Victoria Tardif, a freshman cheerleader at Stetson University, has always possessed a flair for the dramatic.
Before she ever wore a cheerleading uniform and rooted for the Hatters, Tardif was a dancer, specializing in hip hop and ballet. She also played the trumpet, did triathlons, and ran cross country.
While Tardif certainly enjoyed all of those activities, nothing ever quite matched the feeling of being on a cheerleading team.
“What I enjoy the most about cheerleading is the relationships and connections I’ve made with so many different people, and the life skills I’ve taken away and learned from coaches, teammates, kids I’ve coached, etc.”
Tardif credits her mom, Elizabeth, for inspiring her and shaping her into the person she is today.
“My mom had me during her freshman year of college and continued to get her degree as a single parent,” Tardif explained. “She has shown me how hard work really does pay off and that there is no easy way out of anything, but that the reward is more than worth it.”
Tardif is quite proud of her mom, who is a school counselor in Granby, Conn., where Tardif grew up and attended high school.
“My mom pushes me to be the best version of myself and is always there to give me that advice that I don’t always want to hear but ultimately need to hear,” Tardif said.
In addition to her mom, Tardif has a younger brother, Kevin, and her dad, James, is a landscaper.
“My mom raising me as a single teen parent and the connection she and I have has formed me as a person and who I was as a kid,” Tardif said. “With that, I have always been independent, very self-spoken, extroverted, and resilient.”
That independence is what ultimately led Tardif to Stetson, far away from her family in Connecticut. She was drawn to the beauty of the campus, but also the strong academic programs.
Tardif is majoring in psychology with a minor in pre-law, which perfectly aligns with her career aspirations.
“I was drawn to my major because I want to eventually work with criminals and understand how their minds work and hopefully get justice for victims of all crimes.”
While she loves everything about Stetson cheerleading, Tardif especially appreciates the family atmosphere.
“My favorite part about Stetson cheer is being able to have a family with a group of people who I know I can ask anything,” she said. “I also love being with people who all share the same passion for cheer and all want to succeed as a team.”
Tardif hopes to be remembered for spreading positivity and happiness.
“I would like to be remembered as someone who brought light and happiness to other’s lives because of my character, story, and who I am as a person.”
One of Tardif’s lesser known interests is working with children. Whether it’s coaching, babysitting, or working at summer camps, Tardif has a special knack for connecting with kids.
As Tardif continues her journey at Stetson, she carries with her the lessons and values instilled by her mother. Her resilience, independence, and passion for cheerleading serve as a testament to the impact of a strong and loving family.
With each cheer, Tardif not only spreads joy and positivity but also embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination that her mother taught her.
And just like her mother, Tardif is destined to make a difference in the lives of others, one smile at a time.
____
This story was developed using FanWord. The author and subject provided the initial concept and dialogue, with FanWord's AI tool generating the narrative structure and expanding descriptive passages.
