Tryout for the 2007-08 Dance and Cheer Squad will be held on May 18 in the gymnasium.

Co-captains Lindsay Cox, liberal arts major and Lydia Chavez, nursing major of this year’s squad said was important to know about cheerleading itself and that is that it is more than just short skirts and pom-poms.

James Austin, cheer and dance adviser said, “We look for people who like to be involved with Cerritos College, who work well with a team, who have a great attitude & fun personality, people who are willing to learn new things, who are willing to go through a rigorous workout and core training, people who are competitive as well as dedicated to the program.” He added, that it takes as many people who try-out and can follow are basic cheerleading and dance skills. But also if we do not see one of the items listed above they will be put on a trial period. In addition, the Cheer and Dance Program is not just about women wearing little skirts, yelling and shaking their pom-poms for the football/basketball team, according to Austin.

“We do great amount of rigorous training not only for halftime performances,” he said, “but for competitions too.

“Both of the women and the men on the team are hard working students, not only dedicated to their school work but also to the Physical Education Program.”

There is something else that Cox and Chavez “Cheerleading is now considered a sport,” Cox said, “but there is also the risk of injury and hard work.”

She, along with Chavez, has been cheerleading for seven years and both agreed that the reason for being involved in it is for the competition.