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NDCCA Cheer Honors and Grants
Team Awards, Grants, Scholarships and Coach Awards

The North Dakota Cheer Coach Association believes cheerleaders and cheer teams in North Dakota should be recognized for their hard work and dedication to cheerleading and academics, as well as to their schools and communities. 

Cheer Team Scholar Award
(Non- Monetary)

NDCCA Cheer Team Scholar Award program is open to all NDCCA members' cheer teams (Varsity, JV, Middle School).

 

Guidelines

  • The NDCCA will award Cheer Team Scholar Awards at State Competition each year.

 

  • Cheer teams need to achieve a 3.2 cumulative GPA computed from the grading period during the team’s season. (If using a different grading system, convert to 4.0 scale).​

 

To apply, please fill out a Cheer Team Scholar Award Application.

 

  • Award deadline: January 9th of each year.

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Elite Senior Award
(Non- Monetary)

The North Dakota Cheer Coach Association Elite Senior Award is presented to Senior Varsity cheerleaders from the state of North Dakota. They are the cheerleaders that cheer coaches can rely on the most because of their hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to cheerleading and their cheer program.

 

Qualities found in a Senior Cheer Award nominee: 

  • Enthusiastic

  • supportive of the cheer coach and their teammates

  • a good leader

  • a positive role model for others

  • accountable and responsible. 

 

Cheerleading ability is not a deciding factor. Elite Senior Award winners are truly dedicated to cheerleading and the positive impact it has had on their lives.

 

Guidelines

  • Four Senior Varsity cheerleaders whose cheer coach is a member of the NDCCA are eligible. 

 

  • The NDCCA Senior Award recipients will be recognized at State Competition.

 

  • Each coach may nominate a maximum of four senior cheerleaders.

 

To apply, please fill out the Elite Senior Award recommendation. 

 

  • Application deadline will be December 20th.

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Senior Recognition
(Non- Monetary)

During the Fall and Winter competitions, ALL Senior Cheerleaders will be recognized for their participation in cheerleading. Each athlete will be given a certificate and ribbon.

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Please fill out the: Senior Recognition Form

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  • Regional Competition deadline: November 7, 2026

Cheer Coach Longevity Award
(Non- Monetary)

The NDCCA recognizes cheer coaches for their years of service, and the important role they play in helping their cheerleaders learn the fundamentals of cheerleading, along with important life skills - hard work, discipline, team work, responsibility, etc.

 

Since these individuals deserve to be recognized, the NDCCA presents awards to the coaches for attaining a significant number of years of service (5, 10, 15, etc.) during the state competition.

 

The recognition program is open to all NDCCA members. 

Coach of the Year Award
(Non- Monetary)

The NDCCA Coach of the Year is someone who made a significant impact in cheerleading, their school, and the lives of those they have coached. They exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and moral character. Coaches are nominated by their peer coaches in North Dakota.

 

Guideline​

  • Coaches must have coached a minimum of 3 years.

 

  • Deadline to nominate: December 1st of each year.

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  • If there are no nominations for "Coach of the Year" by December 1st, the board will nominate 3 NDCCA member coaches. These coaches will be presented and voted on by the membership of NDCCA by January 1st.

 

To nominate a current NDCCA member who meets these qualifications, please use the Coach of the Year- Nomination form.

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Coaches who are nominated please fill our the Coach of the Year- Nominee Form

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Past Recipients

2025-2026 Carly Johnson, Minot North HS

2024-2025 Jennifer Larrieu, WF Sheyenne HS

2023-2024 Jennifer Lawson, Willison HS

2022-2023 Courtney Pierce, Mandan HS

2021-2022 Tammy Duursma, Century HS

2019-2020 Angie Speiser, Minot HS

2018-2019 Cebe Schneider, Dickinson HS

2017-2018 Ramona Borke, Hillsboro-Central Valley HS

2016-2017 Barb Reese, Stanley HS

2015-2016 Billie Ann Caya, Bismarck HS

2014-2015 Paula Goldmann, Beulah HS

NDCCA Senior Scholarship

The North Dakota Cheer Coaches Association (NDCCA) is proud to invest in the future of our student-athletes through the NDCCA Scholarship Program.

Each year, the NDCCA awards $5,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, community involvement, and dedication to cheerleading.

 

Scholarship Opportunities

The following scholarships are available annually:

  • 3 Scholarships — $1,000 each

  • 2 Scholarships — $500 each

  • 4 Scholarships — $250 each

Total Scholarships Awarded: $5,000

 

Eligibility & Application Guidelines

To be considered for an NDCCA Scholarship, the following must be submitted:

  • Completed NDCCA Senior Scholarship Application by the cheerleader.

  • Completed Cheer Coach Recommendation Form by the athlete's cheer coach.

Application Deadline:
All scholarship applications and coach recommendation forms must be submitted by December 20 each year.

 

Selection Process

To ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation process:

  • The Scholarship Committee will appoint judges representing both Class AA and Class A/B schools.

  • All applications will be reviewed anonymously. Applicants' names and schools will be removed before judging.

  • Scholarships will be awarded based on the established scholarship criteria and the strength of each application.

 

Scholarship Awards

  • Scholarship recipients will be announced during the NDCCA State Cheer Competition.

  • Winners will receive a recognition certificate during the awards ceremony.

  • Recipients will complete a form identifying the college, university, or accredited post-secondary institution they plan to attend.

  • Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s educational institution.

The NDCCA is honored to recognize and support student-athletes as they continue their educational journey beyond high school. We encourage all eligible seniors to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.

NDCCA Team Grant

The North Dakota Cheer Coaches Association (NDCCA) is committed to supporting cheer programs across North Dakota through the NDCCA Team Grant Program.

Funding for NDCCA grants is derived from revenue generated through NDCCA cheer competitions. Each year, up to $5,000 in grant funding may be awarded to member programs. Individual grants may be awarded for up to $500 per application.

Grant funding is available to help cheer programs improve safety, enhance athlete experiences, and provide opportunities for growth and development.

 

Eligible Funding Requests

NDCCA member cheer coaches may apply for funding in areas including, but not limited to:

  • School-issued uniforms

    • Funding is not available for personal items such as bodysuits, tennis shoes, or other individually owned apparel.

  • Travel expenses for NDCCA-sponsored events

  • Safety equipment and supplies, such as mats

  • Coach registration fees for professional development opportunities

  • Other requests that demonstrate a meaningful need and support the success of the cheer program

 

Grant Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • The requested funding will have a lasting impact on the cheer program.

  • The application has received approval from the school district administration.

  • Matching funds from another organization or source are encouraged, but not required.

 

Selection Process

  • Grant applications will be reviewed quarterly during NDCCA Board meetings.

  • Grant funding is not guaranteed and may not be awarded each quarter or each year.

  • Applications that are not selected for funding may be resubmitted for future consideration.

  • Teams selected for funding may be asked to provide additional information before a final decision is made.

 

Application Guidelines

To apply, coaches must submit a completed NDCCA Team Grant Application that includes:

  • A description of the grant request

  • The need or challenge the funding will address

  • Who will benefit from the funding

  • Any other funding sources already secured or anticipated

  • Whether ongoing funding will be needed

The application must be signed by:

  • The applicant (who will serve as the primary contact person)

  • A school administrator who has reviewed and approved the request

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Recipient Requirements

Grant recipients agree to the following:

  • Provide the following if requested by NDCCA:

    • The item(s) purchased

    • How the purchase benefited the team

    • The total amount spent

  • If applicable, items purchased with NDCCA grant funds become part of the school's inventory.

  • If the approved project cannot be completed by the proposed date, the recipient must notify NDCCA as soon as possible.

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Application Timeline

Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year and will be reviewed quarterly by the NDCCA Board quarterly.

NDCCA is proud to support cheer programs across North Dakota and encourages member coaches to apply for funding opportunities that will positively impact their athletes and programs.

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