FloCheer is highlighting the small gyms and programs that help elevate All Star cheer and build champion athletes on and off the mat for Small Gym September. This week, we’re sharing the story of Maine Stars - the first program to ever bring home a World Championship title in the state of Maine!

Quick Hits with Maine Stars:

• Location: Eliot, ME
• First Year: 2001 - Celebrating 25 years this upcoming season! 
• Number of Teams This Season: 11 teams - 8 Elite Teams, 3 Prep Teams 
• Website: Click here for more

The Story of Maine Stars: 

"I was just a small town girl who loved the competitive cheer world. The success of five state championships achieved by our local high school where I coached made people believe. A former athlete and I peeked into the window of a commercial building and saw a dirt floor. I inquired, and the foundation was laid for Maine Stars to be born! I did not do any of this alone...I had the loyalty and support of many talented coaches and athletes! We begin our 25th season this year because of the passion and commitment we all feel for competitive cheer. You don’t realize the true value of it until you live it… I am proud to say I love it as much today as I did when I first started. Here’s to the past, present and future… #blessed"

- Lori McPherson - Owner of Maine Stars 

Fun Facts about Maine Stars: 

Maine Stars say they are honored to give back and do this yearly by supporting St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their Worlds-level team (Maine Stars Glory) has showcased at CHEERSPORT's Friday Night Live, which supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. But, it's not only Glory - the entire gym gets involved to participate in fundraising efforts. Maine Stars say they are proud to have been in the top five for funds raised for the past five years. 

Another fun fact that Maine Stars shared is that this small gym did not have a Worlds-level team until 2017. "It took us a while to get there, however, in 2018 (which was our first year at Worlds), we brought home a Silver Globe. In 2024, we brought home a bronze one, and in 2025 we finished the set with a Gold!" said Lori McPherson. 

Maine Stars says the program lives by the mantra, "Grateful for Today." Each team will end each practice by saying it as a team. The athletes have learned to live by this - being grateful for the opportunities they have every day, whether it’s through cheer or in their everyday life. 

Proud Moments & Accomplishments: 

Our gym has been blessed to win many titles. Most recently in 2025, our Youth 3 team won CHEERSPORT and The Youth Summit for the second year in a row. Our Senior Coed 5 team Savage also won CHEERSPORT and The D2 Summit for the second consecutive year. Our first-ever Junior 6 team won CHEERSPORT and The D2 Summit. Our Worlds team Glory won NCA All-Star Nationals and brought home the Gold in the Limited XS Coed division - making them the first ever team from Maine to win The Cheerleading Worlds. 

It’s important to mention that all of the teams at Maine Stars are successful. Every team is important to us and our goal is to always work hard to be in contention for the top spot. However, we realize you can’t win everything. We work hard every day to be better than the day before!

- Lori McPherson - Owner of Maine Stars 

What Makes Maine Stars Special:

"I would have to say that we are small, but we are mighty! We are blessed to have a cheer family of amazing coaches, parents, friends, and athletes. We live by the term, “All in,” and that’s why we are proud to say that we are celebrating our 25th year as a competitive All-Star cheer gym." 

Follow Along With Small Gym September On Social

Follow us on Twitter @FloCheer

Follow us on Instagram @FloCheer 

Follow us on TikTok @FloCheerTV

Watch us on YouTube @FloCheer

Like us on Facebook @FloCheer