Jamz was a torture!!!!

Date: Tue Mar 14 10:17 AM, 2006

Jamz was a torture!!!!

Date: Tue Mar 14 11:07 AM, 2006

I agree with alot of what you said. That is terrible that you could not go down to the floor to give your daughter some money for food. I too wanted to see my daughter from straight on. I know a couple of moms who just said what the heck and pushed their way down. I like competitions where you get to sit up front when your team is up.

The music was way too loud. It is fine to be loud during the routine, but does it have to be that loud thoughout. Lets turn it down in between!

Okay we all complained before about how late it went! That is a no brainer! Will cheer companies ever listen on that one.

I also agree about the pictures. I know it is to make the team feel great and special about their championship. Let's not get rid of that, let's have more award ceremonies, so they are shorter!

So, what was good about the competition. I too felt the judging was fair across the board. The Jamz staff is fun in a crazy, hyper kind of way. This probably appeals to the cheerleaders more than parents. I liked how viewing pictures was set up with lots of stations to view pictures and order them right away.

The Jamz staff and announcer stayed positive and high energy even though they were there for a crazy long day.

Date: Tue Mar 14 1:36 PM, 2006

I agree with the negatives mentioned, ESPECIALLY the times! The positives -- I felt the judging was fair (the teams I felt would place a certain way DID, I didn't see any surprises). Jamz is entertaining, the parents and cheerleaders seem to like that. Have to slip in this negative -- schedules. I just wanted to see an up-to-date schedule posted somewhere, I didn't want to have to purchase the program to see what changes were made since I printed mine out from their website. Okay, back to the positives, I like the photo company they used. They posted the pictures on their website quickly, and I think $7.95 per picture is very reasonable. The other comp we went to charged $15 per picture... I didn't buy ANY. But I bought a few from this one. I think that's it for me on the positives; all in all we had a good time and I'm sure we'll be going back next year, but they better change those times because I don't know anyone who thought starting at 6:30 in the morning and ending past 12:30 at night wasn't insane!

Congrats to all the winners, especially in the categories below level 5 (we seem to only hear about the level 5 winners on this site). Saw some great routines in the lower levels, especially level 4.

Date: Tue Mar 14 2:32 PM, 2006

The positives: I loved the whole theatrics with the stage and lights. I think it really made the cheerleaders feel like they were "rock stars" and I felt on the whole the program was well run. They tried to stay on time which was appreciative.

The negatives: Of course, it was WAY TO LONG of a day. There could have been more light for the spectator area as it was too dark to be able to look at the schedule and I even tripped going up the stairs because I couldn't see well. I think there could have been more light without affecting the theatrical lighting. I also think it was wrong that we had no way to communicate with our children. It wasn't just when they were on the ground floor but there was a section in the seats that we could get to. I wanted to give my daughter a bottle of water and she was only 4 rows away but the music was loud throughout that I couldn't get her attention to come to me. Security wouldn't even let me down to give her a bottle of water. I also didn't think it was fair that teams that had NO competition were given Nationals jackets. Many of the divisions had tough competition and teams were disappointed to have worked so hard and another less skilled team just walks in and gets a jacket. There should at least be a minimum score achieved to earn a jacket.

On the whole however, I felt it was a good competition. OH - how about at least a different "ceremony" for each awards watching the singers and dancers for the third time at midnight was a little too much to handle...

Date: Tue Mar 14 3:35 PM, 2006

Good points TT. I completely agree about the teams that had NO competition, they should have had to achieve a particular point total to earn the jackets. The worst case I saw, and I won't mention the team name, but it was a team that competed by themselves in the advanced category, and there was no way they were even close to being in that level. I have no idea how they qualified to do that. It was as if some teams pick and choose which to go to based on the competition (or lack of) and that doesn't seem fair. I did see a lot of switching around to different levels after the initial draft schedule came out. To be fair there might have been legitimate reasons, but I think it makes it too easy for others to take advantage.

But you have this happen at all competitions, not just Jamz.

Wanted to also mention the videotaping situation -- as usual, no videotaping allowed, and they were watching (sometimes, not always) who was taping. The prices for the DVD's are not good, but not as bad as others. RT Productions is charging $40 per session (there were three different sessions, the last session being session 3 which went from 6 p.m. to the end). Mr. Video wanted $40 per division, which was just outrageous. So for those of us who chickened out and didn't videotape, we'll have to wait six weeks to see our children's performances again. Doesn't seem right at all.

Date: Tue Mar 14 4:11 PM, 2006

We competed in a divsion by ourselves (Sr.Prep Level5) and at first I was upset we were not competing against anyone, but our coaches have always told us it was about beating ourselves....putting the best we had on the floor, and that is exactly what we did at Jamz. We have a lot of younger girls on the team but we still have skills we can only throw in LV5 so Sr.Prep LV5 is the best division for us. Unfortunetly there are not many Sr.Prep LV5 teams around here. I know in no way did we try to avoid competition. Myself and many other girls said if we had a bad performance we would not wear our jackets because we did not deserve them, but we put on the best performance we have had all year and I believe we truelly deserve them, we worked just as hard before nationals as we would have if we had been competing against someone. Yes, some teams do switch divisions to win, but just wanted to let everyone know thats not always the case. Best of luck to everyone in Long Beach....I CANT WAIT!!

-Kaila
Legacy Sr.Prep LV5

Date: Tue Mar 14 4:33 PM, 2006

Great job Legacy! I think you've been competing in that division all season long. Your coach is right, put on the best performance ever and beat your scores from other competitions. Don't let anyone take that away from you.

Teams have no control over who enters in divisions. Very similar to what South Bay Jr Coed comes up against almost every season. There are very few teams in that division. Isn't their fault. Thats just the way it turns out. So go out and do your best and improve each time you go out on that floor.

Again, good job Legacy.

Date: Tue Mar 14 5:35 PM, 2006

Just to clarify, the team I was referring to was clearly not at level 5, maybe level 3. No fulls, I don't even remember a layout. Maybe they had injuries last minute, I don't know. But I didn't mean to imply that other teams who had no competition didn't do great. I think we had talked about this before, how some teams just don't have any competition (not their fault). OC is a good example, they have very young teams performing at level 5, which is rare.

I don't think Jamz posts scores like some of the others (GSSA, etc...). I like seeing scores posted. That way you see how teams competing alone stack up against others ... it gives them something extra to strive for, you know? Scores should be posted for ALL competitions, just like the scoring in any other sport.

Date: Tue Mar 14 6:06 PM, 2006

I'm sorry again if this has been mentioned before but I'm just to lazy to read the whole message board to see if it has...But all I have to say is that the venue security had to be up tight and have heavy rules, but at times I would agree with the parents/cheerleaders complaints, heres my story...

After watching Amanda almost in tears the whole entire Motions Sr. Lv. 2 (Sr. Black, who won first by the way) routine with crutches in hand, waiting to give them to her after the preformance knowing she'd need them...Now for the juicy part. Right when the music stopped, I was already running to give them to her at the bottom of the stairs on the stage, I had already gotten premision from the Jamz staff (which was wonderful by the way) to give them to her, and on my way sprinting, I almost got cloths-lined by the venue secutirty man and he almost didn't let me by

...I felt hurt...that's my story

Cory

Date: Tue Mar 14 6:34 PM, 2006

i agree with most of the other posts but I just wanted to add one more negative. I didn't like how the music skipped for soooo many teams! I really don't understand why it happened to so many teams. I don't think all of them could have been from scratched cd's. Was there something wrong with Jamz's sound system?

Date: Tue Mar 14 8:55 PM, 2006

I just wanna give a big thanks to the jamz staff, they were fun to watch on the floor messing around, they got into it. and just walkin by being able to start a conversation with them.

thanks to all the people on jamz staff, palomar peeps, a cpl sac state people, you guys were awesome... o n amac was ok. haha jp girl love ya...

Alex

Date: Tue Mar 14 9:01 PM, 2006

I know about the music... it was kinda ridiculous because the music was skipping or the back speakers blew out during many of the performances, but the speakers facing the crowd were still working so the crowd didnt even know that the cheerleaders were confused or off on their routine because of this problem! this was very inconvenient. thank goodness senior gold can count!!! ahahha

Date: Wed Mar 15 12:15 AM, 2006

a cheer mom wrote:

First I would like to say CONGRATS to all the teams that won--from what I did see the judging was very fair. BUT.......Jamz was one of the worst venues I ever attended!!! The fact that I almost got kicked out because I went down to give my daughter money for food was OUTRAGEOUS!!!!! I was down there for a total of 1 minute or less and had somebody in my FACE telling me to leave since it was the area where only cheerleaders could sit--well DUH I knew that..I just wanted to give my daughter money for food and since she didn't have a cell phone I could not reach her to come to me and I tried the coach but they were unavailable too which is not their fault since the venue is so LOUD. I also did not like how awards were handled---it was way to LONG!!! They could have had the teams take pictures in the back or to the side--where is common sense and respect for all those watching?!! If all they care about is the cheerleaders and NOT the parents who are paying to make these things happen then the programs should make sure the parents should not have to attend and they should take responsibility and take care of the team all weekend--it would be more fun for the team as a whole and the parents could then enjoy themselves too. Jamz is definately NOT spectator friendly--they really didn't seem to care how long things took when it went past midnight!! I would really like to see a venue where it is FAMILY friendly and not just cheerleader friendly! We could not even go DOWN to see our kids up front when they performed--WHAT WAS THAT all about!! WHO is paying for the cheerleaders to attend--I am sure it is not the cheerleaders but their PARENTS and ALL we ask is some RESPECT!

Gosh I'm so sick of annoying cheer moms complaining, it's not about you guys it's about the kids!!!!

Date: Wed Mar 15 12:40 AM, 2006

Yes it is suppose to be about the kids. But... When you fork out a couple thousand dollars a year to support your child and the gyms, and the organizations that put on all these competitions some consideration should be paid to the parents and the spectators who attend these competitions. I don't think the majority of parents are asking that much. Asking to be able to view your childs team, not loose your ability to hear, and take a picture of your kid when they perform is not really asking that much. But I guess this is a parents lot and we will continue to grin and bear it....

Date: Wed Mar 15 2:05 AM, 2006

Ok then, you pay that bill...... and trust me, Mickey D's aint gonna cut it. No one's gonna drive you, make sure you have the time off, let you walk around and whine cause you twisted your ankle, etc....

We do everything we can for you. We treat you when you're hurt, support you when you fail, cheer for you when you succeed, cry for you when you are upset, feel joy for you when you are triumphant, wait for you when you practice, hold your hand when you're scared, push you when you can't go any further, hold you back when we know you might get hurt AND still pay that bill every month when it comes in the mail!!!!

And you think we are asking too much to be able to actually SEE YOU PERFORM when we just shelled out two thousand dollars to fly you to Las Vegas, drive you around, buy you dinners when you are hungry, buy you that overly priced sweatshirt just cause you want it and buy that overly priced photo of you that we have a MILLION of already????

Shame on you...... thank GOD you aren't my kid!!!!

PS..... to all the moms and dads out there who do all this and more..... your child thanks you. At least they will one day. I pray that child isn't yours who posted that AWFUL and HURTFUL post.

Date: Wed Mar 15 2:28 AM, 2006

AMEN

Date: Wed Mar 15 8:13 AM, 2006

Cheer moms can be so annoying! wrote:

a cheer mom wrote:
First I would like to say CONGRATS to all the teams that won--from what I did see the judging was very fair. BUT.......Jamz was one of the worst venues I ever attended!!! The fact that I almost got kicked out because I went down to give my daughter money for food was OUTRAGEOUS!!!!! I was down there for a total of 1 minute or less and had somebody in my FACE telling me to leave since it was the area where only cheerleaders could sit--well DUH I knew that..I just wanted to give my daughter money for food and since she didn't have a cell phone I could not reach her to come to me and I tried the coach but they were unavailable too which is not their fault since the venue is so LOUD. I also did not like how awards were handled---it was way to LONG!!! They could have had the teams take pictures in the back or to the side--where is common sense and respect for all those watching?!! If all they care about is the cheerleaders and NOT the parents who are paying to make these things happen then the programs should make sure the parents should not have to attend and they should take responsibility and take care of the team all weekend--it would be more fun for the team as a whole and the parents could then enjoy themselves too. Jamz is definately NOT spectator friendly--they really didn't seem to care how long things took when it went past midnight!! I would really like to see a venue where it is FAMILY friendly and not just cheerleader friendly! We could not even go DOWN to see our kids up front when they performed--WHAT WAS THAT all about!! WHO is paying for the cheerleaders to attend--I am sure it is not the cheerleaders but their PARENTS and ALL we ask is some RESPECT!

Gosh I'm so sick of annoying cheer moms complaining, it's not about you guys it's about the kids!!!!

Yes, the main focus is on the cheerleaders, but the parents are the ones that pay for the gym and competition fees. Nobody will ever get 100% of what they want, but taking time to listen to suggestions will just make the event run smoother and probably good for the coaches and kids.

Date: Wed Mar 15 10:09 AM, 2006

Wow, that wasn't very nice. I understand that you may not like to hear negative things about cheer. But, we as parents feel if we voice our concerns it will make it better for the cheerleaders too--we are all learning and I would hope your parents would want the BEST for you too. If you are a cheerleader than they already are by supporting such an expensive inexperienced sport that is just starting to send waves across America. Shame on you for not being able to realize that ALL parents are on YOUR side!!!!!

Date: Wed Mar 15 10:52 AM, 2006

Another Parent you've said it all. I couldn't do this day end and day out if I didn't know that my daughter appreciated everything I have done and spent for her to live out her dreams. I believe in corrected criticism. There is always room for improvement and hopefully the competition companies will hear our words and make some improvements. But lets just face it, if you're like me, we'll endure the worst situations just so our children have the best and most importantly are having FUN doing what they do.

Date: Wed Mar 15 11:25 AM, 2006

My two cents:

Although the Jamz staff was great, funny, nice and comforting (to me: because as Motions Sr. Black was walking up the stairs on to the stage, I sprained my ankle walking off the warm up floor). The security folks and the parents or "grandparents" from other teams were rude. Just, and I mean just (like seconds) before Pyramids Sr. Black was going to perform, we went down in front to cheer/support them, when this "grandmother" from another team ( not one that had recently preformed or was going to any time soon) was sitting in the second row SAVING SEATS! She wouldn't let another girl and my self sit in the seats she was saving "for her grandchildren" and the security woman would not let us stand anywhere else. And to make matters worse she complained that we were too loud and our jumping (from excitement) was getting in her way of seeing! After Pyramids Sr. Black was done, we left as we promised her we would; she sat there for at least the next 30 min waiting for her two young grandchildren. I was floored by the way she and the woman “monitoring” the aisle were rude to us, we did as were expected stand there and support and when done leave, back to our seats. I hope at the next competitions there is some sort of method to madness that goes on during teams’ performances.

- xoxo- Renee (Pyramids Sr. Red)