Collins Hill Cheer is taking Georgia high school cheerleading where it’s never gone before: the UCA High School National Cheerleading Championships in Orlando. After clinching the 6-A state title on December 4, the team’s season was expected to end due to Georgia High School Association (GHSA) bylaws prohibiting out-of-state competition.
But the Eagles weren’t done yet.
Head coach Katie Birkhead, her athletes, and a community of supporters launched a full-court press—petitioning GHSA with letters, emails, and calls. The result: GHSA granted Collins Hill permission to compete, opening the door not just for this team, but potentially for all Georgia high school cheerleaders moving forward.
“We’re going to nationals,” senior Aarelyn Starr told local media. “It was so crazy. We’ve worked so hard for this.”
It’s a landmark moment for Georgia cheer. No high school team from the state has ever competed at UCA Nationals, one of the sport’s most prestigious stages. Now Collins Hill will put their routines—and the state’s reputation—on the mat.
Birkhead said the bigger goal is to challenge GHSA policy long-term. “We want to change the bylaws so every high school athlete in the sport of cheerleading has the chance to compete at Nationals,” she said.
In the meantime, the team is focused on fundraising. With less than a week to meet a $40,000 goal, they’re hosting a cheer camp, selling merch, and accepting donations. As of now, they’ve raised 59% of the needed funds. Click here if you’re interested in supporting the team.
Now it’s about proving they belong and showing the nation what Georgia cheer can do.
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