AHS cheer clinic– a clinic that impacts many young girls and boys in the Atlantic area. Atlantic football cheerleaders hold this fundraiser clinic annually, this year they raised $3,000 for new cheer equipment and a new Trojan mascot.

One of Atlantic’s cheer captains, Makenna Schroeder said “I think it is a really fun and a good way to get little kids involved in football games.” This is her third year of cheerleading as one of the captains. Her duties include helping organize and run practices as well as calling cheers at most of the games. Other than being a captain, Schroeder is one of the team’s flyers. This fundraiser is particularly special to her because she went to the clinic when she was younger. Schroeder thought the clinic was so fun and she can still remember hanging out with the cheerleaders. Schroeder said “I think that’s why I like the little kid cheer clinic because I wanna be that older kid for them.” 

Katie Hedegaard has been the head Atlantic Cheer coach for basketball for football the last 3 years, and basketball the last 4 years. This is Hedegaard’s third year of being in charge of  the little kids clinic. Hedegaard said she thought this year’s fundraiser and clinic was a success with about 120 participants. With this year’s clinic a being a “success”, Hedegaard said, “we are planning to buy another cheerleading mat, to use for future homecoming routine, and also we are hoping to buy a larger, better quality trojan mascot costume.”  At the moment this is the only fundraiser for football cheerleading but for Hedegaard said they have some more “really fun ideas” they want to do for fundraising in the upcoming years. Also with upcoming years she said at next year’s clinic they want to have more themed practices and better video of the camp progression and performance. Cheer coach and captain both love to get the kids involved and show school spirit.

This Atlantic cheer clinic has impacted so many young girls, including those involved. From the little kid clinic to the high school girls involved. As the cheer program grows and even attended state last year, they hope to grow the program. As the team attends more events and grows you will be able to find information about them at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/atlantic-high-school-atlantic-ia/cheerleading-and-dance . So go out, support all our cheerleaders, elementary to high school and “go, fight, win!”