2. SCMS, CMS, NC9th, NCHS and Mascot Tryouts 2013-2014

3. Important HS Tryout Dates! Cheer Clinic @ NCHS Tuesday, March 19 th 5-7pm Wednesday, March 20 th 5-7pm Thursday, March 21 st 5-7pm Cheer Tryouts @ NCHS Friday, March 22 nd - JV and Varsity @ 5:00pm Results will be posted on NCHS website by the candidates’ tryout number by 10pm on the day of tryout s.

4. Important MS Tryout Dates! Cheer Clinic @ SCMS Wednesday, April 3 rd 4-6 pm Thursday, April 4 th 4-6 pm Friday, April 5 th 4-6 pm Mock Tryouts Cheer Tryouts @ SCMS Saturday, April 6 th – SCMS, CMS, NC9 Starting at 8:00am…..Doors open at 7:00 Results will be posted on NCHS website by the candidates’ tryout number by 5pm on the day of tryout s

5. Cheer Tryout Process Candidates’ numbers will be drawn to determine the order in which they will tryout. *Numbers will be drawn from one of the designated tabulators or coach. Candidates will perform their spirited run-in, a cheer, and jumps individually before a panel of 3 judges. Candidates will perform their dance in groups of 3 or 4. The squads will be chosen based on the “natural break in score” determined by the principal, coach and tabulators.

6. Tryout Process Continued… Candidates will perform tumbling skills during the spirited run-in, cheer, and dance. *All tumbling will have to be pre-approved! If ANY unapproved tumbling is performed at tryouts, the candidate will be disqualified, The tabulators will tabulate and rank the cheerleaders in sequential order based on their score. The CMS and SCMS squads will consist of a minimum of 8 cheerleaders up to a maximum of 15. The freshman squad will consist of a minimum of 8 cheerleaders and a maximum of 15. The high school JV squad will consist of a minimum of 8 cheerleaders up to a maximum of 16. The Varsity squad will consist of a minimum of 12 cheerleaders up to a maximum of 20.

8. Mascot Tryout Process Candidates’ numbers will be drawn to determine the order in which they will tryout. Numbers will be drawn from one of the designated tabulators or coach. While in the Panther costume, candidates will perform a 1-2 minute skit in which props and music must be incorporated. Candidates must provide own music. Candidates will perform their skit in front of a panel of 3 judges. The candidate with the highest score will be chosen as the mascot.

9. Mascot Scoring & Fees Areas to be judged for mascots include (100 points total): Enthusiasm/Crowd Appeal-25 points: Making the crowd interested, enthusiasm and spirit. Character/Antics-25 points: How well do they portray the character and use the character for entertainment? Use of Props-10 points: Use of signs and interacting with props. Creativity-25 points: Different actions and movements to make the crowd involved. If a child is scared of you, what would you do? Effectiveness of Skit-15 points: Did it make sense? Was it entertaining? If selected as a Mascot, camp fees are required along with uniform fees to cover practice uniforms, warm-ups, bag and other uniform items deemed necessary by the coach not to exceed $600.

10. Viewing Tryout Scores A candidate along with a parent/guardian may privately elect to view his/her score sheet. They may be viewed in the principal’s office by appointment only. The statute of limitations of viewing scores is 10 school days following the tryouts.

11. Attire for Cheer Tryouts Plain black knit/Nike shorts (No writing allowed) Plain white t-shirt (No writing allowed) Plain white socks Tennis shoes Hair must be pulled back into ponytail (No ribbons allowed)

12. Varsity Cheer Captain Selection Juniors and seniors only Number of captains will be determined by coach Teacher Recommendations – due by April 2 nd Candidate Essays – due by April 2 nd Interviews – April 5 th

13. $ Cost of Cheerleading $ Uniforms Camp Clothes Camp Choreography Competition Misc. *Not to exceed NCHS - $1800 SCMS - $1200 CMS - $800

14. $ Cost of Mascot $ Camp Camp clothes Warm-up suit Bag Misc. * Cost not to exceed $600.

15. Fundraisers Uniforms – we will hold 2 fundraisers to offset the cost of each mascot/cheerleader uniforms. Each mascot/cheerleader will make 40%-60% profit on their total sales. (This is NOT mandatory). Additional Fundraisers may be determined by the Coach.

16. Safety Disclaimer Cheerleading is a vigorous, physical activity involving motion, rotation, and height in a unique environment. Such an activity carries with it a higher than ordinary risk of injury. Serious catastrophic injury, paralysis or even death could occur particularly if a cheerleader lands on his/her head, neck or back. Proper physical conditioning and safe stunting practices will reduce the risk of injury. **Candidates must be physically fit and able to participate in extensive physical activities on a daily basis.**

17. Cheerleader/ Mascot Expectations Respect the title of Cheerleader and Mascot. Attend all designated cheer events. Act as a member of a TEAM. Be on time. Respect your coach and team. Come to school (in dress code). Pass your classes. Leave the drama at the door. Have a positive attitude at practice and at games. Know that you will be conditioning EVERY day. No whining and complaining. Put practice, games and any other cheerleader/mascot events above anything else. Do not post anything negative about your cheer team/teammates/coach on any form of social media.

18. Parent Expectations Support the coach Support the program Join the Booster Club Participate in the Booster Club Pay your bill by the deadline Be prompt when dropping off and/or picking up your child Volunteer Address any concerns, questions, or comments with the coach FIRST Do NOT gossip with other parents Monitor Social Networks Follow the notification guidelines in the Cheer Handbook for your child missing an activity

19. What happens after tryouts JV & VARSITY Team meetings – Varsity: Thurs 3/28 @ 6:00 in A113, Coach Bonaldi’s room. This is MANDATORY for both cheerleader and parent/guardian. Uniform Fittings – Wed 4/3 Varsity @ 3:00pm. JV @ 4:15pm. Both fittings will be in A113. Parent Attendance is MANDATORY $300 deposit due at uniform fittings, cash, money order, or cashier’s check ONLY. All money must be paid in full by May 28th. Mandatory Cheer Camp: UNT June 14th-17 th Calendars will be given at the team meetings with dates through August.

20. What happens after tryouts SCMS, CMS, NC9 Team meetings – SCMS and CMS April 10 th after fitting Uniform Fittings – April 10 th SCMS 3:30, NC9 4:30, CMS 5:30pm Parent must be present! $300 deposit due at uniform fittings, cash, money order, or cashier’s check ONLY. All money must be paid in full by May 28 th. Mandatory Cheer Camp: UNT June 14-17 Calendars will be given at the team meetings with dates through August.

21. Questions?