Cheerleaders must raise thousands to continue into winter sports
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RONAN – Cheerleading will continue to be a sport in Ronan if the squad can come up with the $3,941.91 necessary to fund a coach for the team.
Last year, the school decided to cut the sport because of budget constraints, school officials said. Parents and the cheerleaders were made aware of this in October, and asked the school board to reconsider the decision.
“After this football and volleyball season, cheerleading was just going to be done with,” parent Jennifer O’Connor said. “I was willing to volunteer as coach for the position but we found out that because the teacher’s union has it written into a contract about how much a coach should make, we couldn’t have a volunteer position.”
Now the cheerleaders have a tough task before them. The group has to raise roughly $4,000 before the school can advertise to hire a coach. The squad hopes to cheer by Christmas, a few weeks after volleyball and basketball season start.
“They will have most of the season left,” O’Connor said.
That means the school will have to be ready to hire a coach by the Dec. 9 school board meeting. The girls would then need 10 days of practice before they can cheer under Montana High School Sports Association rules.
O’Connor said if people aren’t able to donate monetarily, they can still contribute by letting school administrators know they support the cheerleaders.
Brittany Oschmann, who has been a cheerleader for five seasons, said continuing the sport means a lot to her.
“For me, cheerleading is not just a sport, it’s my dream and I need a little help,” Oschmann said.
To donate, mail contributions to the Ronan Booster Club 35836 Round Butte Road, Ronan Montana, 59864.
