floor.

At age 6, Maddie went to Cheer Extreme and her love for cheerleading developed into an all out passion. Never one to shy away from hard work, Maddie dedicated her time and developed her talents with the help of the Cheer Extreme Staff. Maddie lights up when she talks about her coach, "Courtney Smith-Pope taught me so much in my first few years at Cheer Extreme. Today I am still learning not only about my sport, but myself."

To date, all of her major accomplishments and memorable moments have revolved around cheerleading. She's been a recognizable athlete for Cheer Extreme for many years. During her three years on the L5 junior all girl team, her team took first place at NCA All Star Nationals in 2005. Shortly thereafter she was asked to join the Senior Elite L5 All Girl team. "She takes emotional presence to a new level when she performs. She's an innovator, risk taker, and conscientious teammate" says Courtney Smith-Pope."

Maddie's a leader. She takes on leadership roles not only with her all star cheer team, but also with her school team where she's cheered for three years. She's a junior in high school and has been captain for her school team for the past two years. Leadership doesn't stop with cheerleading for this young athlete as she also takes an active role in her community. When she's not cheering or doing schoolwork, you'll find Maddie volunteering at the local hospital and participating in fundraisers for various charities and organizations. She is an active member of student government and the Interact Service Club. Maddie is a self-proclaimed perfectionist, "I strive for excellence in my school work and never settle for anything less than perfect in all that I do."

Upon graduation Maddie plans to attend college and one day become a broadcast journalist. Aside from her obvious determination and passion for cheerleading she attributes much of her success to her friends and family. "My friends are awesome and I have the greatest, most supportive family anyone could ask for. The people I meet through cheerleading keep me motivated not only in my sport but in my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without the love and encouragement I have received from the people who surround me."

Links

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Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Maddie_Gardner
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MaddieGardnerCheer
Maddie Cake: http://www.facebook.com/maddiecake
Cheer Extreme (Maddie's team): http://www.cheerextreme.com/
Fancy Face Cosmetics: http://www.fancyfacecosmetics.com/
The Maddie Collection: http://www.facebook.com/themaddiecollection

Athlete's Statement To the Fierce Board

posted by Maddie on Tuesday, February 7, 2012

About Maddie

Links

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