Local News - January 2004

Cheerleading approved by 3-2 vote

Decision goes against wishes of principals

By SARAH GRANO, Staff Writer

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After months of waiting for the Board of Education to come to a decision, middle school cheerleaders finally had a reason to cheer.

The girls waved their pom-poms and hugged each other after the board voted 3-2 in favor of implementing cheerleading in middle schools.

“This is now 2004. It’s a new era. It’s the 21st century,” said Joan Avery, a board member.

“Parents, students, they’ve all changed their ideas and beliefs of what they want, and our board should honor their voices.”

Avery, Tommy Houser and Bobby “Rusty” Beam cast the deciding votes.

George Dellinger and Jean Dellinger both opposed the motion. Tony Jenkins was in Asheville at the time of the meeting and did not vote.

Board Chairman Fred Jarrett does not vote unless there is a deadlocked tie vote. Jarrett has said he favors the resumption of cheerleading.

 The Lincoln County school system dropped cheerleading from middle schools after making the transition from junior high schools in 1989.

“I’m very happy it’s over, although I’m disappointed,” Jean Dellinger said.

The issue had been brought before the board in September by Wendy Patterson, the mother of a middle school student.

Since then, Patterson has received more than 700 signatures on a petition favoring cheerleading in middle schools, and many parents have spoken at Board of Education meetings in support of cheerleading.

“I’m grateful for those that voted in favor of it,” said Dawn Reep, the mother of a middle school cheerleader. “I was in shock because it’s been such a long battle.”

Those in favor of cheerleading in middle school had come up against opposition from all four middle school principals.

The principals did, however, work with a committee of parents and teachers to form guidelines for middle school cheerleading if it were to be implemented.

“I’m not happy about it,” said Bobby Harkey, principal of Pumpkin Center Middle School. “That’s what the board decided, and we will have the best cheerleading in the county if I have anything to do with it.”

Several opponents believed that cheerleading could not follow the middle school concept because it was exclusive rather than inclusive.

The principals did not want to introduce something new to their schools that required cuts and encouraged competition.

“I think basically folks thought we were against cheerleading, and we weren’t,” Harkey said.

Many opponents of cheerleading received calls and letters from those in favor of it.

Jean Dellinger even received a loud phone message in which her job was threatened.

“I don’t play this game,” Dellinger said. “Tonight with my vote, I did what I felt was best for all students, not a special group of students.”

The school board must now begin work on a smooth transition.

Cheerleading will be added to middle schools in the fall.

“I think with the guidelines that were established by the committee, there’s an understanding of how cheerleading needs to go back into the school system,” said Fred Jarrett.

Many of the middle school students who attended the meeting are excited about trying out for cheerleading at their schools.

“We really want to support our football team,” said Kymlon Reep. “If I don’t make it, it won’t be the end of the world or anything. I’ve tried out for other things and not made it.”

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Staff Writer Sarah Grano can be reached at 704-735-3031 or sgrano@ltnews.com

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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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