Royal High cheer program draws heated public comments as students and parents allege mistreatment; coach urges policy review

At a Simi Valley Unified School District board meeting on April 15, a string of Royal High students and parents accused the district's sideline and stunt program of emotional mistreatment, safety lapses and discriminatory practices after the district placed head coach Becky Herrera on paid administrative leave.

Hayden Carapet, a Royal cheer athlete, told trustees she and teammates were pressured at a late-night "trust" circle to share traumatic experiences and that she was publicly humiliated when staff handed her a bright red envelope over a small ASB balance. "I was stared at by many of my teammates and felt truly humiliated," she said. Carapet also described canceled practices, missed coaching and sessions without mats, which she said raised concerns about whether the class would meet PE requirements for graduation.

Emma Minsky, a Royal High senior, said she was singled out and publicly yelled at by a coach and recounted multiple injuries she said were not reported or fully assessed: "I've had two concussions, two sprained…