Press Pass Academy: the ultimate journalism AND YEARBOOK experience

Exclusive to Varsity Yearbook and Varsity Spirit customers, your yearbook adviser and up to three staffers can travel with your school’s cheer or dance team for a hands-on journalism experience at the UDA National Dance Team Championship (NDTC) or UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) at Walt Disney World Resort.

Press Pass Academy: the ultimate journalism and yearbook experience

DON’T WAIT! Spots are filling!

Hotel Travel Packages are sold out, but you may still register as a Commuter!

As a Commuter, your school is responsible for your own lodging and transportation to the Walt Disney World Resort. Have questions? Reach out to PressPassAcademy@varsity.com.

VIEW THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE →

National Dance Team Championship:

Press Pass Academy: Arrive on Jan. 30; Stay through Feb 2 at Walt Disney World Resort

Competition: Begins Jan. 31 – Feb 2, 2025 at Walt Disney World Resort

NDTC PRICE SHEET

NDTC COMMUTER TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS

National HS Cheerleading Championship:

Press Pass Academy: Arrive on Feb. 6; Stay through Feb. 10 at Walt Disney World Resort

Competition: Feb. 7 – 10, 2025 at Walt Disney World Resort

NHSCC PRICE SHEET

NHSCC COMMUTER TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS

Capture Your School’s Experience

Your staff will have a front-row seat (literally) to document your school’s cheer or dance team as they compete on the national stage. They’ll have resume-worthy opportunities to practice interviewing, capture action photos and hone journalism skills in real life.

Interviews: Conduct and document interviews with top athletes and coaches.
Video Production: Shadow professional video production teams.
Meet ESPN Talent: Interact with ESPN personalities and learn on-camera reporting.
ESPN Media Tour: Get an insider’s look at ESPN’s operations.
Fireside Chats: Engage in career discussions with leaders from Varsity Spirit and Varsity Yearbook.

Capture Your School’s Experience

Over three days, students will capture the excitement of the competition while building valuable skills for both their yearbooks and future careers.

Interviews: Conduct and document interviews with top athletes and coaches.
Video Production: Shadow professional video production teams.
Meet ESPN Talent: Interact with ESPN personalities and learn on-camera reporting.
ESPN Media Tour: Get an insider’s look at ESPN’s operations.
Fireside Chats: Engage in career discussions with leaders from Varsity Spirit and Varsity Yearbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will yearbookers experience at Press Pass Academy?

Interviews: Conduct and document interviews with top athletes and coaches.
Video Production: Shadow professional video production teams.
Meet ESPN Talent: Interact with ESPN personalities and learn on-camera reporting.
ESPN Media Tour: Get an insider’s look at ESPN’s operations.
Fireside Chats: Engage in career discussions with leaders from Varsity Spirit and Varsity Yearbook.

View the tentative schedule here.

When should my school travel?

NDTC:

Press Pass Academy sessions will begin on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 1:00 p.m. It’s important that your yearbook staff arrives on Thursday for the venue tour, training sessions and rules and expectations overview.

NHSCC:

Press Pass Academy sessions will begin on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 1:00 p.m. It’s important that your yearbook staff arrives on Thursday for the venue tour, training sessions and rules and expectations overview.

When and how can my school (cheer/dance/yearbook) register?

Spots are filling!

Hotel Travel Packages are sold out, but you may still register as a Commuter!

As a Commuter, your school is responsible for your own lodging and transportation to the Walt Disney World Resort.

Complete the form below to initiate your registration. Once you submit your information and we process it, a Varsity Spirit Registration Specialist will reach out with next steps to finalize your trip. This experience is open to both Varsity Yearbook and Varsity Spirit customers. Connect with your school’s dance coach to determine if the dance team will be attending.

Please note: These events are very popular and space is limited. Be sure to connect with your school’s cheer or dance coach to ensure that they are attending these events. Have questions? Reach out to PressPassAcademy@varsity.com.

NDTC:

Register for Press Pass Academy at NDTC.

View pricing here.

View Commuter travel options.

NHSCC:

Register for Press Pass Academy at NHSCC.

View pricing here.

View Commuter travel options.

How much will it cost to attend?

Registration for NDTC opens Oct. 3 at 11 AM CST. View pricing here.

Registration for NHSCC opens Nov. 5. View pricing here.

A registration link will be emailed to advisers when both NDTC and NHSCC registration opens.

How many students can attend?

At this time, we can accommodate one yearbook adviser and three students per school. The yearbook adviser will act as main chaperone.

Who qualifies for this opportunity?

This exclusive opportunity is for schools that are current customers of Varsity Spirit (cheer or dance) and Varsity Yearbook for the 2024-2025 school year.

My yearbook staff would like to attend, but my school’s cheer or dance team will not be competing. Can we still attend?

Upon launch, this exclusive opportunity is for schools that are current customers of both Varsity Spirit (cheer or dance) and Varsity Yearbook. If space permits, other considerations may be addressed.

Looking for fundraising opportunities?

Raise money for Press Pass Academy with these easy-to-execute top performing fundraiser partners through Varsity Spirit.

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