The cheer programs that were introduced in academies across Great Hearts Arizona [1] have just completed their inaugural year and, according to Great Hearts Spirit Line Coordinator Rebecca Heller, the programs will continue to grow and bring more energy than ever to our participating academies. “This is the first year that Great Hearts has had an official Spirit Line program at 10 of our schools,” said Heller. “And next year we’ll actually have our last two schools create their own teams as well, which is super exciting.”
Heller, along with other former NHL Arizona Coyotes cheerleaders, will be hosting a second network-wide Great Hearts Cheer Clinic on July 18th, 2025 in the Cicero Prep [2] gym in Scottsdale. These clinics are an opportunity to learn and refresh the fundamentals of cheer for new and existing athletes. There is a morning clinic for grades 1-5, and an afternoon session for grades 6-12. Get more information about the clinics and register at https://ciceroprep.configio.com/search?cid=372 [3]
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The introduction of the cheer program came about through the Prep School Promise [5], a Great Hearts initiative that began last year to bring several enhancements to the high school experience, all based on feedback from students and parents. The new cheer program has already added a dynamic new layer to game days at participating academies. “I just really want to express my sincere thanks to [Arizona Director of Athletics] Jon Rickey, the [academy athletic directors], all of the cheer coaches of course, and all of the assistant coaches, and really just everyone that’s been a part of this project rollout,” shared Heller.
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One of the newest schools joining the cheer movement is Lincoln Prep [7]. Alyssa Schonberg, who currently serves as the academy’s registrar, will also take on the new role of cheer coach. “I’ve worked at Lincoln Prep [7]for the last four years… and now going to be part of launching a brand-new cheer program” she shared with enthusiasm.
The launch of cheer at Lincoln Prep means more to Schonberg than just sideline spirit. She says it’s a chance for students to move, dance, and express themselves in new ways. “We just haven’t had this aspect of art at the school, and I think it’s a really important one. We’re excited for what this means for pep rallies, for home games, for championships. So, we’re excited to see not just what the kids can do on the field but on the sidelines as well.”
Interest is already booming at Lincoln Prep [7]. They recently had tryouts and the response was great. “We had a ton of interest at our first two meetings just with the kiddos, but with fifth grade coming in we’ve got a lot of interest with the younger kids as well,” shared Schonberg.
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Heller has traveled to several campuses throughout this past year to see the cheerleaders in action. “It was so awesome just to get to see all the cheerleaders perform,” she said. “You could even see how much the crowd was feeding off of their energy as well. So, I just think it was super cool to be able to see them kind of create this new aspect and this new addition of excitement and encouragement to the game day atmosphere.”
Beyond game days, Great Hearts cheerleaders are already stepping into the competitive arena. “A couple of our schools actually attended a local cheer showcase in the Valley where a ton of schools came out and they got to do a full-on routine,” said Heller. “And one of our schools, Trivium Prep [9]… they actually came home with an official spirit award.”
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Competitions may become a regular part of the program soon. “That’s one of our next big goals in the years to come,” added Heller. “We really hope to see all of our teams competing as well.”
With the cheer program expanding to more Great Hearts schools next year, the future is bright… and full of cheer.
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Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/ [12]