If you are one of the, maybe, two people on the planet that have not visited Katie Soloker’s blog Color me Katie, then you need to do so right away. I was insanely stressed out and sad through much of this semester, but when I found Katie’s blog, I rethought a lot. She has such a great outlook on everything, and she is just so happy and creative. I love her work so much, I made my own thought bubble and put it next to my bed, so when I sleep at night my roommate knows what I am dreaming about (it says Keith Richards inside)

She is such a positive role model, and inspiration, even though she is a peer of mine!

And the holiday picture above is so cute and cheerful, it is really getting me prepared for the shopping marathon my dad and I are about to venture on!

All of that jumping, tumbling and running can wear down a pair of shoes pretty quickly.

So when you get a new pair, find shoes that will have you cheering in style and in comfort. Wear a pair of Nike Women’s Shox Turbo running shoes, which you can get for dirt cheap on Friday.

With an outsole of quality carbon rubber and Nike’s Shox cushioning in the heel, the Nike Women’s Shox Turbo running shoes will keep you injury free while you train.

With a lightweight mesh upper portion of the shoe that comes in a variety of slick designs and colors, your training will never be boring.

The Nike Women’s Shox Turbo running shoes usually retail for $114.99. You can buy them now online for $49.98.

Or if you come by our retail stores in San Antonio or Laurel, Md., on Black Friday, you can also get them for $49.98! That’s a 57% discount from the original price!

Related: Browse our entire selection of cheerleading training shoes.

‘Tis the season to be jolly and this season lasts ¼ of the year, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah or Kwanza, New Years and Valentines Day. These months are filled with parties and family gatherings that have one thing in common, EXCESS!

Excess food, excess drink, excess stress, excess expectations, a little less of all of these is not such a bad thing. Holidays that are celebrated with less food, drink, stress and lower expectations will be better remembered if the EXCESS is trimmed and new activities are incorporated into your holiday routine.

Group activities will bring the family closer together and can help bring back holiday spirit and holiday cheer.

Reminisce about the “old” days. Kids love hearing about their great, great grandparents or cool stories about their parents or other family members.

Enjoy playing games. Clear the table as quickly as possible and start playing some games, the longer you sit at a table with food, the more you may be tempted to eat or eat without even being aware you are noshing. Games like Charades or Bingo are great for the entire family to play.

Reading about the holiday and having kids act out the story or just discussing it is another activity kids and adults can do together, http://www.nj.com/parenting/sandra_lee/index.ssf/2009/11/reading_holiday_books_can_be_p.html, and it can done without a lot of extra stress. It’s also a great way to steer the conversation towards holiday spirit and away from stressful conversations like the economy or the heathcare debate.

During the holidays there are bound to be situations that occur that are stressful. Stress only brings on more stress. Think of things to do when a stressful event happens to help you re-focus your energy so that it does good.

Positive reinforcement gets you more than complaints, so make sure you use your best manners and tell everyone how much you appreciate every little bit of help you get for setting the table, carrying the groceries, meal preparation and clean up, you’ll be surprised how a little positive reinforcement goes a long way.

It’s all about attitude, keeping a positive attitude can be catchy. No matter what happens be positive and be aware of how it affects everyone around you.

Pre-think holiday meals, do not buy too much extra food. Figure out how many people will attend your meal and what the accurate portion sizes of the food you are serving are. Only buy enough for the meal. There will be less left overs and it will help keep costs within reason.

Spreading holiday cheer and getting into the spirit of the holidays is much more important than stuffing yourself to the point of not being able to get up from the table. Sure every family has family traditions but it is never too late to start new traditions.

Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

This weekend we hosted the “With A Star On Top” gymnastics invitational. We thought it would be a small meet but it turned into a meet of over 350 gymnasts with almost 1000 spectators. Big.

Our team parents group was amazing. This meet was organized and operated by parents and it went off without a hitch. Meet planning started in July for this event and we had parents doing everything from selling advertising to baking brownies. Visiting teams paid us many compliments.  One coach told me, “We’ll come to your meet every year because you guys do it right.”

I cannot complement our parents enough for all the work they did. And I cannot thank them adequately in proportion to the amount of work they did and the result it created. Gymfinity has a reputation as running a great meet and this year was no exception.  My field generals Amy Z and Jen F kept the meet running smooth. I had nothing to do because they did it all and they did it well. They worked from before the meet started to well after it was over. They were first in and last to leave. My gratitude goes out to them and to all the parents that worked so hard. 

The parents who served as committee chairs ran the awards, the program, the decorations, the publicity and the hospitality to a high standard and worked diligently to  make sure the meet was flawless. I am happy and sad to say that the only minor glitches that happened (no calling out raffle winners, forgetting Level 3 trophies) were all my mistakes.  The parents rocked.

Our teams did exceptionally well. We had great competition at all levels from gyms around the state and our girls had to work to get their accolades. And the accolades came. The level 4 team took 3rd and the level 5’s won first place as a team. individuals did an amazing job too:

Level 3: This level is not separated by age and rankings are not done, however scores were excellent and we are really proud of our Level 3 team: Kim K, Vanessa W, Ellie J, Navy B, Ashley H, Sitori T, Ellie S, Hollie B, Shaylee S, Sophie H, Lauren E, Julia H, and Samantha R.

Level 4:

7 years old: Hadley C – 12th Uneven Bars

8 years old: Maddie S. – 1st Vault, 4th Beam, 4th All Around

        Jamie F. – 17th Floor

       Bryana W. – 12th Vault

       Annie M. – 8th Vault

9 years old: Hannah B. – 2nd Beam, 4th Floor, 5th All Around

       Grace H. – 4th Beam, 5th Floor

       Krista T. – 10th Beam

      Jamie R.  – 9th Bars

      Emma R. – 5th Beam

       Makayla A. – 4th Vault

       Anna T. – 15th Vault

       Sophie L. – 27th Vault

10 Years old: Tenley S. – 4th Beam, 4th Floor, 5th All Around

      Heidi D. – 15th Beam

11 Years old: Hadley C. – 5th Vault, 1st Beam, 1st Floor, 2nd All Around

Level 5:

9 years old: Rylie G. – 7th Floor, 7th All Around

       Sophie A.  – 4th Bars

       Sidney A. – 9th Bars

10 Years old: Stella F. – 5th Vault, 2nd Floor, 2nd All Around

       Angeline F. – 1st Bars, 5th Floor, 2nd All Around

       Miriam M. – 3 Bars, 1st Beam, 5th All Around

11 years old: Mandy M. – 5th Vault, 1st Bars, 1st Beam, 3rd Floor, 1st All Around

       Lily Z. – 1st Vault, 3rd Bars, 3rd All Around

       Lindsey C. – 5th Vault, 4th Bars, 5th Beam, 5th All Around

       Lauren M. – 5th Bars

       Elizabeth T. – 12th Beam

12 and up: Mikayla R.E. – 1st Bars, 3rd Beam, 1st Floor, 1st All Around

       Catherine S. – 2nd Vault, 2nd Bars, 3rd Floor, 3rd All Around

       Julia D. – 1st Beam

       Shannon K. – 6th Bars

       Lucy P. – 9th Beam

Here’s a short video on advanced cheerleading jumps.

it’s difficult to be honest
it’s tough be frank
one wrong word
friendship can end
enemies will come
surrender your heart
and you fall
stand where you are
and you’ll die
running from past
but get scared by the future
try to just live the present
but feel insecure

hurdles always there
but big blocks are meant to be broken
stop taking negative injection
take a dose of optimisme
get a pill of happiness
and you’ll know
BLISSFUL is in your life.

cheer up if you fall, came back strong and you’ll win!

You’re on the phone with your girlfriend, she’s upset
She’s going off about something that you said
She doesnt get your humour like I do

I’m in the room, its a typical Tuesday night
I’m listening to the kind of music she doesnt like
And she’ll never know your story like I do

But she wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts
She’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers
Dreaming bout the day when you’ll wake up and find
That what you’re lookin for has been here the whole time

If you could see that I’m the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can’t you see?
You belong with me
You belong with me

Walkin the streets with you in your worn out jeans
I cant help thinking this is how it ought to be
Laughing on the park bench thinkin to myself
Hey isnt this easy?

And you’ve got a smile that could light up this whole town
I havent seen it in awhile, since she brought you down
You say you find I know you better than that
Hey, Whatcha doing with a girl like that?

She wears high heels, I wear sneakers
She’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers
Dreaming bout the day when you’ll wake up and find
That what you’re looking for has been here the whole time

If you could see that I’m the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can’t you see?
You belong with me

Standin by, waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know that?
You belong with me
You belong with me

Oh I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night
I’m the one who makes you laugh when you know you’re about to cry
I know your favorite songs and you tell me about your dreams
I think I know where you belong. I think I know it’s with me.

Can’t you see that I’m the one who understand you?
Been here all along so why can’t you see?
You belong with me

Standing by or waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know that
You belong with me
You belong with me

Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me
You belong with me

Read the entire story here.

Here’s an excerpt:

They walked together from sideline to sideline. Blue, gold, orange and black pom-poms flung up left and right.

Raiders and Cobras cheerleaders stood side by side.

The Boyd Anderson varsity cheerleaders have made it a practice to extend their hands to the opposing team.

By forming a unity program, the Boyd Anderson girls have been able to greet the opposing team’s cheerleaders, work on a cheer together and simply talk with one another.

Most of all, they gain respect in their attempt to achieve good sportsmanship.

Coach Veverly Pinkey, the head Boyd Anderson cheerleading coach, is in her third year of offering the unity program.

“We have 29 varsity girls that love participating in this, ” Pinkey said. “I’d say we’ve done a good job in getting other squads to join us. Cypress Bay and Deerfield Beach have cheered with us, and this is our second time working with the St. Thomas girls.”

Posted by Audiegrl

The American Family Association attacked Gap for not using the word ‘Christmas‘ in its advertising — but in fact it does, and in a big way too

Los Angeles Times/Dan Neil—The Mississippi-based American Family Assn. last week issued a fatwa against Gap Inc. — the retailing giant whose brands include Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic — calling for a “two-month boycott over the company’s failure to use the word ‘Christmas’ in its advertising to Christmas shoppers.”

The War on Christmas season has officially begun.

Gap “does not use the word ‘Christmas’ to avoid offending those who don’t embrace its meaning,” writes Buddy Smith, executive assistant to the president of the AFA, on the organization’s website. “Christmas has historically been very good for commerce. But now Gap wants the commerce but no Christmas.”

“I interpret Gap’s decision as a warning sign to Christians to get out there and tell people about Jesus Christ,” writes Smith.

And they say nobody likes fruitcake.

It would be easy to get sidetracked into debating the merits of the War on Christmas. Why, for example, is the phrase “Happy holidays” so insufferable to Christian fundamentalists, but not the vulgar, surfeiting exploitation of Christ’s name to sell smokeless ashtrays, dessert toppings, Droid phones and trampolines? I’m not a theologian but I think the Gospels are pretty clear that Jesus was no fan of merchants.

And since China is in the news this week: Why not go after Gap and other retailers for trading in Chinese-made goods, since the Chinese government actively oppresses the Christian faith? Seems like building a case on religious tolerance would have more resonance. Oh, wait. Never mind.

But here’s the real question: Why attack Gap for not using the word “Christmas” in its advertising when in fact it does, and in a big way too?

Surf on over to YouTube and watch Gap’s latest 30-second spot, titled “Go Ho Ho” (Crispin Porter + Bogusky). The spot — which is in heavy rotation on network and cable TV — features a group of insanely athletic dancers leaping and twirling and stomp-cheering around a white log-cabin set. They chant, “Go Christmas, go Hanukkah, go Kwanzaa, go Solstice. . . . Do whatever you wannukkah and to all a cheery night.”

There it is, right up front, enjoying pride of place: the C-word.

More @

In one of the first lines of Gap’s new holiday ad, the dancers yell, “Go Christmas! Go Hanukkah! Go Kwanzaa! Go Solstice!” Check it out, its got great dancing too!

Get Ready For Holiday Cheer – visit cheerfactory.com to send some personalized digi-cheer to your friends.

IMHO, this entire drama could be avoided by simply educating people on the origins of what we know today as “Christmas“.

Several years ago a family member gave me the DVD “Christmas unWrapped- The History of Christmas“. It examines each of our holiday traditions and explains where they came from. Many people who believe we should “keep Christ in Christmas“, will be surprised to learn the historical facts. Its a very interesting documentary, that I highly recommend.

Click here to purchase

People all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th. But why is the Nativity marked by gift giving, and was He really born on that day? And just where did the Christmas tree come from? Take an enchanting tour through the history of this beloved holiday and trace the origins of its enduring traditions. Journey back to the earliest celebrations when the infant religion embraced pagan solstice festivals like the Roman Saturnalia and turned them into a commemoration of Jesus’ birth. Learn how Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to the English-speaking world in 1841, and discover how British settlers in the New World transformed the patron saint of children into jolly old St. Nick.

This documentary explores the origin of Christmas and how it came to be the way we know it today. The documentary also incites the thought as to how Christmas is on one hand a result of social, cultural, and political influences (hence somewhat obscuring the apparent purpose of the festival: Christ’s Mass), and on the other hand a influence over people’s lives (particularly consumerism). Youtube links to the first three parts of the show are below.

I highly recommend purchasing this DVD.

Part One
Part Two
Part Three

It’s a staple of cheerleading squads around the country, but by no means is it easy.

Here is a short video on the standing tuck.

This video has been causing a major uproar. According to the American Family Association, the Gap fails to say “Christmas” in the song. What? Are you all not listening. Christmas is the first holiday they mention in the cheer.

This angers me, people are boycotting and protesting the Gap because of this. Okay, if you don’t celebrate Christmas, that’s fine with me BUT at least give them credit for recognizing other holiday’s that are celebrated this time of the year. Atheists and others are mad because their holiday isn’t mention…OK, what do you celebrate if you don’t believe in anything? Moving on…

Anyway, enjoy the Holiday’s, whichever one you celebrate
I know this is off from my usual reality TV rants but it’s okay, this is my blog  and I can do whatever I want. Enjoy the video below!!

Video courtesy of YouTube & The Gap

A recent study shows that the principles of “tough love” lead kids to be more successful throughout life. The study done by a parenting “think tank” says that a balance of warmth  and discipline improves social skills more than  a laissez-faire, authoritarian or disengaged upbringing. We’ve said it (and lived it) for years, but finally there is proof.

The study done by Jen Lexmond, says that children, aged 5 years, with warm/disciplining parents are 200% more likely to display good character attributes.  Lexmond said: “It is confidence, warmth and consistent discipline that matter most.” According to her report, qualities such as application, self-regulation and empathy were more likely to be developed in children whose parents employed a “tough love” approach. It found that these qualities made “a vital contribution to life chances, mobility and opportunity”. The report said these characteristics were profoundly shaped in pre-school years.

The Building Character report analysed data from more than 9,000 households in the UK. It found that children from the wealthiest families and backgrounds were more than twice as likely to develop the positive key characteristics compared to those with the children with the poorest origins. Obviously there are a welath (pardon the pun) of opportunities that higher income families have in comparison to lower incomes but the study added that when parental style and confidence were factored in, the difference in child character development between richer and poorer families disappeared. The report concluded that this indicated that parenting was the most important influence. The report said that other positive influences included the main carer’s level of education, and breast-feeding. Two topics that could start a whole other post, but again were obvious to most people.

Girls were more likely to develop positive character capabilities by age five, while no connection was found between paid employment of either parent and children’s characteristics. The authors urged for more support and information for families, and for children with disengaged or low-income parents to be given particular focus. Granted the report was based out of the UK but it echos the need for the same type of support here in the states.

There is some evidence that lower-income households face more difficulty in incubating positive character capabilities,” the report said, but the most important influence is the quality of parenting. “Confident, skillful parents adopting a ‘tough love’ approach to parenting, balancing the warmth with the discipline, seem to be most effective in terms of generating the key positive character capabilities.”

At Gymfinity we have always acted under the philosophy that children need and seek out boundaries. They want to be told what is acceptable and what is not. Without that guidance children feel lost and un-supported. The Lexmond study confirms that this is true.  We continue to be a place where children come to have fun and learn great skills in sports but we  are also a character education site. We pride ourselves in being a positive place for kids, physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially. There is a reason why parents value us and have voted us the “Best” time and time again. It’s because we take your children seriously and our part in helping you raise them pretty seriously too.

We’re just about midway through the school year. That means there has been plenty of standing, jumping and tumbling going on.

All of that action can take a toll on joints and feet, which makes it all the more important to get a quality pair of cheer shoes. But we’re here to say that cheerleading shoes don’t need to be expensive to be effective, and the Nike Women’s Stamina is a great example of that.

The Nike Women’s Stamina features an EVA wedge, heel notch and sculptured arch for comfort and durability, and its stylish, retro sneaker look is sure to turn some heads.

Our reviewers have loved it. Kim, a cheer coach from Columbus, Ohio, said she plans to order the shoes for her team for years to come.

“It’s so light, it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything,” she said.

And they’re light on the wallet, too. They cost $34.99.

Related: Check out our entire selection of cheerleading shoes.

For those cheerleaders who are also Facebookin’, check out our page.

You can find it here.

As you can see, we post a little of everything on there. We’ve got fan-only coupon codes, special looks at new and upcoming cheerleading equipment products and interesting things here and there.

Follow us to take advantage of special deals and save some serious cash on cheerleading equipment.

We’re also on MySpace and Twitter, if you’d prefer to follow us there.

Related: Check out all of our social networking profiles.

For a very cool story, KVAL-TV in Eugene, Ore., caught up with former Oregon Ducks cheerleader Libby Smith.

Smith was a cheerleader at UO from 2003-2007, and she is now known as 2nd Lt. Libby Smith in the Army’s HHC 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. She’s currently stationed in Tallil, Iraq.

Check out the entire story here.

Here is an excerpt:

How did you juggle cheerleading and the Army?

Smith: There is a big difference between the two uniforms. Most people when they met me asked what do you? I would answer, well I’m in the National Guard and they’d look at you funny because they’d say, didn’t I see you last weekend at the game? Yeah, I’m also a cheerleader at UO. It’s funny because you don’t get that [combination] much.

I actually didn’t go to drill some weekends because of the football games. I’d run over to the armory and say hi and run back across the street to go to the game

How do you watch the games in Iraq?

Smith: We have a lot of Oregon duck fans here; there is a mixture of Oregon and Beaver fans, whenever the game on there’s kind of a big rivalry. We watch the games in the TOC (Tactical Operating Center). If it’s not playing on AFN we defiantly have it on the Internet keeping up on the scores.

I was on shift for the first game, so we watched and it was a very exciting game, especially at the end. Quite a few people got up early in the morning went to the TOC to watch the game. People would stop in and out and check the score. It was almost like Autzen, but not really.

We salute 2nd Lt. Smith for her service and her sacrifice!

A sea of M&Ms took off as the gun sounded. Someone had carefully organized them into neat rows by color and then with the pull of the trigger they were mixed back together as if someone had shoved the rows with their giant hands. They ran by me and stirred up mud and sweat along the way. Never have I heard a crowd cheer so loud for what appeared to be little running M&Ms.

I became one of them. Donned in my own orange tee shirt and my tiny blue shorts, I stood in the box that was once marked with a six and took my place on the white line with my identical M&M friends. The rain poured down upon us all, and when the smoke showed, we all melted together in the midst of the heavy rainfall. My M&M-y vision blurred as we ran up the slippery hill and then plummeted back down. Several of my M&M sisters slipped into the vast mud pit at the bottom, but more of them stayed upright and continued their quest to the finish line where warm clothes waited.

More sisters were left behind in the mud as we all fought through the cold, cold rain but there was nothing I could do. I wanted to stop and help them up so bad, but knew that that would only slow me down. And, we couldn’t have that at the biggest meet in the state.

Before I knew it, I had broken away from my other M&Ms and became a lone orange one. Ahead I could see a few of my orange sisters and knew I had to keep up with them. Slipping and sliding in the mud and dirtying my poor little M&M self, I ran around the field and into the finish with a new personal record and a placing I could be proud of. Just like that, I became the 24th M&M to cross and with that the 24th best runner in the state for Class C.

When I watched that first race of the day take off, to me, they resembled a whole bunch of M&Ms running around due to the different tee shirts colors according to the different sections. All day, I was nervous, but I couldn’t wait to become an M&M and show off the orange for Section 6. I couldn’t wait to represent my school, my section, my family and most importantly, myself. I was proud of my nineteen minutes and fifty-eight seconds spent as just another little orange M&M.

I was assisting John Leyba and the Denver Post Photographers on Monday Night football on 11.9.2009. I was able to shoot some photos during pre-game. Here are a few of those photos.

a couple Steeler fans gearing up for the big show down against the home Bronco team.

ESPN Monday Night Football commentators getting ready to call the game.

clever signs by some Alaskans.

Little Palamalu look-a-like.

Roger Goodell (NFL Commisioner) walking along the sideline at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO.

Linebacker, D.J. Williams stretches as he gets ready to face the visiting Steelers.

Roger Goodell meeting loyal Bronco fans.

9-time pro bowler, John Lynch excited to watch his former team play on Monday Night Football.

Special Teamers, Eddie royal and Kenny Mckinnley make their way out on to the field to practice their returns.

I miss cheer.

I miss Hayden McGurk.

I miss basing Ee Lin.

I miss the atmosphere during Cheer’09.

I miss the hand dryer in the toilet I used as a hair dryer.

I miss screaming like an idiot with my bunch of idiots.

I miss blabbing to Ee Lin, Athira, Shin Yee and the others that Krys and I were the first 2 people that took picture with Tye Hills.

I miss the hand thingy that has to support my sprain wrist.

So I was on my way home from running errands

And I stopped, just for a moment

To get a nice, hot, steaming, cup

Of coffee.

I don’t know if I’m in a good mood because

My baby is coming

Or

The line was short

Or

The service was excellent

Or

I had been looking forward to this specific holiday blend for nearly a year

But…

Once I got that cup

And my little snack

I couldn’t help but smile.

And I thought of all the simple things in life

That make me smile.

Like a text message from my love

Or

Sharing a laugh with my best friend

Or

Listening to my little sister recite the alphabet.

A friend saw me.

She said

You looked really happy. It was like you were in a commercial or something.

And I smiled

For I couldn’t help but feel

That this is how life is supposed to feel

All the time.

Along with the “boy he got lucky on the weather today” comments the halls were flooded with the conversations about why Mr. Brunner was up there.  When asked me I said “because he believes in you kids.”  I applaud his dedication and his daring, I give him a lot of respect for following through; that’s a lesson to the kids in itself. It takes a great deal of strength in character to make such a bet. Of course it’s motivating to the kids. Teachers and administrators have been taking pies in the face, dips in the dunk tank and other humiliating acts in attempts to lead our children into raising funds or meeting goals.  Personally, I have never seen my team kids work harder than when I bet them “a pizza” if they meet a night’s goal. We do what we have to to encourage kids. In my case it was a pretty safe bet, maybe $15 in pizza if they do it. And they always do it. I don’t think I have the resolve to do the roof-office thing.  “Props to you Mr. B.”

In the past I had made a bet with one of our top athletes, Yuki Matsushima; that she couldn’t make a personal strength goal. Unfortunately, she lost. My team kids know that if they expect coaches to come through with a payoff that they too must be accountable. 

 For this one Yuki had to attend the first meet of the season with her front teeth covered in theater make-up “tooth black”. I think it’s the only time I ever won one of my bets. We all had a great laugh and Yuki had a great spirit for the fun.  It will forever be a memory for both of us.

I remember an old bumper sticker that said something about how odd it would be if schools had enough money but the military had to have a bake sale to buy a bomber. Now obviously there are some flaws in this statement, but the point is the irony of our national priorities. The fact is, schools need bake sales and they need leaders like Mr. Brunner to motivate kids to help their schools. That’s just the way it is. Parents should be grateful for teachers and volunteers who help fund our children’s education. Without it there would be no new computers, no playground equipment, no new books, no teachers aides. In essence we would lose all of what gives our children a modern education.

As silly as seeing Mr. Brunner on the roof is, we need to realize that he’s there to help our kids. It’s not just Sugar Creek either, it’s every school, it’s after school programs and it’s even private programs like Gymfinity that are there to help raise your kids. With the slow economy, we are all having trouble meeting the needs of our programs. We would all do anything to meet our own goals and to keep our programs strong for your kids. OK not anything, I already ruled out the roof thing.

To sum up, be thankful for all the Mr. Brunners. Support them and help them lead your kids. Do your part. Buy your wrapping paper, pizzas, and cookie dough. Attend your bake sales and other fund-raisers. Our principals and PTOs are there for our kids and we should appreciate that.

Related: Prep for your tryouts with some of our Cheerleading America training gear.

In Mathematics, unfortunately, things don’t reflect the reality of life.
In fact, Einstein himself once said, “As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality”.
So, don’t be seriously disillusioned just because, in Maths, raising a number to the power of 1 is as good as leaving it as it is….
And, worse, 1 raised to ANY POWER is still 1 itself.

Welcome to reality, and let us read this inspiring poem by an anonymous author.

One SONG can spark a moment,

One FLOWER can wake the dream,

One TREE can start a forest,

One BIRD can herald spring,

One SMILE begins a friendship,

One HANDCLASP lifts a soul,

One STAR can guide a ship at sea,

One WORD can frame the goal,

One VOTE can change a nation,

One SUNBEAM lights a room,

One CANDLE wipes out darkness,

One LAUGH will conquer gloom,

One STEP must start each journey,

One WORD must start a prayer,

One HOPE will raise our spirits,

One TOUCH can show you care,

One VOICE can speak with wisdom,

One HEART can know what is true,

One LIFE can make a difference,

One FRIEND can change your LIFE!

Now all I want you to do is this.

Re-read the poem, and stop at the end of every sentence.
Spare a thought to the first person, thing, or deed, that comes to mind when you think of that ONE heart or that ONE touch.
Do better! Send that person an email, or give him or her a call.

Spread cheer! We can all do with a little bit more of it!

Remember the Power of One!

X Factor’s Lucie Jones is cheered by hundreds of fans in an open air homecoming show in Cardiff city centre…. From BBC News. Full story

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