I was a cheerleader back in high school. Then, I lived in The South, where it was a big deal. It was athletic, gymnastic, unlike the sing-song of northern cheerleading I found when I moved up here. My try-out number was 75 -- yes, I still remember, because getting on the team felt like the biggest accomplishment I'd had to date. Feeling accomplished is a good thing at any age, but especially during puberty when it's so easy to feel like an outsider.

High arches of sparkle eye shadow, bare midriffs, mini skirts, and girly squeals were the common denominators at the Arctic Blast Cheer & Dance Championship. I arrived near the end, hoping to see a few performances and the award ceremony. (Really, who could take a full day of it if they didn't have to?)

These "everybody wins" events are so anti-climatic. One award after another is announced and the only dif between the first and the last is after the last the event fizzles out and the crowd begins to disperse. The moms, who have been sitting amongst their sea of ready-to-go backpacks, begin to corral their kids. There is no, "And now the moment we've all been waiting for! And the winner is...," while we lean forward anxiously in our seats. Nope. It's more like, "We're done now. See ya next year." And just how accomplished can a kid feel when they've won a trophy, just like everybody else?

Next up: Kurtz at UR