Jacketeer Candidate and Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
We are so pleased that you are considering auditioning for the Alvin High School Jacketeer Dance Team. Before participating in the audition process, each candidate must be willing to abide by the AISD Extra Curricular Code of Conduct and the Jacketeer Dance Team Constitution. The Jacketeers PARTICIPATE ALL YEAR at many school and community events, therefore all members must be able to devote the majority of their time to practicing and performing. It is expected of Jacketeers to maintain high academic scores and have excellent conduct. Membership of the Jacketeers is determined annually through a selection process. Members of the Jacketeer dance team may not participate in conflicting athletic or extracurricular activities. AHS Band, AHS Cheerleading, AHS sports, club sports, hobbies and/or competitive cheer/dance may directly conflict with the Jacketeer year-long commitment. This being said, if you are selected as a Jacketeer, you are expected to put this organization before others on and off campus. Members are not excused from Jacketeer events or rehearsals to attend other events or rehearsals. Our yearly calendar is available online that details practices, performances, appearances, contests etc… that requires the presence of every Jacketeer. Attendance plays a vital role in the success of the team. If your other activities do not conflict with the Jacketeer schedule and calendar, then we encourage you to participate!
If you are selected to be a member of the Jacketeers, you should expect a busy, yet exciting school year. Not only will you have the opportunity to create long-lasting memories and friendships, you will also gain a sense of responsibility, character, and pride in your school. Being a member of the Jacketeers not only requires your time, it also requires a commitment from the parents/guardians. These commitments include, but are not limited to: the Jacketeer Booster Club, committee service, publicity and fundraising. One of the strongest assets to the organization is PARENT INVOLVEMENT! When an individual becomes a member of the Jacketeers, her entire family becomes involved as supporters, spectators and partners. Our Booster Club meets 3-5 times a year so that your family time can remain priority number one. Thank you again for your interest in becoming a part of a tradition of excellence at Alvin High School. We wish you the best of luck at tryouts as you audition to become one of “The Finest Ladies of Alvin.”
Sincerely,
Eve Robinson Taryn Smith
AHS Jacketeer Director AHS Jacketeer Assistant Director
281-245-2617 281-245-2617
Applications, medical release forms, and 3rd nine-weeks report card are due by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2017. Please deliver paperwork to AHS in an envelope addressed to Mrs. Robinson & Ms. Smith.
NO LATE FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED!
***The clinic & try-outs are closed to the public***
Try-out Procedures
Mandatory Parent Meeting: All candidates must have parent/guardian attend the meeting on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the Alvin High School Cafeteria.
Forms: A completed applications, medical release form, and 3rd 9 weeks report card proving eligibility must be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2017 to Mrs. Robinson & Ms. Smith at AHS. Candidates may not participate in the tryout clinic until all forms are received.
Clinic Days: Candidates must attend the entire try-out clinic 5/1 – 5/3 from 4:30-6:30 in the Dance Gym at Alvin High School (located directly behind the auditorium). Candidates must wear an all-black top and all black bottoms. Tennis shoes, dance shoes or barefoot is appropriate. No socks, jewelry or gum. Hair must be worn in a ponytail with all hair secured out of the face. Students may use their cell phone to record the routine daily. Each candidate will have a brief impromptu interview with the directors as some point during the clinic. This “interview” is to help the directors get to know each candidate.
Mock Tryout: On Thursday, 5/4 there will be a “Mock tryout” from 4:30–6:30. At this time the candidates will go through the tryout process and receive a critique. This helps the candidates feel more comfortable with the process and it also lets them know exactly what the procedure will be for the next day. The candidates must wear all black, hair must be worn in a high pony tail, and make-up should be performance quality (red lipstick, black eyeliner, black mascara, brown eye shadow and dark pink blush). Candidates should wear shoes they wore throughout the week. No socks, jewelry or gum.
Try-out Day: The actual try-out will be held on Friday, May 5 in the dance gym. Officer and Social Candidates will begin at 3:30 and the team tryouts will begin at 5:00 p.m. Each candidate is required to stay until the end of tryouts. Parents, family members, and/or friends/guests are not allowed on campus. This includes dropping off any forgotten items or food. Parents may wait for their students in the cafeteria parking lot. We cannot determine a conclusion time for tryouts until we know how many “hopefuls” are participating.
Results: The results will be posted on the cafeteria windows, near the parking lot, when callbacks are complete.
Jacketeer Welcome Social: All candidates that are selected for the 2017-2018 Jacketeer dance team will have a mandatory gathering on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Alvin High School Cafeteria. At this event, we will recognize graduating seniors, new dance officers, new social committee members and announce both new teams. Please wear your Sunday best because we take numerous pictures. All members will order supplies for the 2017-2018 year. Please be prepared to make several payments and deposits at this time.
How Jacketeers Are Selected: Jacketeer candidates will be observed during the clinic week by the current dance team directors. During tryouts on Friday, the directors will select dancers and place them on the Varsity or JV team based on dance ability. Not all candidates auditioning will be selected for a team. Ideal dance team members are hardworking, maintain positive attitudes, apply corrections and value teamwork. We are looking for strong dance technique and potential that we can develop. There are not “set numbers” for how many members will be selected for each team; no minimum, no maximum. Each candidate’s scores for Principal/Attendance, Teacher Recommendations, director interview as well as report card grades will be considered in the selection process.
Dance skills you may see in the tryout dance: Right and Left Split, High Kicks, Chaine turns, Pique Turns, chasse tour, Double/Triple pirouettes (passe & coupe), axel, standing leap, scissor leaps, grand jete, grand jete in second, scorpion leap/single stag, c jump, turning c jump, chaine jete, calypso, turning second leap, switch leaps, reverse switch leaps, battements, tilt kick, stationary (jumping) tilt, traveling tilt, switch tilt, pas de chat, Russian pas de chat, fan kick, back attitude leap, penche, Y-Scale, Y-scale turn, illusion, and fouette turns in second. We know that there may be young ladies who have not taken dance before, however you are being evaluated on what you can do; not what you can’t do. Just keep a good attitude and work hard all week. Many current Jacketeers had little or no experience prior to tryouts. Varsity members are expected to have these skills at the intermediate/advanced mastery level. JV candidates are expected to have these skills at the beginner/intermediate mastery level.
What should I expect???
Calendar/Commitment: The Jacketeer calendar is available online and is planned from the beginning to the end of the year. Varsity practices at 6:15am through 1st period M-F and after school from 3-4 M-TH. JV practices during 5th period and from 3:00-4:30 after school M-TH year round. There are several weekend practices in the fall and spring to prepare for contest season. All practices are mandatory. *Times and class periods are subject to change pending master schedule adjustments annually*
Dance Officers: The dance officers are selected by a panel of judges through a demanding audition process. They assist the director(s), lead the team and serve as role models. There are not JV dance officers.
Social Committee: SoCo is selected by the varsity team and the director(s). They are the motivation of both teams and they help plan all activities that the Jacketeers participate in. Social activities- parties, formal, events, and other activities are planned for team bonding.
Welcome Social: This is when the new team is introduced. New Dance officers & Social Committee members are presented. Graduating seniors are recognized and a candle lit ceremony is held to welcome new members. All supplies are ordered and payments are made.
Summer Dance Hours: All Jacketeers are required to take a minimum of 15 hours of dance training during the summer. Jacketeers who do not complete their hours by 7/24 will receive demerits and will not perform until all hours are completed. Summer dance hours must be approved by the directors. More information will be issued at the Welcome Social.
Summer Camp & Rehearsal: Jacketeers will report back for camp and rehearsal beginning 7/24. All days are a mandatory. The teams learn football routines, stand lines, stand dances, school song, fight song, pre-game/spirit lines, strut, pep rally dances and contest routines.
Football/Volleyball Season: All members audition for each dance. Dancers are selected on knowledge, technique, performance, flexibility, timing and sharpness. Members must be in attendance the day of tryouts or they automatically become an alternate. Only varsity members are eligible for pep rally routines.
Basketball Season/Contest Season: Both teams will perform contest routines at basketball games if scheduling permits as designated by the director. The teams may attend competitions in the spring. It is at the discretion of the director(s). The contests are selected by the director based on the dates and locations set by the competition companies. The Varsity Jacketeers take 3-6 routines and JV takes 3-4. Members are selected for dances through the audition process. The competitions that are selected may be in or out of town.
Spring Show: This is the busiest time of the year. The girls work very hard to prepare a 2 hour show that highlights all of their accomplishments from the year. There are weeks of practices after school and there are several late night practices. Spring Show is held in late April or early May. Parent participation is mandatory.
Team Travel: Trips will be determined by the directors. Trips involving competition or group performances are mandatory. Trips that are optional will be clearly identified as so.
Team/officer tryouts: It is mandatory for all returning Jacketeers to tryout each year to maintain the position on the team. The practices are after school and last for one week.
Jacketeer Formal: A time to gather formally where the team celebrates their accomplishments from the year.
Uniforms & Costumes: Any items, accessories, equipment or costume(s) issued by the director(s) is property of Alvin ISD. If a uniform is returned damaged, then the Jacketeer it was checked out to is financially responsible for it. All clothing distributed must be cleaned as specified by the directors for sanitary measures.
Seniority: All dance if rooted on the principle of discipline. Jacketeers gain certain privileges after completing their rookie year on varsity. It is something that every Jacketeer experiences so that they appreciate their ‘veteran’ privileges and they also learn to have respect and discipline.
Grades: Any student who is not passing at the U.I.L. 6-week or 9-week grade check is not allowed to participate in Jacketeer activities until the next grade check. At that time, the student must be passing all classes.
Estimated Jacketeer Fees 2017-2018:
We are exploring ways to reduce the cost of the Jacketeer program. We hope that these estimates will decrease and the fees associated with the program for 2017-2018 will be more affordable.
Varsity:
Alvin Athletic Fee ~ 20.00 (paid to Alvin ISD)
Camp Fee ~ 125.00 (paid to Jacketeer Booster Club)
Pays for choreography, first day of school shirt & camp necessities
Team supplies for new members ~ 800.00-900.00
Returning members ~ $100-$200
(Practice wear & equipment is utilized for multiple years while on the dance team)
Activity Fee ~ 350.00
(*Can be paid using fundraisers or as a “buyout”*)
Contest/Spring Show supplies ~ 30.00-50.00
(T-shirt and any other necessary accessory such as earrings, hair buckle, eye lashes etc…)
Jacketeer Formal ~ 25.00
JV:
Alvin Athletic Fee ~ 20.00
(paid to Alvin ISD)
Camp Fee ~ 125.00 (paid to Jacketeer Booster Club)
Pays for choreography, first day of school shirt & camp necessities
Team Supplies for new members~ 500.00-600.00
Returning members ~ $100-200
(Practice wear & equipment is utilized for multiple years while on the dance team)
Activity Fee ~ 350.00
(*Can be paid using fundraisers or as a “buyout”*)
Contest/Spring Show supplies ~ 30.00-50.00
(T-shirt and any other necessary accessory such as earrings, hair buckle, eye lashes etc…)
Jacketeer Formal ~ 25.00
Spring Trip- JV & Varisty are invited to travel to L.A. during spring break 2018. This is an optional trip.
More information will follow. The cost may be fundraised.
Application for Alvin High School Jacketeer Dance Team
Student Name: _________________________________________________________ Student ID # _________________
First Name Middle Name Last Name
Current Grade: _________ School currently attending: _____________________________ Date of Birth: ____________
Student Cell Number________________________________________ T-shirt Size: ___________ Shoe Size: _________
Mother Name: _____________________________________ Father Name: ____________________________________
Mother Cell Number: _______________________________ Father Cell Number: _______________________________
Mother’s Email: ___________________________________ Father’s Email: ___________________________________
Mailing Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Street City Zip
Emergency Contact & Number: ________________________________________________________________________
Please list any dance/cheer experience: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
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