A Cheerleader’s Unbroken Spirit : Irma Ruiz Refused to Let Two Unsuccessful Attempts Stop Her From Reaching Her Goal

Irma Ruiz, 17, is a varsity yell leader at Bell Gardens High. The senior made the squad for the first time this fall in her third attempt in three years. Adviser Noni Fimbres urged Ruiz not to try out her senior year to avoid another disappointment after she did not make the cut as a junior. “There is a lot of peer pressure and I told her to forget about it,” Fimbres said. “I didn’t want it to ruin her whole school year.” But when Ruiz decided to try out again, Fimbres said she would guarantee a spot for her. Ruiz, however, opted to go through the standard tryouts with about 200 others for 70-80 positions on the pep squad, which includes flag, yell and song corps. After several weeks of instruction on a routine, candidates are scrutinized by a panel of four independent judges. “A lot of kids had an advantage because they had been on the squad and knew the routines, but Irma worked hard and really earned it,” Fimbres said. She was interviewed by Kirby Lee.

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I was never interested in playing sports. A cheerleader is always something I wanted to be since my freshman year. Everybody talks about them and I became interested when I saw them perform at school.

I tried out my sophomore and junior year and didn’t make it. After I didn’t make it for the second time, I thought about not trying out anymore. My mother also tried to persuade me not to do it again because she didn’t want me to go through the disappointment again.

I had a lot of friends who were cheerleaders. And this was my last chance and my last year of high school, I didn’t want to give up. I didn’t want to think back forever whether I would have made it or not.

Last spring, Noni (Fimbres), the cheerleader adviser, told me maybe it wouldn’t be a good idea to try out again. Most of the girls knew I had tried out twice and didn’t make it. She told me she wouldn’t tell me ‘No,’ but said she didn’t want to see me get hurt or embarrassed.

Later, she told me if I still wanted to be a cheerleader, she would put me on the squad and I wouldn’t have to try out. I’m glad she cared, but it’s not fair not to tryout. What’s the point? I wanted to prove I could make it myself. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me.

In tryouts, they teach you a routine and you have to learn it in three weeks.

The first time I tried out, I was nervous, and the judges can tell by your voice and smile. I kind of knew I wasn’t going to make it. My junior year, I was worried but thought I might make it.

This year, I was more confident. For sure, I had to make it this year. I knew what to expect and was prepared. I thought I had more of a chance because I knew the routine and all the clapping. I knew what the judges were looking for. It was like taking a test.

The tryout was on a Friday and they posted the names of the people who made it on a Monday afternoon. I was still a little unsure whether I made it or not, but at least I tried.

When I saw my name on the list, I started crying, but I knew what the people who didn’t make it were going through. I felt sorry for them.

One of my best friends tried out and didn’t make it. She came crying to me and I reminded her that she was only a junior, and to try again next year. I said, ‘Don’t worry--just look what happened to me!’

I had never been to a football game before I made the squad. My younger sister, Carmen, is a sophomore and plays flute in the band. Now she wants to be a cheerleader too because she sees all the fun I am having.

Everybody is like a family and knows each other. We go to school sporting events or wherever we are asked . . . parades or other community events.

We have to pay $580 for uniform. A lot of girls have to work to pay the expenses, but fortunately, my mom helps me with the payments.

You must maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average, and we practice for two hours, until 4:30 every afternoon. I do my homework as soon as I get home.

It’s a lot of hard work and I don’t have much free time, but I’m glad to be a part of something. I feel good about myself, about finally making it.