JOIN SPIRIT REVOLUTION
http://www.d125.org
1. What is Spirit Revolution?
Spirit Revolution is an exciting group at Stevenson that is made up of our Cheerleading
and Pom teams. This last year we had over 120 members. The Spirit Revolution teams have a
reputation as being among the top teams in the state.
As members of Spirit Revolution, your most important job will be to add to the school
spirit by performing at football games, boys and girls basketball games and at various other SHS
sporting events. You will also be required to work at the two competitions that we host which are
our major fundraisers-- a TDI Pom Competition and an IHSA Cheerleading Competition. All
parents will also be expected to work on various committees and at competitions as well. Parent
support is a major contributing factor to the success of our program.
Both Varsity teams compete at several competitions throughout the year. Freshman
cheerleaders and poms do not compete. BUT-Junior Varsity teams will compete at the
Stevenson Invitational and three other competition for placement Freshman levels perform a
competition-style routine together for exhibition in front of a packed house at our pom and
cheerleading competitions.
2. What is the difference between Cheerleading and Patriettes?
Cheerleaders are on the sidelines during a game and do cheers and chants. During
timeouts and quarter breaks, cheerleaders perform cheers, which include tumbling, jumps, stunts,
and pyramids. Cheerleaders are also given the opportunity to dance when they do their
exhibition or competition routines and during the homecoming routine.
The Patriettes (Pom team) also provide spirit throughout the game. During the game,
timeouts, and quarter breaks, the team sits in the bleachers and will cheer with the cheerleaders.
The Patriettes will cheer along side the cheerleaders for one quarter of each home football game.
At half time, the team performs a routine to music. These routines include jazz/hip hop dance
moves, kicks, jumps, turns, and other flexibility skills.
3. Can I be in other sports at Stevenson and still be on Spirit Revolution?
The Cheerleading and Pom teams are considered sports at Stevenson, and our
members are given the same awards and opportunities as any other athlete. They must also
follow the Athletic Eligibility Rules. You are only allowed to be in one sport at a time. Since Spirit
Revolution is active in both the fall and winter seasons, you cannot participate in any other fall or
winter sport. You can participate in spring sports, however your commitment to Spirit Revolution
takes priority over the spring sport until after the State series has concluded. This also includes
outside school competitive dance or cheer All-star teams as well as SHS Mélange and Repertory
Companies. Participation in the SHS Concert Company is possible. As a PE class elective, you
may still choose to take dance. IHSA prohibits any All-star cheerleading involvement until after
the last competitive cheerleading meet.
4. How much time will Spirit Revolution take up?
Spirit Revolution, like every other sport is a very large time commitment. In the summer,
we practice two evenings a week through the SHS Prep program and we also provide the
opportunity to attend camps. Once school starts, the underclass teams practice three days a
week from 3:45-6:00pm, Varsity teams practice 4 days a week and may extend past 6:00pm.
Cheerleaders are also provided an opportunity to enroll in a tumbling class one night a week in
summer and fall. Freshman teams are responsible for attending all home Freshman football
games which are usually Saturday mornings or weeknight. During basketball season, Freshman
teams are responsible for covering all home Freshman boys and girls basketball games. As
discussed earlier, there are other time commitments, including working at our two competitions
and also attending some clinics. All teams are welcome to perform Loyalty at all Varsity pregames. Team will also be involved in community service events.
5. Will being in Spirit Revolution get in the way of my schoolwork?
The transition into high school is not always an easy one. Many freshman students are
surprised by the amount of time they must devote to studying. We have taken this into
consideration when planning the responsibilities of our Spirit Revolution members. Believe it or
not, the time commitments outlined above are actually reduced from those of the upperclassmen.
Most importantly, freshman do not have the pressure of perfecting a competition routine or
attending all the away games.
Nationally, cheerleaders and pom team members have above average GPA's. At
Stevenson, we have some Spirit Revolution members who rank at the top of their class. All
members must maintain academic eligibility. Most students find that if they have excellent
attendance in class and budget their time well, they can be successful in the classroom and in
Spirit Revolution. Of course, if this is a concern for you, only you and your parents can make this
decision. It is important that you realize that if you commit to be a member of Spirit Revolution,
you are expected to attend all the events scheduled.
6. If I make Spirit Revolution can I still go on vacation this summer?
If your vacation will cause you to miss any summer practices, all you need to do is let
your coach know in advance. Failure to enroll and attend five out of the seven weeks of the
summer sessions will result in not cheering or performing for a minimum of one game or until the
summer material is mastered by that individual, as determined by the coach. Prospective Varsity
members should make arrangements to attend all camps and practices in the summer.
7. What do I have to do to become a member of Spirit Revolution?
There will be a pre-tryout meeting on May 4th at 6:00pm for all levels in the Recital Hall at SHS.
All interested athletes should attend.
We are having tryouts for all incoming freshman on Monday, May 16th through Thursday, May
19th from 3:45 - 6:00pm. JV/Varsity teams have tryouts the same week, Monday, May 16th
through Thursday, May 19th from 6:30 – 9:00pm. All teams will be posted on our website, Friday,
May 21st at 4:00pm. New team meetings will be held the following week TBA.
In order to attend the tryouts, you have to fill out an ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FORM and file it
with the Athletic Office at Stevenson BEFORE May 11th for all teams. YOU MUST ALSO
HAVE A PHYSICAL THAT IS LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD IN ORDER TO TRYOUT. THE
PHYSICAL FORM (which is included in the Athletic Participation Form) MUST BE FILED WITH
THE ATHLETIC OFFICE. YOU MUST HAVE RECEIVED CLEARANCE FROM THE ATHLETIC
OFFICE BEFORE MAY 18th OR WE CANNOT LET YOU PARTICIPATE!!!!! No exemptions are
made for anyone. Do not bring the forms with you on the 16h, we cannot accept them!
They need to be sent to the Athletic Office at SHS by May 13th!
Please take care of filing this form early. The forms are available in Stevenson's Athletic Office.
Everything that you will be evaluated on will be taught to you at the clinics on May 17th thru May
20th. If you are trying out for cheerleading, you will be asked to do jumps, tumbling, a cheer, and
a spirit dance (combination of pom and cheer style dancing) Those trying out for the pom team
will be asked to do turns, splits, a series of dance combinations across the floor and the spirit
dance routine.
10. I can't decide if I want to be a cheerleader or a pom team member. What should I do?
Many freshman and even some upperclassmen have trouble with this decision.
Stevenson is unique in that our cheer and pom team members all get along and work together.
We all warm-up together and do some common routines throughout the year. The way our
program is designed you can try-out for both. You will need to decide what your first and second
choices are. We will give you your first choice if your score is high enough to make the team.
So, how do you decide which to put as your first choice? Our best advice is to follow
your own heart. If you like to tumble and do stunts, cheerleading is probably your best choice. If
you love to dance, dance, dance, then the pom team is probably for you. The worst way to
choose is to do something just because your friend is. If YOU are going to be committed to
something, YOU have to like doing it. And don't worry--history has shown that you can still stay
friends even if you are on different teams.
11. Are there any costs that I will have to pay if I should make the team?
Yes there are. Although the uniform is provided by the school, many accessories need to
be purchased by the individual member, such as jackets, shoes, practice T-shirts, body suits,
socks, ribbons, game pants, etc... Members also need to pay for their summer camps and
tumbling classes. The total cost will vary depending on how many of the camps you attend and
how many of each item you purchase, but can range anywhere from $500 - $1000. Some of
these items will only need to be purchased once. Payment plans can be worked out.