As a child,  freshman Teegan Hevelone did gymnastics for a total of eight years. During that time, he realized that tumbling was something he enjoyed and was good at. To this day he considers tumbling to be a fun activity because it “makes me feel as though I can do whatever I want.” His gymnastics experience and love for tumbling went with him into middle school, where he was presented with the opportunity to interact with cheerleaders. It was not until high school that he was able to join cheerleading at Fossil Ridge High School.

Despite popular belief, his parents were supportive of him being a cheerleader and did not look down on him for his decision. His friends were also supportive, but they still thought it was foolish for him to become a cheerleader. Hevelone did not care because he was doing something he thoroughly enjoyed. Even though people would criticize him for doing what he loves, and that would sometimes bring him down, the support of his fellow cheerleaders would lift him back up.

The biggest reason Hevelone enjoys cheerleading is because of the community he is a part of; the other cheerleaders are all very supportive, as are the coaches. Hevelone says, “being on the team is like having a bunch of sisters, and with sisters they get annoying but I love them.” Even though he has the support of those around him, Hevelone says he “often feels alone,” because of the fact that he is the only guy on the team. Other cheerleaders often describe Hevelone as someone who brings a new energy to the team, Olivia Hauser, a junior varsity cheerleader here at Fossil Ridge, said, “Teegan is energetic and very willing to help us out, he is very encouraging, and the life of the party on the team.” Even though he has the support of his fellow cheerleaders, people often judge him because of the stigma behind male cheerleading.

People often assume that male cheerleaders are less masculine than other boys. Hevelone intends to break that stigma by showing that cheerleading is a sport that requires strength, coordination, and the ability to not let what others think get to you. He found out in the first couple weeks of cheerleading that it takes a lot of strength. He sometimes has to throw a girl up on his own, which normally would be done with two to three people.

Hevelone is not sure whether he wants to pursue cheerleading in the future or not, but he has the opportunity to earn a full ride scholarship if he continues to stick with it. He said that, at first, cheerleading was just an experiment so he is not sure if he will continue after next year. He wants other boys to understand that if they want to try out for cheerleading, they should just do it and not be afraid of what others think. Hevelone wants to be an influential part of a boy’s life who might be afraid to do what they love; he wants them to be able to not be scared to pursue their dream.