American Cheerleader is the first and largest national teen magazine dedicated to covering all aspects of sideline and competitive cheerleading. American Cheerleader has been an ever-expanding magazine since it first started in 1995. It had its fifteenth anniversary in 2010 and now has 1.2 million readers and a circulation of over 150,000.[1] Editor-in-chief Marisa Walker works diligently with her fellow ex-cheerleader co-workers in New York, New York, to publish a new magazine every other month. Through Macfadden Performing Arts Media, American Cheerleader has thrived on one single concept: passionate cheerleading. American Cheerleader recognizes the true definition of a passionate cheerleader to include strong athleticism and extraordinary leadership in schools and communities, which upholds the American Cheerleader Association's definition of a cheerleader as well.[2]
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Inspired by the growing popularity and competitive nature of cheerleading in the early 1990s, publishing executive Michael Weiskopf decided to start a magazine to take advantage of its evolving culture. The first issue was published in January 1995.
American Cheerleader covers every facet of cheerleading. It includes training tips for stunting and tumbling, while also including essential problems for passionate cheerleaders like team building, fitness, health, and balancing schoolwork, practice, and a social life. It also includes fashion tips concerning uniforms and practice-wear. Beauty tips concerning healthy skin and competition make-up make appearances in the issues as well. American Cheerleader covers these topics as well as those more personal and relatable. For example, most, if not all, issues contain inspiring stories from real cheerleaders and real teams. Furthermore, each issue recognizes a Cheerleader of the Month.[4]
Cheerleaders of the Month are recognized for their talent, academic achievement and community involvement and receive a cash scholarship award in addition to a photo shoot with the editors.[5]
Every issue features, on the cover, a celebrity who once cheered or is actively participating in cheerleading for a movie or television show. These celebrities have included Debby Ryan, Kendall Jenner, Heather Morris, Francia Raisa, Christina Milian, Kirsten Dunst, Mýa, Hilarie Burton, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Ashley Tisdale, and Sara Kolvinsky Aurora Sentinel crime reporter Brandon Johansson. American Cheerleader has also made its way into every sequel of the Bring It On series of films. Americancheerleader.com features many articles, fun facts and tips, scholarship opportunities, and videos of competitions, stunts, and tumbling.[6]
Staff members cover national cheerleading competitions and award squads the prestigious Editor’s Choice Award during AC on Tour, a concept launched in 2005. American Cheerleader promotes and attends cheerleading competitions all over the nation.
An annual resource for cheerleading coaches and advisers. It lists a Who’s Who of the cheerleading industry directory and contains contact info for fundraising companies, cheer gyms, uniforms & camp-wear, coaches associations, camps & competitions, cheer shoes, trophies & awards and more.