Why Paper Plate Awards Are Perfect for Cheerleading Teams
Paper plate award ideas for cheerleading are a creative, budget-friendly way to recognize every team member's unique contributions at the end of the season. These DIY awards offer coaches a fun alternative to traditional trophies while ensuring every cheerleader feels valued and celebrated.
Quick Paper Plate Award Ideas for Cheerleading:
- Skill-Based: Best Jumps, Rock Solid Base, Fearless Flyer, Tumbling Dynamo
- Personality: Team Mom Award, Sunshine Award, Spirit Stick Incarnate
- Funny: Human Megaphone, Most Likely to Have Untied Shoes, Glitter Bomb Award
- Team Spirit: Best Smile, Most Encouraging Teammate, Dedication Award
Paper plate awards solve a common problem many coaches face: how to recognize everyone without breaking the budget. As one forum discussion revealed, a former cheerleader still fondly remembers receiving a paper plate "Team Mom" award from her senior year - proving these simple creations can be just as memorable as expensive trophies.
The beauty of paper plate awards lies in their inclusivity and personalization. Unlike traditional awards that create winners and losers, paper plates let you celebrate each athlete's individual strengths, quirks, and growth throughout the season. They're also incredibly affordable, costing just a few dollars for an entire team.
I'm Chase McKee RAS, Founder & CEO of Rocket Alumni Solutions, and I've seen how meaningful recognition builds stronger team culture and donor loyalty. While exploring paper plate award ideas for cheerleading offers a great starting point for team recognition, the principles of celebrating individual contributions apply across all athletic programs.
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Why Choose Paper Plate Awards for Your Cheer Squad?
When it comes to recognizing your cheerleaders, paper plate award ideas for cheerleading deliver something traditional trophies rarely do: affordable, highly personal recognition that includes everyone. Instead of ranking athletes, paper plates let you spotlight the quirks, strengths, and growth that make each teammate irreplaceable.
Because every athlete receives an award, these plates naturally foster team unity and reduce the competitiveness that can divide squads. The result is a ceremony filled with genuine laughter and keepsakes athletes treasure far longer than generic medals.
If you want a quick primer on why this works so well, look up the concept of intrinsic motivation. In short, people try harder—and stick around—when they feel personally valued rather than simply compared.
Celebrating Every Contribution
Ditching the usual "MVP" mindset forces coaches to really see their athletes as individuals. The quiet leader who never misses practice, the teammate who brings extra hair ties, or the rookie who powers through conditioning all deserve their moment.
For more creative end-of-season ideas, check out our guide on End of Season Sports Awards.
A Fun Twist on Tradition
Paper plate ceremonies turn banquets into celebrations packed with inside jokes and Instagram-worthy moments rather than stiff speeches. See more banquet inspiration in our list of Athletic Banquet Ideas.
The Ultimate List of Paper Plate Award Ideas for Cheerleading
Below is a streamlined, pick-and-mix catalogue you can adapt to any squad size. Keep descriptions short on the plates—just the title and athlete’s name—so the ceremony moves quickly.
- Best Jumps
- Rock Solid Base
- Fearless Flyer
- Tumbling Dynamo
- Loudest Cheer
- Sharpest Motions
- Most Flexible
- Best Dancer
- Most Improved Tumbler
Need more inspiration? Browse our list of Funny Superlatives.
Personality & Spirit Awards
- Team Mom/Dad
- Sunshine Award (positivity)
- Spirit Stick Incarnate
- Most Encouraging
- Dedication Award
- Leadership Award
- Best Smile
See how other schools show spirit in our School Spirit Showcase.
Funny & Unique Awards
- Human Megaphone
- Untied Shoes Specialist
- Glitter Bomb
- Best Snack Smuggler
- Punctuality Challenge
- Bow Houdini (loses bows)
- GPS Needed
- Energizer Bunny
- Best Reaction Face
- Trips Over Air
Use humor kindly—celebrate quirks your team already loves. For even more lighthearted ideas, visit Comical Superlatives Youth Sports Recognition.
How to Craft Your Own Cheerleading Paper Plate Awards
Creating paper plate award ideas for cheerleading is simple, budget-friendly, and doubles as a team-bonding activity. Involve captains or seniors for extra meaning.
Materials You'll Need
- Sturdy paper plates (white or team colors)
- Permanent markers or paint pens
- Glitter & ribbons (team colors)
- Glue & scissors
- Optional: stickers, foam letters, mini pom-poms
Quick Creation Guide
- Brainstorm titles—2–3 per athlete so you have options.
- Letter the title & name neatly in team colors.
- Add simple borders or icons (megaphone, star, pom-pom).
- Apply glitter sparingly for pop.
- Hot-glue a ribbon loop to hang.
- Write a one-line memory on the back.
Dry plates overnight before the ceremony. For design inspo, see Creative Award Designs.
Making Them Memorable: Personalization and Presentation Tips
The magic of paper plate award ideas for cheerleading happens not just in the crafting, but in how you present them. A thoughtfully planned ceremony transforms simple paper plates into treasured keepsakes that athletes will remember long after their cheerleading days end.
The difference between a good paper plate award and an unforgettable one lies in the personal touches. When you take time to make each award truly unique to its recipient, you're showing that you've noticed their individual contributions throughout the season. This attention to detail creates a positive experience that builds lasting memories.
Personalization is Key
The most meaningful paper plate awards tell a story about each athlete. Writing a personal memory on the back of each plate transforms it from a simple craft project into a genuine keepsake. Maybe it's remembering how Sarah always brought extra hair ties for teammates, or how Marcus could make everyone laugh during the toughest practices.
Involving team captains in creating awards often yields the best results. Captains spend countless hours with their teammates and notice things coaches might miss. They know who always volunteers to help with equipment, who gives the best pep talks before competitions, and who has the most creative pre-game rituals.
Matching the award to the individual's strengths requires observation throughout the season. The athlete who never complains during conditioning deserves recognition just as much as the one with the highest jumps. Look for the unique ways each person contributes to team chemistry and success.
Using inside jokes carefully can make awards extra special, but they should always be inclusive and affectionate. The best inside jokes are ones the whole team shares and that celebrate someone's endearing qualities rather than embarrassing moments.
Best Practices for Your Awards Ceremony
Creating a memorable awards ceremony requires planning, but the effort pays off in team morale and lasting memories. The key is matching your presentation style to the fun, inclusive spirit of paper plate awards.
Give every athlete an award - this is the golden rule of paper plate recognition. Unlike traditional awards that create winners and losers, these celebrations ensure everyone feels valued. The inclusive nature builds team unity and prevents anyone from feeling left out.
Announce with a personal story rather than just reading the award title. Share why this particular athlete earned this recognition. Tell about the time they stayed after practice to help a struggling teammate, or how their positive attitude lifted everyone's spirits during a difficult week.
Keep the mood upbeat and celebratory throughout the ceremony. Paper plate awards should spark laughter and joy. The informal nature creates a relaxed atmosphere where athletes can genuinely enjoy the moment without pressure or competition.
Present at an end-of-season party or banquet where the setting matches the spirit of the awards. A casual team gathering often works better than a formal ceremony for paper plate presentations. The relaxed environment lets personalities shine through.
Create a fun photo opportunity by setting up a backdrop or designated area where athletes can pose with their awards. These pictures become treasured memories and perfect social media content. Consider taking both individual photos and a group shot with everyone holding their awards.
The impact of inclusive recognition extends far beyond the ceremony itself. When every team member feels seen and valued, it creates a positive team culture that athletes carry with them throughout their lives. These simple paper plate awards often become the most cherished mementos from their cheerleading experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheerleading Awards
How do you keep funny awards from being hurtful?
Stick to quirks everyone already laughs about—like chronic glitter-spreading or legendary tardiness—while steering clear of sensitive topics (appearance, grades, family). When in doubt, ask another coach or a team captain to double-check the wording.
Does every cheerleader really need an award?
Yes. The whole advantage of paper plates is inclusive recognition. When each athlete feels seen, morale soars and cliques fade.
How can I generate a unique award for each person?
- Keep a season-long note of funny or heartfelt moments.
- Ask athletes to write one thing they’re proud of—great prompt for award ideas.
- Brainstorm with captains; they notice details coaches miss.
Awards don’t have to be long—"Playlist DJ" or "Hair-Tie Hero" can say plenty.
Conclusion
Paper plate award ideas for cheerleading transform end-of-season celebrations into meaningful moments that every athlete will remember. These creative, budget-friendly awards prove that recognition doesn't need to be expensive to be impactful - sometimes the most treasured keepsakes are the ones made with personal thought and care.
What makes paper plate awards truly special is how they celebrate the whole person, not just athletic performance. Your "Rock Solid Base" knows you noticed their unwavering reliability, while your "Human Megaphone" feels seen for their incredible spirit. These personalized touches create connections that last far beyond the final game, whether your squad is at a large university like Virginia Tech or a community-focused school like Marathon Central High School.
The ripple effects of inclusive recognition extend throughout your entire program. When every cheerleader receives meaningful acknowledgment, team unity strengthens and competitive pressure decreases. Athletes learn to celebrate each other's unique qualities instead of comparing achievements. The crafting process becomes a bonding experience, and the ceremony itself creates shared memories that bind your team together.
We've seen how simple materials - paper plates, markers, and ribbons - can create recognition that rivals expensive trophies in emotional impact. The key isn't in the materials but in the thoughtfulness behind each award. When you take time to observe your athletes and acknowledge their individual contributions, you're building the foundation for positive team culture.
At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we believe in the power of meaningful recognition to strengthen athletic communities. While paper plate award ideas for cheerleading provide immediate, personal celebration that your current team will treasure, we also help preserve these special moments for future generations. For a modern way to showcase your team's achievements and create lasting digital memories, explore how a touchscreen interactive digital awards display can complement your recognition program and keep your team's story alive for years to come.
