THE CONSTITUTION AND THE BY-LAWS OF THE BENTON HIGH SCHOOL
CHEERLEADERS
REVISED FEBRUARY 24, 2010
ARTICLE I:
OFFICIAL NAME
The name of this organization will be the Benton High School
Cheerleaders
ARTICLE II:
PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization will be to promote school
Spirit, enthusiasm and good sportsmanship for competitive
Athletic contests as designed by the administration and
Coach; to organize the club and to enforce the constitution
And by-laws of this organization.
ARTICLE III:
MEMBERS
SECTION1: The total squad will consist of no more than 30 (thirty) cheerleaders.
The varsity squad will consist of no more than 17 (seventeen) cheerleaders and the
Junior varsity squad will consist of no more than 6 (six) cheerleaders. The
Freshman squad will consist of no more than 8 (eight) members.
SECTION 2: The varsity squad will be those who have received the top scores at
tryouts. A varsity member must obtain a minimum score of 75% of that of the top
scoring individual at tryouts. The Junior varsity squad will consist of the next
highest scores at tryouts. If there are not enough people trying out, the JV and
Freshman will be determined by the following:
1. The Freshman will help the JV squad, rotating to help them at
Games.
2. The size of the Varsity squad will be reduced. The number to be
Determined by the coach/coaches.
3. The varsity coach may choose to pull up a Freshman or JV
Cheerleader. That person will not be a Varsity letter winner
If he/she does not cheer for at least ¾ of all Varsity games.
ARTICLE IV:
ELECTION AND REGULATION OF MEMBERS
SECTION 1: A student must have a 2.0 grade average the semester before tryouts in
order to be eligible. All cheerleaders must continue to maintain a 2.0 average each
semester and not receive an “F” for a semester grade (See Article VII, section 5).
SECTION 2: An out-of-school suspension or in-school suspension for the current
year could make the candidate ineligible to tryout.
SECTION 3: Cheerleaders will be chosen in the spring of the year, as soon as
possible at the end of the basketball season.
SECTION 4: If a cheerleader has not turned in money from a fund-raiser, uniforms
from this or another sport, or has any outstanding debt in the school, the
cheerleader may not tryout until the problem is corrected.
SECTION 5: Cheerleaders may participate in other sports, except for
Football/Basketball, but must realize the time involved to participate in both
activities and must work cooperatively with both coaches. Demerits may be
received for games or practices missed.
ARTICLE V:
TRYOUTS
SECTION 1: Tryout regulations will be established each spring by the coach.
SECTION 2: The cheerleading coach will choose the judges that will judge tryouts.
SECTION 3: Those with the highest point totals will be selected for the cheerleading
squads. There will be a minimum score for varsity squad members which will
consist of 75% of the top scoring applicant.
SECTION 4: A cheerleader who accumulates 10 demerits the previous season is
dismissed and will not be considered eligible for tryouts for cheerleading/poms the
following year. This dismissal is enforced upon the receiving of demerit number 10.
ARTICLE VI:
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CO-CAPTAINS
SECTION 1: Captains or Co-Captains will be chosen by the cheer coach. Seniority
will be considered.
SECTION 2: The most important responsibility for co-captains must be to set a good
example. They must abide by all rules and regulations and see that the other squad
members do the same.
SECTION 3: Permission to have a practice or not must be given by the coach.
SECTION 4: Designing a schedule for all squad members to designate who will be
responsible for locker signs and recognition of players for football and basketball
homecomings.
SECTION 5: Maintaining a proper image at all times.
SECTION 6: Taking the initiative to meet with the captains from opposing squads
for introductions and time out coordination.
SECTION 7: Helping with middle school tryouts.
SECTION 8: Helping with the next year’s cheer tryouts.
ARTICLE VII:
DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS
A cheerleader can be automatically dismissed or suspended if any one or
more of the following occur:
SECTION 1: Failure to comply with the rules and regulations after a proper
warning. The warning may be written or verbal.
SECTION 2: Failure to sign and comply with the St. Joseph School District Activity
Participation Rules of Middle and High Schools as governed by M.S.H.S.A.A.
SECTION 3: Committing an act unbecoming of a cheerleader. These may include,
but are not limited to:
1. Smoking or drinking
2. Being charged by the police for any activity under the influence of alcohol
Or drugs.
3. Being charged by the police for possession of alcohol or drugs
4. Coming to a game or school function under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
5. Receiving an in-school or out-of-school suspension.
6. Committing an act which is unbecoming a cheerleader in the eyes of the
coach, assistant principals, activities director or principal. These acts are
determined on an individual basis, but they do include actions not only at
school functions, but at all times.
7. Discussing serious cheerleading business with those outside the group
will be determined by the coach according to the seriousness of the
offense and past service.
SECTION 4: The inability to keep a 2.0 grade point average an “F” for a semester
grade.
SECTION 5: Failure to abide by MSHSAA rules and regulations.
SECTION 6: All cheerleaders will be expected to sign and abide by the cheerleading
contract and constitution.
SECTION 7: Accumulation of 10 (ten) demerits during a cheer season. Upon receipt
of 10th demerit.
ARTICLE VIII:
PRACTICES
SECTION 1: Spring and summer practices will be scheduled and a calendar will be
handed out to each cheerleader. Attendance is required. Including at camps,
arising stars and summer school.
SECTION 2: During the spring and summer practices, each cheerleader will be
excused for one week long FAMILY vacation (with their parents). The cheerleader
must notify the coach of the date and length of the vacation in May. If the vacation
will be longer than one week in length, the cheerleader must meet with the coach
and be assigned additional practice duties. The only weeks that are not excused are
the week before camp, the week of camp, and for varsity the two weeks before
competition. Attendance is required.
SECTION 3: All other practices will be scheduled by the coach. Attendance is
required. To prepare for competition in November practices will be more frequent
for varsity cheerleaders.
SECTION 4: A cheerleader may be excused from practice for illness, death in the
family, school business, family business (with your family), and required church
events. Verification may be required. Games are excused for illness, death in the
family and some school business (See also Article XIII section 5).
SECTION 5: Meetings will be held when needed. Attendance is required.
SECTION 6: If possible, a week’s notice will be given for practices and meetings.
However, extra practices and/or meetings may need to be called. Attendance is
required at these special practices and meetings.
SECTION 7: If a cheerleader misses practice the day that a pep assembly is
practiced, the cheerleader may not cheer at the pep assembly, whether or not it is
excused. However, if the assembly is practiced at two or more practices, as long as
the cheerleader is there the majority of the practices, the cheerleader may cheer the
assembly.
ARTICLE IX:
FUND RAISING
SECTION 1: Each cheerleader must participate in all fund raisers.
SECTION 2: Each cheerleader is responsible for all products and money assigned.
Products and money that are stolen, or not paid must be made up by the
cheerleader. Products and money must NOT be left where they are vulnerable.
SECTION 3: All money must be turned in by assigned date to the coach. The coach
will keep an individual record for each cheerleader.
SECTION 4: It is the cheerleaders’ responsibility to keep receipts in case of a
discrepancy.
SECTION 5: A limit of 3 (three) weeks (after products have been handed out) will be
given to turn in all money. If all the money is not turned in by the deadline, the
cheerleader will be required to sit out or receive 1 demerit per week until it is all
turned in to the coach.
ARTICLE X:
DEMERITS
SECTION 1: Absence from a game = 3 demerits
Leave permits for doctor’s appointment, etc. Does not excuse a person
From a game. Unless a note is given to the coach stating that you are
Unable to cheer to sit the game, you will receive a demerit.
SECTION 2: Absence from a practice = 2 demerits
SECTION 3: Absence from a meeting = 2 demerits
SECTION 4: A tardy to a game = 1 demerit
Cheerleaders must report to the coach or a person appointed by the
Coach 30 minutes for Freshman/JV, 1hour for Varsity before the game
Time is scheduled to start. Must be in the cheering area ready to cheer
By 3 minutes of the game clock. If they fail to do so, they will be
Considered tardy and will receive the demerit.
SECTION 5: A tardy at half time = 1 demerit
A tardy at half is failure to be back in the cheering area within 3
Minutes of the game clock. The cheerleader will receive a demerit if
Not on time.
SECTION 6: A tardy to practice or meetings = 1 demerit
SECTION 7: Being out of uniform = 1 demerit
Failure to wear proper uniform on a day that the cheerleader is
Required to wear the uniform. This includes wearing wrong socks, hair
Being worn down, wearing wrong shoes, wearing jewelry with uniform
Or wearing jeans.
SECTION 8: Chewing gum at a game = 1 demerit
SECTION 9: Wearing any jewelry at a practice or game (including belly button
Rings, earrings, necklaces, etc.) = 1 demerit
SECTION 10: Failure to have hair pulled up off the shoulders and away from the
Face during a game, practice, or while in uniform = 1 demerit
SECTION 11: Failure to wear proper shoes (cheer shoes) to practice, games, or
while in uniform = 1 demerit
SECTION 12: Not having proper practice clothes for practice = 1 demerit
SECTION 13: If a cheerleader leaves a game for an inappropriate reason = 1 demerit
The cheerleader will also be benched for the following game. If a Cheerleader
becomes ill at a game, the cheerleader must report to the Coach or the person in
charge and ask to be excused from the game.
SECTION 14: Any cheerleader whose attitude or actions show disrespect for the
school, game, or squad in the eyes of the coach or principal, they will receive
demerits decide on by the coach.
SECTION 15: CONCERNING ILLNESS ONLY If a cheerleader is absent from school
the day of a game, the first 3 absences will not result in demerits, however, after the
third absence, a written doctor’s statement will be required. A parental note will
not suffice.
SECTION 16: Demerits will be divided into summer, football, and basketball
seasons. The maximum number of demerits per season is 10 demerits. Once the
cheerleader reaches 10 demerits they will automatically be removed from the squad
for the remainder of the year. However, if the cheerleader completes a season
without accumulating 10 demerits they will start the new season with 0 demerits.
The same procedure will follow for each season. 10 demerits and dismissal and you
may not tryout for cheer/poms the following year.
SECTION 17: The seasons are as follows:
Spring/summer- from the tryout date until the day before football
Jamboree/city showcase.
Football – the day of the football jamboree/city showcase to the day
Before basketball jamboree/city showcase.
Basketball – the day of the basketball jamboree/city showcase to the
End of basketball season.
SECTION 18: Not participating fully in fund raiser = 2 demerits
ARTICLE XI:
UNIFORMS
SECTION 1: All uniforms are the property of Benton High School
SECTION 2: Cheerleaders must pay the school athletic fee. There is also a $150
refundable fee. $50 will be refunded if still in good standing at the end of the year.
The other $100 when all uniforms are returned in good condition.
SECTION 3: All uniforms must be ready and clean at all times. The excuse that a
uniform is damaged or dirty is not acceptable. The cheerleaders will be informed
which uniform will be worn so they are ready to wear. The cheerleader is
responsible for cleaning, repairing, and replacing (if lost or damaged)
all uniforms.
SECTION 4: At the end of the cheerleader’s term, the coach will inspect uniforms. If
they are in good condition the cheerleader’s account will be cleared and they will
owe no money to the school for uniform costs. However, if a uniform is damaged or
lost the cheerleader will be responsible for the repair or replacement of the uniform.
The cheerleader’s deposit will first be applied toward the cost of the uniform and
the rest paid by the cheerleader.
SECTION 5: All departing cheerleaders must have their uniforms turned in by the
date specified by the coach.
SECTION 6: The cheerleader will be responsible for paying for their cheerleading
shoes, poms, socks, spankies, camps, camp clothes, turtle neck, arising stars, as well
as some miscellaneous items.
ARTICLE XII
CONDUCT AND APPEARANCE
SECTION 1: All members shall have a clean uniform, shoes, socks, etc.. at all games.
SECTION 2: All cheerleaders will remember they are representatives of their school
and they will reflect the image of a spirited, respectful, law abiding citizen.
SECTION 3: Cheerleaders will not display undesirable emotions such as crying,
screaming, anger, loudness, rage, etc at anytime during or after school, a game, or
while in uniform.
SECTION 4: Cheerleaders will not shout at or mock game officials at anytime in any
manner.
SECTION 5: Cheerleaders will not start or participate in negative or derogatory
cheers or chants. They will encourage the crowd with positive chants/cheers.
SECTION 6: Enjoy yourself while you are cheering. Your attitude will reflect to your
crowd.
ARTICLE XIII
GAMES
SECTION 1: A cheerleader may not cheer at a game if the cheerleader has not been
at school for at least ½ that day, unless excused by the coach.
SECTION 2: A cheerleader who misses a game that they are scheduled to cheer must
have been absent from school that day, obtained a leave permit for illness or receive
demerits. If they are absent from school the next day, with an unexcused absence,
they will receive a demerit
SECTION 3: Cheerleaders are to ride to and from out of town games on the
designated bus. Exceptions to this rule must be granted by the coach, activities
coordinator or principals. The arrangements must be made by the cheerleader’s
parents or legal guardian, not by the cheerleader. If the cheerleader does not ride
the designated bus and does not follow the proper procedure they will be turned in
as truant.
SECTION 4: Normally a week’s notice will be given for games. However,
tournaments, reschedules, and extra games may not allow for a full week’s notice.
These special games will also be required events.
SECTION 5: The only excused absences from games are illness, death in the family,
and some school business. The other reasons allowed for practices are not allowed
for games. (See also Article VIII section 4).
ARTICLE XIV:
MISCELLANOUS
SECTION 1: A cheerleader’s parents or guardians will be notified once the
cheerleader has accumulated 9 demerits so they will know that the cheerleader is
one demerit away from removal from the squad. The notification may be made by
telephone, letter, or e-mail as soon as possible after the cheerleader has reached 9
demerits.
SECTION 2: A cheerleader must finish the year in good standing to receive a
cheerleading letter or bar, and to try out the next year for cheerleading/poms.
SECTION 3: If, at any time, a cheerleader refuses to do a cheer or stunt that has been
practiced the cheerleader will be required to sit out the next game the cheerleader is
scheduled to cheer.
SECTION 4: The coach will designate at which games each of the cheerleaders will
be responsible for cheering during the year. No trading of assigned games unless
approved by the coach.
SECTION 5: When a cheerleader is required to sit out or must sit due to injury the
cheerleader must sit as close to the cheerleaders as possible and yell with the
cheerleaders. The cheerleader is not to sit with friends, boyfriend, etc… and visit
during the game.
BENTON CHEER AGREEMENT
I have read each part of the Benton Cheer Constitution
(amended February 2010) and I agree to abide by each
and every article. I understand and accept the
consequences that will occur if I do not abide by the
rules set forth in this constitution.
Signed:__________________________Benton Cheerleader
BENTON CHEER AGREEMENT FOR PARENTS
I have read each part of the Benton Cheer Constitution
(amended February 2010). I understand and accept the
consequences that will occur if my son/daughter does
not abide by the rules set forth in this constitution.
Signed:___________________________Benton Cheer Parent
BENTON HIGH SCHOOL
CHEERLEADING CONTRACT
All who are elected to participate as cheerleaders will be
expected to abide by the standards and agreements listed
below and in the attached constitution. A merit system will be
used each season to insure that a cheerleader’s actions are
fitting for someone representing Benton High School. Any
infraction of the standards below or in the constitution will
result in dismissal from the squad. Any serious violation may
result in suspension or complete dismissal from the
organization.
As a member of the Benton High School Cheerleaders, with full
understanding that MY ACTIONS
BY-LAWS
This constitution will be strictly enforced.
This constitution is for each/every cheerleader to follow.
If there is an occurrence that is not specifically dealt with in this
constitution it will be decided on by the coach and athletic director.
The administration and coach retain the right to override any part or all
of the constitution if they deem necessary.
I, ____________________________ have read the rules as outlined in
(cheerleader)
the constitution and will abide by them. I will also abide by the
state rules as outlined by MSHSAA. I accept the penalty for not
following the rules as also outlined in the constitution.
(Signature of cheerleader)
(date signed)
As a parent/guardian, I have also read the rules outlined in the
Constitution and I am aware of the penalty if my child does not
Abide by the rules. I also know that I will be informed when
My child receives 9 demerits and if he/she receives 10
Demerits he/she will no longer be part of the cheerleading
Squad.
(signature of parent/guardian)
(date signed)