Brittany Davila is a 16-year-old is a seasoned cheerleader, yet her new Texas high school coach told her parents she'd have to sit on the sidelines this year because she is a "liability."
"It was heartbreaking to hear that she is a cheerleader, but yet she won't cheer with any of the other girls," her father, Ruben Davila, told KHOU 11. "If it's a liability for her why wouldn't it be for anyone else."
Davila, a freshman at Deer Park High School, has Down syndrome.
"She cheered last week at the volleyball game," Brittany's mother, Buffy Davila, told KTRK. "Then yesterday we went and it was a different coach, and now she can't do it because it's a liability."
Brittany's father explained to KHOU 11 that his daughter was in full uniform, ready to cheer at the school's volleyball game on Tuesday night, but the new coach told her she couldn't perform with the other girls.
"She didn't understand what changed from last week to this week," Ruben said. "She was cheering along with them in the stands. She was excited, waving at them and blowing kisses."
The family met with Deer Park officials on Wednesday to come to an agreement about the issue, KTRK reports.
Deer Park school district posted the following statement on their website on Thursday:
"Yesterday, members of the local news media reported about an honorary cheerleader at Deer Park High School. It's important to note that there is always more than one side to any story. However, federal law prevents the District from sharing many details about anything involving students, so the District is very limited in what we can share with reporters or members of the public.
Thankfully, our cheer sponsors requested to have a meeting with the parents and District representatives. The meeting took place yesterday afternoon, and it was an opportunity for each side of the issue to share concerns and gain a better understanding of each other's perspective. At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to work together to resolve whatever issues remain.
Deer Park ISD is proud to have this young lady involved in its cheer program, and we look forward to her continued success as an honorary cheerleader this year."
