Lauren, Bridesmaid

We are celebrating one of many sporting events at the Cooper-Smith household, here.

Way back when—1997, to be exact—I decided to embark upon a new journey. I chose to be a cheerleader at the age of 17. Okay—I had done it a bit when I was younger, but gave it up at a relatively young age. At Butler High School this was “news,” considering I was on the dance team (YOU DIDN’T DO BOTH). Sequinettes and cheerleaders—they typically didn’t mesh. ;)

By the time junior year rolled-around people were pretty set in their ways. I chose to defy that unspoken rule—when has anything like that EVER stopped me?! And Lauren Eisenhuth (Parker) was there to welcome me with open arms. Well, I guess the others welcomed us—they caught us from falling to the ground quite often. We were both “tops” (flyers) when “building.”

After high school, Lauren and I parted ways for a time as we pursued our degrees.

One day, three years ago, we ran into one another at the New American Union Music Festival in Pittsburgh. We have kept it going, since then. Hey—we both grew up in that small rural place they call “Butler.” Us Golden Tornados ‘gotta stick together, ya’ know?