Cheer Dad

By Chris

Well, I filled in as cheer parent tonight, going through the obligatory "parents meeting" for the chosen cheerers that, until now, I had only heard about. The cuts had been made just the night before, and already all the girls were in matching practice uniforms (Junior Varsity and Varsity). Yes, they wear matching practice outfits too. It is so . . . well. . . cheery. After being given the wrong location by Lauren, I had to walk into the meeting late after navigating around the pretty large school (it's the school I attended by the way, so I wasn't lost). While it was my first meeting, I am not new to the experience. The new parents had some questions . . . and some looks like "Oh my . .. . what have we gotten ourselves into." First, there's the money. Due today . . . 24 hours after making the squad . . . a big 'ol lump sum payment of eehh hehheemmmm: $420. And, yes, after they pick out the shoes tomorrow, more money will be due. It was a little much for one new lady. "And how much are the shoes!?@?" she blurted out. Ha. Poor thing. I remember the sticker shock the first year too.

In addition to the dollars, this coach ain't no joke about the seriousness of cheering. They practice long and often. Like every day the rest of August for hours. Including a three-day camp at UNC-Chapel Hill (that our money pays for). And, there is the community and school service that is expected of a cheerleader at IRHS (the school has this real family feel, and cheerleaders have always been like the favorite child there, representing all that is good about the family . . . Principal Frye, who was there for me and Teresa too, calls all of his students his babies, and the cheerleaders are his special babies). They put on a couple of cheer camps for the kids in the community. They make welcome packets and goodies for all the teachers. They are helpful ambassadors, in uniform, at orientation sessions. On the first day of school, in uniform, they greet every bus with "Welcome to Indian River High School" and offer to show the new kids around. And, coach proudly proclaimed "We are the only cheerleaders in the city who cheer for every sport. Even track! We support and lift up all the other members of the athletics family! There will be weeks when they will wear their uniforms five days." They put up banners and make the school peppy. They support March of Dimes and my very own Relay For Life. And, they are held to a higher standard. Said the coach "Cheerleaders are dismissed who get in- or out-of-schools supension. Mr. Frey does not have someone in suspension in a cheering uniform. If there is a cheerleader in the office in trouble, it is a huge problem . . . more comotion than if the President walked in."

She also let it be known that with these responsibilities come priveldges (I KNEW those girls got lots of fringe bene's when I was in schools). Get this! She gave us the names of the principal's head secretary and the school bookkeeper on staff. She said they are both former IRHS cheerleaders (the school is full of alumni on staff), and they are here for your girls. If you need your daughter during school, call one of them (gave the numbers), the support staff will get them between classes, give them messages, let them use the phone . . . whatever (their own support staff! geez!). Also, the office is not allowed to give out medicine to students, coach told us. But, cheerleaders can come to them anytime and get what they need for headaches etc. (I filled out and signed a sheet, listing the medicines we want to be kept on hand for them). And, oh yeah, the bookkeeper has an enclosed office where they can go to make calls if needed. They even keep supplies for "that time of the month" she informed us. How weird!! No wonder some of them used to think they owned the place . . . THEY DID! It was funny to watch all the grimaces about the money, but most of the moms in the group were quick to break out another $20 for this optional t-shirt: school logo on the front and CHEER PARENT in big 'ol letters on the back. Of course, Teresa already has one. GO BRAVES!!!