The Secret Lives of Cheerleaders

Wha-- What's happening?

Please, please, I want to go home.

Take off your clothes.

What?

Now!

Drink.

H-How much?

Until she says stop.

She didn't say stop.

I-I can't.

Either keep drinking

or don't come to practice on Monday.

Quiet!

Stand where you are!

- Quick! Run! - What's going on?

I heard it's one of the highest-ranking schools

in the state.

New town, new school.

It's a fresh start.

This will be good for you.

It would be better if they had a dance team.

Have you given any more thought trying out for cheer?

It's a whole different world, Mom.

Well, it's not that different.

I'm sure the same skills will translate.

Maybe.

Well, you know, some of my best memories of high school

were from the squad.

Plus, it'll give you a chance to meet new friends.

And one of those cheer scholarships

wouldn't hurt either.

You don't have to remind me.

Well, that's my cue.

Honey, whatever you decide, you're gonna do great, okay?

Sure.

Give your mom a hug.

- I love you. - Love you too.

Okay, have a great day.

I am so sorry!

That was totally my bad.

Nice meeting you too.

All right, welcome, class.

I am Mr. Bailey.

This is Introduction to Chemistry.

Now don't get too comfortable where you are.

I'm about to assign you all lab partners for the semester.

Ms. Simon, you're late.

Loser. -

All right, enough now. When I call your name,

take a seat at the table I point to.

If I'm paired with her, I'm dropping the class.

Let your heart not be troubled.

Um...

Excuse me, Mr. Bailey.

I was hoping you could pair up Shay and I.

We work really well together,

and I think I focus better

with someone I'm more comfortable with.

Katrina Smith and Shay Rodriguez,

eleven and twelve.

Ava Scott and Allyson Simon, three and four.

Poor new girl.

Zach Cole, Robert Russell, uh, one and two.

Jeffrey Schenk and Barry Barnholtz,

eight and nine.

Hey, I'm really sorry about before.

I'm Ava.

Allyson.

Mind if I sit here?

Free country.

So you work at the mall?

I saw your name tag.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ear!

I just want to remind anyone interested

that tryouts to join the nationally ranked,

award-winning Lionesses

will begin today after school on the field.

All are welcome.

Who is this girl?

Hey.

Set, hike!

It's only temporary.

It's just like dance.

So you think you want to be a Lioness.

Do you have what it takes

to be part of the greatest organization

Roosevelt High has ever seen?

We'll see about that.

You know, being a Lioness

is a lot more than just wearing the uniform.

On my squad, I expect discipline.

I expect determination.

I expect perfection.

Now, speaking of perfection,

I want to introduce you to the true leader of this team,

the talent that has brought us

to two back-to-back state championships

and will no doubt lead us to a third,

introducing your amazing captain,

Katrina Smith.

Thank you so much, Miss Sinclair.

I couldn't triumph without my wonderful team by my side,

so thank you all so much

for showing up to this year's tryouts.

I'm excited to see what you Lioness cubs have to offer.

This is my third time trying out.

First time for me.

You're the new girl.

- I'm Julie. - Ava.

So you've never been on a squad before?

Massachusetts state dance team champions three years in a row.

Wow.

But Roosevelt doesn't have a dance team, so here I am.

I'm a convert too. Gymnastics.

I wish I could do that.

After my last growth spurt,

they said I should probably try something else.

At least you can hit all those back tucks and handsprings.

I've been working with a trainer all summer.

You don't think that's a little much?

It's smart.

My sister was a Lioness for four years.

Roosevelt High has the record for the most CSCA awards.

What's CSCA?

California State Cheerleading Association.

Every year they give an award

to the best cheerleader in the whole state.

- Comes with a trophy. - And a scholarship.

Committee members come to games and rallies,

and they decide in the spring.

I could really use that.

Forget about it.

Ms. Sinclair has been grooming Katrina for it

since she was a freshman.

Okay, first up, Julie.

Julie, welcome back.

Who knows? Maybe this is finally your year.

When you're ready.

Come on, come on! Say, "Let's go, Lions!"

Let's go, Lions!

Nice job.

Thanks.

You look like you've lost a little weight since last year.

Um, yeah, I really want this.

Good for you.

Thank you.

Okay, next up, Ava.

You're in my chem class.

Yeah. I'm Ava Scott.

This is freeform, so...

let's see what you've got, Ava Scott.

- Whoo! Whoo! - Yeah!

Have you cheered before?

Just dance, but...

I'm sure a lot of the skills will translate.

Well, there's only one way to find out.

We'll post the roster online tomorrow.

Thank you.

Sorry it's so rushed.

I actually have to go back to the office