Recent changes to a Cypress Ranch High School spirit program have caused confusion for families, with special needs students seeing reduced involvement in football game festivities. According to KHOU 11, Brady Smith and Seana Burris, both seniors with special needs, had previously run Mustang flags at school games as members of a spirit group called the Rowdies. This year, the group was rebranded as Ranch Hands, and different sports teams were rotated into the flag-running role.
KHOU 11 reported that Seana described her past participation as exciting. Meredith Smith, Brady’s mother, said the changes disrupted a tradition families thought would continue. Parents said their request is for equal time, not replacement.
Click2Houston noted that families were not notified of the change and reported limited communication from the school when they asked for clarification. Cy-Fair ISD stated the rebranding was part of its Athletes 4 Athletes program and that Ranch Hands are still scheduled to run flags, including in games against Waller and in playoff games. However, parents said the schedule they received did not include those games.
The Smith and Burris families are continuing to seek clarity on their children’s participation. Click2Houston reached out to Cy-Fair ISD for further information but had not received a response as of publication.
