A Texas cheerleader's excitement over being accepted into a college scholarship program and participating in Rockwall High School's National Signing Day was deflated when she was told cheerleading wasn't considered a sport by the district. Saniya Demars, an honor student and cheerleader, had her invitation to the event rescinded after someone complained, leading to the athletic director's conclusion that the cheer squad fell under the Fine Arts Department, not athletics. This decision sidelined her from joining other student-athletes who were signing their college commitments, reported KENS 5.
"It was really just shocking and I just felt like I was not in my body. It felt unreal,” Demars told Yahoo News. Rather than celebrating with peers in the gym, Demars was given the option to have her signing at a separate table, 45 minutes after the main event. Caught off guard, her mother Alicia Demars described the situation as "baffling," "embarrassing," and without words to truly describe their feelings. The indignity of the situation was further compounded by the presence of family and friends, along with the purple and white balloons that were to adorn her signing table.
Rockwall ISD sent a written statement explaining that traditionally, the cheer program's successes were celebrated at a separate event in May, after college and university tryouts. With Demars being accepted early into Stephen F. Austin University's cheer program, the district implied this was uncharted territory for them. "As a fast-growth district, we continue to see our students excel in more and more activities and are committed to finding ways to celebrate them," Rockwall ISD stated in a message obtained by KENS 5. They assured that the practice of celebrating students would be reviewed going forward.
Yet, the university acknowledges her as an athlete, a status affirmed by the content of Demars' acceptance letter. "After a review of your skills, work ethic, and character, you have been recognized as an athlete who has the potential to be a vital piece to the future of our program," read the letter from SFA, detailing her inclusion in their academic and athletic programs. Saniya expressed hope that perceptions would change, wishing for cheerleaders to be recognized as the athletes they are, as she told Yahoo News. In the face of exclusion, Saniya and her family hope her situation will prompt Rockwall ISD to reconsider its stance on cheerleading as a sport.
