Cheer Program Information

Leo Cheerleading

Junior High & High School Information

Season 2025-2026

 GENERAL INFORMATION

 Coaching Staff:

• JH & HS Coaches (7-12)

• Taryn Glass

• Sara Brown

• Chloe Hudson

• Kassy Kensill

• Tia Glass

Contact Information:

• Email- leocheercoach@gmail.com

• Website- https://sites.google.com/site/leocheerleading/

• Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/leolionscheerleading

• YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3C-i_XDwkzfbalB8BmqvTg/

• Athletic Department- (260) 446-0180 x 7107

• Taryn Glass- (260) 312-9855

• Sara Brown- (260) 438-8140

• Chloe Hudson- (260) 443-2454

• Kassy Kensill- (260) 557-4425

• Tia Glass-(260) 633-5778

 LEO CHEERLEADING TEAMS

Football

• Varsity (letter)- Senior, Junior, and Sophomore, Freshman

• Junior Varsity- Junior and Sophomore, Freshman

• Freshman- Freshman only

• 8th Grade

• 7th Grade

Basketball

• Varsity (letter)- Senior, Junior, and Sophomore, Freshman

• Junior Varsity- Freshman, Junior and Sophomore, Freshman

• Freshman- Freshman only

• 8th Grade

• 7th Grade

PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAM

 The main focus we would like to demonstrate with our team is connectedness to each other, fellow students, faculty, our school, and our community. It is important to understand that the way our cheerleaders represent themselves is how they represent the cheerleading program. We also stress the importance of school spirit and making this a main goal for our program!

STANDARDS FOR CHEERLEADERS

Failure to abide by the standards listed below may result in conditioning, sitting out game(s), or removal from the squad- at the coaches’ and school’s discretion.

•  Sign and abide by the provisions of the Athletic Code of Conduct (when school starts).

• Cheerleaders are extremely visible athletes. They should serve as mature, responsible representatives of the school and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly at all times.

• Cheerleaders must constantly maintain a positive attitude and set a good example for the school and team.

•  Cheerleaders are expected to show respect for all coaches, teachers, staff members, as well as classmates, team members, and most importantly, oneself.

• Grades: Will need to maintain enough passing grades per IHSAA and East Allen County School rules.

• Be ready at all games and practices wearing proper attire, hair up, ready to go, and NO gum or jewelry.

• Arrive ON TIME!

•  Cheerleaders should not be involved in any type of inappropriate behavior or discipline problem.

•  The Internet is NOT to be used to put down or demean any other person, school, football/basketball program, and/or cheerleading squad. Nor should it be used to promote Leo football, basketball, or cheerleading in a taunting manner. Social media can be a dangerous tool and anything you say/post is a representation of yourself, the cheerleading program, and your school. Please be mindful of this, punishment for inappropriate post/comments/pictures will be in place and can result in termination of your squad position and future chances of trying out.

•  When a problem arises that is interfering with the standards of the cheerleading program, the cheerleader must make verbal communication with the coach to try and solve the problem first before other parties are involved.

• NO ALCOHOL/DRUG tolerance policy- We have a no tolerance for anyone who chooses to participate in drinking/ or illegal substance use. Finding out from a reliable source or being caught in the act will result in termination of the team.

• No stunting or tumbling is allowed on school property at any time, or off school property while in uniform, without a Leo Jr/Sr High School Cheerleading Coach present. It is also highly discouraged to stunt or tumble off school property without a trained professional.

ATTENDANCE

•  Cheerleaders are athletes. Your attendance, or lack thereof, not only has an effect on you, but every other individual on your team and in the program. Your commitment to the squad is one made at the time of tryouts. This commitment continues until the season is officially over.

•  Attend ALL scheduled practices.

•  Attend and dress for every scheduled game whether cheering or sitting out.

• If a cheerleader sits out a game due to injury or illness, she may cheer the next game provided she has a written note from her physician.

• Any cheerleader that misses practice(s) or game(s) may be asked to sit out with the coaches at the next game (partial or full game). 

• Any cheerleader that misses practice(s) or game(s) due to in-school discipline will sit out with the coaches at the next game.

• Any out of school suspension will result in automatic dismissal from the team.

• Excused absences include: a medical appointment with a doctor’s note, family emergency, or an academic obligation.

•  Unexcused absences include: jobs, all-star cheerleading, vacations, and other non-academic activities.

EXPECTATIONS FOR PRACTICES

• All team members must participate in all areas of cheerleading: making cheers and posters, creating routines, participating in fundraisers, and pep rally preparation.

• Each member is responsible for learning cheers, chants and routines by performance time.

• When stunting and tumbling, a coach must be present.

• No gum or jewelry of any kind!

• Hair should always be out of the way and off the neck.

• Every member must be an active listener and accept constructive criticism.

EXPECTATIONS FOR GAMES

•  Arrive at specified time given by coach and on the schedule, usually 30 minutes to an hour prior to game start time.

•  Travel in school transportation when required.

•  Have complete uniform when arriving to all games. Uniform includes hair! If this expectation is not met, cheering from the stands next to your coach will be your alternative.

•  No gum or jewelry!

•  Refrain from socializing with players, other cheerleaders, or crowd members during the game.

•  Refrain from acting silly or unprofessional, or engage in excessive talking.

  UNIFORMS

•  Leo JH/HS will provide the following items, which must be returned at the conclusion of the season: skirt(s), shell top(s), and warm ups. If these items are damaged, lost, or not turned in, the cheerleader will be responsible for the replacement.

•  Standard game uniform includes: all white cheerleading shoes, white cheer socks, briefs, skirt, top, body suit, game bow, and warm ups.

•  Standard practice uniform includes: cheerleading shoes, socks, black shorts, and purple, black, grey, or white t-shirt.

STANDARDS FOR SPORTSMANSHIP

•  Be responsible of your own actions

•  Have pride in yourself and the school

•  Be respectful of others

•  Accept decisions of the coaches and officials

•  Never use profanity or name calling

•  Cheer only in a positive manner

•  Do not mock another team, their fans, or their cheerleaders

STANDARDS FOR PARENTS

•  Coaches will not be able to address a parent/guardian’s personal concern during a game or practice since the coaches’ priority must be the safety and performance of the team. The coaches will be glad to address your concerns at a more appropriate time.

•  Stay informed by checking email and websites regularly as this is the main communication to parents and cheerleaders.

•  Support your cheerleader by helping her get to and picked up from practices and games on time.

•  Encourage your cheerleader to manage her time to meet the commitments of the program.

•  Encourage your student to achieve academically

•  Notify the coach when your child is ill or injured. **If a student does not attend school, she cannot attend practice or a game.

•  Complete all required paper work and return it promptly.

•  Set a positive example at games and sporting events. Never disparage the other team, officials, or cheerleaders.

WAYS PARENTS CAN BE INVOLVED!

• Homecoming Team Dinner & Chicken Sales

• Cheerleader Locker Signs for special occasions

• Little Girls Camp Registration

• Concession Stand Sign Up

REQUIRED FORMS

• Tryout Permission/Waiver / Acknowledgement of Cheer Rules

• Concussion Acknowledgement-Sign through Eventlink

• Cardiac Arrest Acknowledgemen-Sign through Eventlink

• Physical (April 1, 2025 or later)

• Leo Cheerleader & Parent Contact Information

FUNDRAISING

• Sponsorship Shirts (High School)

• Youth Cheer Camps- We will host a Leo Cheerleading summer camp. The camp will be a week long and will help teach grades k-7 the basics of cheerleading. On the last day we will host a showcase.

•  Chicken Sales- Chicken will be sold previous to football homecoming!

•  Many of these fundraising opportunities require cheerleader and/or parent involvement and every squad member and their family is encouraged and expected to do their share.

•  All the profits earned from these fundraising events go right back to the cheerleaders and are used for team dinners, goody bags, banquets and other special recognition events, and various equipment and uniform purchases.