Hi friends! My name is Sutton Hodges and for as long as I can remember I have had cheer shoes on my feet. I currently compete on an all-star cheerleading team at Cheer Extreme Raleigh. This gym has been my second home for the past fifteen years. Honestly, I cannot imagine my life without cheerleading. It has taught me so much more than how to tumble, stunt, and perform. It’s taught me so many lessons that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that nothing is ever given to you, you have to work for it. Obviously, some goals require m ..read more

In February, Samia Smith was named an Arkansas State Honoree for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award, recognizing youth who make a difference in their communities. This prestigious award is only given to two youth in each state and Samia proved to be more than deserving. Through her involvement in clubs that prioritize community service, it’s instilled in Samia to make a difference. Among others, Samia’s involvement with Students Demand Action, Student Council, the Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council and the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site has kept volunteering at th ..read more

On January 31, 2017 Ragan Strong was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. It was nine days before she competed in her first UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship. She was 11. After her diagnosis, Ragan made it her mission to not let Type One limit her in any way. In addition to being a member of the Arlington High School cheer team, Ragan has dedicated her time as to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as a Youth Ambassador. As an ambassador, Ragan assists in fundraising efforts and volunteers at events like the Southern Lights Show and the annual golf tournament. At ..read more

NCA has a tradition of awarding the Go Be Great award at NCA High School Nationals and other various competitions. The Go Be Great Award is presented to a coach, team or program who goes above and beyond to make the world a better place, outside of cheerleading. This year’s Go Be Great winners were no exception as they embodied what it means to lead with kindness in their communities. Alamo Heights High School San Antonio, Texas Name a community service opportunity and you are sure to find the cheerleaders from Alamo Heights High School. This program of young leaders kicked off the holiday ..read more

NCA has a tradition of awarding the Go Be Great award at NCA High School Nationals and other various competitions. The Go Be Great Award is presented to a coach, team or program who goes above and beyond to make the world a better place, outside of cheerleading. This year’s Go Be Great winners were no exception as they embodied what it means to lead with kindness in their communities. Warren Middle School Forney, Texas The Warren Middle School cheerleaders didn’t let the pandemic get in the way of sharing spirit throughout the past year. These athletes made it their mission to make sure ev ..read more

Being able to be in a gym surrounded by people I knew loved me and and encouraged me brought out the best in me. Hey! Lexi here. I currently cheer at Pro Scouts in Harlingen, Texas on the level 3 Senior Medium team, Lady Pros. I am a junior in high school and this is my 6th year cheering. At the age of 11 I decided I wanted to be a cheerleader. So, I taught myself! I started off cheering for my middle school cheer team, then I was soon introduced to all star cheerleading. Being a cheerleader gave me the confidence to be myself and it quickly became something I absolutely love doing. Cheerlea ..read more

Hi friends! My name is Reece Cunningham, I’m 17 years old and I am a junior in high school. Just like any other cheerleader, I have a very busy schedule. This will be my fifth year on Twist and Shout Diamonds and Owasso High School Cheerleading. On average I practice for about 25-30 hours a week. My weekdays begin with school in the mornings (this year is virtual, of course) then head straight to high school cheer practice from 2pm-5pm. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I go straight from high school cheer to Twist and Shout and practice from 6pm-9pm. My Tuesday and Thursday afternoons usually consi ..read more

"They are truly genuine, loving, caring girls that are learning to look around them and try to help where they can. If that is the only thing I teach them before they graduate, then I will be happy." For the Marietta cheer program, being part of the squad doesn’t only mean cheering on the sidelines on Friday night. It’s so much more than the practice time, uniforms or competing. It’s about being a member of your community and doing good for that community. Each month the program, which consists of the middle and high school cheer teams, does a community service project. “We feel this gives ..read more

When 2020 began, the thought of going through a pandemic was the last thing on my mind!   Like most of you, I was busy preparing for cheer competitions, studying for classes, practicing for my driver’s test, and even dreaming about the possibility of another trip to Disney World for D2 Summit. Then, the world fell apart before my eyes. I quickly learned that my “normal” could be taken away in a second. Those first few scary days revealed just how important family is to me and how often I take the little things for granted…including toilet paper! But even as hard as this was for me ..read more

Five years ago I began my cheerleading journey. Looking back, I had no idea just how much this new chapter in my life would change me. Unlike the sports I had played prior, cheerleading gave me an escape. It became an outlet for me to work hard, meet new people (who would soon become my closest friends), and a place where I could escape the world. Whether I had a rough day at school, or was simply feeling down about something in my life. I knew that when I went to practice I would be surrounded by positive energy and encouraging people. Cheerleading is more than just a hobby or passion for me ..read more