Cheerleader & Mascot Tryouts

Meet the Coaches & Assistant Principal Gina Sykes, 7 th Cheer Coach NCA Certified Coach-Judge, AACCA Certified Safety Instructor Laurie Fraser, 8 th Cheer Coach AACCA Certified Safety Instructor Mrs. Liz Brod, Assistant Principal

Am I eligible to tryout? Each candidate shall have no grade below a 70 for first semester averages in any class. Each candidate must not have more than one “U” or two “N’s” in conduct. This is based on the 1 st – 2 nd nine weeks report cards and 3 rd nine weeks progress reports. You are ineligible if you have been assigned ISS

What are the Procedures for Tryouts? Packets due Friday, February 21st at 12:00 PM to Mrs. Brod in the RMS A.P. Office. No packets will be accepted after 12:00 noon – NO EXCEPTIONS! Mandatory practices (March 3-5) Mock Tryouts (not required, March 6) Tryouts ---March 7th during school

What do I wear for Practices? STUDENTS MUST BE IN DRESS CODE! Cheer Shorts or Athletic Shorts (no rolling, any color OK) Hair in a Ponytail T-Shirt with Sleeves (any color) No excessive jewelry

What do I wear for tryouts? STUDENTS MUST BE IN DRESS CODE! Black Cheer/Athletic Shorts (no writing, no rolling) Hair in a Ponytail White T-Shirt (short sleeves, no writing) White: Socks + Sports Bra NO Jewelry of any kind

Judges, Scores, & Results Who judges tryouts? National Cheerleader Association (4 judges) How is the scoring done? Teacher recommendations 40% Judging scores 60% What do teacher recommendations involve? responsibility, punctuality, character, peer and teacher interaction, leadership

Judges, Scores, & Results What are the judges scores based on? dance, spirit, technique, voice projection, jumps, tumbling, and appearance How many students make it? per squad (dependent upon score range – 18 max) How important is tumbling? It is worth less than 10% of the judges’ scores. How do I find out if I made it? Names will be posted on the cheer website by 7:00pm. How many girls tryout? It varies. For the last two years, we had a 95+ girls.

Tryout Order Series of 3 different style jumps (choose your 3 best) Spirit to the center of basketball court Perform cheer taught during Mandatory Practices Afterwards, in groups of 3-4, perform the cheer dance to music

Mascots Those interested in mascot need to develop a skit to perform for the judges. You may use the mascot costumes. You may tryout in pairs. You are encouraged to use music and props. Please make sure that your music does not contain inappropriate lyrics (2-3 minute max).

Summer August Camp Practices Fun days KHS Community Kickoff Event Fall (2-3 nights per week) Football Volleyball Girls Basketball Boys Basketball Practices Pep Rallies Spring (2 nights per week through February) Basketball Practice Pep Rallies Tryouts Commitment

Attendance is mandatory at ALL football, volleyball, and basketball games. Cheerleading is a team sport! Illness or (pre-approved) participation in another RMS activity are the ONLY absences that are considered excused. All other absences will be subject to demerits. Leaving early or arriving late without prior approval from Coach will also earn cheerleaders demerits. Two demerits are given for each missed game due to an unexcused absence. One demerit is given for each unexcused late arrival or early departure. Cheerleaders go to the review board at six demerits. Attendance

Demerit Policy Demerits are issued in the following settings: 1. Tardiness to game, practice or an event demerit 2. Leaving a required game or event early unapproved demerit 3. Missing a required event (unless home ill) demerits 4. Disrespectable behavior to Coach / sponsor demerits 5. Failure to dress properly at games or practices demerit 6. Talking excessively during a game or event demerit 7. Improper behavior during game or practice demerits 8. D-Hall assignment demerits 9. Assignment Recovery Class demerits 10. Use of profanity demerits 11. Wearing uniform to any non-school related or cheerleading event.. 2 demerits Only demerits earned in the following categories may be removed with merits: -Absence-related -Dress-related

Merit Policy In the event that a cheerleader earns a demerit that can be erased, she/he may “work them off” by earning merits. All merit opportunities must be prearranged with the Coach. All merit opportunities must benefit RMS and/or the cheerleading squad. Merits cannot be earned and “stored” for any possible demerits. No merit earned for cheerleading may be used in conjunction for service hours, etc. for other organizations (inside or outside of school). The sponsors will periodically announce merit opportunities including such things as clean-up after games, closet clean- out, banners, work for teachers, Camp Longhorn volunteering, etc.

As RMS athletes, cheerleaders are held to a higher standard. We strictly follow the RMS Cheerleader Code of Conduct. Discipline and academic success are stressed! As a cheerleader, you are to represent your school in an honorable fashion AT ALL TIMES! WHAT TO REMEMBER:

Cheer Class Required for ALL cheerleaders Fall semester only Students will practice cheers, dances, make signs, improve form and technique, help develop pep rallies, improve squad stunts Study Hall will take place on game days Worth 1 semester of P.E. 7 th graders must take two semesters of P.E. 8 th graders must take one semester of P.E.

100% focus is required at all times. (That means no talking and playing around.) Absolutely NO stunting at any time without Coach actively present! Minor accidents will happen, but will happen less if everyone is paying attention to their surroundings. Hair must be up and no jewelry can be worn. *Demerits will be given for not following these guidelines. Stunting Safety

Uniform shell & skirt cheer shoes hair bows spankies socks Camp Practice clothes/warm-up Game day shirts Cheer Bag Approximate Total = $600

Uniform Info 7 th Grade Uniform: New purchase; possible uniform re-sale, depending on condition. 8th Grade Uniform: Same uniform as ; possible re-sale, depending on condition.

Dates to Remember New Cheerleader Meeting / Uniform Re-Sale:* Tues, March 5:00 (Camp Fees of $170 are due at this meeting. You may also opt to pay for game day and practice gear this evening. Please have several blank checks with you this evening.) Uniform Fitting / Game Day Gear Due Date:* Fri, April 5:00 (Credit Card is the only form of payment accepted by the uniform rep. Please bring this information with you. A parent is required to attend. Orders will not be placed without a parent present. If you have not already ordered game day gear, payment by check is due for this merchandise. Credit Card Processing Date for Uniform Order: April 24th *Note: these dates are tentative; will be confirmed via S

Dates to Remember Cheer Camp : *AUGUST 4-6 (M-W) * this date to be confirmed Summer Practices: * Two practices during Mid-August (dates TBA) 1 st Day of School Pep Rally: Aug. 3:00

Judging Sheet for Cheer Appearance (neatness, grooming) 5 Spirit and Enthusiasm (ability to motivate crowd, eye contact, smile, sincerity, rapport with audience, facials) 10 Cheer Motions-Timing-Rhythm (sharpness, strong, good placement, routines balanced, flowing, smooth, natural) 10 Voice and Projection (loud, clear, natural) 10 Jumps (height, form, variety, flexibility) 10 Tumbling (skills, technique, form) 5 Dance Routine (dance ability, technique, timing, clean) 10 Tumble 1.- Round Off / Walkover 2.- Aerial (front/back) 3. - Round Off Backhand Spring/ Standing backhand spring 4. - Connecting Backhand Springs - standing or running 5. - Back Tuck and Above – standing or running

Judging Sheet for Mascot Appearance5 Spirit and Enthusiasm10 Music10 Technique10 Creativity20 Props5

Application Packets / Evaluations ___ Checklist ___ General Information ___ Emergency Information ___ Insurance Acknowledgement ___ Cheerleader / Mascot Acknowledgment ___ 1 st Semester Schedule Form ___ A.P. / Counselor Clearance ___ Teacher Evaluations (7 each 1 st semester teachers)