DATE: Friday, November 14, 1997             TAG: 9711120116

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 08   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LEWIS KRAUSKOPF, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   62 lines

PARKS AND REC DEPT. STICKS WITH VARIED CHEERLEADING OUTFITS PEEVED PARENTS CONVINCE BOARD MEMBERS THAT PLAN TO STANDARDIZE UNIFORMS WAS A BAD IDEA.

Parks and Recreation Department board meetings usually don't draw a crowd.

Members of the public rarely pack into the South Norfolk Community Center for the Thursday evening gatherings.

But this month's meeting was different.

Parks and Rec staff had to bring in extra folding chairs to accommodate the more than 50 people who attended.

What was this hot topic that drew people out on a chilly night?

Cheering outfits.

Among the five pages of changes that the Parks and Rec staff had recommended for the Athletic Rules and Policies was an alteration to section 9.1.F.

The change basically stipulated that all girls participating on Parks and Rec cheering teams wear a standard uniform. The change was requested to cut costs of outfits, which are paid for mostly by parents and can run more than $100.

But it was a change that roiled parents. Moms, dads and grandparents speaking on behalf of their children told the board that requiring a standard uniform would be taking the fun out of cheering.

``When she puts that (uniform) on, it's like magic,'' said Joy Balash, whose daughter cheers.

Many of those who spoke said that Parks and Recreation teams would be the only chance some of these girls would get to cheer. And that taking away their individual uniforms would ruin that chance.

``When these girls put their uniforms on, they're like someone else,'' said Rhonda Parker. ``I think it's depriving a child of what makes them feel special.''

Cheering is a popular Parks and Rec program. This year, 1,017 girls on 63 squads with 133 coaches are participating. Each squad has its own style uniform.

The changes required that the top be a collared golf shirt, turtleneck or T-shirt worn with a sweatshirt in cold weather. The bottoms would be athletic shorts or sweatpants.

On Thursday night, girls wore their current uniforms to the meeting. Some wore blue or green or black and red tops. They also wore white skirts.

``I have five girls . . . and they look forward every year to putting on their uniforms and going out and cheering,'' said Wendy Tolbert.

After the 15 speakers - all of whom spoke against the changes - the board scrapped the standard uniform requirement. Instead, a clause was added to make sure coaches keep track of the how much parents spend on uniforms, so that costs don't get too high.

The board's vote was met with applause, and the crowd left happily.

Despite the apparent gravity of the issue, the evening was not without its light moments.

At one point, Vicky Carr brought her daughter, Lacey, to the podium to model the proposed outfit. To show the uniform's apparent flaws, Carr asked board members if they wanted her daughter to demonstrate the uniform.

``When Lacey kicks her leg up, you all can see her underwear,'' Carr said.

The board declined the offer, and Lacey walked back to her seat with her hand over her face.

``You can see that's why parents were put on this earth,'' said board chairperson Lynne Kennedy.

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