Santa Rosa Junior College cheerleaders voiced their frustration over a lack of access to a secure practice space at the Board of Trustees Meeting Oct. 10.
Coaches, cheerleaders and parents of cheerleaders said SRJC administration hasn’t provided access to safe practice facilities. They said they felt used, belittled, unappreciated and overlooked.
“We were being kicked out of our practice space, disrespected by other members of the JC and other sports teams, and we’re tired of it,” said team co-captain Piper Lefson. “I pick the schools I go to because of their cheer teams. This [cheer] is a huge part of my life, and it’s my escape.”
Multiple cheerleaders said the team hasn’t had an active and secure practice space in over a year, and members first asked the Board for help on May 9. Their requests were not met, necessitating a return visit to the board meeting.
The seven speakers described common sentiments of feeling disrespected and unappreciated, during the meeting.
Cheer coach Dori Elder said, “You’re basically telling these students they don’t matter. You’re showing these young athletes that you don’t care, that they’re not important.”
When the Oak Leaf reached out to Board of Trustees President Dorothy Battenfeld, she said she appreciated that the team brought their concerns to the meeting. “I support all our student athletes and their varied needs for safe and accessible practice and game facilities,” she said.
Battenfeld said that student Trustee Logan Warren plans to follow up with the cheerleader’s concerns.
