Hawaii Cheerleading Judging Questionable

Watching the videos one can see that some teams were scored lower than deserved. Unfortunately, specifically naming schools that didn’t deserve to be placed higher because you thought your child’s team deserved a higher place is embarrassing and hurtful. Yes, some of the scoring was questionable. But the teams you folks mentioned did their best as well. And now mentioning a school that wasn’t even in the competition as a recruiting school due to the ties of an outside program? This is nothing new. A top football program in the State has been doing this for decades. Nothing new under the sun here. What needs to happen; they need to create divisions similar to the football program. If your team can’t tuck, due fulls or whatever it is. Then your in that division. And for those calling for mainland judges; if a teams performance is “CLEAN” and skill set levels are maxed, they deserve to win! The ones calling for their child’s team should’ve won.....uh, yeah, not clean. You know who you are. Good example, not naming schools. But a local school is currently the reigning NCA High School Champs. You actually think there was favoritism in that competition...really???

Watching the videos one can see that some teams were scored lower than deserved. Unfortunately, specifically naming schools that didn’t deserve to be placed higher because you thought your child’s team deserved a higher place is embarrassing and hurtful. Yes, some of the scoring was questionable. But the teams you folks mentioned did their best as well. And now mentioning a school that wasn’t even in the competition as a recruiting school due to the ties of an outside program? This is nothing new. A top football program in the State has been doing this for decades. Nothing new under the sun here. What needs to happen; they need to create divisions similar to the football program. If your team can’t tuck, due fulls or whatever it is. Then your in that division. And for those calling for mainland judges; if a teams performance is “CLEAN” and skill set levels are maxed, they deserve to win! The ones calling for their child’s team should’ve won.....uh, yeah, not clean. You know who you are. Good example, not naming schools. But a local school is currently the reigning NCA High School Champs. You actually think there was favoritism in that competition...really??? Create multiple divisions that match your teams skill set and that should hopefully fix the problem. Division 1 - Tuck and Above. Division 2- Backhand spring and below. Stop calling out other schools and my child’s team should’ve, could’ve won.... stop it! Such a bad dance mom episode. Create divisions in the programs, not divisions amongst the Keiki’s.

Unfair

Majority of everyone on here that commented and seen the routines especially me is correct. Zaren you should stick to soccer because you dont know what your talking about!! Open your makas your just like someone I know who is very jealous because judges didnt really go by state laws they went by who were their favorite so boom

i think this is self explanatory lmao

Well said! Thank you for sharing.

This is EXACTLY why I don't coach cheer anymore. My athletes executed high level skills that the judges didn't even have on their score sheets! When we did our "pre-routine" for the judges (which is where you really get judged-- the warm ups!) they didn't even know the NAMES of half the skills my cheerleaders performed! Are the judges really qualified if they aren't up to date on the latest in cheer?! Of all the judges, I would say about 2 of them were actually qualified to judge cheer and it's probably because people who are REALLY qualified know how messed up the score sheets are and refuse to judge! I've sent numerous emails begging for change to the judging system and every time I've been told "this is the way we've always done it and this is the way we're always going to do it". My athletes did an amazing job but felt defeated after they didn't place what they truly deserved. I'm not being biased on my team only because I felt there were many teams who didn't place what they should have! I've been in the cheer industry across the U.S. for MANY years and Hawaii is doing it wrong. It's sad because I'm local and want to see our island grow in cheer but athletes will be discouraged if this continues and will probably choose a different sport! HAWAII CHEER NEEDS TO CHANGE!

The judging for cheerleading was unfair

Remember this goes for all cheerleaders no letter what place they are in. In my opinion some routines should have been placed higher than others. But all we can do is make it aware that a lot of schools feel favoritism.

Well said! This petition was not made to bash the coaches, the schools, or any clubs. It was made to stop the unfair scoring. We just want the judges to be fair and honest. I hope moving forward will only be a positive experience for all cheer teams, coaches, schools, and parents.

‪I'm sorry but people are taking this way too far, people are getting off track from what this petition was really made for, which was to address the unfairness of the judging not to bash other teams. I am currently a Campbell High School cheerleader BUT I was also a Moanalua cheerleader AND an ACA cheerleader and I don’t understand why people are bashing them about how ACA cheerleaders go to Moanalua to cheer. SO WHAT, there are many ACA cheerleaders who go to schools other than Moanalua as well. Also, Moanalua works for EVERTHING they have gotten it is NOT an easy road for them they work hard and that’s all I have to say.

I shall sign this petition

They should’ve got better scores den the other team cause they work there good job on the cheer

As a high schooler, I see the hard work and dedication cheerleaders put into what they do. It is very disappointing to see that all of it goes to waste because of unfair judging. I hope this petition goes through and changes are made.

I am just speechless after reading through all these comments. This petition was not made for people to bash certain schools, coaches, or any All-Star cheer team. Parents can choose to send their child(ren) to whatever school they feel will be good for them. And if they have the money, send them to outside clubs, it is their choice! This petition has nothing to do with any of that. It was made to fight against unfairness in scoring or the lack of explanations in judges' scoring. One thing that I learned from this weekend's competition though, it is all about looking sharp regardless of skill level. You can do an easier routine, as long as you look sharp, you will make it through. Also, you can have falls/touches but as long as you look sharp through the rest of your performance, you'll be ok. It's not going to win you 1st place but you'll make it through. With that, learn from it and come back stronger.

I'm a Waianae High school cheerleader and I know either way we would've came last due to our low range. When I rewatched the competition on youtube, I was kinda shocked at the placing. I don't have any idea how Campbell was 2nd to the last place & how Kapolei got 5th. The judges are unfair. I feel like before Waianae even steps foot on the mat, we're already being judged & put down just because we've been last a lot. I'm not complaining about our scores though. I'm just upset that before a team gets to prove themselves, they're already being judged due to past scores wether it's a good thing or a bad thing.... EVERY TEAM WAS AMAZING!! But Kapolei & Campbell deserved way more than what they were given. I'm so sorry Campbell! Kapolei.... you guys better kill it on November 3rd and prove em wrong!

Exactly!

There needs to be some kind of change to deal with favoritism.

Be fair

Be fair