Cheerleading

No. Although, having experience helps, it is not required.  You just need to be committed, hardworking and want to be a part of a team to develop your confidence and more importantly, leadership skills.  The more you practice, the better you will get.

Attend the cheer clinic all three days.  At the clinic, you will learn a cheer, a chant, jumps and crowd engagement.  You must show excitement, be respectful, pay attention, listen, and learn.  No horseplay or sidebars are allowed during the clinic, as this is your time to learn, perfect your skills, so that you can perform in front of the judges.

On all three days, you are required to dress appropriately.  Your signed application should be completed prior to the clinic Monday. No exceptions.   

A white tee, black shorts, athletic shoes, hair in a high ponytail, and no jewelry.

The following dates are required for you to be eligible to tryout.  At the start time, you must be in the appropriate attire and ready to learn.  All candidates must be picked up every day promptly after the clinic.  

• Monday, April 20; 4:15 PM - 6:00 PM, FBMS Gym - Cheer Clinic
  • You will learn cheer basics, game day techniques, the tryout cheer, the tryout chant, and 3 jumps.
  • No parents, friends, etc. are allowed.
  • No filming will be allowed.
• Tuesday, April 21; 4:15 PM - 6:00 PM, FBMS Gym - Cheer Clinic
  • You will learn a dance.
  • No parents, friends, etc. are allowed.
  • No filming will be allowed.
• Wednesday, April 22; 4:15 PM - 6:00 PM or until everyone has performed, FBMS Gym - Cheer Tryouts
  • Official tryout day.  You will perform everything you have learned during clinic in front of a panel of judges.
  • No parents, friends, etc. are allowed.
  • No filming will be allowed.

Based on your score and teacher and administrator recommendations, I will choose a squad with at least 15 and no more than 18 cheerleaders and at least one mascot.  Do not let this number or the number of candidates stop you from trying out.  I will be looking for enthusiastic, coachable, and motivated candidates. Your scores and teacher recommendations.

Try out numbers of the candidates who make the squad will be posted.

Your grades will be reviewed and can impact your eligibility to try out and whether you remain on the squad.  More information regarding this will be provided if you make the squad.

The cost will be approximately $800, which includes the cost for cheer camp, practice wear, and selected uniform.  It is your family’s responsibility to meet all payment deadlines.

There is a tremendous time commitment to be a part of the cheer squad.  You will be required to attend all community and school events and perform at football and basketball games. You are allowed to participate in other extracurricular activities and be on the cheer squad.  However, if you make the squad and quit the squad during football and basketball season, you will not be able to participate in any other extracurricular activity at Frank Black Middle School for the remainder of the year.  More details will be given if you make the squad.

Yes. As a member of the squad, you are required to attend summer camp. There you will learn more cheers, stunting, as well as other valuable skills to bring back to the campus. Camp is overnight camp at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas tentatively June 15th through 17th.  More details regarding camp will be provided when you make the squad.

Questions can be emailed to  icornish@houstonisd.org .  You can always stop by room 411.

• Keep your grades up.  Your schoolwork comes first and is a good indicator of your work ethic.
• Practice good rapport with all your teachers and peers always.  Cheerleaders are role models in their communities.  
• Introduce yourself to the coach(es).  This will help them get to know you.
• Leading up to tryouts, stretch and start training your technical skills.  Work with private coaches or senior cheerleaders for helpful critiques.  
• When the score sheets become available, be sure to identify your strengths and weaknesses that are on there.  This will help you focus on what you need to improve and begin practicing and preparing for the big day.  
• During the clinic, pay attention, keep a positive attitude, cheer full out and always ask questions.
• Remember, the coach(es), teachers and administrators are always watching.  Behave appropriately and be courteous to all the other candidates.  
• If the coach allows you to, record the cheers on your cell phone so you can practice at home.  
• Stretch after each clinic session and always drink plenty of water to avoid sore muscles.
• Practice your tryout material full out in front of your parents and friends to calm you nerves and build your confidence.
• On tryout day, arrive early, eat a good meal, take a deep breath, relax, and have fun!
• Keep in mind that being a member of a cheerleading team comes with a financial obligation.  Seek out the details of what will be required so that you can be prepared.  If you have questions regarding the cost, speak with Coach Cornish.  

Application Interview

Parent Forms Score Sheet