Calling anyone who is a cheerleader, wanna-be cheerleader, or simply wants to have an awesome time encouraging others!
Do you enjoy squeals and random jumps when something excites you?
Do you often rhyme words without meaning to and think you are brilliant?
Do you ever make up slogans for companies and think they should hire you?
Do you have an inner “pump it up” that is just waiting to be let out?
Are you considered the encourager in your family or group of friends?
Do you just enjoy lifting someone up with a word when they are having a rough time?
Do you enjoy using excessive exclamation marks and all cap letters?
If you answered yes to any of the above, or if you are simply wanting to be an encouragement to the wonderful world of readers for a day, we want YOU to be a cheerleader for the 24-hour read-a-thon!
Cheerleading? Um… this isn’t high school?
Cheerleaders in the Dewey’s 24-hour Read-a-Thon are awesome people that offer incredible support and encouragement to all of the readers during the read-a-thon by leaving comments on the blogs of the readers.
24 hours sounds like a long time….
Cheerleading does not have to be a 24 hour commitment. You can participate anywhere from 1 hour to 12+ hours. Plus, the time does not have to be consecutive. You can spread it out over the time of the read-a-thon.
Well, I can’t cheer, because I’m reading.
You can do both! Many readers take an hour or two to commit to cheering other readers on.
Will I have to visit every reader? The read-a-thon is only 24 hours….
Of course not! There are many, many readers involved in the read-a-thon. So we will be organizing and assigning cheerleading squads. You will be assigned to a certain squad and have a group of readers that your squad is responsible for.
I was not a cheerleader in high school. I don’t have cheers. And I don’t like pom-poms.
Me neither! I’ve never even used a pom-pom. It’s more about encouragement than short skirts. Every cheerleader has their own style. Some cheerleaders chose to offer simply encouraging phrases (“you are doing great. Keep up the good work!” You can do it!”) Others may use cheers or silly sayings. Often, cheerleaders take a cheer and modify it with things that apply to fit the read-a-thon. For example: “Austen, Hemingway, Rushdie, Poe… If they were here, I’m sure they’d say hello!” Some cheerleaders even use Twitter as their outlet by using the hashtag #readathon. You can do other fun things, like leaving a virtual cup of coffee, offering hugs or high-fives, etc. There are numerous ways to cheer – the options are endless. Additional tips can be found at the Cheerleading Headquarters (link – http://readathoncheerhq.wordpress.com/). Most importantly, there is no right or wrong way to cheer – only to let the readers know that they have others routing for them.
It sounds like fun. How do I participate?
Awesome! We cheerleaders have a blast. Simply sign up using the Google form below to volunteer. We will contact you within the week before the read-a-thon with your assigned cheer squad and other details needed.
Uh… I’m confused?
That’s ok. I usually I am, too. 
Just email me (Hannah) if you have questions: hmatkins (at) gmail dot com.
