AGW's Study Buddy:
The ASB (Associated School Body) Experience
Getting and Surviving Your School Office!

Q. Rallies, half-time shows, games...what would they be like without the cheerleaders, dance teams, band, pagentry groups, drill teams and other pep groups? Answer: Boring! Support your school! Show your spirit and learn great skills for your resume like: team work, ontime performance and discipline. It's time consuming and a lot of hard work, but being on a Pep Squad really pays off!

Just Thinking About Pep Squad?
Here's Some Skills You May Need

For Cheerleading:

• Be ready to really sell (perform) a sideline cheer or chant
• Be ready to do jumps, tumbling and splits
• Attitude is everything.
• Learn how to memorize movement routines quickly
• Learn to be precise in your movements
• Watch your space and placement when practicing
• Learn good vocal skills -- how to be loud without killing your voice
• Learn showmanship. Sell what you're doing with enthusiasm.

For Dance Teams

• Skill at a dance style like jazz or funk
• Pirouettes
• Splits
• Toe Touches
• Gymnastics abilities
• Double turns
• Leaps
• Axles
• Fouette turns
• Learn how to memorize movement routines quickly

Before the Try-Out

• Go to the person in charge of the try-outs and talk to them.
• Find out what skills you'll need. Gymnastics and dance training is great
• Will there be a cheer/dance/flag clinic and what date and time?
• Find out what kind of time commitment this will be
• Really decide if you want to do that much work
• Find out how much it will cost in money as well as time
• Find out what to wear, and what the rules on hair and footwear are
• Practice as much as you can before
• Find out if you'll be allowed to try out with a partner
• It's best to work together, for support, but plant to try out alone.
• That way if one of you sprains an ankle, it won't hurt the other.
• Get your signed parent permission form in early. Don't forget it!
• Find out if there is going to be an interview
• In an interview, expect questions like "Why are the pepsquads important to our schoo?"
• And "Tell us what is school spirit?"
• Your overall spirit, confidence and poise will count as much as your ability

At the Clinic

• Don't bring anyone to the clinic with you. They will be a distraction, and you need your focus.
• Show up early. The practice will start without you, and you'll look bad if you come in late.
• Come to practice ready to learn.
• Find out if there is an attendance requirement. If you miss, will they drop you?
• Don't be surprised if they do drop you for not showing up. Half of the responsibility of Pep Squad is being there.
• This is a sport. It requires total dedication, strength and lots and lots of practice. Expect to do and be your best.
• Make sure you are comfortable with the material and are confident
• Never try any tumbling or attempt moves that that you aren't comfortable with
• Don't try stunts like being a flyer if you've never done that
• The point is to make yourself look as good as you can! Injuring yourself or falling does not make you look good.
• Get psyched. Plan on having fun. Do your best and be proud of what you've accomplished.
• Hey, it takes GUTS to try out and perform in public! Don't forget that.
• Find out how long the try-outs will be. Sometimes they can take up to four days.

During the Try-Out

• Don't bring anyone with you. They probably won't be allowed in anyway, and dealing with that will be a distraction.
• Be early, dressed and ready to go when it's time to start.
• Try to relax and not be nervous. You will be nervous, but so will everyone else.
• Above all, act like you're having the time of your life and that you are the best cheerleader/pepsquad member ever to walk the earth.

Smiling is the single most important thing to do during try-outs. Even if you mess-up, if you are smiling chances are that the judges will be watching your face and won't even notice. And if they do notice that you messed up, they'll also notice that you smiled through it and went on like nothing happened. That scores big points. --Good luck!

Why Judges Don't Pick People
for Pep Squads

• Poor skills
• Came late to everything
• Doesn't follow instructions
• Reacts badly to correction
• Couldn't learn the routines and remember them
• Couldn't keep in place
• Movements and timing were off
• Doesn't mesh well in routines with rest of group
• Has a poor attitude
• Doesn't smile or sell the routine with body language
• Doesn't really seem to want to be doing this

If You Don't Make the Squad

• Schedule an appointment to talk to the judge or the coach
• Without anger, ask them what skills you could improve on to make the team next year
• If you are an alternate, go for it! Don't give up!
• If you didn't make cheerleader, try for dance or drill team or flags
• The experience will help and maybe you'll make it next year

Voices

The best thing about being in (our dance group) is the unity we all feel within the group and everybody sharing the love of dance. We work together towards the same goal. What's the reward? Personal success. -- Jennifer.m

What do I love about tall flags? Teamwork. Travel. Times spent together. It's a time I'll remember forever. --Kathy.d

I love performing at tournaments, football games and meeting new people. Plus, we've really become close. Some of my friends feel lost or bored at school. Not me! --Lindsey.l

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