Hometown: Hernando, Miss.
Class: Junior
Note:
• Member of the 2012 University of Central Arkansas Small Co-ed I NCA/NDA National Championship squad This story appears in FCA Magazine’s July/August 2014 issue. Subscribe today!
“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men...” – Colossians 3:23
Overcoming Crohn’s Disease and seasons of mountains and valleys has sharpened Mississippi State Spirit Squad member Delaney Miller’s grit, while softening her heart to be a source of encouragement to her team. Fully aware that cheerleading won’t last forever, Miller makes the most of her time, grateful for the charge of using her talents for God’s glory.
FCA: What do you like about cheerleading?
DM: Ever since I was little, I always did gymnastics. Then I started doing tumbling classes, and tumbling turned into all-star cheer.
I love that cheer is both an individual and team sport. You have to push yourself to be the best you can for your teammates—it’s not just about you. I’m very competitive and always push myself because I know I have to do it for others.
FCA: How does your faith impact you and your team as you prepare for competition?
DM: It’s difficult working so hard for only one day of the year. This year, we worked extra hard and did everything we could to have an awesome routine. We went to nationals, but within the first fifteen seconds a girl tore her ACL and had to be replaced by an alternate. That experience, however, made me fall back in love with the sport, watching my team come together at the last minute when there was nothing else we could do. We said a prayer before we went out and did the best we could with our heads held high.
FCA: How does your faith impact you away from competition?
DM: Living in a college town, it’s hard to stay on track and live a life the Lord wants you to live and not be distracted by materialistic things. I know cameras are on us and little girls are watching. But I would rather girls look up to me for the person I am and the examples I set outside of cheer, within the community, and the people I come in contact with.
FCA: How has your faith been impacted by your experiences with FCA?
DM: Being an FCA Camp Huddle Leader changed me. At first, I almost felt like I wasn’t the best person to do it, but God wouldn’t have given me the opportunity if He didn’t want me to do it. I didn’t realize I would be helping younger girls and girls my age with my experiences and stories.
I loved being able to take a break at camp from working on our routines–which can get frustrating–for our Huddles to worship God. That’s a lesson I’ve brought to our program. I want the girls to know we don’t have to get frustrated, we can take a second to breathe and remember why we’re really doing this and how it wouldn’t be possible without God.
FCA: What does your relationship with Jesus Christ mean to you?
DM: All of this has been for Him. On the team, when a stunt doesn’t hit, there comes a point where you can’t do it by yourself. You have to rely on your teammates. Just like in life, there comes a time when you can’t do it by yourself and you have to let go and let God be in control. I want to show everybody around me that the smile on my face is for the Lord when I’m doing what I love, because I couldn’t do it without Him. I want to glorify Him in everything I do.
FCA Staff Quote:
“Delaney is an excellent cheerleader who realizes that cheerleading will be gone one day, but the relationship she has with Jesus will last forever. She is a role model and mentor whose testimony and influence make a difference for eternity at every FCA Camp she is a part of.”
-Marilou Braswell, Executive Director, FCA Cheerleading
Photos courtesy of Delaney Miller and David Lann
--This article appears in the July/August 2014 issue of FCA Magazine. To view the issue in its entirety digitally, click here: http://bit.ly/fcamagvol56issue4
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