Cheerleading Squad¹s Focus Reevaluated by Administration
The
Marian cheerleaders begin All Hail
at the end of every pep rally.
They always have something to cheer about, especially at State Spirit
Spectacular, more commonly known as Metros. However, next year they won¹t be cheering for themselves.
Although
the cheerleaders placed first and second during their last two years of
competition at Metros, the 2004-2005 squad will not be competing. Lately, many rumors have traveled
throughout the halls trying to concoct some reason why.
Junior
cheerleader Cassie Samuelson said, ³They never truly gave a reason [for why we
couldn¹t compete.] At camp we
brought home all but one award.²
They went to Metros where they placed second and planned to go to state
and another competition.
The
cheerleaders petitioned Miss Elizabeth Kish and cheerleading coach Miss Megan
Piernicky to reconsider. A meeting
was held with both parties and some parents, but the outcome remained the same
no competing.
Many
commented on the shift in focus.
Competitive cheerleading has different purposes and values.
³School
spirit is our sole purpose,² Piernicky said. The purpose was starting to shift and noticeable problems
were appearing. With poor
attendance at varsity games, the cheerleaders¹ energy was for competing, not
spirit.
Samuelson
said, ³We had a game on a Thursday, and we all showed up. On Friday, there was an away game, but
we didn¹t know about it. We also
thought that away games were optional.
The following Monday, we were told we couldn¹t compete.²
Dance
team moderator Mrs. Michelle Delisi said, ³Sometimes there were only three
cheerleaders at a varsity game.²
Kish
said, ³There is nothing wrong with competitive cheerleading, but the school
could not support both.²
School
spirit was not the only explanation for not competing. Another issue emerged: cost. Cheerleading is an expensive
sport. It is different from most
Marian sports because the cheerleaders pay for everything themselves. With the uniforms costing more than
$300 and camp fees at $200, Piernicky stressed that it was getting too expensive. Other schools also hire choreographers
from around the country. She
continued to say that cheerleading should not be about who has money and who
doesn¹t. She didn¹t want the ³pay
to play² attitude to escalate.
Still,
the cheerleaders were upset, and tryouts were coming up. At the first meeting before tryouts,
about 25 students were interested in trying out. The number soon dwindled, dropping to 10 at tryouts. Eight girls made the squad.
Samuelson
was the only junior at tryouts.
After the first day she had doubts about trying out. After two years on the squad she
decided not to continue.
She
said, ³If I had doubts, there was something that was wrong.²
The
new squad will be very young. Since no upcoming seniors tried out, there will
be four juniors and four sophomores on the squad. Five of the new cheerleaders have no prior cheerleading
experience.
The
girls are already learning cheers for the upcoming pep rallies and camp. The cheerleaders are ready to
refocus. They have many new ideas
for interactive pep rallies and spirit builders. They plan to attend more games and better serve their
school.
³Competition
is not the enemy,² said Piernicky.
³We had a wonderful year and a great squad. This new squad is great, too.²
The
new squad is excited and working hard.
The cheerleaders hope to see many positive results from the change.