Cheerleading

We hold two separate tryouts- one the second week of April for the summer/football season, and another in October for basketball season. Tryout dates are shared via the Athletic announcement email and shared on Southwood Cheers Instagram. Both male and female students are welcome to tryout.

Tryouts typically consist of two open gym style clinics where students learn basic skills - cheer, chant, and dance. The students then tryout and team selections are made based on their overall tryout/attitude/academic standing, etc. 

Each season we typically have a Varsity Squad of 8-10 members, and a JV Squad of 6-8 members.

Practices are typically held twice per week 2x throughout the summer and then 2-4 times per week during the season. 

The Varsity squad cheers at all home and away Football and Boys' Basketball games. JV and junior high cheers at all home and inter-county away games for Football and Boys' Basketball. 

Cheerleading is traditionally an expensive activity, but our coaches have worked hard to cut participate costs tremendously in recent years.

Varsity and JV cheerleaders do participate in UCA Camp which is the largest cost factor. This three-day overnight camp costs right around $300/student.

The first year of cheering, a student will pay around $200 for shoes, spandex and practice wear. Many of these items can be used throughout other seasons, reducing the future cost.  

To help offset expenses, the SHS Cheerleaders participate in the Indy 500 Track Clean-up Fundraiser, which typically covers a majority of the camp costs. Other fundraisers and  kiddie camps also help bring in monies to assist families with the cost.

Over the past few years the Southwood Cheerleaders have entered in the realm of cheer competitions, and are hoping to continue growing in this area. Currently we try to do one invitational each year. We create a 2.5 minute routine involving a cheer, chant, dance and stunting. Competitions do involve extra practices as the competition approaches.

Southwood Cheerleaders have received several accolades in recent competitions, including:

• Placed 1st and 2nd in our last three invitationals
• Placing 1st and 2nd in their divisions at UCA camp 
• 1st in the performance category for the Founder’s Day parades
• Have had several cheerleaders selected for “UCA’s All-American” award
• Several cheerleads participate in the Varsity Spirit Spectacular in Florida

Southwood Cheer is often commended for their excellent attitudes and as “most spirited” throughout each of their camp experiences.