Dash Glasberg



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Journalism Story

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

Apple CEO Tim Cook Debuts Groundbreaking New Product: The Apple Watch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts
Macy Pugh
Raeghan Miller
Dash Glasberg

CUPERTINO, California (Sept. 9, 2014) — Apple CEO, Tim Cook, reveals Apple’s latest product that is going to redefine the watch industry; the Apple Watch. This groundbreaking technology was announced at a convention in September 2014.

“We have one more thing,” Tim Cook said, before introducing the Apple Watch. He debuted Apple’s entry into the world of wearable technology. Apple’s first smartwatch blends the innovative technology that Apple is known for, with more customizability than any other watch on the market. 

Apple is known for creating revolutionary products, including the iPod, Macintosh, and iPhone, and they have continued this tradition by introducing their new line of smartwatches. The Apple Watch has a combination of features that no other smartwatch can offer. The product is meant to embrace individuality, as “it’s as much about personal technology as it is style and taste,” Cook said. It has a level of customizability that outshines all its competitors, by offering three different models, multiple watch straps, and a sapphire crystal screen. With personability being an important characteristic, Apple offers distinct models of the Watch. Each is designed with unique features and materials that cater to the different preferences of Apple’s users. Whether you choose the stainless steel case of the Apple Watch, the lightweight aluminum of the Apple Watch Sport, or the luxurious 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition, they are all designed to fit seamlessly into users’ lives. In addition to the customizability that’s already offered, you can choose from a variety of watch faces and small widgets to further personalize your watch. The widgets are meant to display information that is important to the user, so you can choose from things like weather, the calendar, activity, and more.

A woman uses the Apple Watch touch screen to navigate GPS.
A woman uses the Apple Watch to find a location on GPS. The touch screen allows users to scroll across the map with ease.

 

The personability of the Apple Watch isn’t the only thing that sets it apart from its competitors. The product is designed with an emphasis on health. The Apple Watch “has four sapphire lenses that contain infrared invisible LED lights along with photo sensors that detect your pulse rate,” said John Ive, senior VP of design, “using its gyroscope and accelerometer, and its GPS and wifi from your iPhone, the watch provides a comprehensive picture of your daily activity. This allows the watch to establish and suggest goals.” The design keeps users motivated and on track with their fitness goals. Never before has fitness been this easy to track.

A student swim team manager is wearing an Apple Watch and navigating its home screen.
A swim team student uses the Apple Watch to track his activity in the pool. The Apple Watch is capable of all normal functions in the waterproof setting.

Another aspect that makes the Apple Watch unique is the included features that users are already comfortable with and use every day. The product can receive calls, text messages, and notifications. It also offers the ultimate convenience for users who don’t always have the time to use their phones, as all the information they need is just a glance away on their wrist. A key feature that offers convenience is the watch’s ability to connect with Apple Pay, which allows users to make a payment directly from their wrist. 

Overall, this new smartwatch presented by Apple is a bold and innovative product that will enrich users’ lives and infatuate the market. Users will love how personable and tailored the product is to their lifestyle. Daily tasks and fitness are made easier by tracking users’ activities straight from their wrists. This watch has successfully redefined the world of wearable technology. The Apple Watch will be available in stores worldwide on April 24th, 2015. It will come in two different sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm. Customers can expect to pay $349 for the 38 mm size and $399 for the 42 mm. However this will not mark the end of Apple’s innovative history, as it’s “the next chapter in Apple’s story,” Cook said. 

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, shows various wearable styles of the new Apple Watch. He also displays a video with some of its unique touch features.

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