Falls High School Cheerleading Dispute

By Emma Pavleck, The Daily Journal

April 26, 2011

Falls High School varsity cheerleading tryouts were held in International Falls on March 18^th. This year, due to lack of participation, the tryouts were open to next year’s seventh through twelfth grade students. This was the first time this opportunity was made available to upcoming seventh and eighth grade students.

Bronco Cheerleaders Supporting the Falls High School Hockey Team

After getting the go-ahead from athletic director, Don Rolando, try-outs were held. While girls from all grades participated in the try-outs, about half of those chosen were in the seventh and eighth grade age bracket.

It was not until after the new Bronco cheerleaders were chosen that concerns were raised.

“I think a lot of people felt like the spots were taken unfairly because the coaches who judged the try-outs had family competing,” said Derek Smith, a student at Falls High School. “Coach Crosby’s daughter and three of her friends were chosen for the squad and they are all currently in sixth grade.”

Coach Jessica Crosby could not be reached for a comment.

Once questions were raised about the appropriateness of allowing seventh and eighth graders to join the squad, it was soon discovered that the student handbook clearly stated that cheerleading was only offered to students in ninth grade to twelfth grade.

At the school board meeting on March 21^st, student representative Joseph Toninato voiced his concerns.

“Many students feel like those spots should be filled by upperclassmen. The seventh and eighth graders who made the squad will not know the players they are cheering for,” said Toninato. “It is a big deal for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.”

Yet there are many other students and parents who feel that the students who initially made cheerleader rightfully got it.

“They all tried out together; some made it and some didn’t. It is just how it works,” said a Falls High School student. “It doesn’t seem fair to tell those students that they made the cut, but then take it away from them later.”

Jeff Peura, the ISD 361 Superintendant stated at the school board meeting, that he would reevaluate the policy with the support of the board members.

The 2006-2007 student handbook will soon be reviewed to resolve the issue along with several other inconsistencies in the manual. An updated activities handbook will soon be in the works.