The stars were aligned in that Homecoming Weekend and my 16th birthday converged on
the 20th of October 2014 and life seemed perfect. Little did I know that storm clouds were
brewing. The cheers from the raucous crowd fueled the pep rally, the echoes of which roared in
my ears for hours. With the strong Texas sun radiating on my skin, I felt so alive and vital.
Flanked by my dad, Michael Parks, acting Chief of our Euless Fire Department, and my mom,
Kristi, a dental office manager, we walked back to the parking lot when my heart nearly stopped.
I think I went into shock when I glimpsed the “HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY” sign sitting atop a
gleaming, white, and brand-new 2015 Kia Forte. This moment felt like Christmas to the fourth
power.
For the next couple of months, I walked in a dreamlike state. My freshman year went
very well, academically and socially. My sophomore year glided by in much the same manner.
My dad, Michael Parks, had been offered the position of Chief at the fire station, while my sister
Lauren, in her second year of nursing school, made all A’s. For me, cheer went amazingly well,
and I made scores of friends.
In my four years in Cheer at Timber Cheek High School, I have witness many, many
players concussed on the field. What is less known is that cheerleaders suffer an alarming
number of concussions as well. I am a victim of this terrible injury. In total, I have suffered four
concussions in my four years in this otherwise, glorious sport. Only recently, has the medical
community brought to light the inherent dangers in the sport. These injuries have affected the
quality of my life dramatically, but overcoming challenges remains part of my core character.
My doctor recommended that I quit cheer after my third concussion, but I choose to stay on
because of the close bonds with my teammates. Last January 24-25, 2015, we competed in the
NCA National Championship in Dallas, Texas, and won first in Large Advanced Co-ed. We
were National Champions.
On June 23rd, 2015 at 10 p.m., I was driving alone heading to my best friend, Alayna’s
house. On this occasion, my concussed brain failed me, and I missed my exit. With so much
a desirable candidate for admission at your esteemed institution of higher learning. I look
forward to retiring from Cheer, and focus entirely on my studies.