My girls had a cheer competition last week in which they qualified for nationals. They had also entered a different (sponsor) cheer competition about 2 or 3 weeks before which they also qualified for nationals as well. The first one is going to be in Las Vegas and the second is going to be in Disneyland. But, my girls won't be going. As a matter of fact, none of the cheer squads will be going.
There was a parent meeting at the school last night between the principal and cheer parents. I wasn't able to attend, because there was so much I had to do before my girls' music concert which happened to be on the same night. I did get the gist of the meeting from one of the moms. NO competitions over 75 miles because the school is liable. This same mom said that she stepped up and mentioned that we get NO support from the school as far as our squads go. She also said that the principal said that she loves our cheerleaders, but also that it was said without feeling.
I think it's highly unfair the way our cheerleaders get treated by this principal in relation to the basketball team. Heck, probably even the volleyball team gets more preference. While the basketball and volleyball teams get to practice in the gym, our girls have been forced to practice outside in either extreme heat or extreme cold weather. When it was brought up that cheer could use the gym as long as they 'scheduled' it, some people were probably thinking 'yeah, right'. The real story was that cheer was only allowed to use it on Fridays. Want to know how many Fridays they got to use it? Probably only 3 times...if that.
I know that a LOT of people don't look at cheerleading as a sport, but it IS recognized as such at higher levels. Some colleges are known just as much for their cheer squads as they are their basketball or football teams. It takes a lot of discipline, and yes, it's sometimes dangerous. All I know is that these girls worked very hard to earn the scores to put them through to nationals, and it's a shame that they can't try to see if they can really compete with other schools.
Funny how they say no competitions farther than 75 miles...the principal didn't even want the girls to compete at the one they just did last weekend. It was 10 minutes away. Is it because these girls are actually outshining the other sports? They had to remove a shelf in the case at school to put accomodate the trophy from their first competition. It was that big!
Another school in our three-school district was at the competition and also qualified. As far as we know, they are not allowed to go to Disneyland for nationals either. But something deep down inside tells me that we are the only ones being singled out, not by the district, but by the principal of the school-a person who is not really cut out for the job in my opinion. Sad that everyone in the school office, with the exception of the vice principal (who's new to the school this year), are just crappy to everyone and most of all the girls' coach. She volunteers her time so that girls can have some outlet after school. What does she get from the school in return? Not a 'thanks, you're doing a great job', but a lot of grief about cheer.
I have never seen, in all my life, a school get this way in regards to cheer. So am I the only one who sees where the problem lies? Oh yeah, there are pillars that are being taught to our children at the school. One happens to be fairness.
