Cheerleaders and Pep Squad members are constantly called upon to conduct, supervise and present all types of programs for the student body. It is also their responsibility to arrange the half time stunts at basketball games, decorate the gymnasium for school dance; conduct the pep rally program, decorate the goal posts, and floats for parades and ever so many other kinds of programs. A little extra effort in properly decorating your assignment will help considerably in making it successful.

Usually very limited funds are available to spend on decorations. With a little effort, team work and ingenuity it is possible to make beautiful displays for the occasion at little expense.

Depending on your locale there are various items that can be used for decorative purposes at no cost. Such as flowers, autumn leaves, pine cones, etc. If some funds are available there are a number of things that can be purchased at little cost. Such as: chicken wire (to make foundations for large items); large cardboard cartons (these are sometimes available from refrigerator companies free), paper napkins, tissue paper, ordinary crepe paper which comes in your school colors and the common balloon.

Some general ideas of how you can use crepe paper and balloons successfully follow. If you are interested in large and more expensive crepe paper displays such as to decorate an automobile or truck for a parade we would suggest you write to:

Dennison Manufacturing Company, in Framingham, Mass. for their free folder entitled:

So You`re Planning a Parade

How To Prepare Crepe Paper Decorations

Perhaps the quickest and neatest way to trim the gym, lunch room, etc., for your dances, pep fests, etc., is by using colorful flame proof crepe paper which is available in your school colors at variety, stationery, and department stores. Among the many new patterns and cutouts you can obtain from your local store that the manufacturers have for sale are: football player, large football prints (that can be pasted most anywhere for decoration), Pilgrim figures; pheasant; black cat; pumpkin; skeleton and many others. If you are getting ready to decorate it will pay to consult your crepe paper dealer to observe what he has in stock.

A 56" high Jointed Skeleton is available from Dennison. Dress him up in your rival team`s colors. Identify him (just so there`s no mistake) with letters you can cut from gummed crepe. String him up in the middle of the hall for all to gaze upon with scorn.

The crepe paper decorations to be used in your gymnasium or on an automobile or float should be prepared beforehand ready to attach. Be sure to make sufficient fringe, petals and the like so that there will be no delays at the last minute.

Pennants

For Pennants, Dennison says to cut triangles of flameproof crepe paper (with the grain running towards the point) in the school colors of rival teams. Paste large Football Prints to each pennant and use gummed crepe paper to letter on each team`s school name. Paste the pennants to a long stretch of wire or twine and use with streamers to decorate the ceiling or walls of the gym. Use the large size Football Player Prints on the walls, too.

Refreshment Table

Use widths of Green crepe paper and White streamers to get a football field effect. Scatter colorful Fall Leaf Prints around the edge of the table. The small Football and Football Player prints are great to use for decorating favors or dance programs.

These are just some of the many ideas that you can use.