Cheerleading today begins pre womb. There is a potential mommy out there with big plans. Preparation begins with the first sonogram verifying the gentler gender. Mantras to the womb----"You are a CHEERLEADER, You are a CHEERLEADER, You are a CHEERLEADER"
whilst giant pom poms wave seductively over the growing fetus. Soon after birth it's Mommy & Me tumbling classes, toddler gymnastics, preschool "movement" classes, elementary school dance----ballet for grace, jazz for expression, tap for spunk AND the ongoing gymnastics and tumbling classes----THEN actual cheerleading academies, with team experience and local, state, and national competitions-------strength and conditioning classes----nutritional consultants----hair & makeup consultants----a life coach---and by the time high school tryouts come along, a therapist on call. I forgot about the dermatologist and the orthodontist and the style consultant.
Let's fastback to 1960-61. Here's what I remember:
"Hey! They're having cheerleader tryouts next week. Why don't you try out?"
"Okay. I guess I could do that."
The tryouts were on the STAGE in the AUDITORIUM--------very scary-----in front of the whole school! What was I thinking? I don't remember what we wore, but I'm guessing it was jeans, maybe a sweatshirt, and "tennis" shoes, either from J.C.Penney's or Montgomery Ward's because that was all there was. I think most of us trying out did the same yell, TWO BITS, FOUR BITS!
I wish I had Jennifer and Mike's ability to remember the details. I do remember that I was totally surprised to be chosen. When I told my mom she said "That's nice." (No bouquet of roses or limo ride home to a confetti strewn path, as you might find today)
I do remember that as a group we had a great time together. Our squad consisted of Judy Rutledge, Joy Schaefer, Marilyn Harp, Celia Farha, Sue Sims, Pat Harmon, DeeDee Arrington and myself. As far as I know, none of us had been groomed to do anything but go to school, stay out of trouble, and have fun.
We went to a cheerleading camp at SMU that summer. I think it was the first trip for CHS cheerleaders. It was definitely eye opening for us. We had seen the city and there was no turning back. We had eaten PIZZA----we learned to TEASE our hair----we stayed in a DORM----we actually learned new yells-----we found out we were no competition in our field. Our collective jaws dropped as we watched big squads from city schools flip, split, tumble, and spring in perfect unison wearing factory made-to-order uniforms We couldn't go home empty handed, so we plotted to win the best spirit stick, which we did by being overly friendly and peppy and gushing over everyone else's performances.
We vowed to improve-----we practiced------we tried our hardest------but most memorable is the fun we had. I remember lots of giggles. If we had any squabbles among us, I don't remember them. I thought leading students through the halls to the pep rally was the coolest thing we did-----getting to make all that noise in the halls! We probably thought we were pretty special to be on the football field and the basketball court trying to get the crowd motivated.
Cheerleaders our junior year were Judy Rutledge, Sue Sims, Joy Schaefer, Pat Harmon, Gay Morris and myself. Our senior year: Pat Harmon, head cheerleader, Gay Morris, Judy Wilson, Arlyna Caradine, Linda DeArmond and myself. Fondest thoughts go to Mr. & Mrs. Harmon for hauling us around cheerfully on SO many occasions.
whilst giant pom poms wave seductively over the growing fetus. Soon after birth it's Mommy & Me tumbling classes, toddler gymnastics, preschool "movement" classes, elementary school dance----ballet for grace, jazz for expression, tap for spunk AND the ongoing gymnastics and tumbling classes----THEN actual cheerleading academies, with team experience and local, state, and national competitions-------strength and conditioning classes----nutritional consultants----hair & makeup consultants----a life coach---and by the time high school tryouts come along, a therapist on call. I forgot about the dermatologist and the orthodontist and the style consultant.
Let's fastback to 1960-61. Here's what I remember:"Hey! They're having cheerleader tryouts next week. Why don't you try out?"
"Okay. I guess I could do that."
The tryouts were on the STAGE in the AUDITORIUM--------very scary-----in front of the whole school! What was I thinking? I don't remember what we wore, but I'm guessing it was jeans, maybe a sweatshirt, and "tennis" shoes, either from J.C.Penney's or Montgomery Ward's because that was all there was. I think most of us trying out did the same yell, TWO BITS, FOUR BITS!
I wish I had Jennifer and Mike's ability to remember the details. I do remember that I was totally surprised to be chosen. When I told my mom she said "That's nice." (No bouquet of roses or limo ride home to a confetti strewn path, as you might find today)
I do remember that as a group we had a great time together. Our squad consisted of Judy Rutledge, Joy Schaefer, Marilyn Harp, Celia Farha, Sue Sims, Pat Harmon, DeeDee Arrington and myself. As far as I know, none of us had been groomed to do anything but go to school, stay out of trouble, and have fun.
We went to a cheerleading camp at SMU that summer. I think it was the first trip for CHS cheerleaders. It was definitely eye opening for us. We had seen the city and there was no turning back. We had eaten PIZZA----we learned to TEASE our hair----we stayed in a DORM----we actually learned new yells-----we found out we were no competition in our field. Our collective jaws dropped as we watched big squads from city schools flip, split, tumble, and spring in perfect unison wearing factory made-to-order uniforms We couldn't go home empty handed, so we plotted to win the best spirit stick, which we did by being overly friendly and peppy and gushing over everyone else's performances.
We vowed to improve-----we practiced------we tried our hardest------but most memorable is the fun we had. I remember lots of giggles. If we had any squabbles among us, I don't remember them. I thought leading students through the halls to the pep rally was the coolest thing we did-----getting to make all that noise in the halls! We probably thought we were pretty special to be on the football field and the basketball court trying to get the crowd motivated.
Cheerleaders our junior year were Judy Rutledge, Sue Sims, Joy Schaefer, Pat Harmon, Gay Morris and myself. Our senior year: Pat Harmon, head cheerleader, Gay Morris, Judy Wilson, Arlyna Caradine, Linda DeArmond and myself. Fondest thoughts go to Mr. & Mrs. Harmon for hauling us around cheerfully on SO many occasions.
SMU cheerleading school, summer of 1960. Judy Rutledge doing a backbend, Marilyn Harp doing splits, on left Sue Sims, on right Celia Farha, DeeDee Arrington behind Celia, Pat Harmon peeking through legs, the legs in the air are Joy Schaefer and myself----don't know which is which-----I'm guessing I'm on the right.
Childress High School cheerleader, ca. 1942
Billie Janice Harp (Jennifer's mother)
This photo of Jennifer's mother makes a great addition to Clara A. R. Meek: Cheerleading-----A Comparative Study (Today and the Dark Ages)
Childress High School cheerleader, ca. 1942
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)