Go Be Great Award at NCA Nationals

This past weekend, 28 states, 242 schools, and over 4,500 athletes congregated in Dallas, Texas to compete in the NCA Junior and Senior High School National Championship. While the skills and routines showcased were top notch, so were the stories of cheerleaders serving in their schools and communities. Throughout the weekend, NCA recognized teams that had gone above and beyond in exemplifying the Roles of a Cheerleader as emphasized in the NFHS Credentialing at camp this past summer. Coaches had the opportunity to nominate their teams for a Go Be Great award in one or more of the following categories: Crowd Leader, Ambassador, Spirit Raiser, Athlete, Entertainer, and Leader.

During various awards ceremonies throughout the weekend, 11 Nominees and 5 Winners were awarded live on stage for the impact they made in their communities. Each nominee was awarded a Go Be Great patch and the 5 winners received a plaque that they could proudly take back to their schools. In addition, members of each squad were interviewed on stage to share what being a part of these community service projects meant to them and their teams. The stories ranged from participating in walks to end Alzheimer’s, providing support after tragic community events, opening new schools with pride and spirit, and even caroling at retirement homes during the Holidays.

Congratulations to the schools listed below for being extraordinary role models in their communities and exemplifying the characteristics of what it means to be a cheerleader. 

5 schools recognized as Winners:

• Americas High School, El Paso, TX (Ambassador)
• Cascia Hall Prep High School, Tulsa, OK (Ambassador)
• Kittatinny Regional High School, Newton, NJ (Ambassador/Spirit Raiser)
• Pieper Ranch Middle School, San Antonio, TX (Ambassador/Spirit Raiser)
• Santa Fe Junior High School, Santa Fe, TX (Spirit Raiser)

11 schools recognized as Nominees:

• Lampasas High School, Lampasas, TX (Ambassador)
• Mount Sacred Heart, San Antonio, TX (Spirit Raiser)
• Pacific High School, Pacific, MO (Ambassador)
• Plano West Senior High School, Plano, TX (Ambassador)
• St. Pius X, Albuquerque, NM (Ambassador)
• Penncrest High School, Media, PA (Ambassador)
• Southeast Polk High School, Pleasant Hill, IA (Ambassador)
• Southern Columbia High School, Catawissa, PA (Ambassador)
• Tioga Junior High, Pineville, LA (Leadership)
• United South High School, Laredo, TX (Ambassador/Leadership)
• Wolcott High School, Wolcott, CT (Spirit Raiser)

Want to meet the 5 Go Be Great Award Winners? Check out this article from Varsity TV!