Our Story

Power Cheer began as Woodmen Power Cheer in 2021 with just one team and a big dream. Our fearless leader, Emme Lee, envisioned building a competitive cheer program for South Side families—one that kept costs low and removed the barriers that often prevent young athletes from accessing the sport they love.

Over the next couple of years, that vision started to take root. The program expanded to two teams, supported by a growing network of passionate volunteers who stepped up to make it all possible.

In April 2024, thanks to the tireless efforts of our incredible Mafia volunteers, we opened the doors to our very own gym! This exciting milestone allowed us to reach even more athletes and serve a larger portion of our South Side community.

Since then, we've continued to grow—now welcoming athletes from over six school districts in the area. As we’ve expanded, our identity evolved too, and we became simply Power Cheer—a name that reflects the unity and spirit of our entire Mafia family.

Now operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Power Cheer has flourished both in size and spirit. We’re proud to have six teams, with three of them heading to The Summit this April—a huge accomplishment for our program!

We remain committed to offering South Side youth the chance to experience competitive cheer, create lifelong memories, and be part of something truly special.