San Angelo Central Cheerleaders’ Viral Post Taken Out of Context, According to Source

SAN ANGELO, TX — A recent social media post, which is accused of being racist, involving members of the San Angelo Central High School cheerleading team, was taken out of context, according to a source close to the situation.

In the photo, the cheerleaders are holding cards with three letters — N, G and R.

The letters are part of Central’s ‘Angry Orange’ chant, and the cheerleaders were poking fun at their teammates who held the ‘A’ and ‘Y’ in ‘Angry’ and had missed their beat on the chant, the source said.

“The girls are at home scared because they’re getting all sorts of threats, but it’s way out of context,” the source said. “The ‘A’ and the ‘Y’ were late on the routine, so they were literally making fun of their own teammates.”

The incident occurred at the UIL Spirit State Championships, which were held Jan. 16-18 in Fort Worth.

Central, which finished in 17th place at the event, has had one of the top cheerleading programs in the state.

The Lady Cats were the state runners-up in 2020, and they are a four-time UIL fight song state champ. They’ve also won six national titles with the National Cheerleaders Association.

San Angelo ISD issued a statement regarding the social media post:

"At San Angelo ISD, we believe in the potential of every student and strive to create a culture of empathy and respect. We love and care for each of our students, and we are committed to providing a learning environment where they feel safe, supported and valued. 

"We are deeply concerned and saddened by a recent incident involving a social media post made by three students that does not reflect the values we hold as a district. San Angelo ISD abhors any messages or behaviors that demean or put others down. These actions are unacceptable and contrary to our mission of fostering a learning environment rooted in kindness, empathy, and respect for all.

"This incident is a critical reminder of the importance of teaching and modeling good decision-making for our students. This is an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and educational initiatives that encourage responsible use of social media and help students understand the impact their actions can have on others.

"The district is aware of the situation and has initiated an investigation. Appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken in alignment with our Student Code of Conduct to address the matter and to ensure accountability.

"We appreciate the support of our community as we work together to guide our students toward growth and understanding and to reinforce our shared values of respect, care, and inclusivity across San Angelo ISD."