As students across Texarkana Independent School District learned that school would be canceled for another day, the effects of continued inclement weather in the area prove to extend beyond the academic setting. To ensure safety of students, parents and coaches, the Texas High School cheer team and drill team postponed their informational meeting.
Originally scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026, the meeting serves as an informational session in which parents and tryout candidates can ask questions, gather information and decide if the team would be the right fit for their child.
“The meeting focuses on important information about tryouts, including expectations, schedules, scoring criteria, and team standards,” drill team senior lieutenant Nyreah Chatman said. “Mrs Reynolds also goes over rules, commitments, and answers any questions to make sure everyone is prepared.”
Though the postponement of the meeting proves to be an inconvenient situation for many, it will not affect the tryout season in any way for either team.
“The delay of the meeting shouldn’t affect the tryouts, because after the informational meeting there is time given for girls to decide if they want to try out, and if so, prepare,” drill team freshman Avery Layne said. “Every year there are inconveniences that inevitably come up, but thanks to Mrs. Reynolds, everything always runs smoothly.”
Safety remained the top priority in Texarkana Independent School District’s decision to cancel school and after school activities for another day. Given the fact that each student’s weather-related circumstances vary drastically, travel could be hazardous, so postponing the meetings proved to be the smartest option.
“While I can only see my neighborhood, I don’t know what everyone else’s streets look like,” drill team director Amber Reynolds said. “Making sure our students are safe is more important [than holding the meeting on its original date].”
Although tryout candidates will have a delayed start to their audition season, current team members continue to encourage prospective students.
“My advice for the upcoming girls is to have confidence,” Layne said. “Confidence shows the most when you’re dancing, and it can truly make or break you, so just have fun.”
The informational meeting for both teams will take place on Feb. 3, 2026 in the Sullivan Performing Arts Center. The meeting for the drill team will take place at 5:30pm, and the meeting for cheer will be held immediately after.
“We will have the meeting on Tuesday, February 3 in the PAC,” cheer sponsor Courtney Waldrep said. “[We will also] be available at Experience THS for anyone who can’t attend the meeting to ask questions & pick up a packet.”
The postponement of the informational meeting led both teams to persevere through challenges and work through tough situations. Though inclement weather marks a rough start to the tryout season, both teams found solutions that show their commitment to overcoming obstacles and supporting each other on and off the field.
“Weather conditions can make travel unsafe and it’s better to ensure everyone can attend and focus without added stress or risk,” Chatman said. “Through all of this, I still have faith that we can continue to work hard and conquer the circumstances we’ve been given.”
