Addison Miller

Majoring in Media Advertising



Projects by Addison Miller

Journalism Story

From Sidelines to Spotlight: Cheerleading’s Rise in Popularity

From Sidelines to Spotlight: Cheerleading’s Rise in Popularity

By:

Nathan Shriberg,

Cali Kroncke

Addison Miller

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (April 3, 2025)

For these athletes, cheerleading is not only a sport, but a passion and drive that allows them to push the limits of their abilities. In the recent five years, Indiana University’s Coed Cheer Team has gained significant traction and become more prevalent in the world of sports. Team member, Sydney O, when discussing how cheer has evolved in over the years added, “Every year there’s always new skills being added and made up.” The team’s success through this evolution can be attributed to their relentless dedication, time put in, and family-like atmosphere the team has created. The team, currently made up of twelve girls and fifteen guys, cater to a range of events and responsibilities all throughout campus, all throughout the year. These include big picture things such as cheering at men’s basketball and football games, special events around campus, as well as outreach for various organizations.

Along with the team itself growing in popularity, more men have joined the sport of cheer as a whole and have added significantly to the program. Team member, Micah Nathan, explained how hesitant he was to join in high school and even more so in college saying, “I was worried I wouldn’t have time for classes and other opportunities.” Many may be surprised how easily their time can be balanced with their two practices and two lifts a week and, with access to all the athletic facilities including gyms, dining halls, and physical therapy, it seems there are many positives to being on the team. There’s no doubt that the atmosphere among the team is nothing short of being a family according to the teammates. The brotherly impact the boys on the team have make the girls feel that they always have someone by their side and the girls have built-in best friends among one another.

The program ensures the team is fully equipped with complimentary Adidas cheer gear, gym and cheer shoes, practice and cheer uniforms, warmups, hats and winter wear. Along with practices and lifts, each member of the team must be fluent in all their cheers, band chants, stunts, as well the fight song and school song. Some of the stunts they frequently practice and preform include chair, lib, heel stretch, extensions, cupi’s, torches, and arabesque. These complex maneuvers, along with the chants, practices, and other obligations, cheering is far more competitive and time consuming than many people initially believe.  They spend countless hours perfecting their every move and go on to execute their performances perfectly and in a way that illuminates their identity and devotion.

IU’s coed cheer team is compiled of a group of diverse and unique individuals that come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. This offers an experience for the team that makes their performances rich and exciting to watch. Each member brings their own strengths and dedication to the team, and it’s clear their bonds extend beyond the mat and into their daily lives. The hours they spend together and the bonds that they create, allows them to refine their skills and build the trust necessary to execute their high-risk maneuvers. This team is not only a team, but also a family. People have gone through losses, injuries, and other personal issues, and yet this team is always right there to help the person up. This program not only allows them to grow as an individual, but sets them up for the real world as well. Everyone fights and works their hardest no matter if it is the beginning of the season or end, everyones dedication shows. When watching their performances, it is beyond clear that their commitment has paid off and is well earned.

In the world of cheer, performance and camaraderie mean everything. For IU’s coed cheer team, it’s a prime example of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence and the support of one another. As their Head Cheer Coach Julie Horine says, “What we do is bigger than cheerleading.” This commitment has paid off, with their earning of accolades at national competition and bountiful admiration from the students of IU and elsewhere. To top it all off, these athletes are extraordinary on the field, but when it comes to the classroom, they all excel as well. Thirty-two athlete had a GPA of 3.2 or higher, a program high! As they continue to push boundaries and exceed expectations, it is certain that they are way above the rest.

Indiana University’s coed cheer team is witnessing firsthand the rise in popularity of the sport. Cheerleaders Micah Nathan and Sydney Onyschak share their experience.

Public Relations Story

Apple CEO Announces New Revolutionary Product

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

Media Contacts
Cayman Werner
Jada Wolf
Addison Miller

CUPERTINO, California (Sept. 9, 2014) — Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the launch of its new product, the Apple Watch, which includes ground-breaking technology that combines personalization and efficiency for users.

Cook teased those who attended the press event on Tuesday by explaining there is “one more thing” after giving a presentation on the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The immediate arouse of the crowd ignited a smile on Cook’s face, and that enthusiasm and excitement within the audience and Cook stayed through the presentation of the Apple Watch.

As the “most personal device we’ve ever created”, Cook said, the Apple Watch is sure to be the next major step in the evolution of Apple. The watch’s main features include telling accurate time, connecting people, and tracking fitness with its pitch of being a wearable iPhone. The Apple Watch will be able to pair with the iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, and the upcoming iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Female student uses Apple Watch.
IU student, Lucy Pappas, uses her Apple Watch to track her time while studying. She uses a timer to pace herself and allow for small breaks.

Kevin Lynch, a software developer for Apple, also showed the audience the real-time use of the watch by connecting its contents to the large screen. With just a raise of the wrist, the watch turns on with a display of all the apps: clock, mail, phone, messages, fitness, maps, and more. The user interface of the Apple Watch is flawless and efficient with a digital crown, similar to a crown on a regular watch, that allows for scrolling through lists and zooming in and out without having to touch the watch. When notifications are sent to a user’s phone, the notification also pops up on the watch. Users are then able to take different steps depending on what kind of notification it is. For messages, simply use the smart reply or dictation tools for a quick response. With the ability to customize watch faces, control music, use glances to swipe through critical information, and even the implementation of Siri, the Apple Watch is sure to be a revolutionary product.

Fitness is also an important factor with this watch that can be used for any person whether just wanting to track their movement throughout the day or wanting to train for the Olympics. The Activity app encourages 3 types of movement with rings that signify whether the user has hit the goal: stand, move, and exercise. The Fitness app tracks specific kinds of exercises, like running and biking, while encouraging users to meet their goals during the workout. “Apple Watch is going to greatly improve the way we keep track of our activity and change the way we look at fitness,” Jay Blahnik, the Director of Fitness at Apple said.

While Jony Ive, senior VP of design at Apple, also touched on the watch’s features in a narrated video, he gave details about the physical makeup of the watch and the different types of editions and bands users can choose from. The watch is made of single crystal sapphire, the second hardest material in the world, and it has a Zirconia back with 4 sapphire lenses with LEDs and photo sensors to accurately detect pulse rate. Charging the watch couldn’t be easier with Apple’s MagSafe® technology and effective charging to create a magnetic placement that perfectly fits the watch. “It is so simple and elegant, it is something only Apple could do,” Cook said.

“We have designed 6 different straps and a mechanism that makes the straps easily interchangeable with a refinement and precision that’s born of functionality,” Ive said. These straps include a Sport Band made of tough, sweat-resistant elastomer offered in bold colors; the Leather Loop made of soft, quilted leather that includes magnets for adjustment and optimal comfort; the Milanese Loop made of stainless steel mesh with a magnet closure; the hand-crafted leather Modern Buckle that includes a metal clasp and wraps symmetrically around the wrist; the leather Classic Buckle to resemble regular watches; and the stainless steel Link Bracelet with a slim clasp. To include wrists of all sizes, the Apple Watch offers a smaller watch with smaller straps. “We knew one size wouldn’t fit everyone,” Ive said.

Maintenance worker stays in touch using Apple Watch.
Tracy, an IU Evans House’s maintenance worker, uses his Apple Watch to check the levels of a newly renovated AC unit. He enjoys the efficiency of the technology and assures it makes his job easier.

Three collections will be available at the beginning of 2015: the Apple Watch, made of stainless steel, the Apple Watch Sport, with a glass cover and aluminum case, and Apple Watch Edition, made of 18-karat gold. The retail price will start at $349 (USD). “We think people are going to love to use Apple Watch; they are going to love to wear it,” Cook said. “It’s something functional, yet incredibly beautiful. It empowers people and enriches their lives.”

Tim Cook announces the new Apple Watch and its features. This product is anticipated to be the technology of the year.

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