Truth. Goodness. Beauty. And Now Spirit

Great Hearts is excited to host the first-ever network-wide Great Hearts Cheer Clinic on Saturday, July 20th, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Cicero Prep gymnasium. Open to all Great Hearts students from 5th to 12th grades across Arizona, this clinic comes just in time before tryouts begin for the new cheer and spirit squads starting in the 2024-25 school year. The clinic offers a comprehensive introduction to cheerleading, aiming to teach both new and experienced athletes the basics of cheerleading, including warm-ups, jumps, motions, chants, and even a fun dance routine.

The clinic will be led by Becky Heller, a former Grand Canyon University Cheerleader and four-time NHL Arizona Coyotes Cheerleader. Heller, along with her former teammates, will bring extensive experience in cheer and dance. “I’ve spent the majority of my life participating in cheer and dance,” said Heller. When asked to lead a clinic, she said she was immediately on board. Her background as a cheerleader includes numerous community engagements, such as the Run to Fight Children’s Cancer,St. Jude Walks, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where she discovered her passion for positively impacting younger generations. Heller also serves as Executive Assistant to the Executive Directors at Great Hearts.

Spots for the clinic are limited. Register now at https://ciceroprep.configio.com/pd/2108/gh-cheer-clinic. The registration fee is $50. Attendees should wear athletic clothing, tennis shoes or cheer shoes, and bring a water bottle. Check-in runs from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM, and the clinic will begin at 8:30 AM sharp, running until 11:30 AM. All attendees must be picked up by 12:00 PM.

“My hope is that this clinic will give the more experienced athletes a refresher and provide the newer athletes with the skills they need to feel confident going into tryouts, which are right around the corner,” shared Heller.

Heller believes that cheerleading is a rewarding sport that promotes school spirit and improves students’ physical, social, personal, academic, and psychological skills. These skills can translate into their daily lives, leading to increased self-confidence. Cheerleading also teaches student-athletes valuable ways to contribute to their community. “Being part of a team teaches humility and dedication to your teammates, family, and community,” she said. “Being on a team like this is the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself.”

The introduction of cheer and spirit squads is part of the upcoming Great Hearts Arizona Prep School Initiatives. Based on feedback from parents and students, Great Hearts will introduce several enhancements beginning in the 2024-25 school year to improve the prep school experience. These changes include offering college credit opportunities, simplifying the uniform dress code, adding spirit wear days, and sharing mid-quarter progress reports. Additionally, most prep schools will incorporate house systems, and offer online summer school for credit recovery.

Some prep schools will pilot a zero-hour weightlifting class for credit and a seventh-hour block for various student activities. Future initiatives include exploring youth and club sports programs, adding course electives, and adjusted schedules for high school students.

These improvements aim to provide students and their families with a more supportive and enriching educational experience, encouraging them to stay with Great Hearts through their senior year to fully benefit from the unique curriculum.

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