|
|
By Michael Patterson
From June 9 to June 13, former Euclid High School Cheerleading Captain Deazhia Williams’ cheer camp provided middle school and high school cheerleaders with insights on leadership and improving their skills.
While dancing for Virginia State University, Williams earned ALL CIAA 23’-’24 (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and Best Female Athlete of the Year 23’-’24. She was also a part of a cheer camp collaboration between Euclid High School and Virginia State University.
Williams on Inspiring Through Mentorship:
While running Deazhia’s Ultimate Cheer Camp, she realized the inspiration that she is to the girls participating. While reflecting on her past, she emphasized the importance of mentorship.
“We were all young at one point. We know [that] growing up, sometimes you need that mentor, somebody to look up to in your life. So I want to be able to be that for the younger generation, someone to always inspire them and just let them know to put their best foot forward at all times.” said Williams.
Instilling a Leadership Mindset:
Furthermore, one aspect of her mentoring was instilling leadership into the cheerleaders. She carries that mindset from her family.
“I’m building them to be performers, but also training them to be leaders. My Auntie Amani, shoutout to her. My auntie has also been that big sister that I never had. She’s always been that role model in my life. She’s taught me to be a leader, be a powerful young woman.” Williams said.
A Support System Driving Passion
In addition to building leaders, the camp has allowed the girls to hone their craft. She has been helping them with techniques, jumps, and finishing their routine. At the end of camp, they performed in a showcase for family and friends to see their routine. Without her support system, she feels she wouldn’t make an impact.
“My support system is really well… my high school peers, my middle school peers, my college peers… My support means everything. So, that really keeps me going just to know that people are out there watching me, waiting to see what’s next, and me being able to still come back and make a big impact where it all started.” Williams noted.
Deazhia’s Ultimate Cheer Camp has provided young cheerleaders a chance to improve their skills and leadership development, all while creating bonds that last after the camp. Williams noted that she could host something like this again, though she doesn’t know when. Individual registration costs 85 dollars for every athlete, with approximately twenty-two athletes participating this year.
In a public post on her Instagram on June 13, she remarked, “The bond we built in just a few days is something I’ll always carry with me.”
