CYPRESS, Texas – Two Cypress Ranch High School parents are speaking out after discovering that their children’s participation in school football events was unexpectedly reduced — and they were never informed.
Brady and Seanna, both special needs students, have proudly served as “Rowdies,” along with other students on a spirit group known for energizing the crowd and running flags before football games. This year, however, their roles appear to have been quietly scaled back, leaving their families both confused and heartbroken.
Longstanding Tradition — Suddenly Changed
The “Rowdies” program has been a Cypress Ranch tradition since 2008. Last year, Brady and Seanna were among the team’s members. Videos from the last football season show them enthusiastically running flags across the field before each game — a moment that meant the world to them and their families.
But things changed this year.
When Brady brought home the new game schedule, his mom, Merideth Smith, noticed something strange: the “Rowdies” weren’t listed to run flags at all. Instead, various athletic teams were now assigned the job each week.
“What was your thought, Brady?” his mom asked.
“I was... confused,” Brady replied.
Parents Say There Was No Communication
Both Merideth Smith and Shannon Burris, Seanna’s mother, reached out to the school via email. Smith even suggested a compromise: allow three Rowdies and three athletes to run the flags together. But she says the only response from administrators was a brief thank-you — and no further discussion.
The only time Brady and Seanna were allowed to run flags this season, the parents say, was at a last-minute decision at an away game against Memorial. That role, according to the original schedule, had been assigned to the softball team.
Adding to their frustration, a social media post introducing the new “Athlete to Athlete” program — which appears to be taking over the Rowdies’ duties — received pushback from commenters. The second version of the post had its comments disabled.
School District: “Students Were Told”
A district spokesperson told KPRC 2 that the Rowdies program has been expanded to include athletes and that Brady and Seanna were informed of the change during a May 15th meeting.
But their parents dispute that.
“The parents were not told at all. There was no communication,” said Merideth Smith. “We haven’t gotten any information. And we are the ones that pay for everything.”
The district also provided a schedule to KPRC 2 showing the Rowdies listed to run flags at the upcoming October 10th game against Waller. But the parents say that’s not the schedule they were given — their version listed the swim and dive team.
“We don’t have that schedule,” said Shannon Burris.
“So this is your first time seeing this?” reporter Joy Addison asked.
“Yes,” she replied.
Parents Call for Inclusion, Not Replacement
Despite their disappointment, both moms stress that they support making the spirit program more inclusive.
“We fully support making the program bigger and involving more people,” said Burris. “But don’t sideline the kids that were selected for it.”
District Response Pending
KPRC 2 has reached out to Cypress-Fairbanks ISD for clarification on how — or if — these changes were communicated to parents. As of publication, no response has been received.