2015 State Cheer & Dance

Shooting the State Cheer & Dance Competition is a pretty unique event.

Like any other state championship event, you have students from across the state. Some from small schools and others from the big metro schools. You have multi-sport athletes who also cheer. And then you have dedicated dancers who specialize in this type of event.

However the most unique part of this competition is the schedule. For more than 12 hours, you have groups going back-to-back every 2-3 minutes. There is only one major break, but other than that, there is no down time.

The main Callam photographer bounces between the two locations on the floor as the groups alternate from one end to the other. Back-and-forth. Group after group.

Add in loud, repetitive music (usually bad remixes of popular songs) and it’s an interesting day to power through.

But, State Cheer & Dance has another pretty awesome quality — the people.

There is always energy at the high school state championships. But the energy that these students bring to this event is unparalleled.

Exhibit A: When awards are announced, all competitors are welcomed to the floor (similar to any band competition awards — just with EVERY competitor). They start cheering. They start dancing. With every song that comes blaring over the sound system, everyone rises to sing & dance with the music.

Exhibit B: For every group on the floor, there is one row of priority seating right next to the court. Usually these seats are filled with coaches, families & friends. But more often that not, it also includes teams from other schools. It is pretty cool to see everyone support each other.

Exhibit C: There was a Taylor Swift look-a-like... (see below).

If you have never been to State Cheer & Dance, add it to your list. 

For more of our photos taken during State Cheer & Dance, check out Callam Sports Photography.