Cheer took center stage at the 2025 All City Athletic Conference (ACAC) Cheer Championship, where school spirit, skill, and opportunity came together in a big way.
More than 350 middle and high school student-athletes from across Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) competed for the ACAC title, showcasing months of preparation, teamwork, and growth. For the first time in ACAC history, Southeast High School and Southeast Middle School earned a clean sweep, a milestone that reflects both competitive success and the strength of a growing cheer pathway across the district.
This year’s championship was about more than trophies. It highlighted how expanded access to cheer is building confidence, connection, and opportunity for student-athletes, especially girls, across OKCPS.
A Championship That Supports a Bigger Goal
The ACAC Cheer Championship celebrates participation as much as performance. With strong representation from schools across the district, the event reinforced a shared goal of OKCPS and Fields & Futures: reaching 50% district-wide sports participation by 2030.
Cheer plays an important role in that vision. In less than a decade, cheer participation across OKCPS has grown nearly 500%, with more than 700 students now involved district-wide. That momentum continued this summer, with more than 380 student-athletes participating in district cheer camp this summer.
Strengthening the Cheer Pathway
The Fields & Futures Cheer Pathway was created to keep students engaged in sports during the years when participation matters most. It begins with 5th and 6th grade cheer programs through the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League (PAL) and continues through middle school, junior varsity, and varsity cheer at the high school level.
The success on display at ACAC, including the historic Southeast sweep, shows what happens when that pathway is supported. Junior varsity teams at Southeast High School, Southeast Middle School, and U.S. Grant High School are expanding access and allowing more students to develop skills, build confidence, and stay connected to their school communities.
Why JV and Competition Matter
As cheer participation grows, challenges also increase. Limited varsity spots and higher competitive demands can leave students without a place to participate.
This moment is especially important for girls, who often step away from sports between 8th and 9th grade. Junior varsity cheer and inclusive competitions like ACAC help students stay involved, grow at their own pace, and remain part of a team.
“The Cheer Pathway is about creating more opportunities for kids to experience the sport of cheer,” said Fields & Futures Director of Cheer Mandi Dotson. “JV teams and events like ACAC help more girls learn, belong, and grow into confident leaders.”
From ACAC to What Comes Next
The long-term impact of getting more kids on more teams was further recognized when Fields & Futures was named a 2025 Sports 4 Life grant recipient through the Women’s Sports Foundation and ESPN. The recognition reinforces the importance of investing in pathways that keep girls engaged in sports, leadership, and community.
Closing the Year with Momentum
The 2025 ACAC Cheer Championship showcased the power of access and opportunity. From packed sidelines to strong performances on the mat, the energy reflected a district moving in the right direction.
As the school year comes to a close, ACAC serves as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when students are given the chance to participate, belong, and grow. From summer cheer camp with more than 380 student-athletes, to expanded JV teams, to championship moments on the mat, cheer has helped hundreds of students stay connected to their schools and their peers this year.
Each competition, each new team, and each athlete who steps onto the floor moves OKCPS and Fields & Futures closer to a shared goal of 50% sports participation by 2030. The momentum built this year sets the stage for an even stronger year ahead, with more opportunities, more voices, and more students finding confidence through sport.
This is how the year ends. And it’s how the future is built.