📣About Us📣

LHS Cheerleading is a growing exciting cheerleading program that represents and cheers for Leesburg High School’s football and basketball teams, performs at sporting and special events, and competes in approved regional and state competitions.

The LHS cheerleaders are responsible for promoting positive school spirit and pride, for encouraging good sportsmanship, and for upholding a positive image of each team. Cheerleading is a sport that involves teamwork, cooperation, honesty, and integrity from each member.

Participating on the team is a privilege and as such brings responsibilities that must be taken seriously. Being a member of the Cheer team makes each participant a personal representative of LHS. Each will be looked upon to set a positive example for others.

We are excited to share our love for this sport with your child. We are always willing to listen to suggestions or issues; please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Leesburg High School Cheerleading Program

Rosalyn Castile, Head Cheer Coach

Welcome Letter

Dear Prospective Cheerleaders and Parents,

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Leesburg High School Cheer program! Please read over this information carefully, as it contains details regarding tryouts as well as information if you make the team.

We take pride in the cheer program at Leesburg High School and expect athletes to adhere to the rules. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the coaches. Attendance is mandatory at all clinic dates. Please speak with a coach if an extenuating circumstance prevents you from being present. This is very important. Tryouts are closed to family and friends. This is for the safety of all concerned. No videotaping of routines will be allowed. This will give everyone the same advantage. Cheerleading candidates will be judged by a panel of made up of cheer coaches and /or outside judge(s). At no time will the scores be presented to the candidates, parents, etc. The decisions are final. Tryouts can be stressful, so it is important that all candidates get plenty of sleep, eat regularly, and stay hydrated. Candidates should include a conditioning and stretching routine prior to and throughout the tryouts to reduce incidence of injury.

There will be a mandatory informational interest meeting on Wednesday, March 13^th at 6pm in the LHS Media Center It is highly suggested that both returning and prospective cheerleaders and a parent attend this meeting. We will be going through the tryout information in detail, as well as outlining expectations/changes from last year for the summer and school year months.

There will also be a mandatory parent/cheerleader meeting and fitting held on Wednesday, April, 3^rd at 6 pm in the LHS Auditorium for all girls who make the 2020-2021 squads. At least one parent/guardian per candidate is required to attend. It is suggested the candidate and guardian fully read the tryout packet before the meeting.

It is an honor and privilege to become a Jackets Cheerleader, and your role on the squad should not be taken lightly. As a squad, we do much more than cheer at games. We are role models and representatives of our school. Please consider the commitment and sacrifices that will be made to be a part of this elite family of cheerleaders.

Cheerfully,

Rosalyn Castile

Head Cheer Coach

castiler@lake.k12.fl.us

Tryouts Schedule

March 11

Mandatory Parent Informational Meeting Media Center 6-7 pm

March 23

$10 non-refundable Tryout fee due. NO EXCEPTIONS! Late packets and fee cannot be accepted after close of the school day, 2:20 pm (4:30 pm for Middle School)

March 24-26

Clinic – arrive to the cafeteria promptly at 4:30 pm dressed and ready to go! Be sure you have all documents uploaded on AthleticClearance.com.

March 27

Tryout Day!! – Tryouts will start at 4:30 pm. Arrive dressed in white t-shirt & black shorts and ready to go.

April 1

Uniform Fitting – Varsity 2:30 pm & JV 4 pm. Parents are welcome to attend.

April 1

Mandatory “You Made It” Parent & Cheerleader Meeting Auditorium 6-7 pm.

*IMPORTANT*

$10.00 non-refundable Tryout fee due when candidate submits their online packet

Payment Link Information

LHS Website: lhs.lake.k12.fl.us

Lake.revtrak.net/high-schools/lbhs/lhs-athletics-pay/lhs-cheer

You may contact Coach Rosalyn Castile

if you have any further questions:

castiler@lake.k12.fl.us

321-586-3575

Rules and Regulations

LHS Cheer Rules and Regulations

2020-2021

1. All cheerleading related events are mandatory when scheduled by the coach. Only the coach can make changes to the schedule. A schedule will be available in advance for practices, games and events. Additional practices may be added to the schedule.

2. You are NOT PERMITTED to miss any practices, competitions or events due to an extracurricular or academic clubs unless previous arrangements have been made. 3 unexcused absences will result in dismissal. NO EXCEPTIONS!

3. Leesburg High School’s administration and the head coach reserves the right to any actions resulting from discipline-related offenses.

4. Appointments, errands and club meetings are not an excuse to miss or be late to practices or competitions. Only special exceptions will be made. Practice schedules are available well in advance and appointments should not be made during these times.

5. Cheerleaders must attend at least 4 classes the day of a practice, game or any other mandatory event (including pep rallies). Parents MUST notify the coach of an absence 24 hours before the scheduled time of practice or game otherwise the absence is unexcused. FYI, a 1:00pm notification does not count as ample notice.

6. The LHS demerit system will be used first in any disciplinary issues. Each situation will be dealt with on an individual bases.

7. When a cheerleader is required to wear their uniform on a scheduled day they MUST be in FULL UNIFORM (no jewelry or gum, must be wearing proper shoes, bloomers and bow).

8. Any time that a cheerleader is in their LHS uniform, they are to be respectful and mature. There is absolutely no foul language, disrespect to teachers and/or other students or inappropriate displays of affection.

9. Cheerleaders are required to replace all lost and/or damaged LHS uniforms and/or property. This is not the responsibility of the cheerleading program.

10. Academic policies will be enforced from tryouts thru the end of the season.

11. All cheerleaders MUST maintain a 2.0 GPA for each 9-week period. Below a 2.0 on a report card will result in being dismissed from a team.

12. If you receive an “F” on a progress report or report card, you will be suspended for all cheer activities until the grade is a minimum of a “C”. You will not be permitted to travel until all failing grades are brought up to a minimum of a “C” average.

14. Any cheerleader that quits a team will not be allowed to try out for another calendar year from the date that he/she quit.

15. All cheerleaders must abide by the Lake County Code of Conduct.

16. Summer Sunday evening practice are mandatory beginning June 14^th and concluding August 9^th. Practice time is 6-8 pm.

17. Every Leesburg Cheerleader will be held responsible for all statements and images posted on social media sites. Inappropriate statements/images may result in removal from the cheer program. In any case, to determine whether a statement/image is considered “inappropriate”, a collaborative meeting with the Coach, Athletic Director, and Principal will take place and proper disciplinary actions will follow.

Cheer Demerit System

Estimated Expenses

Cheer Clinic and Tryouts

LHS Cheer Clinic and Tryouts

2020-2021

1. What to wear:

a. Something athletic and comfortable that fits you properly. No jean shorts, etc.

b. No baggy clothing or too small shirts/shorts

c. Tennis shoes

d. Candidates will not be allowed to wear cheer materials from previous seasons/schools during tryouts.

e. On tryout day, all cheer candidates must wear a white shirt and black shorts.

2. No jewelry or long nails:

a. Don’t get a new piercing before tryouts. You will need to take it out each day. You cannot tape it.

b. Nails should be trimmed to sports length (even with the skin of the finger) (**If you make the squad – NO COLORED NAIL POLISH PERMITTED)

3. Hair must be in a secure ponytail and off the shoulders. (**If you make the squad – hair is expected be pulled into a HIGH ponytail for all games/competitions)

4. What to bring:

a. WATER, WATER, WATER

b. Make sure you EAT BEFORE COMING.

Evaluation Procedure

Candidates for tryouts will be judged on the following categories:

• A cheer, chant, and dance that will be taught during tryout clinic.
• Tumbling (standing and/or running)
• Jumps – a toe touch is required, plus two other jumps of the candidates choice:
  • Herkie
  • Pike
  • Right/Left Hurdler
• Stunting – We have 4 stunt positions: back spot, flyer, 2 bases
• Teacher Recommendations
• Scholastic eligibility)
• Energy, Spirit, Attitude & Presentation

Application Form

Parent/Guardian Permission Form

Judges and Final Score Agreement

Instructions on how to complete Athletic Clearance

After a physical exam is performed by the appropriate health care provider this information along with other documents must be uploaded to AthleticClearance.com

1. Go to AthleticClearance.com

2. Select Florida

3. If you already have an account login. If you don’t have an account please register then login.

4. Select start clearances

a. Select 2020-2021 under year

b. Select Leesburg High school for school

c. Select which sport you are try

i. If you are playing multiple sports you can add them all at the end

5. Fill out student information

6. Upload the required documents under the following sections

a. Page 1 of El2 physical form – physical form

b. Page 2 of El2 form – concussion/ baseline certification

c. Birth certificate – additional form

d. Insurance card – proof of insurance

**Uploading the documents can be done in a variety of ways. A couple examples are taking pictures with a cell phone, using a scanning application on a cell phone or using a scanner.

** Not knowing how is not an excuse for not doing this step. Please ask questions if you need help.

7. Fill out medical history

8. Fill out parent/guardian

9. Fill out signatures

a. Make sure to place the correct signatures in the appropriate boxes

b. Place parents name where it says parent signature

c. Place students name where it says student signature

10. Select all sports that you intend on trying out for!