2-4-6-8, Which Girls Get to Celebrate?

Re “Cheerleading Squad Picks Decided,” Jan. 9:

As captain of the current cheerleading squad at Newport Harbor, I believe I am justified in voicing a prevalent concern among the students and cheerleaders.

The cheerleading controversy that has spread throughout the media has generally given Newport Harbor students, their parents and their community a stigma of being overindulged and detached from reality.

In truth, there were very few people, if any, who wanted this issue to be a big deal, besides the media who found it an intriguing story. Most of the people involved just wished for the issue to be resolved justly.

The television, radio and newspaper reporters who caught the story probably did not intend to feed the stereotype of people in Newport Beach, but I hope that they will learn that a few angry people should not be able to speak for a squad, school or community.

Tamara Rather

Newport Beach

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After reading the article about the mayhem surrounding the cheerleading tryouts at Newport Harbor High School, I blame the parents, not the school or the girls, for the circus surrounding cheerleading tryouts.

Many girls dream of being a cheerleader, supporting their team, competing themselves, and getting personal recognition. Being popular in high school is fun. However, in real life there are winners and losers. Not winning all the time is part of life, and we all need to go through it.

High school girls need the support of their parents through comforting them, listening to them, and encouraging them. Sure it hurts for a while, but time eases pains and disappointments. With parents stepping in to rescue their daughters, they have sent a message to their children that they will get what they want because their parents will bully and protect them.

The girls don’t need to be rescued. They need the opportunity to take risks, solve problems and find their way.

The girls will survive. Will their mothers?

Debbie Wright

Rancho Santa Margarita