From Rags To Riches

I wanted to share a story about how ACE Cheer Company has impacted my life for the better. I started my career with ACE Cheer Company around 7 years ago while I was a student/athlete at Jacksonville State University. When I approached this (what I thought was just small) gym in Gadsden, AL, I had no clue what changes were about to happen to me! After my interview and first week on the job, I shamefully approach my new boss (JR Zeringue/owner) and wife (Kelley Zeringue) and came clean to the fact that I had been living out of my car and had nowhere to go. Without hesitation they both said, “Here’s our address. You’re staying with us now.” JR added,”…and we’ll leave the light on for ya!”

Once I was on my feet and made enough to rent an apartment, I left the Zeringue household. Over the next year or so, I had struggles with partying and plenty of other temptations. When such escapades started to affect my job, JR pulled me into his office. The only thing on my mind was that I just lost my job. Instead, JR gave me a second chance. After spending more and more time with the company, I grew closer and closer with GOD, leading to my baptism courtesy of JR.  A very proud day indeed. Shortly after, while I was still cheering at Jacksonville State University, a situation occurred to where the university changed from coed to all-girl. This put me out of school for a semester. This leads to the next ACE chapter…

On one random afternoon, while playing basketball, Dan Harrod called me up and asked if I wanted to transfer schools and cheer at NCA nationals with Wallace State Community College. I replied, “Sure! I’ll be at practice tomorrow.” So I picked my life up and moved to Hanceville, AL. Being such a great and vast company, ACE was more than happy to transfer me to the Birmingham location. I cheered at Wallace for a semester and got 3^rd at NCA Nationals the first year Wallace competed NCA. During this time I tried out at the University of Louisville and made the team. At that time, ACE needed help in my home town of Atlanta for the summer. ACE of Atlanta was such a fun experience working with the coaches and developing great relationships with the athletes.

Dead set on pursuing my chance of a lifetime to cheer for Louisville, I get a phone call from Happy Hooper. He calls to offer me a position at a brand new location opening up in Mississippi. Hearing all the news about this Mississippi location, I still replied, “No.” A month went by of Happy calling and me shooting him down. Finally I gave in and decidee to take the job. ACE of Atlanta was not thrilled with me leaving. The kids decided to pie me in the face at ACE skills camp out of vengeance! ACE Skills Camp was my first time meeting my new co-workers, who I had to room with the whole time…awkward. This soon passed, and I made great friends within ACE of Hattiesburg. Throughout the course of working at ACE of Hattiesburg, Brandon Roberts has been a huge help in helping me reach my goal of coming out of debt and grabbing hold of my life. He so graciously loaned me money to pay off countless bills I had acquired, totaling about $8,500. After about 3 years, I had completely paid him off. We also work hand-in-hand to coach our Worlds 5 team, the Chiefs, whose team members I would do anything for. Working in Hattiesburg has also opened other doors, such as becoming the assistant coach at Jones County Junior College. I have truly been blessed.

And so the final chapter begins…

Over the course of my time at ACE Cheer Company, I had gotten myself in and out of a few pickles to say the least. But if it weren’t for the people I met and the relationships developed in the company, there is no telling where I would be or what I would be doing with my life. Up until a few months ago, I was overwhelmed in debt from previous years as a dumb college kid. Due to the help of Happy Hooper, JR Zeringue, and Brandon Roberts, I was able to change my life around in a full 180. Now I am out of debt and a director in the company. To be honest, if I were working for any other job I would have been fired probably 7 years ago. JR, Happy, and Brandon somehow saw the true person I could be and kept giving me chances and guiding me in the correct path. So from living out of my car and on Ramen noodles to only worrying about what is next on my bucket list to check off, I am extremely thankful to ACE Cheer Company and the people who helped me along the way.

Travis Baker