Cheer is more than a sideline sport in Oklahoma City Public Schools. It’s a pathway that builds confidence, creates community, and opens doors to future opportunities. And thanks to expanded opportunities for OKCPS female student-athletes, school spirit just got bigger, louder, and stronger in OKCPS.
The introduction of junior varsity (JV) cheer teams at Southeast High School, U.S. Grant High School, and Southeast Middle School is creating more opportunities for girls to get involved and stay connected at a pivotal moment when sports have the most impact on their lives.
By expanding opportunities for student-athletes, the addition of more JV teams and competitions helps advance the shared goal of OKCPS and Fields & Futures to grow district-wide sports participation to 50% by 2030. With its rapid growth and increasing popularity, JV cheer has the potential to play a crucial role in achieving this milestone.
The F&F Cheer Pathway
The F&F Cheer Pathway was created to do more than put students on the sidelines; it’s designed to keep them in the game. In less than a decade, cheer participation across OKCPS has grown nearly 500%, with more than 700 students now involved district-wide. From 5th and 6th grade cheer with the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League through high school gameday and competition squads, the pathway gives students a clear and connected journey in cheer.
Along the way, cheer is helping students find their voice, lead with confidence, and build resilience during the critical transition years between middle school and high school. And for many, it’s also a springboard to college opportunities. At the inaugural Xtreme College Cheer Combine in 2024, every OKCPS senior in attendance received at least one college offer.
By adding JV teams, schools like Southeast High School, Southeast Middle School, and U.S. Grant are extending the pathway even further, ensuring that more kids can experience the confidence, community, and opportunity that cheer provides.
Why JV Matters
Participation in OKCPS cheer has skyrocketed in recent years. But with growth comes new challenges: limited spots, competitive varsity demands, and students at risk of being left behind.
For girls especially, this matters. Research shows that many stop playing sports between 8th and 9th grade, right when they’re most vulnerable to isolation, disengagement, and low confidence. By introducing JV cheer, schools give those students a way to stay connected, develop their skills, and remain part of the team.
“The Cheer Pathway is about elevating student potential by creating more opportunities for kids to experience the sport of cheer,” said Fields & Future Director of Cheer Mandi Dotson. “JV cheer teams are an essential part of that pipeline. They give more girls the chance to learn, belong, and grow into confident, strong women.”
From Tryouts to Opportunity at Southeast Middle School
At Southeast Middle School, Coach Katelyn witnessed firsthand the importance of JV. When 25 students came out for cheer tryouts, she simply didn’t have enough varsity uniforms to make room for them all. Rather than turning kids away, she issued them older uniforms and created Southeast Middle School’s first JV cheer team.
“I believe middle schoolers should try as many sports as possible to see what they enjoy and where they excel,” she shared. “When I saw how many wanted to cheer, I knew I had to give them that opportunity.”
Now, her program includes both varsity and JV teams, and this October, they’ll host a cheer clinic for surrounding elementary schools, with nearly 100 students expected to attend. It’s a powerful example of the Cheer Pathway in action: cultivating a clear and connected pipeline from elementary through high school.
The Generals Lead the Way
At U.S. Grant, Coach Beth Hardwick launched a JV team to meet growing demand and provide a stepping stone for future varsity athletes.
“Our varsity program is competitive and demanding, so not everyone is ready to jump in,” said Coach Hardwick. “By adding JV, we’re giving more students the chance to grow their skills and gain confidence. It’s a way to build a pipeline for varsity cheer.”
With 20 varsity athletes and 20 on the JV squad, the U.S. Grant Generals cheer program now ensures that twice as many student-athletes have the opportunity to join the team. Both squads cheer side by side at home games, reinforcing school spirit and unity.
Coach Hardwick also introduced the “Riot Squad,” a pep squad for students who want to support their school without the full practice load of cheer. With 10 students already signed on, the Riot Squad is proof that there’s a place for every student to belong.
More Kids. More Teams. More Spirit.
In OKCPS, cheerleading isn’t just about chants and stunts. It’s a pathway to connection, confidence, and opportunity. By expanding the cheer pathway and creating more opportunities through junior varsity squads, OKCPS is ensuring that more students, especially girls, have the chance to stay engaged with sports when it matters most.
From elementary school clinics to high school gameday competitions, cheer in OKCPS is thriving. JV squads, like those at Southeast High School, Southeast Middle School, and U.S. Grant High School, strengthen the pathway, giving more students the opportunity to belong, lead, and thrive. Each new JV team catapults us closer to that magic number: 50% participation by 2030.
Pave the Way for Cheer as a Pathway Partner
As a Pathway Partner, you can help us grow a stronger, more connected cheer pathway for students in Oklahoma City’s urban core.
Contact Emmy Hufnagel to explore custom giving game plans that turn your passion for building confidence, community, and opportunity through cheer.