The State - News from June 30, 1989

Five black girls who failed to make the Palm Springs High School varsity cheerleading squad have sued the school, its principal and the Palm Springs Unified School District, alleging that they were passed over because of their race. The federal court suit charges that “racism is common” on the campus and that scoring during tryouts for 16 spots was tailored to favor white students. Represented by attorney Gloria Allred, the girls--Aneka Knight, Carla Johnston, Elizabeth Williams, Tisha Pollard and Joy Brown--ask the court to direct the district to cease its allegedly discriminatory practices and allow them to join the team in time for training camp in August. District officials would not comment on the suit but said a Board of Education investigation found no evidence of discrimination.