donate to support our athletes
The Pflugerville High School Cheer Program receives neither athletics nor fine arts funding from the district–only a minimal allocation from the PHS operating budget. Your tax-deductible one-time or monthly donation will help ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation for any interested student and secure the equipment our athletes need to be safe and competitive. Donate to support our athletes today!
Here are just a few of the most critical reasons our athletes deserve your support:
limited resources
Funding for cheerleading programs within PfISD has waned in recent years. Cheerleading is no longer considered a part of “Athletics” but does not fall under “Fine Arts,” so it does not receive district funding for either. The PHS Cheerleading Program receives only minimal funding from PHS’ general operating budget, which has resulted in resources shrinking for things like uniforms, supplies (poms, megaphones, flags, signs, etc.), safety equipment, competition expenses, the use of specialized practice facilities, and much more.
Socioeconomic need
Cheerleading is an expensive sport and with dwindling school resources, many of the costs to participate are shouldered by the families of our cheerleaders. This high cost to participate is a barrier for many interested students to participate in cheerleading. In fact, 38.9% of Pflugerville High School students fall into the category of “Economically Disadvantaged.”
Health and safety
Currently, the PHS Cheer Program must make do with decades-old used and outdated safety equipment, including the mats they practice on for high-impact tumbling and high-risk stunting with flyers (athletes who are held in the air by other athletes). There is also no budget to add additional safety equipment such as soft shell protective headgear. Heat exhaustion is another serious risk when our athletes perform during the hottest months of the year at football games and other outdoor venues. In recent years, parents have had to take on providing water coolers for these activities because none are provided by PHS or the district.