[PHS Watergirl]

I agree about the expense. I could almost agree with the uniform thing... In this day and age, folks can get uni's that can be mixed and matched... sticking with their school colors as well. I agree on the shoes... and will add... there is no excuse to see cheer leaders in dirty shoes. All of these expensive bows are just a waste as are cheer curls and hair pieces. Hand tied ribbons are still very pretty.

Now... if a squad has members, who are unable to make the camp costs and extra expenses, then fundraising is the option, if there are members, who do not need to fundraise and wish to pay their way, that's fine too... annnd if those, who can cover the costs want to fundraise to help the other members, that is really nice... I just can not see taking camp voyages for squads, who (a) are not able to cover costs w/o mega fund raising (b) do not have the talent to take in the first place © could get the same benefit closer to home @ camps.

If the squad wants to fund raise to cover competition fees, choreography fees, stunt coaching fees and the like, that's fine... but let me interject this one morsel for thought... IF THOSE SAME CHEER LEADERS ARE REPRESENTING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND ARE USED FOR THEIR TITLE 9 AUDITS AND ARE PRESSED TO CHEER FOR EVERY TOM **** AND HARRY WHO WHINES FOR CHEER LEADERS... BE IT FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL... STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN THE LINE, THEN BY GOLLY THE DOG-GONED SCHOOL SHOULD COVER UNIFORM EXPENSES FOR ALL OR AT LEAST A MATCHING TYPE DEAL!

And back to my main point, HEY PEOPLE, STOP HAVING ONE CONTINUOUS FUNDRAISER AFTER ANOTHER... SPACE IT OUT, SO WE, THE CONSUMER/SUPPORTER. CAN REPLENISH THE "CHEER SUPPORTER KITTY" SO WE CAN HELP YOU OUT!

Well, we all have to remember that cheerleading is very expensive in the first place, secondly very few schools pay for anything to do with cheerleading. Now with that being said, I know for a fact that our Varsity squad has had the same fundrasiers for several years now, and I have never heard anyone complaining until now. Seems kinda funny to me. We give each cheerleader opportunities to fundraise for everything they do. This is only fair to the parents and the girls.

Now about the camp voyages, these camps are no more expensive that those closer to home, but you do have to pay for the transportation, and I feel that they have abit more to offer at them. Also, Im sure you can remember IISnake, that some children never get a chance to go any where in state yet alone out of state. These so called voyages gives them the chance to see other parts of our country.

Our squad has 2 pairs of shoes one which is used the previous year for basketball and then a new pair, 4 hair bows, and quiet a few uniforms but none that are new, in fact we havent bought any in several years. Our funds are budgeted every year and we know what its going to take (money wise) from the beginning. I think that everyone probably wishes that everything their child did for school was free but wishing and 1.69 will get you a coke. So if you can give great if you can't give then don't.