Monica Aldama, coach of the Navarro College cheer team that rose to fame after being featured on Netflix’s “Cheer” docu-series, was forced to say an early goodbye to her beloved cheer team this season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The coach reflected on feeling “heartbroken” in an Instagram post Wednesday, and shared the news that this year’s NCA Collegiate National Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida has been canceled.
“I am heartbroken with the circumstances that the world is currently facing. We are in unprecedented times and everyone needs to take precautions for the safety of one another. Because of this pandemic, the Navarro Cheer team’s season has come to an end,” Aldama wrote in the post. “Sunday evening Varsity made a decision to cancel the NCA Collegiate National Championship in Daytona Beach, FL. This decision was inevitable as things have progressed and our country is in uncertain times.”
“My heart, however, is breaking for the lost memories and the lost time with my beautiful team. I was not ready to say goodbye so quickly. I was not mentally prepared for the team to turn in uniforms, pack their things and leave town.”
The highly respected, longtime coach at Navarro, who is known for having strict discipline yet close relationships with her team members, then turned the spotlight onto the kids who worked so hard this season.
“I want to thank the kids for pouring everything they had into this entire year – for the late nights- the games- the community service- the holidays given up,” she continued. “They are fighters and have always given me 100%. Their routine was so beautiful and their work ethic was bar none.”
Aldama also reflected on letting go of control in an unpredictable situation.
“I have always been able to control the narrative and resort to plan B or C or even Z. For the first time in my life I had no control and my life has been a roller coaster over the past week. What I do know is that we will be back better than ever!!! “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
‘Cheer’ star Morgan Simianer also sent love to Navarro in light of the season’s early end.
“Navarro College Cheer, You are my everything,” she wrote in a post. “My heart hurts that I won’t cheer again. I’m so thankful for the bonds I’ve created and the memories that I’ll carry with me forever. Thank you for shaping me into the person I am today. Thank you for providing a family for me and showing me all that this life has to offer. I’m going to miss everything about this. The program. The people. Everything. FIOFMU.”
In case you were wondering, no one outside of the Navarro cheer team knows what “FIOFMU” stands for, and they don’t intend on spilling the meaning of the team’s secret catch phrase.
Jerry Harris, known for giving positive “mat talk” pep-talks to teammates on the show, also weighed in.
“My family FOREVER and ALWAYS!” he wrote in a post. “This isn’t a goodbye…. it’s a see you soon.”
Fellow “Cheer” star La’Darius Marshall reflected on “the end of the journey.”
“FIOFMU, this is where we write the end of the journey for us all. Pens fall down as we put a period to the end of our story together. I love these people with all of my heart,” he wrote. “I am so thankful for everything we went through together.”
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Isolation TV Guide: The Most Binge-Worthy Shows on Every Streaming Service (Photos)
Have you, like so many of us,found yourself doing an absurd amount of binge-watching during isolation? And yet, do you find yourself struggling to find a decent thing actually worth watching? Well, here is TheWrap's list of the five most binge-worthy original series from the major streamers, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, Apple TV+, Showtime, and Amazon.
Netflix, Fox, HBO
Netflix: "Love Is Blind"
Little did we know that soon enough, we'd all be in the pods. Close your eyes and let the sweet, grating tones of Jessica's voice carry you away.
Netflix
Netflix: "The Witcher"
Watch this while you pray that Henry Cavill didn't come in contact with the infected "Game of Thrones" actor who was set to star in Season 2 of this monster-hunter drama.
Netflix
Netflix: "Sex Education"
Try not to think of all the sex you're not having while cooped up in quarantine/isolation.
Netflix
Netflix: "Locke & Key"
This one dropped last month, but if you slept on it, it's not too late to catch up on the first season of this strange, key-filled drama.
Netflix
Netflix: "You"
If we're talking binge-worthiness, this one will have you sucked in faster than you can say Joe Goldberg.
Other honorable Netflix mentions: "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," "Russian Doll," "Narcos," "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul," "Mad Men," "Sherlock," "Mindhunter," "Outlander," "The Circle," "Ozark"
Netflix
Amazon: "Carnival Row"
Escape from the terrors of reality by slipping into this magical world of fairies and beasts.
Amazon
Amazon: "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Come along with Midge on her quest to become a stand-up comedian.
Amazon
Amazon: "Fleabag"
Can we offer you a hot priest in this trying time?
Amazon
Amazon: "Good Omens"
In this David Tennant and Michael Sheen-led series, an angel and a demon partner up to save the world from the apocalypse. Wonder if they have any free time these days?
Amazon
Amazon: "Jack Ryan"
Look into John Krasinski's glistening green eyes and be soothed.
Other honorable Amazon mentions: "Bosch," "Modern Love," "Goliath," "The Man in the High Castle" and "The Expanse"
Amazon
Hulu: "Handmaid's Tale"
If you need a distraction from the dystopian society we're currently living in, rest assured this series will convince you it could always be worse.
Hulu
Hulu: "The Act"
Joey King and Patricia Arquette star as Gypsey Rose Blanchard and her mother in this Munchausen-by-proxy drama based on a true story.
Hulu
Hulu: "11.22.63."
James Franco is masterful in this Stephen King imagining of what would happen if one man tried to go back in time to stop the JFK assassination.
Hulu
Hulu: "Castle Rock"
A psychological-horror series, also from Stephen King.
Hulu
Hulu: "Ramy"
Because we all need some laughs right about now.
Hulu
Disney+: "The Simpsons"
This obviously isn't a Disney+ original, but since Fox and Disney are one now, we had to count this classic cartoon.
Fox
Disney+: "The Mandalorian"
It's not too late to get on board the Baby Yoda train.
Disney
Disney+: "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series"
For those who loved the original, or for their children.
Disney
Disney+: Early 2000s Live-Action Disney Channel Classics
"Even Stevens," "Lizzie McGuire," "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "Hannah Montana," and "That's So Raven," to name a few.
Disney
Disney+: Early 2000s Animated Disney Channel Classics
Get you some "Kim Possible," "Doug," "The Proud Family," and "Phineas and Ferb."
Disney
HBO: "Game of Thrones"
Winter may have come and gone, but if there ever was a time to binge the entirety of this series, it's now.
HBO
HBO: "Succession"
Money. Power. Glory. Crying into your father's arms.
HBO
HBO: "Westworld"
Season 3 only just premiered, which means it's not too late to catch up on the first two seasons.
HBO
HBO: "McMillions"
McDonald's may be closed because of coronavirus, but HBO will never leave us.
HBO
HBO: "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Who doesn't smile when they hear that theme song?
Honorable mentions: "Euphoria," "Chernobyl," "The Outsider," "Avenue 5," "Gentleman Jack"
HBO
Showtime: "On Becoming a God in Central Florida"
Why not use this downtime to learn about pyramid schemes?
Showtime
Showtime: "Murder in the Bayou"
Not only can you binge-watch this extremely sad and yet-unsolved true crime murder story, but you can also read the book by Ethan Brown when you're done.
Showtime
Showtime: "Homeland"
This series may be coming to an end next month, but the good news is, now you have plenty of time to catch up on all seven seasons prior to the eighth and final one.
Showtime
Showtime: "Shameless"
Because we're all feeling a bit like William H. Macy in the above picture right now.
Showtime
Showtime: "Kidding"
Let Jim Carrey make you laugh. It's what he does.
Showtime
Apple TV+: "The Morning Show"
Watch Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell star as television journalists during the #MeToo era.
Apple
Apple TV+: "See"
Who couldn't use a little shirtless Jason Momoa in times like these?
Apple
Apple TV+: "Dickinson"
Watch Hailee Steinfeld as a sassy, young Emily Dickinson.
Apple
Apple TV+: "Little America"
Watch the heartwarming stories of immigrants unfold in this series from executive producer Kumail Nanjiani.
Apple
Apple TV+: "Servant"
Two words: Baby doll.
Apple
Apple TV+: "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet"
Who doesn't love Rob McElhinney?
Apple
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From ”Love Is Blind“ to ”Westworld“
Have you, like so many of us,found yourself doing an absurd amount of binge-watching during isolation? And yet, do you find yourself struggling to find a decent thing actually worth watching? Well, here is TheWrap's list of the five most binge-worthy original series from the major streamers, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, Apple TV+, Showtime, and Amazon.