McClinton, Nia

I contribute to my community as a youth cheer and dance trainer. I am responsible for

teaching cheer and dance routines. When I began volunteering to train these young girls it turned

into so much more. I realized that these young girls were so impressionable and easily influenced

by negative images that they believed they had to conform to. I decided to go beyond teaching

them how to cheer by mentoring them to the best of my abilities. I talk to them about how

important individuality, confidence, and courage are. I also encourage them to do their best in

everything. Sometimes I even assist them with matters outside of cheer, such as homework or

friendship dilemmas. Overall, I am a role model who displays everything a young girl should be.

By trying to be an example for them, I get a chance to grow along with my girls. As a young girl

I was quite the same, my confidence was never really solidified and I felt I would never love

myself. However, when I entered middle school I realized that only I have the power to control

how I feel about myself, and I did so through cheer. Cheerleading helped me develop my own

sense of esteem and courage to bloom into a young woman. I want to change these young girl’s

outlook so they can grow into their best possible selves.

One special moment of witnessing my devotion to helping these girls is when the young

girl described above was being "crowned" cheer captain for the week. When she received the

news her face lit up like a Christmas tree. The simple title of captain served as a placebo that

made her confidence soar, which made me feel inspired. I realized that her confidence was

reliant on outside influence instead of being solidified in her own right. Since this experience I

have been determined to mentor and teach these these young girls how to be self-confident. As

they grow, I see them interacting amongst themselves much more fluently and when they

perform they possess this confidence that radiates off stage. I am very proud of volunteering my
 McClinton, Nia

time to teach and mentor young girls. I can see the difference that I am creating in their lives! I

am strong, and I am helping other girls be strong too!

My devotion to mentorship has given me deep ideals of selflessness and compassion

toward others. In college these ideals will prove beneficial as I interact with varying creeds and

types of people experiencing various circumstances. Ultimately, When I looked into that young

girl’s eyes I realized why I have to continue mentoring them or I would be misusing the powerful

influence that God blessed me with.

When I looked in her eyes I could see how fragile her innocent spirit was. She’d lose her

confidence at the utter of a sideways comment. This is why being a youth cheer and

dance trainer is important to me. I am able to ensure young girls understand how

powerful their talents are and how they can change the world.

As I trained these young girls, I realized that these young girls lacked confidence and

self-assurance. I decided to go beyond teaching them cheer, by mentoring them to the

best of my abilities. I express how important individuality, confidence, and courage are. I

aim to be a role model who displays everything a young girl should be. As a young girl I

was quite the same, my confidence was low and I felt I would never love myself.
 McClinton, Nia

Cheerleading helped me develop my own self-esteem and courage to bloom into a

young woman.

One special moment of witnessing my devotion to helping these girls is when the young

girl described above was being "crowned" team captain. When she received the news

her face lit up; receiving captain made her confidence soar, which made me feel

inspired. Since this experience I have been determined to mentor and teacher these

young girls. I can see the difference I am creating in their lives!

When I looked into that young girl’s eyes I realized why I have to continue mentoring or I

would be misusing the influence that I’ve been blessed with.