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Sidelines & Study Guides: How IU Cheerleaders Make It Work

Sidelines & Study Guides: How IU Cheerleaders Make It Work

By:
Ava Thompson
Ava Lavigna
Dash Glasberg

BLOOMINGTON, IN (April 3, 2025).

The All-Girl Indiana University Cheerleading team is more than just a high energy presence on the sidelines. They’re dedicated student athletes who balance busy academic schedules with the physical and mental demands of their sport. With intense training, travel commitments, and the pressure to perform at the highest level, these young women demonstrate the discipline, teamwork, and resilience that defines true athletes. Their story shines a light on what it really means to wear an IU uniform,  not just in the stadium, but in the classroom and beyond. The All-Girl team has 36 athletes who have built a legacy of excellence both on and off the mat. They compete at the UCA College Nationals held every January in Orlando, Florida. The team has claimed six national championships; a demonstration to their dedication, skill, and relentless drive to succeed. Each year, they train for months leading up to this competition, proudly representing Indiana University on a national stage and continuing to raise the bar for college cheerleading.

Balancing school and cheerleading is no easy task, but the members of the All-Girl team have learned how to manage it all with discipline. They have practices, workouts, games, and competitions filling their schedules, staying on top of academics takes serious planning. The team practices three times a week, lifts twice a week, and regularly cheers at both football and basketball games,  all while juggling full course loads. And when most students are relaxing during Thanksgiving and winter break, these athletes are training harder than ever, practicing twice a day, every day, to prepare for nationals. Sam, a fifth year on the team, shared her strategy for success: “Do your assignments as soon as you get them. Make a list at the beginning of every week outlining all of your practices and all your work assignments.” Her advice reflects the mindset of the entire squad; staying organized, being proactive, and making sure their responsibilities as students are never overlooked, no matter how busy the season gets.

Addisyn Schroder bonding with teammates while stunting at practice. Moments like these highlight the strong bond within the Cheer Team.

Despite their demanding schedules, the All-Girl team continues to excel academically, proving that they’re just as committed in the classroom as they are on the mat. The program boasts an impressive average GPA of 3.3, with nine athletes earning a perfect 4.0, a true reflection of their hard work and determination. The team is made up of students pursuing challenging majors, including many in the Kelley School of Business, the School of Nursing, the Media School, and the School of Education. Their ability to balance their academic paths with the physical and time demands of cheerleading showcases the dedication and resilience that defines them not just as athletes, but as outstanding students.

While the All-Girl team finds success both athletically and academically, it doesn’t come without its challenges. One of the biggest struggles for these cheerleaders is time management. Trying to balance classes, practices, workouts, games, and a social life can be overwhelming. Addisyn, an incoming freshman shared her experience: “My biggest struggle is definitely time management. There’s a lot that goes into it to make yourself the best you can be out there for your sport and school.” Learning how to stay ahead of deadlines, prioritize rest, and maintaining a healthy routine is an ongoing process for many cheerleaders, especially as they adjust to the demands of college life and a competitive cheer program. Still, their commitment to both sides of the student athlete experience helps them push through the tough moments and continue to strive for excellence.

Outside of cheer and school, the All-Girl team is like a family, especially for those who are from out of state. With all the time spent together at football and basketball games, traveling for games and competitions, and hanging out outside of practice, they form amazing friendships outside of their sport. The shared experiences and support they offer each other create a sense of community, making IU feel more like home for those far from their families.

Addisyn Schroder watches how to do a new stunt. She is putting in the extra work to prepare for upcoming team tryouts.

As the school year comes to an end, the cheerleaders begin preparing for one of the most important moments of the season, tryouts for next year’s team. Even returning members must earn their spot again, which means putting in extra work. Many attend the IU cheer clinics, go in to stunt outside of practices, and staying involved in the cheer community to maintain a strong presence. It’s all about showing dedication, improvement, and the right attitude to make a lasting impression during tryouts.

https://youtu.be/HfXEJlNnoGk

Public Relations Story, Uncategorized

Apple Watch:Not Just a Watch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Apple Watch: Not Just a Watch

Media Contacts:
Jennifer Liu
Jenna Nolot
Ava Thompson

 

On September 9, 2014, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook unveiled the first Apple smartwatch at Apple’s event in Cupertino, California. More than just a timekeeper, the Apple Watch transforms how users manage their daily lives by integrating time management, health tracking, and smart connectivity into one device.

“We have been working incredibly hard for a long time on an entirely new product,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the keynote. “We believe this product will redefine what people expect from its category.”

Olivia Allen using her apple watch for work
Olivia Allen, 29, property manager at The Dillon, stays on top of tenant requests while managing her busy schedule. Her Apple Watch’s real-time notifications and calendar reminders help her stay organized and efficiently handle daily tasks.

The Apple Watch features a sleek, modern design and is available in three versions: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition. Each version is made with different materials and bands to suit a variety of users. As CEO Tim Cook said, the device has a Retina display and supports Force Touch technology, which distinguishes between light and heavy presses, allowing for a smarter interaction experience. The Digital Crown is an innovative interaction method on the Apple Watch, that supports scrolling, zooming and returning to the home screen, preventing the user’s fingers from blocking the screen and improving the smoothness of the operation.

Tim Cook also mentioned the Apple Watch’s ability to keep users connected in a more convenient way. Users can receive and respond to phone calls, text messages, and emails directly from the watch. Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, is integrated into the device, allowing for hands-free commands. The “Glances” feature provides quick access to essential information like schedules, weather, maps, and navigation with a simple raise of the wrist, reducing the need to check a phone frequently.

College student enjoys her apple watch
Ava Kaiser, 19, an IU student, focuses on her workout while training at the gym. The Apple Watch tracks her heart rate, monitors calories burned, and keeps her motivated with personalized fitness goals, helping her balance academics and an active lifestyle.

The Apple Watch also introduces a new way to create human connections. The “Digital Touch” feature allows users to send hand-drawn sketches, taps, and even share their heartbeat through haptic feedback. This interactive function enhances personal communication and provides a more intimate way for users to engage with one another.

Apple Watch also comes with powerful health and fitness features, including a built-in accelerometer, heart rate sensor, and GPS, so you can record your steps, heart rate, exercise track, and more activities. Apple Watch can visually display the client’s exercise status. For example, the Apple Watch reminds people to stand up after sitting for a long time, move around, take deep breaths, etc. The Fitness App tracks the user’s daily exercise and the Workout App provides personalized data monitoring for different exercise modes (e.g., running, biking, etc.) to help the user develop a more scientific fitness plan.

In the field of payment, Apple Watch also brings disruptive changes. Apple Watch has built-in NFC chips, Apple Watch can be directly connected to Apple Pay, users only need to raise their wrists close to the payment system to complete the payment. Apple Watch changed the traditional payment methods. They let the transaction become more secure, fast, and convenient.

The launch of the Apple Watch coincides with the introduction of the new iPhone 6 which features larger screens, and improved performance. That’s the first time that the iPhone supports Apple Pay. iPhone’s deep connectivity with the Apple Watch allows users to switch between multiple devices. It’s more efficient for users.

Apple Watch is expected to be available in early 2015, with a starting price of $349, and is compatible with iPhone 5 to iPhone 6. The watch uses inductive magnetic charging, which makes the charging process simple and efficient.

In short, the Apple Watch is more than just a smartwatch, it represents the perfect fusion of technology, fashion, and personalized experience. It not only changes the way of time management but also brings people closer together and helps them develop a healthy lifestyle.

Apple continues to push innovation forward, shaping the future of wearable technology. As it evolves, the Apple Watch remains at the forefront, offering a perfect balance of style, function, and advanced features that enhance everyday life

Tim Cook introduces a video showcasing the Apple Watch, offering a first look at its design and features. The video shows how the device opens a new chapter for Apple, redefining wearable technology.

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