http://disqus.com/by/MustangMom/enMon, 08 Dec 2008 20:37:33 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/35727229.html#comment-4278891<p>You took the words right out of my mouth Cheers2You....well stated and echoing my feelings exactly. Thank you for stating everything so clearly and you are absolutely right in saying that the best thing to do at this point is to move on and make the best of the hand we've been dealt - that includes parents as well as the cheerleaders involved. That is what I intend to do and I hope we can finally put the drama and negativity behind us. That would be a good New Year's resolution for sure!</p>MustangMomMon, 08 Dec 2008 20:37:33 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/33401424.html#comment-3585473<p>Very well-stated Nicole! It is nice to hear from another cheerleader, since you are the real heart of the issue and those most affected by it. You and Sabrina are girls that others should look up to and learn from. You are truly examples of class and character under immense pressure. I just hope that the team can find its way back together, reach some kind of peace, and manage to salvage something to be proud of this year.</p><p>WIth Seniors like you on the team, I believe there is hope. Stay strong and I look forward seeing what you and the rest of the team will all become, as you find your way through this difficult situation. Best of luck to you and remember you have so much potential for greatness inside you....you all do!</p>MustangMomFri, 07 Nov 2008 01:22:26 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/33401424.html#comment-3574809<p>I am the mom of a sophomore RHS cheerleader. I'm not afraid to identify myself, my name is Chris Follett. I have no problem with others having different opinions than my own. What I do object to is only "anonymous" people are willing to come out attacking and mudslinging....stand up for your opinion and beliefs! They do so under the guise that they will be retaliated against, when those of us who are part of this whole mess know who really does the retaliating and bullying. It is just their excuse, many of us already know who you are. You are not as "clever" hiding as you think you are. I would love to see one or more of you have the guts to come forward, identify yourself, and have the courage to stand behind your beliefs and opinions. Isn't there anyone among you who has the courage to stand up for what YOU believe publicly?</p><p>My purpose in posting is more than just to throw in my support for Ronda and the program she was building at RHS. I was contacted to give a statement for the original article, but I was out of town and didn't get it in in time to be included. I want to go on the record saying that my daughter varianced to RHS (she was supposed to go to Eastlake) because she wanted to be part of an outstanding competitive cheer program and an athlete in her own right, as well as support the other sports in the school. She has been a member of Galaxy for the past two years after a long time in competitive gymnastics. She has a high level of tumbling skills and was really looking to be able to use them in a "sport" other than gymnastics. Anyone who knows anything about true competitive cheer knows that it is very much a sport. That is what she wanted when she came to RHS, after watching them the previous year and seeing them end their amazing year with a state championship. She wanted to be a part of a program that had a forward-thinking vision for their cheer program...one that was looking to be a leader in the sport in this area (it is already big in other parts of the US). She does have a legitimate chance at a college scholarship I believe (based on her skill level and not empty promises as some of you have suggested). However, I do believe that being part of a competitive high school team and an advanced sideline stunting team would have made her college "resume" look even that much better. Yes, she still does compete for Galaxy in cheer and dance, but it is not the same kind of "hands-on" experience in working with and leading a crowd that would be a valuable asset for a college cheerleader. Most of the schools, that at least I know of, have their competitive cheerleaders work the sidelines as well, for football and basketball games - so all aspects of cheer experience are valuable and helpful. When Coach Ronda was "released from her duties" this RHS team overnight became a very different team and one that is much less likely to help my daughter reach her goals. And for those of you that point to the grade issue, I as well think good grades are very important.....my daughter is an excellent student and currently has very high grades. Both I feel are very important to her future.</p><p>I still believe that if the LWSD and/or RHS administration felt that Ronda had broken some rules or was a safety problem, that there should have been some sort of "due process" such as warnings, reprimands, maybe having her sit out for a week or two, but then giving her a chance to fix her past mistakes. Even though many other high school cheer coaches in the area have done the very same things, they are not living under the negative microscope that Ronda has operated under. However, if she did break a rule there should be a consequence. I agee with another poster on here, I believe AKillian.....does the punishment fit the crime? I certainly don't feel that is the case. I feel that Ronda should have been given the chance to make changes and learn and grow from any mistakes she made. Unless I'm mistaken, she was not given the opportunity to show that she was willing to "change" if it was necessary to remain coach of this team.</p><p>Regardless of my feelings about Ronda and my strong support for her, what I am really concerned about is what will happen to this team. The team the cheerleaders have now is not the same one they all tried out for and signed up for. I think a lot of people don't realize what a high level of athletic talent and ability these kids have, not just the "Galaxy" kids with previous competitive cheer experience, but the new kids as well. They impressed me so much with what they could do in such a short amount of time. I know how difficult some of the things they were doing are and they have worked so hard and have so much to be proud of. They are truly so much more than the strictly sideline "pretty princesses" (and handsome prince...ha, ha!) of the teams of the past. This is not a slam on past RHS teams, since I don't have much knowledge of them, but I'm referring to more traditional sideline only cheer squads that we all probably grew up seeing. I have nothing against their advisor Ashley Doran. I'm sure she is doing the best in the difficult circumstances she was thrown into, but she has nowhere near the experience and qualifications of Ronda. The LWSD was supposedly concerned that Ronda was a safety problem. As a parent of one of the cheerleaders, I can tell you I was never concerned about my daughter's safety while under Ronda's guidance. I am however, now, very concerned about her safety with an extremely inexperienced advisor with no coaching experience at this high level of high school cheer (I'm not aware of any prior cheer coaching experience). She obtained her "stunt certification" in a one day kind of program (actually I think it was a couple of hours). How can she possibly know enough about stunting to keep the kids safe and be able to see mistakes and correct them? Honestly, she can't and shouldn't be expected to. However, the kids are supposed to go in to practice today and show her their stunts. This makes me very nervous. I'm not saying that the kids won't be trying to do their best, but many of them are fairly new to stunting and they need an experienced coach to make sure they are using proper and safe technique.</p><p>What I would really like to see, if there is no way that the LWSD will consider re-instating Coach Ronda, is a true effort to find the best replacement possible for her. This team won a state championship in their first year of competitive cheer last year....that should tell you something about their talent, hard work, and heart. They deserve so much more than the replacement coach they have been given. I mean no disrespect to Ashley Doran. I haven't met her, but I've heard from my daughter and several of the other cheerleaders that she is a very nice person and I'm sure she is doing her very best. But I would like to say that these amazing athletes deserve so much more than what they got. They need an experienced coach who can help take them where they want to go, challenge them to be their best - on the sideline as well as the competition floor. Is Ronda Thomas the only coach who can do this? No, of course not. She would be my first choice, but I am sure there are other talented, qualified coaches out there who would be a good match for this team.</p><p>Please, LWSD or RHS administration, these kids deserve so much more than what they have now. I have a hard time believing that if a state champion football or basketball coach had to be replaced that they would make an equivalent choice to what they gave the cheer squad. I would expect them to make a thorough search to find the best and most qualified candidate available. I don't feel they have done that and I sincerely hope it is not because they are "just cheerleaders." These talented, amazing kids are so much more than that and they truly deserve an experienced and well-qualified coach. If nothing else can be done at this time, I hope that things can change for next year. If Ronda isn't reinstated, then I hope they put some effort into finding a good coach for this team....one with competitive cheer and stunting experience, if this school truly wants to support this team of athletes.</p><p>The thing I have the hardest time with about this whole situation is the LWSD and RHS's statement that they are doing "what is in the best interest of the students." Well, their actions have shown me anything but that. They may feel Ronda was unsafe (ridiculous in my opinion, but they are entitled to theirs), but how can they honestly believe that giving them an inexperienced cheer advisor with a one day "stunt certification" and then telling them to go ahead and stunt, etc. is a better situation?!? That is crazy! I am terrified that my daughter will be injured but she doesn't want to let down her team. I am afraid of what may happen and I hope that they are prepared for the fallout if kids do get injured. They have certainly not made stunting safer. I hope they wake up and see that.</p><p>The saddest thing about this whole situation is what has happened to this once proud, high energy team. They are lost and hurting, there is more bickering within the squad without a strong leader to guide them and help channel their strong personalities. I loved watching this team stunt and entertain. It is truly sad to see what has happened to them. I hope the kids can find a way to turn things around and be the kind of team they can all be proud of for the rest of the year. I especially feel for the seniors who want to leave their high school days with fond memories. I hope they can all find their way somehow to a better place.</p><p>I</p>MustangMomThu, 06 Nov 2008 15:34:45 -0000