Centennial students ask Burleson ISD board for clarity, second cheer tryout after tumbling rule confusion

Several Centennial High School students and a parent told the Burleson Independent School District Board of Trustees on May 12 that confusing guidance about cheerleading tumbling requirements left them unprepared for varsity tryouts and requested clearer rules and a second opportunity to try out.

The students said they were told at a parent meeting that a round-off would meet the minimum tumbling requirement but later discovered a back handspring was required to score points. “I’m here to express my concerns regarding the recent cheer tryout process, specifically in the matter of tumbling requirements,” said Bella Hagges, identifying herself as a 10th‑grade student at Centennial High School. Aubrey Jones, also a 10th‑grader and a returning member of the 2024–25 cheer team, told the board, “Our coach informed us that a round off would fulfill those requirements, but we later learned that this was not the case and we scored 0 points for it.”

The students described the effects as both practical and personal: they said private coaching shifted to jumps and dance because of the perceived round‑off requirement and that being evaluated by outside judges who did not know their history with the program reduced the weight of multi‑year leadership and competitive experience. Gabriela Davila, who said she had been a JV captain and earned all‑American recognition, said she felt “completely blindsided” and described being removed from class to be told she did not make varsity as humiliating.

None of the speakers asked the board to reverse the posted tryout results; rather, they asked for two things: clearer communication of criteria for future tryouts and consideration of a second tryout so affected students could demonstrate full skills, including tumbling. “I’m here today in an attempt to advocate for transparency, clarity, and a second chance from our cheer program,” Hagges said. Jones said she is not seeking “special treatment” but wants “a fair opportunity to demonstrate our skill and dedication.”

Board members did not make a decision during public comment. The district’s coach and school administration were referenced by speakers as having provided the initial information and as parties they would like to see ensure accuracy in future tryouts, but no district representative provided a formal response in open session during the public‑comment period.

The comments came during the public‑comment portion of the May 12 meeting; the board later recessed into a closed session tied to multiple statutory exceptions and reconvened to take several routine actions. The students said they intend to pursue the matter with school administration and parents have been involved in requesting a second tryout.