Westlake High School Cheerleading 2017 2018 Tryout Packet
To Potential Cheerleaders and Parents: I would like to thank you for your interest in Westlake Cheerleading. Attached you will find the paperwork that will need to be completed and turned in no later than Friday, April 14 th. If you do not have all of your paperwork completed and on file, you WILL NOT be permitted to participate in tryouts. Please carefully review all of the information included in this packet and feel free to contact me if you have questions. High School Cheerleading is a VERY demanding and time-consuming sport that begins in April and does not finish until March. Each student needs to seriously consider the amount of time, hard work and dedication involved with cheering for Westlake High School before deciding to try out for the team. In order to be eligible to tryout to cheer at Westlake, cheerleaders must meet the following eligibility requirements. All cheerleaders must have a copy of their report card or transcripts in paperwork to check eligibility. They must have a 2.0 or 75 GPA from previous semester. Uprising 9 th graders must meet GPA requirement Uprising th graders must have 3 credits and meet GPA requirement Uprising 11 th graders must have credits and meet GPA requirement Uprising 12 th graders must have 17 credits and meet GPA requirement Tryouts are CLOSED to the public; there will be no exceptions! Tryouts will be held on Thursday, April 20 th from 4:00PM - 9:00 PM. You must wear a plain white t-shirt, black shorts, white gym shoes, and white socks. Please have your hair pulled back off of your face, NO jewelry, NO acrylic nails, and NO nail polish. The rosters for the 2017 2018 squads will be released by 3:30 pm on Friday April 21 st. A general expense sheet for participation on the team is also included in this packet. A more detailed account of expenses will be provided for those who make the team. Please read this packet carefully. It will be required that a Parent or Guardian sign and return the agreement sheet before you will be allowed to participate in tryouts. Please note that students and parents who make the team will need to attend a mandatory booster meeting on Monday, April 24 th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. At this meeting, the mandatory athletic fee ($250) is due and an additional payment of $225 is due to cover your camp deposit. We are looking forward to seeing you at tryouts. Please begin stretching, tumbling and getting into shape now! If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail Coach Clark, clarkam@fultonschools.org. Cheers and smiles Ashley Clark 2017 2018 Cheer Coaches Ashley Clark clarkam@fultonschools.org Cheerleading Program Director and Varsity Football Iyabo Johnson iyabo143@gmail.com Mesi Spencer spencerm@fultonschools.org Varsity Competition JV Sideline and JV Competition Toni Johnson johnsont13@fultonschools.org Elizabeth Thorne thornee@fultonschools.org 9 th Grade Sideline and JV Competition 9 th Grade Sideline Tierra Monteiro monteirot@fultonschools.org Jocelyn Young youngj5@fultonschools.org Varsity Basketball and Varsity Competition JV Sideline
2017 2018 TRYOUT INFORMATION Cheerleading Tryout Schedule: Monday, April 17 th o Sideline - (Conditioning, Motions, Jumps, and Cheer) 4:00-6:00 PM o Competition (Stunts) 6:00 7:00 pm Tuesday, April 18 th o Sideline - (Conditioning, and Dance) 4:00-6:00 PM o Competition (Stunts) 6:00 7:00 pm Wednesday, April 19 th o Sideline - (Conditioning, Chants, and Review) 4:00-6:00 PM o Competition (Stunts and Tumbling) 6:00 7:00 pm Thursday, April 20th (Tryouts) 4:00-9:00 PM What do you wear to tryouts? During clinic days please wear comfortable, length appropriate black shorts and a white t-shirt. Dress as if you would dress for cheerleading practice. Shorts should be at least three inches long. Sports bras must be worn underneath shirts. No basketball shorts or pajamas. No denim shorts, jewelry, or acrylic nails. Your hair should also be off your shoulders. On official try-out day, you will need to wear black shorts, a solid white t-shirt or tank top, white socks, and white shoes. Again, your hair should be off your shoulders, no jewelry, artificial nails, or nail polish. (points will be deducted) Please DO NOT wear any previous cheerleading or dance attire during tryout week. Selection of the cheerleaders will be based on the following: A cheer, 1 sideline chant (3 chants will be taught), and a dance that will be taught to you during the clinic. Jumps - A toe touch, a left and right herkie, and a left and right hurdler are required (descriptions and pictures of these jumps can be found on the UCA website or YouTube.) Athleticism and physical fitness Scholastic achievement and eligibility Conduct Attitude, initiative, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, enthusiasm, and ability to be coached For those who make the squad: Work schedules, vacation, extracurricular activities, etc. should be arranged so the cheerleaders are at practice each day. These practices are IMPORTANT. SUMMER PRACTICE SCHEDULE WILL BE GIVEN OUT AFTER TRYOUTS.
2017-2018 TRYOUT INFORMATION Description of Teams Varsity Football: Varsity football cheerleaders will cheer at all Varsity Football games. Varsity cheer season lasts from August 2017 December 2017. The varsity cheerleading squad is made up of 9 th - 12 th graders. Varsity cheerleaders will attend UCA camp over the summer at University of Georgia. Varsity cheerleaders are often called upon to attend community events in support of Westlake High School and Westlake Athletics. Varsity Basketball: Varsity cheerleaders will cheer at all Varsity Basketball games. Varsity cheer season lasts from October 2017 March 2018. The varsity cheerleading squad is made up of th - 12 th graders. Varsity cheerleaders will attend UCA camp over the summer at University of Georgia. Varsity cheerleaders are often called upon to attend community events in support of Westlake High School and Westlake Athletics. Junior Varsity (JV): Junior Varsity cheerleaders will cheer at all Junior Varsity home football and basketball games, they will also have the opportunity to cheer at many of the away football and basketball games. JV cheerleaders are often called upon to cheer Varsity games or to support the Varsity team. JV season lasts from August 2017 January 2018. The JV cheerleading squad is made up of th and 11 th graders. JV cheerleaders will attend UCA camp over the summer at University of Georgia. 9 th Grade: 9 th grade cheerleaders will cheer at all 9 th grade home football and basketball games, they will also have the opportunity to cheer at many of the away football and basketball games. 9 th grade cheerleaders can be called upon to cheer at JV or Varsity games or to support the Varsity teams at different events. 9 th grade season lasts from August 2017 January 2018. The 9 th grade cheerleading squad is made up of only 9 th grade cheerleaders. 9 th grade cheerleaders will attend UCA camp over the summer at University of Georgia. Varsity Competition: Varsity Competition cheerleaders cheer at a various competitions throughout Georgia. Varsity Competition cheerleaders are required to have at least a standing back handspring. The competition squad is made up of 9 th 12 th grade cheerleaders. Competition season lasts from August 2017 November 2017. Junior Varsity Competition: Junior Varsity Competition cheerleaders cheer at a various competitions throughout Georgia. Junior Varsity cheerleaders should at least have a back bend. The competition squad is made up of 9 th 11 th grade cheerleaders. Competition season lasts from August 2017 November 2017.
2017 2018 TRYOUT CHECKLIST The following items should be turned in to the front office of Westlake High School no later than Friday, April 14 th at 4:00 PM, but you may drop the packets off prior to this date. Please place packets in an envelope or folder with the cheerleaders name on the front. Tryout paperwork should ONLY be given to Coach Clark before or after school. If you are placing them in her mailbox, make sure Coach Clark and the cheerleaders name is placed on the folder or envelope. DO NOT BRING PACKETS BY COACH CLARK S CLASSROOM DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. If any of these items are missing, the student will not be able to participate in tryouts, The following items are required by EVERYONE that is trying out!! Westlake Cheerleader Tryout Application (must be submitted online through link https://goo.gl/forms/c4dh5eksongcotqp2) Westlake Cheerleader Tryout Essay (must be submitted online through link https://goo.gl/forms/04xthooblgjrcanq2) Cheerleading Agreement o (Signed by student and parent/guardian) Financial Obligation Physical o Must be signed by a medical professional o These are only valid for 1 year from the date the physical was received. Unofficial copy of Transcripts 8 -Teacher Recommendation Forms (must be completed by teachers through online link https://goo.gl/forms/idcnulfp1dszwosu1) o 6 must come from current teachers o 1 must come from most recent coach or sponsor (If you do not have a coach or sponsor that can complete recommendation form it can come from an additional teacher). o 1 additional recommendation from any teacher or staff member.
2017 2018 Financial Obligation Below is a list of costs associated with Westlake Cheerleading for the 2017-2018 season. In addition to the list below, Cheerleaders and their parents will be asked to participate in various fundraisers throughout the year in order to help with additional costs that are paid for through the Westlake Cheerleading Booster such as spirit items for pep rallies, homecoming activities, choreography and music for competitive routines, competition fees, etc. 2017 2018 FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS 1. Athletic Participation fee: ($250.00) - mandatory a. Due April 24 th 2. Competition (up to $250) - mandatory a. First half due by May 30 th ($125) b. Final payment due by June 30 th ($125) 3. Camp fees: ($600.00) a. UCA Camp ($450) (University of Georgia 7/14 7/17) i. Deposit due April 24 th ($225.00) ii. Remaining balance due May 30 th ($225.00) b. Camp wear (up to $150.00) a. Due by June 1 st 4. Optional Spirit Pack Items (up to $800.00) a. Due by July 30 th 5. Pregame Meals (up to $ 300) a. Due by August 1 st (football season) b. Due by October 1 st (basketball season) 6. Uniform ($200) Varsity Football Only (mandatory) a. Due by May 15 th An itemized list of all costs pertaining to cheer will be distributed at the parent meeting on Monday, April 24th for those who make a team. Parents need to bring CASH, MONEY ORDERS, or CREDIT CARD to the meeting on Monday, April 24th because certain items must be paid immediately. Payment plans can be arranged; however you MUST contact Coach Clark to discuss this! Cheerleader Signature Parent Signature
WESTLAKE CHEERLEADING CONTRACT Please take a moment and read carefully to ensure that you fully understand the expectations of Westlake High School Cheerleaders. After reading each item, both the prospective cheerleader and his or her parent will need to initial each item. (Athlete s initials) (Parent s initials) You are a STUDENT FIRST and an athlete second. We believe as Cheerleading program that all our athletes should strive for academic excellence in the classroom. Your education is your NUMBER ONE priority. SAFETY is of the utmost importance. In order to provide the safest environment we must all be working as a team and looking out for each other. While stunting you should be focused and serious. It is important to be aware of your surroundings when stunting and tumbling. You must follow the coach s or captain s instructions at all times. Failure to follow the established safety guidelines will result in possible suspension or dismissal from the team (at the coach s discretion.) Cheerleaders are prohibited from stunting without a coach present. All athletes are expected to comply with the rules set forth by the Fulton County School Board Student Code of Conduct and the rules mandated by GHSA. The rules associated with the student code can be found in the Fulton County Student Handbook, and the rules set forth by GHSA can be located at www.ghsa.net If an athlete has more than 3 unexcused absences during practices, games, and events. The first 2 infractions will result in interventions by the coach and the 3rd infraction will result in suspension and dismissal from the team. An excused absence is limited to mandatory school functions for a grade, death in the family, or contagious illness (doctor s note must be provided). Missing practice for any reason other than the three listed previously will result in an unexcused absence. Unexcused absences include but are not limited to: Too much homework/ studying, unable to find a ride, and/or work. If the athlete is injured or sick and not contagious, they are required to attend practice, not participate Any action deemed a serious violation that undermines the school or program warrants immediate dismissal. (OSS, Inappropriate Actions, any action unbecoming of a Westlake Cheerleader, etc.) Respect yourself, parents, teachers, administrators, coaches, teammates, and classmates AT ALL TIMES! Inappropriate displays of behavior from parents can also result in removal of athletes from teams. This applies in all situations. Such situations include, but are not limited to: practices, performances, and competitions. Profanity at school, during practices, games, events, or within community does NOT represent Westlake Cheerleading. Remember you are an ambassador for our school; please conduct yourself in a manner that represents our school in a positive light. This includes on social media. I, (parent), and I, (athlete) understand, accept and agree to all of the terms and conditions within the Westlake High School Evaluation Packet. / / / / Parent/Guardian s Signature Date Participant s Signature Date
Westlake High School Cheerleading (Sample) Tryout Score Sheet Tryout # Judge # Skill Evaluations Possible Points Score Comments Crowd Appeal Neatness & Facial Expressions Cheer Voice: Volume & Inflection Presentation: Enthusiasm & Confidence Motions: Technique & Sharpness Form Jumps Toe Touch 5 Hurdler 5 Standing Tumbling Running Tumbling Dance Difficulty: 0= none 2= Back handspring 3= Toe Touch back handspring 4= Back Tuck 5= Toe Touch Back Tuck Difficulty: 0= none 3= back handspring 4= back tuck 5= layout Presentation: Poise & Attitude Motions: Technique & Sharpness 5 5 Timing and Rhythm Total Score: