Since being a part of Ideal, she has learned what it truly means to be a part of the team. She said, “If you want to be successful, you HAVE to put in the work.” When we asked her what her favorite memory was, she said “Every time Alivia performs is my favorite, but coming in a close second was the look of excitement and shock when she was asked to join Black Ice in October.”
Katie’s Advice to Any Newcomers:
“Give it a chance. It might be outside yours or your child’s comfort zone, but give it a chance! You’ll be amazed!”
Michelle’s Advice to Any Newcomers:
“Have fun!”
Missi had discovered Ideal directly from the source, our Owner Chelsie Hollencamp. Chelsie and Missi had met about 10 years ago through their mutual love for cheer.
When we asked Missi what she has learned from being a part of the program, she said “Skylar is a competitive kid and she really loves to learn new things. My favorite thing is hearing her say ‘Mom look what I learned to do at practice!’ Skylar has learned to follow directions, and I’ve learned I’m not her coach so I have to just go with the flow.”
“My favorite memory – which is also my least favorite – was Skylar’s first ever competition. She was just 3 years old and was so nervous, but she went out there and (kind of) smiled the whole time. Her team was the first performance of the competition, and they started early so we all missed the first half. I was really angry and definitely cried.”
Missi’s Advice to Any Newcomers:
“Stop into the gym and speak with someone so you can ask questions. They will more than likely be able to answer all of them or find someone who can.”
One of Steph’s favorite parts about being involved in the program at Ideal are the bonds that are created here. She said, “Between the parents and the kids, it’s like a second family.” Emma has learned the importance of confidence, sportsmanship, and team mentality.
When we asked Steph was her favorite memory from your time at Ideal, she responded with “Oh my gosh, I have so many memories. I couldn’t just pick one!”
Steph’s Advice to Any Newcomers:
“The commitment is as big for parents as it is for the kids.”
Rebecca’s Advice to Any Newcomers:
“Make sure you know what you’re getting into before you start and are willing to practice.”
She had discovered our program through the youth cheer program through Duluth East. Her favorite part about being in this program is making strong friendships. She shared that this sport is “more than cheering on the sidelines.”
A couple of her favorite memories are making the Senior 3 Co-Ed team (Snow-Ed) and becoming a junior coach for our Icicles team that is for athletes between the ages of 3 and 6.
Alexsia was also the 2018-2019 Ideal Athlete recipient. This award is bestowed upon one person throughout the program annually who is agreed upon by the entire staff as an exemplary role model, friend, teammate, and athlete.
Alexsia’s Advice to Any Newcomers:
“Always be confident in yourself!”
She said that one of her favorite parts about being in this program is the team and how the team bonding moments bring the team together as one. During Bella’s time at Ideal, she has learned several important life skills such as confidence, courage, and strength.
Her favorite memories from being in this program are all of the cheer comps because they are “so exciting every time!”
Trista’s Advice to Any Newcomers:
]]>“You will not regret joining Ideal, such a loving environment, coaches are so encouraging!”
As a typical Hermantown Hawk, Amarah started playing hockey as a U8. While it didn’t come naturally for her, she worked hard and was determined to be the best she could be. She loved being on the ice and the camaraderie of it all and eventually made the A-team. When she was old enough to try out for cheerleading, she decided she would do both. Football cheer in the fall, and hockey in the winter. After an injury on the ice her freshman year, she decided to take some time off from the sport she had grown up with. Liza wanted to make sure her daughter stayed active and enrolled her into the competitive elite program at Ideal that season. They have been hooked ever since. This year she has dropped all other activities to focus on her training in all-star as well as coaching our Tiny Team, The Icicles.
Her favorite memories include watching the athletes’ reactions when they know they hit and the competition weekend team bonding parties. Her favorite part of Ideal is watching the athlete’s reactions to their own performance. She said,
“To see them after they know they “hit” and gave it their all is the best thing ever! The confidence they gain from the first competition to the last is night and day!”
Since being a part of the program, Liza has learned that:
- Practice is key! Everything that is put into your time at the gym and at home makes the world of a difference!
- The coaches love their athletes! They want to see them achieve their goals. Not just at practice or competitions but in life.
- Your team is family-athletes and parents. I can’t imagine my life without my Snow-Ed family!
Liza’s Advice to Any Newcomers:
“Go for it!!! This program has built my daughter into a strong, confident, and talented athlete. She had always been athletic, she had played softball and hockey for years. Some injuries had happened and those sports were no longer options for her. She had gone to a clinic at Ideal over the summer and was encouraged to attend one of the senior practices. Competitive cheer was something I never imagined would be an interest of hers but boy was I wrong. She instantly loved it! I never saw her flourish like she did at Ideal! The strength she has gained in her body and her mind is amazing! She has had wonderful role models as coaches that will continue to mold her mind for years to come! I cannot thank Ideal enough for all the love they have given her!”
Megan’s daughter, Payton is on two elite cheer teams Ideal this season. She had originally found Ideal through a Google search when they were searching for some different sports in the area. Megan and Payton live about 40 minutes south of Duluth in the Barnum area. But they were ready for something different! Megan loves watching her daughter be so committed to something she has grown to not only love but experience dedication for. Over the past couple of years, Megan has learned that just showing up isn’t an option.
“The dedication I see in her amazes me. The confidence she has gained and the sportsmanship is also a bonus to watch.”
“You have to work hard every single practice, and you have to find joy in every practice. You have to practice like you’ve never won and competed like you’ve never lost. As for me being the parent, I’ve learned that it’s not a commitment for just my daughter, but also for the entire family. I also learned that this sport is HARD. Physically and emotionally for my daughter, but we wouldn’t change it. She has grown so much as a person and an athlete through ideal. I am and always will be her loudest cheerleader.”
One of her favorite memories this year was when Payton’s level 1 mini team, The Flurries won the WOW Grand Champion title. Beyond coming in first place overall, Megan recalls the joy she felt watching her daughter cry, smile, and laugh with her friends while bouncing on that stage. She said all the sweat, tears, and long nights paid off.
Megan’s Advice to Any Newcomers:
“Give it a try! The parents and coaches are always willing to help guide you. My daughter started with tumbling classes, went to a performance team and then to an Allstar team. She LOVES every second. Watch the videos of the athletes up there on stage, they shine! This could be your athlete too!”
This week we speak with another “rookie” cheer mom, Eileen! Eileen found us last summer and after trying a few classes, enrolled Cleo on our Mini Team. Cheerleading is all about teamwork and flexibility — then a few weeks later she was asked to move onto our Youth team. Cleo overcame many obstacles, grew as an athlete leaps and bounds this season!
See what Eileen has to say about the program:
Ideal: What made you decide to join Ideal Cheer Elite?
Eileen: Cleo had been taking ballet for 2 years but also wanted to take gymnastics and another type of dance. Our schedule was such that I could not bring her to those other programs during the week days.
We saw a demonstration of Ideal Cheer Elite at the Fairy Princess Ball April 2015 and we realized that she would get to take part in dance, gymnastics and cheer (another one of her favorite things she had done through the College of St Scholastica) and a friend of ours, Lindsay Kern, gave us the contact information and the practice time would work and she would get to enjoy so many different sports all at once.
Ideal: What makes you want to come back for another season?
Eileen: Cleo had so many good experiences her 1st year of All Star Cheer. From Cleo’s point of view, she’s returning because she made lots of friends of many ages, she loves stunting best of all, enjoys the excitement of not only the competitions, but also, the excitement of practices when seeing routines come together. She also likes the teamwork involved with Cheer.
From a mother’s point of view: She has come to understand, at a young age, about the strength of teamwork. Right away she saw what would happen to an entire team’s routine if even just one person was missing. I think that is one of the most valuable lessons she has learned. Another value she has learned more fully is trust in others. When she is being held high in the air, she has to trust her teammates! I have witnessed so much encouragement from her teammates also. What a great attribute these athletes have by telling each other “you did great at practice today”, “your (skill) is improving so much”, I really like having you on the team”! I have witnessed other parents giving encouragement to kids who aren’t their own. I have heard no negatives around my daughter. I also like that she is being exposed to athletes older than her that a good role models and I hope she can be a good role model to those that are younger than her.
Ideal: Are there any specific changes you’ve seen in your daughter since starting the program?
Eileen: So many changes over this past year, in one season alone. Physically, Cleo has always been strong, however, over this past year, I have seen her mature in flexibility and grace.
Socially, she has enjoyed becoming a part of a new “cheer family”. The athletes in this program have been awesome in their encouragement of Cleo and making sure she feels like a part of the team.
Emotionally, Cleo grew leap and bounds! I will never forget the 1st competition and how she cried as I was leaving her in the locker room to competing in Tampa and not thinking twice about me going on to watch other teams as she hung out with her team.