Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to attend both days of try-outs?
2. What if I can only attend one session? Will that hurt my chances of being on the team?
3. What if I only attend one session and forget to contact Coach Hanik about it?
4. What will I have to know for try-outs?
5. What do I have to bring to try-outs?
6. What will we do at the sessions?
7. When are try-outs?
8. Can I be in cheerleading and do other sports?
9. Why should I be on cheerleading?
10. When will results be posted?
11. Will the results say which team I am on?
12. What do I do after try-outs?
1. Do I need to attend both days of try-outs?
No. You need to attend ONE FULL session. You can attend any sessions on either day. However, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND you attend more than one session. This will give us a better idea of how well you will fit in our program!
2. What if I can only attend one session? Will that hurt my chances of being on the team?
If you are involved with a spring sport and can only attend one session, that's okay. It won't count against you as long as you contact Coach Hanik BEFORE Wednesday, May 9 at jhanik@d220.org and let her know. This happens all the time; it's just important that you let us know!
3. What if I only attend one session and forget to contact Coach Hanik about it?
We will assume that you do not want to be on the team. Since we do sometimes have to make cuts, we always cut people who do not attend both sessions and do not contact us about it. It makes it look like you came to one day, tried it, decided you didn't want to be on cheerleading, and so didn't attend the 2nd day. Again, if you contact us beforehand, then there won't be any problems and your one day of try-outs will count!
4. What will I have to know for try-outs?
Nothing! We will teach you everything you need to know at the workshop session you attend!
5. What do I have to bring to try-outs?
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you bring your completed registration packet. This has contact information that we need in order for you to try-out. You should have your permission slip, cheer survey, and grade sheet completed. Other than that, just come ready to learn with a positive attitude!!!
6. What will we do at the sessions?
You will learn motions and a cheer, our pre-game dance, and jumps, as well as basic skills for stunts and tumbling.
7. When are try-outs?
Your try-out is your participation at each session. The coaches watch your participation at each session and score you based on your attitude, your effort, and your skill level. This is why we recommend that you attend TWO sessions so we get to see you as much as possible, but attending only one session won't count against you as long as you contact us beforehand!
8. Can I be in cheerleading and do other sports?
Almost all of our cheerleaders choose to do cheerleading as their only athletic sport in the fall. Cheerleading is unlike many other sports; because we do routines and stunts, it's important that all cheerleaders on the team are at all practices. If one person is absent, then their stunt group can't practice. This is why cheerleading has to be your #1 extra-curricular priority. If you choose to do another sport, you will have to work around the cheerleading schedule or risk being pulled out of routines and stunts. However, you do get an athletic "letter" for cheerleading, and most of our cheerleaders have so much fun that this is never a problem. And, most of our cheerleaders get involved in other ways, like joining clubs and activities.
9. Why should I be on cheerleading?
You will hear time and again that the best thing for you to do in high school is get involved! Cheerleading is a great way to do that. We participate in a lot of different events throughout the year, such as the Blue & White Games, Powder-Puff Football, Pep Assemblies, the Homecoming Parade, and Paint the Gym Purple. You'll get to experience so many different events throughout the year just by being on the team. Plus, it's also a great way to meet new people and stay active. Most cheerleaders choose to participate all four years of high school because it's such a great experience and you'll make a lot of close, lifelong friends. Lastly, since we start practicing over the summer, you'll know a lot of people before you even start your first day of school at Reavis!
10. When will results be posted?
Try-out results will be posted on the cheerleading website on Thursday, May 10 under the "Try-out" tab where it says "Try-out Results."
11. Will the results say which team I am on?
No. We don't decide which team you'll be on until we meet for summer practice. We want to get a chance to meet you and watch you participate at practice before we decide teams. But, typically, most freshmen will be on the Freshman Team, most sophomores and juniors will be on JV, and, per IHSA, all seniors will be on varsity. Freshman, sophomore, and junior cheerleaders with varsity-level skills will be on varsity.
12. What do I do after try-outs?
All cheerleaders who make the team are required to attend a MANDATORY 1st Team Meeting . (The Little Theatre is on the 1st floor right below the Wrestling Gym.) Parents are encouraged to attend this meeting. You will get to meet the coaches, get the summer and fall practice calendar, and fill-out some important contact information.
If you cannot attend due to an unavoidable conflict, that's okay! But, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you contact Coach Hanik BEFORE THE MEETING! If we don't hear from you and you don't contact Coach Hanik, we will assume that you do not want to be on the team.You can email her at jhanik@d220.org.