Melinda Dalley:  

Many of you have no idea what my life was like from day to day in high school. I've had several individuals comment how different I seem now than I was in High School. Well, here's what my life was like...but, before I tell you please understand...I have learned to forgive and hold NO grudges against no one!!!... I lived in an abusive home (my older sister and I took the 'heat' so that my twin-sister and bother would not have to endure the abuse as we did). As you all know all through High shool I dated only two people Dale Rose and Dean Sterling. If it had not been for Cheerleading I would not have had an outlet to relieve my stress. At one point I was abused severely enough that CPS got involved at school in Mr. Parkhurst office; I didn't want to dress-out in cheerleading because of the belt buckal bruises on my thighs and hips, etc. I tried to turn to my twin-sister for support, but she called our mother before the day was over. By the following evening, all my belongings were dumped in my grandparents front yard (my parents kicked me out-jr yr). Then, the summer pior to our senior year I was injured during cheerleading practice while getting ready to go to Cheer Camp! Thelisa Cone's(head cheer-leader) mother called in a favor at the hospital and had an xray taken the morning we left for cheer camp because I was still in pain. It was recommended that I give up cheerleading or risk permanant injury. I went ahead and performed at camp for the squad and we did well, though after the performance, I had to get help to walk due to the pain. I gave up cheerleading when we returned so that I could heal. It took three months. By the time I recovered school had begun and Samantha Farwell who was the alternate cheerleader had already taken my place and I did not want to take that from her so, I chose to remain off the squad...but, it HURT deeply that for the remainder of the year NONE of the squad recognized what I had done for them...what I had gone through, the pain that I had endured...I was NEVER even recognized as being a part of them...THAT hurt emotionally! Then, my grandparents asked me to move out because of the problems it caused them with my parents...so, I moved out...ended up getting raped by someone I never thought would do such a thing to any one. Then, I mo...Expand for more