Florida Catholic | Debra Tomaselli :: Inestimable success

Inestimable success

Published: 09.04.08

Sometimes winning has nothing to do with the trophy a team brings home. Indeed, real victory is far less discernible. It is, however, the reason we run the race, the treasured prize we seek, the everlasting success for which we strive. So when our cheerleading team placed last in the state competition, it may have looked like all was lost. But, in reality, we experienced true success.

Days before the competition, one of the cheerleaders, a senior, was abruptly removed from the team for an excess of unexcused absences and tempers flared. Some felt she was unfairly excluded. Others, angered by her lack of discipline, felt the decision was just.

Verbal punches flew in every direction. Tears were shed, reputations questioned, decisions opposed. Administration, coach, team members and parents alike were trapped in the turmoil. Some players were ostracized, others oblivious and several outraged by the decision. It was spiritual warfare at its best.

In the end, administration allowed the cheerleader to travel with the team and attend the event without competing. At first, the teen refused. But when the principal suggested she reconsider, Anna accepted the offer.

It seemed benign until the competition, when I saw Anna hanging with a handful of friends, separated from the larger team. She flipped her head and frowned as she talked with the small group. As I walked by, she didn’t even say hello. I could only imagine her negative influence.

But I learned otherwise.

“Mom, did I tell you what Anna did?” asked my daughter, a member of the team, as we ate breakfast on the last day of competition. I shook my head.

“Right before we went onstage to compete, the coach ran to get her clipboard and while she was gone, Anna called us all together and said, ‘Come on, girls. I know you can succeed at this. I’ve worked with you and I’ve been watching your warm-ups. Give it all you’ve got. I know some of you don’t feel well and Amy sprained an ankle, but it’s only a two-minute routine. … You can do it. … It’s just two minutes. Remember, I’ll be out there watching you and cheering you on. … Give it your best!’”

That teen would rather have competed. Surely her emotions ranged from anger to disappointment to humiliation when she couldn’t participate. But at that event, in that moment, she reached beyond herself and became a team player in immeasurable terms.

I stared at my daughter, mouth gaping in disbelief. “Really?” I asked.

Sara nodded. “It was so unexpected, I had to fight back tears,” she said.

No, we didn’t bring home the gold. But, truly, we had a win.

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