Cali Kroncke



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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 Watch Debuts: A Game-Changer for Tech and Fitness!

For Immediate Release

Apple’s New Product Debuts: The Apple Watch, A Game-Changer for Tech and Fitness

Media Contacts:

Cali Kroncke

Izzy Hamilton

Chloe Schiller

 

The Apple Watch launch was announced by Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, on Monday, September 9th at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California. Cook said that he “believes this product will redefine what people expect from its category and is the next chapter in Apple’s story.” An incredibly detailed and aesthetically pleasing video was displayed to the audience, showcasing the new Apple product and its multitude of uses. As Cook returned to the stage to go more in-depth about the watch, he was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. Cook said the Apple Watch is “the most personal device we’ve ever created” and talked about how customers are able to apply their own style and personalization to the product.

This cook is showing off is his apple watch, designed for communication with the sorority house. He is wearing it to showcase how he has personalized it for himself.

The product is much more than just a watch, as it also taps into health and fitness, communication, and a multitude of other extensions. Cook explained how similar to the mouse on the Mac and the click wheel on the iPod, Apple “placed extra functionality in a mechanism that has been on the watch for decades.” Apple turned the traditional dial into a “Digital Crown,” which allows users to zoom in and out, scroll through a list, and also acts as a home button for the Apple Watch. Many other important functions include pressing the button located underneath the digital crown allowing users to contact friends in seconds, as well as glances allowing the user to swipe through information quickly, including weather, time, health, and calendar. The watch works seamlessly with the iPhone and allows customers to access a large variety of apps directly from their wrist.

This teen girl checks her apple watch as she prepares for the Little 500 bike race. With focus and determination, she uses the watch’s features to keep track of her progress.

The Apple Watch is easily accessible as it senses when users are raising their wrist and instantly illuminates, displaying a home screen with apps that are already familiar to Apple users. Users have the ability to respond to messages on their watch using smart replies, as well as answer phone calls. Although the Apple Watch prides itself on being technologically advanced, it also is focused on its exterior. Cook said that Apple was incredibly careful and deliberate when creating the Apple Watch and showed a second video discussing the background that went into the design of the watch. The flexible retina display is laminated to a polished single crystal of sapphire which is the second hardest transparent material after diamond.

Not only does the product encourage users to embrace their individuality, but it also provides haptic feedback and sound to further enhance the customer experience. Jony Ive, Apple’s senior VP of Design said, “We have worked closely with horological experts from around the world to help us understand the cultural and historical significance of timekeeping, and this has profoundly informed our design.” Cook went into detail about the multitude of different bands, colors, and styles available to accommodate the various lifestyles that their customers lead. These different straps and bands are also easily interchangeable so that customers can quickly maximize comfortability and versatility throughout their day. Anything from stainless steel, to sweat and chemical-resistant bands, Apple wants to provide customers with optimum comfort and style no matter what their goals are.

Cook also mentioned how Apple created three different types of Apple watches including, the Apple Watch, Apple Sport, and Apple Edition. Cook said, “We designed Apple Watch as a whole range of products enabling millions of unique designs unparalleled personalization both in appearance and capability.” Starting at $349, Cook urged consumers that “the Apple Watch empowers people and enriches their lives.” Apple is incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that was put into bringing this product to fruition and they can’t wait to share it with the world. 

The Apple Watch being released, showing what it looks like and what it can do. People can use it in a variety of different ways.

 

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