Parents Claim ‘Abuse of Power’ Cheerleader in Picks

Parents of Irvine High School cheerleaders anticipated that not all of the junior varsity squad would be chosen for the varsity team. But their disappointment turned to anger when they learned that only one of the JV members made the cut.

Sophomore cheerleaders were chosen for the varsity squad for the next school year. The only JV team member chosen was also a sophomore.

School officials say the judging was “fair and honest.” But parents of the 11 juniors not chosen say they are the victims of the “abuse of power” by pep squad advisor Denise Cianciabella, who has since resigned.

“She said, ‘I don’t like this group. They’re not going to make it back,’ ” parent Tim Gaffney said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Irvine High School Principal Gail Richards said she has found no evidence of unfair treatment.

Under the district’s new tryout procedures, Richards said, four judges from Universal Cheerleading Assn., which operates summer cheerleading camps nationwide, ranked about 70 competing students, 16 of whom were chosen for the varsity squad.

District Supt. Dennis M. Smith said he is completing a review of the parents’ complaints and will issue a report Friday.

The controversy at the high school is not the first involving the advisor. In January 1995, an Irvine High School senior filed a lawsuit against Irvine Unified School District after Cianciabella kicked her off the pageantry team for attending a homecoming dance instead of a team competition.

A Superior Court judge sided with the school district.

Cianciabella, who continues to serve as pageantry advisor, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.