High School Cheerleaders

The level of cheer performance that is expected from high school cheerleaders can be much higher than what is expected from middle school or junior high cheerleaders. With this in mind, you will want to be sure your gymnastics skills and stunts are the best they can possibly be if you're planning to try out for high school cheerleading.

High school tryouts can be grueling, consisting of a tryout routine, dance and even intensive interviews to find out if a potential cheerleader has the "cheerful" personality required of this sport. Although every school will vary in what they require for their varsity and junior varsity cheer squads, there are a few standards to which most squads adhere. Basic skills you'll need to perform include:

• Handsprings
• Running round-offs
• Fabulous jumps
• Tight, sharp movements
• An ability to cheer loudly

Cheerleaders at the high school level are expected not only to be upbeat and cheerful for the team and the fans, but also to be good role models for the rest of the school. Cheerleaders are often looked up to and watched, so what you do both on the sidelines of the playing field and off will be important. In the past, cheerleading has not always gotten the respect it deserves as a competitive sport, but modern squads are changing these misconceptions.

Ninth through twelfth grade cheerleaders will find that the sport becomes much more competitive by the time they reach this level. Not only will a higher level of skill be expected, but there are many more tournaments and competitions, including nationally televised events. The pace can become much more intensive, and even during seasons when the football or basketball team is not training, cheerleaders can be expected to work and work hard. In fact, it is often in early summer that cheerleaders in high school have cheer camps and other training events. In additional to many local and regional competitions, some of the more popular national competitions include:

• American Cheer Competitions
• AmericCheer Open Nationals
• CheerFest Cheerleading Nationals
• Cheer Sport Nationals
• Cheer Tech National Competitions
• COA Open National Championships
• US Spirit Nationals

Due to the competitive nature of cheerleading these days, many universities are now recruiting cheerleaders for their competitive squads. Where basketball and golf once dominated, many of today's high school cheerleaders are finding that colleges now offer cheerleading scholarships. Some of these scholarships are for small amounts, such as $500.00 a semester to help offset the cost of books, while other scholarships cover the entire cost of tuition. Each school varies in what is offered to members of the cheer squad, so contact the schools you might be interested in cheering for and find out which types of scholarships are available. While there are some scouts, most of the scholarships are awarded through tryouts, so be sure to contact the school early enough to make it to the try out and become eligible for any scholarship money.

The pulse of a school's spirit can often be found in the cheerleaders. High school teams sometimes win and sometimes lose, but one thing that is always constant is the positive and upbeat presence of the cheerleaders. Most schools have two cheer squads, varsity and junior varsity. A few schools also have additional squads and name them by color or other nicknames. No matter which squad you're on, always cheer your heart out and keep things upbeat for the rest of the school.

High school cheerleading is a time filled with fun, friends and sports. Not only will cheerleading help high school girls and guys stay conditioned and in shape, but it can open up social possibilities and the opportunity to meet new people. Good friends can be made at your school as well as with cheerleaders from other schools. Cheer camps and competitions add to the range of people you'll meet from all over the country. Whatever your focus, you're sure to make a few new friends and have a fabulous time cheering for your high school.

• Cute Hello Cheers
• Freshman Cheers for a Pep Rally
• School Cheers
• Cheerleading Quiz

• Words for Cheerleading Cheers
• Popular Cheers for Cheerleading
• Cheerleading Chants
• Football Cheers Chants
• Cheerleading Routines

• Middle School Cheerleaders
• High School Varsity Letterman Jacket
• High School Fight Songs
• High School Cheerleading Stunts
• 8th Grade Cheerleaders