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2020 MSUCAA Scholarship Winner Larnye Greene
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When I first tried out to become a cheerleader at MSU I didn’t know exactly what to expect and honestly was in doubt that I would actually make the team. I remember the night when I got the email from coach like it was yesterday. I was leaving Planet Fitness with my cousin and my roommate and checked my email to find the first one that read “CONGRATULATIONS! You have earned a spot on the 2018-2019 Michigan State Cheer Team!” At that moment a new journey began for me. Over the course of the last year, I have gained so much experience from this program that I will forever be grateful for. Being a part of this amazing team has taught me a lot about myself and how to work with others. I can’t imagine what my college career would be like without MSU Cheer. Cheering for Michigan State has been nothing but an exciting experience. From cheering for volleyball to cheering a football has always been fun, though there is a huge difference in the crowd size. I cherish each and every moment I am able to put on the uniform because I know that it can be easily taken away. Before joining the team, I was a very quiet and reserved individual. Also, I was very self-conscious because of stretch marks that started to form on my body back in high school. Having stretch marks on my arms stopped me from being myself because I was afraid people may talk about me negatively. I wore sweaters and longs sleeves all the time as a coverup because I was too embarrassed to show them. I often found myself lonely and depressed because I simply felt like I couldn’t be me. When I joined the team all of that went out the window. I knew that I couldn’t wear sweaters and long sleeves with the uniform because I wouldn’t look as cute. I wear the uniform proudly and being a member of the team has given me so much confidence. I’ve grown so much as a person and no longer care what anyone thinks of me because I am an MSU Cheerleader. Furthermore, the traditions that I have learned about have been traditions I have grown to love dearly. Before making the team, I had never been to a single athletic game, including football, basketball, hockey, volleyball or field hockey. Now I have the best seat in the house being on the field or court with all the action happening right in front of me. I picked up quickly on the different comments and gestures that we do at games. For instance, at a football or basketball game when our team is on defense everyone screams “ohhh” and I enjoy that so much because it seems to get the crowd excited and on their feet. Additionally, singing MSU Shadows after a victory, and sometime even after a loss, is another tradition I love because everyone wraps their arms around each other and sings together. Traditions like that are important to have because it makes you feel as though you are a part of the big Spartan family. My most memorable experience as a cheerleader thus far has to be participating in nationals. As an adultescent I enjoyed watching movies like Bring It On because of the exciting energy that is in the atmosphere at cheer competitions. I’ve always wanted to sit in the crowd and watch teams perform. Being a part of nationals this year not only had given me the opportunity to watch some of the top teams but to also compete on the mat against them. It’s such an exciting feeling that can’t really be explained but rather just experienced. In closing, being a cheerleader at MSU is so much more to me than being cute in uniform and cheering at games. There are so many skills that I have learned from being a part of this team. I’ve grown more socially and most importantly gained confidence in myself. I had to get out of my comfort zone quickly and cheer gave me that outlet. This team brings a ton of joy into my life every day that I am still on this campus. Through all the complaints, tired days, and grumpy moods, I will forever have a special place in my heart for MSU Cheer. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for our team. Larnye Greene |
