Sam Houston high Cheerleader tryout packet 2017-2018
Dear Cheerleader, To be a cheerleader at Sam Houston High School is a privilege. Cheerleaders are not only expected to promote school spirit by attending all required athletic events and extracurricular activities, they are held to a high standard of character as they are role models both on and off campus. We will expect the 2017 2018 Varsity and Junior Varsity squads to strive towards excellence in every aspect of life. Beyond the jumps, tumbling, and cheers practiced as a Bronco cheerleader, you should also learn the value of leading with integrity and how to work hard and effectively together as a team towards a common goal. Cheerleading is a serious responsibility, and we hope that you, as the candidate, would thoughtfully consider the time commitment and integrity this role requires. If you make the squad, cheerleading must become a major priority. Since you, as a Bronco cheerleader, are not only a performer, but an ambassador and leader, school cheerleading may take precedence over other extra-curricular activities, including other Bronco activities, jobs, and competitive cheerleading. Also, as soon as you put on a Bronco uniform, your reputation will reflect directly upon the rest of the squad. You must assume the spirit and habits of an effective leader and role model. Responsibility, self-motivation, kindness, and maturity will be practiced by the entire squad. We wish you the best of luck with try-outs! Sincerely, Sara Blankenship SHHS Cheer Coach
2017-2018 Sam Houston High School CHEERLEADERS APPLICATION 1. Candidates must be enrolled as 8th-11th grade students during the year of tryouts. 2. Applicants must have and maintain an overall 2.0 average calculated using 9-weeks averages (not semester averages) for the current school year in all classes and must be passing 6 classes as of the last grade reporting period prior to tryouts. 3. Applicants must have discipline above normal standards and should strive to continue a clean discipline record in the office. 4. Applicants trying out should have discipline above normal standards and should strive to continue a clean discipline record in the office. 5. All applicants must be willing to give freely of their time for all Cheerleader activities and preparation for these activities. 6. Candidates should be capable of performing all the essential functions of a cheerleader (jumps, stunts and tumbling). A mandatory physical exam must be performed and passed after cheer tryouts to be eligible to continue on the cheer team. 7. Applicants shall not become involved in any questionable activities (No drinking, smoking, or inappropriate websites/twitter/instagram/ Facebook/ MySpace profiles). Doing so may result in immediate removal from the squad. 8. All applicants must be willing to do their share in all fundraising activities. 9. All applicants must have access to transportation. 10. All applicants and their parents must be willing to meet all financial obligations on time. 11. All candidates must attend all mandatory summer, post and pre school practices. NO EXCEPTIONS other than hospitalization and death of immediate family!! 12. Candidates are strongly encouraged to attend each day of the pre tryout clinic in order to be as well prepared as possible for tryouts. Should a candidate not be present during a clinic session, he/she is responsible for learning any missed material on his/her own time from other participants; clinic leaders are NOT permitted to provide makeup instruction. (Other participants are NOT required to help you if you miss a session.) Tryout practice is April 6 th, 3:30pm to 7pm in the girls gym at SHHS. 13. **Candidates may NOT acquire help outside of clinic instruction time from ANY of the seniors on Varsity. Doing so will result in immediate disqualification from the try out process. 14. Applicants must agree with all Cheerleader Guidelines and Standards in this packet and be willing to abide by these standards. 15. All applicants will wear appropriate clothing during tryout clinic days. Shirts should abide by dress code (no spaghetti straps or sport bras) and shorts should cover all areas. Shoes are mandatory. In addition, candidates should not wear any jewelry. Any candidate not abiding by these rules will be asked to go home and change.
16. Students trying out must attend school all day on both April 6 th and April 7 th. 17. All applicants will wear black shorts and a white t-shirt for tryouts. (No tank, sleeveless, or tight fitting attire. Shirt should adhere to dress code standards). Shirt should be tucked in and the shorts should definitely cover all areas. Solid white shoes must be worn (no colored stripes or shoe strings)..no megaphone, cheer socks, etc. Hair should be pulled back tightly into a high ponytail. A solid white ribbon/bow is optional. If candidate is not dressed according to guidelines on try-out day, they will be asked to go home and change and if miss their call time, will be disqualified from tryout process. 18. Try outs are April 7th at 4:30 p.m. in the girl s gym at SHHS. 19. The squad list will be posted that evening approximately 2 hours after tryouts. 20. In the event of a tie, we use a call back procedure. During the call back procedure, each candidate s score sheets will be destroyed and the judges will re-score candidates in question. The new scores will then be used. We only use this IF there is a tie on the overall score of the three judges total AND the candidates in question are the last candidates before the natural score break. 21. All 2017 2018 cheerleaders will attend mandatory summer cheer camp and all pre-camp practices (which will be mandatory). Summer camp is usually within the first two weeks of June 2017. 22. Summer practices will begin sometime in August (mandatory). 23. Cheerleaders serve as ambassadors of Sam Houston High School. As such, they are frequently asked to participate in public service, community and inter-district activities. 24. It is a requirement that all cheerleaders must tumble in order to be eligible to tryout except the seniors for the year 2017-18 who are grandfathered in. On the first day of the cheer tryout clinic, all cheerleaders must show a minimum of a standing backhand spring. 25. Costs will depend on whether a cheerleader is on Varsity and/or JV squad(s) and if they are returning or new, and range from approximately $1,000 to $1,200. This can be paid in full or in three (3) equal payments which will be due in 2 week increments starting after the Easter Holiday. (dates will be discussed in parent meeting) 26. Upon making the team, cheerleaders must maintain a 2.0 overall GPA and pass a minimum of six (6) classes during a semester. Candidates will draw for their participant number on Friday, April 7 th and will be divided into groups of 3/4. During try-outs, each individual cheerleader will perform his or her tumbling, jumps and the cheer. Then, each group will perform the dance. Candidates will remain in numerical order throughout the rotation. We will move rapidly so endurance is important! The selection process will be based upon the natural break system. Keep in mind there is no minimum number. We aim to uphold the standards and technical ability of the Sam Houston Cheerleading program.
The following scale will be used for selection of Sam Houston High School Cheerleaders RUNNING TUMBLING TOE TOUCH JUMP OF CHOICE STANDING TUMBLING CHEER SPIRIT BAND DANCE TECHNIQUE (1-10) TOTAL SCORE HEIGHT HEIGHT /10 TECHNIQUE TOTAL SCORE /10 TECHNIQUE TOTAL SCORE /10 TECHNIQUE (1-10) TOTAL SCORE MOTION PLACEMENT/ TECHNIQUE VOICE PROJECTION & CLARITY MOTION PLACEMENT/TE CHNIQUE KNOWLEDGE OF CHEER OVERALL EFFECT KNOWLEDGE OF DANCE Standing Tumbling (10 points Total) **Technique dependent** Back Handspring (1) 4 points Multiple Handsprings 6 points Back handspring back tuck 8 points Standing back tuck 10 points Running Tumbling (10 points Total) **Technique dependent** PRESENTATION APPEARANCE PRESENTATION VOICE PROJECTION & CLARITY FACIAL EXPRESSIONS /10 TOTAL SCORE /20 TOTAL SCORE /20 RHYTHM TOTAL SCORE /20 GRAND TOTAL /100 SHHS Cheerleading Tumbling Skills Points Break Down Front Walkover/Aerial/ Round off Round off back handspring Round off multiple back handsprings Round off/cartwheel back tuck Round off back layout Round off back handspring back tuck Round off back handspring layout Round off back handspring full 1 point 3 points 4 points 5 points 6 points 8 points 9 points 10 points **If you stop and do not connect skills, the skill before the pause is counted and nothing afterwards will be. (Example, just because you do five front walk overs, does not mean you get 5 points Front Walk over = 1 point)
SHHS CHEERLEADER DEMERIT AND ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES (Effective April 7 th 2017 June 2018) A. In order to maintain discipline, a demerit system is set up for all cheerleaders to follow. The coaches are the ultimate authority regarding demerits. B. This system will be used from the time the squad is determined on April 7 th, 2017 to the end of the school year June 2018. C. All demerits will be recorded by the coaches and initialed by the cheerleader on run off days. D. Excused absences are defined as illnesses that have a doctor s excuse within 24 hours, church-related activities that have an email from a church affiliated email address to the sponsor or school-related functions that have been pre-approved by the coach (at least 2 weeks for a performance, 1 week for a missed practice, game or activity). Unexcused absences are defined as any absences that are not excused when referring to excused absences guidelines. E. Performances are defined as not only a choreographed routine for an assembly, but also all the practices that precede 2 weeks before the performance. Functions are defined as any other cheer activity that is not a performance, game or practice that requires attendance. The following demerit system will be enforced: DEMERITS ABSENCES EXCUSED 0 UNEXCUSED PRACTICE OR FUNCTION 3 UNEXCUSED GAME OR PERFORMANCE 5 FAILURE TO NOTIFY COACH WITHIN GIVEN TIME LIMITS EXCUSED PRACTICE 1 EXCUSED GAME OR FUNCTION 2 EXCUSED PERFORMANCE 3 UNEXCUSED ABSENCE PRACTICE OR FUNCTION 3 UNEXCUSED ABSENCE GAME OR PERFORMANCE 5 CHECKING OUT OF SCHOOL 1 TARDIES LESS THAN 10 MINUTUES TO PRACTICE 1 LESS THAN 10 MINUTUES TO GAME, FUNCTION OR PERFORMANCE 2 MORE THAN 10 MINUTES OF INITIAL ARRIVAL TO PRACTICE 2 MORE THAN 10 MINUTES OF INITIAL ARRIVAL TO GAME, FUNCTION OR PERFORMANCE 3 MORE THAN 1 MINUTE AFTER HALFTIME OR BREAK 1 EARLY DEPARTURE (MORE THAN 15 MINUTES EQUALS AN ABSENCE) EXCUSED 0 UNEXCUSED PRACTICE 2 UNEXCUSED FUNCTION, GAME OR PERFORMANCE 3
One (1) demerit issued for: Two (2) demerits issued for: Three (3) demerits issued for: 1. Unnecessary talking and/or not cheering. 2. Wearing jewelry during practice or games. 3. Chewing gum. 4. Not wearing hair in specified manner. 5. Failure to have complete and correct practice clothes and notifying coach. 6. Not having correct accessories for a game/pep rally/event (includes pompoms, megaphone, shoes, bloomers, hair bow, signs, etc.) 7. Visible body piercings or tattoos. 8. Getting a dress code violation in school. 9. Getting a cell phone violation in school. 10. Failure to turn in items on time (paperwork, payments, report card, etc...) 1. Not having correct uniform for a game/pep rally/event. Five (5) demerits issued for: Eight (8) demerits issued for: Disciplinary Action for Demerits: 1. Receiving disciplinary action from an administrator (other than dress code or cell phone). 2. Failure to perform to the fullest ability at games Performing skills from tryouts 3. Poor attitude or poor sportsmanship at school or in the community while in uniform. 4. Coach receiving negative teacher/administration report. 1. The use of hateful language. 2. Negative remarks regarding program, teammates or coaches 3. Misrepresenting program and/or school on any forms of social media, which does NOT call for immediate dismissal. ***(See dismissal #13) 1. The use of profanity to students or staff. 2. Disrespect or insubordination to Sponsor, captain, or fellow teammates. 3. Knowingly lying to sponsor. 4. Suspension from school depending on seriousness of suspension, could also be dismissed from squad (other than dress code or cell phone). For every demerit issued, the cheerleader is required to run 1 mile. Between each lap during the mile he/she will need to complete 10 burpees. These miles will be run before/after practice. The time and date must be prearranged with Coach Blankenship. Example: 1 demerit = 1 mile and 40 burpees. 2 demerits = 2 miles and 80 burpees. Suspension: * Three to six- week suspension from the squad: 1. Any disciplinary action resulting in assignment to out-of-school suspension. (3 week) 2. Accrual of eight (8) demerits. (3 week) 3. Any negative communication and/or altercation between opposing fans, players, or school representatives. (3 week) *Six week suspension from the squad if Cheerleader accrues nine(9) demerits. *Depending on the nature of behavior, a longer suspension period may be enacted by the Administrator and Sponsor. *Cheerleaders are mandated to attend ALL assigned practices, events and games etc. while on disciplinary probation and participate in 7 th period practices. Cheerleader will also be expected to sit with coach at assigned games.
*The Sponsor, along with Administrator approval, may place a Cheerleader on probation at any time for any infraction of the Sam Houston Cheerleader Guidelines, Sam Houston Cheerleading Constitution, and/or CPSB Student Code of Conduct or as deemed necessary. Suspension until Judgment Rendered: 1. Any cheerleader who receives a ticket involving alcohol or drugs or a criminal act shall be put on probation until the student s violation is investigated by authorities and guilt/innocence has been found. 2. Any Cheerleader, who accepts deferred adjudication in lieu of a finding of guilt or innocence in a criminal proceeding, shall be placed on probation until the end of the school year or until a judgment of not guilty is rendered whichever occurs first. Dismissal: (by the coach s discretion through end of current school year) 1. Accrual of ten (10) demerits. 2. Cheerleaders found or discovered stealing/fighting (physical or verbal) will be dismissed. 3. Cheerleaders found or discovered using alcohol, smoking, or using illegal drugs, in or out of uniform, either on or off school premises will be dismissed. 4. Cheerleaders may be dismissed at any time for violation of the Sam Houston Cheer Constitution, Sam Houston Cheerleading guidelines, or CPSB Code of Conduct as deemed necessary by the administrator in charge and/or Coach. 5. A cheerleader who receives three (3) or more failing grades, or has a GPA under 2.0 in one semester will be immediately dismissed from the squad. This requirement includes all classes including those identified as Advanced Courses. 6. Any cheerleader who pleads guilty or is convicted of a misdemeanor involving alcohol or drugs or a criminal act or a felony shall be removed from the cheerleader squad for the remainder of the school year. 7. Any disciplinary action resulting in CPAS placement. 8. Any major school disciplinary action. 9. More than two (2) ISS referrals. 10. Leaving a practice or event unwarranted. 11. A Cheerleader who is placed on repeated restrictions (probations) for failure to establish/maintain proper conduct or attitude according to organization by-laws may be dismissed from the squad. 12. Any cheerleader who participates in activity which meets the definition of hazing or who fails to report such activity will be dismissed from the squad immediately. 13. Any student member of an extracurricular organization or campus club (e.g. band/dance team/cheerleader/athlete/student council, etc.) representing themselves, or their organization, in an unfavorable, questionable or illegal manner through electronic media (i.e. websites, personal home pages, blogs, text messages, chat rooms or similar websites/files accessible through a server or internet) or using electronic communication devices in such a way as to bring discredit, dishonor, or disgrace on their organization or members of any other school organization including themselves (i.e. camera phones, digital photos, electronic descriptions) will be subject to the disciplinary actions determined by appropriate school officials and/or organization sponsors/directors/coaches, including probation or dismissal from the organization. *Once a Cheerleader is dismissed they are not allowed to wear any Cheerleader attire or uniform pieces to school or in public. Cheerleader dismissed will be eligible to try out for the following year if able to meet candidate standards at time of try outs.* **A cheerleader who is found to have been untruthful during a disciplinary investigation will receive a more stringent disciplinary sanction than would normally be imposed. This consequence might involve a longer probationary period or dismissal from the squad. **When a cheerleader is on probation, she may not participate in any performance activities or represent the Cheerleaders at any time. Regular practice and work sessions will continue as part of the course requirements. Cheerleader may not wear any spirit wear attire during the probationary period with the exception of practice. During games or performances, the cheerleader on suspension will sit with the coach. **One offense may result in several demerits. **Should a cheerleader choose to terminate their position on the squads, they will lose their opportunity to try out the following school year.
We have read the Demerits Guidelines. We understand and support the responsibilities and consequences involved with being an SHHS Cheerleader and our signatures below confirms that. Candidate s signature: Date: Parent s signature: Date: I understand that I will be held accountable for tumbling skills completed at try outs and will be expected to perform these skills throughout the year at football, basketball games and Pep rallies and understand that I will receive demerits according to the guidelines for not performing to my fullest potential. (Candidate Signature) Sam Houston High School CHEER CANDIDATE STATEMENT My parent and I have read the application and agree with the requirements to be a Bronco cheerleader. If elected as part of the squad, I will do my best to honor the time commitment and will uphold the standards of integrity expected of me. At this time, I would like to place my name in the running for 2017 2018 Bronco cheerleader. Student Name: Student Signature: Date: Parent Name: Parent Signature: Date: **I will get the following information from your counselor: Current GPA: # of discipline referrals:
CHECKLIST FOR FORMS TO TURN IN ON Thursday, April 6th, BY 3:30 pm Turn in to Front Office or Coach Blankenship s Room. 1. Sam Houston High School Cheer Candidate Statement 2. SHHS Cheerleader Demerit Guidelines Acknowledgement 3. Tryout Skill Statements and Signatures Form 4. CPSB Tryout waiver 5. Copy of Insurance card. 6. $15 tryout judges fee. 7. Copy of most recent Report Card