When a Community Grieves: Honoring Addi Smith & Coping with Tragedy

There are moments that shake a community to its core.

The loss of Addi Smith has been one of those moments for the cheer world. A young athlete. A teammate. A daughter. A light in her gym. When something like this happens, it doesn’t just impact one family — it ripples through teams, gyms, schools, and across social media feeds filled with stunned disbelief.

In times like this, many of us are left asking the same questions:

How do we process something so heavy?

How do we talk to our kids about it?

How do we keep showing up when our hearts feel broken?

There are no perfect answers. But there are healthy ways to begin coping.

1. Let Yourself Feel It

Grief doesn’t follow a schedule. It doesn’t make sense. And it doesn’t look the same for everyone.

Some people cry.

Some feel angry.

Some feel numb.

Some keep busy because sitting still feels unbearable.

All of it is valid.

When tragedy hits a youth sports community like cheer, it can feel especially confusing. The gym is supposed to be a safe space — full of laughter, bows, music, and friendships. When that sense of safety feels shaken, it’s okay to acknowledge that.

Suppressing emotions doesn’t make them disappear. It just buries them deeper.

2. Talk Openly — Age Appropriately

If you’re a parent, your child may have questions. They may also pretend they don’t.

Follow their lead. Keep explanations simple and honest without overwhelming details. Focus on feelings. Ask open-ended questions:

• “How are you feeling about everything?”

• “Did anyone talk about it at practice?”

• “Is there anything you’re worried about?”

Sometimes what kids need most is permission to feel without being rushed to “be strong.”

3. Lean on Community

One of the most beautiful things about cheer is the sisterhood. In the face of loss, that unity matters even more.

Wear blue and pink, Addi’s favorite colors.

Hold hands a little tighter.

Post tributes.

Check on each other.

Community doesn’t erase pain — but it reminds us we don’t carry it alone.

4. Protect Mental Health — Gently, Not Preachy

Tragedy like this can also bring up larger conversations about mental health.

This doesn’t mean turning grief into a lecture. It means gently reinforcing:

• It’s okay to ask for help.

• It’s okay to not be okay.

• It’s okay to talk about hard things.

If your child seems withdrawn, unusually anxious, or more emotional than usual, consider reaching out to a school counselor, pediatrician, or a licensed therapist. Early support is a strength, not a weakness.

Organizations like National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provide free resources for families navigating tough conversations and mental health challenges.

5. Honor Without Sensationalizing

When young lives are lost, it can be tempting to search for every detail. But sometimes the most respectful thing we can do is focus on who the person was — not how they passed.

Celebrate the smiles.

Share the routines.

Remember the joy she brought to the mat.

In loving memory doesn’t have to mean reliving the trauma. It can simply mean choosing to lead with love.

6. Give It Time

Grief doesn’t disappear after a week. It may resurface at competitions, when certain songs play, or when someone stands in a formation spot that used to belong to her.

Be patient with yourself. Be patient with your kids.

Healing is not linear.

If this tragedy has reminded us of anything, it’s that our kids are more than athletes. They are hearts. They are minds. They are tender and resilient all at once.

Tonight, hug them tighter.

Tell them you love them.

And remind them that their worth has nothing to do with a score sheet.

We honor Addi by protecting the mental and emotional well-being of the athletes still here — by building gyms that are not just strong in stunts, but strong in support.

Because trophies fade.

Community doesn’t.