In an age in which most parents are struggling to get their daughters to wear semi-appropriate clothing that doesn't show too much skin, I find it oddly refreshing that a Connecticut high school cheerleading squad is battling against school administrators for more modest squad uniforms.

 

Here's an image of the skimpy uniforms in question.

 

The school is Central High School in Bridgeport, Conn. Heidi Medina, a former captain of Central High School's cheerleading squad, stood before the Bridgeport Board of Education last week and according to the Connecticut Post, she donned her skimpy cheerleading uniform and pleaded with the board to intervene. 

 

"We ask with the utmost respect you [to] do anything in your power to help us," said Medina, according to the Post. "I don't feel comfortable wearing this."

 

The cheerleaders contend that the uniforms violate league rules that require uniforms, when "standing at attention, apparel must cover the midriff. "

 

Bridgeport Central senior Ariana Mesaros told the board of education, "It really hurts our self esteem," according to the paper. "I am embarrassed to stand up here dressed like this. Is this really how you want Bridgeport to be represented?" 

 

The girls' complaint comes soon after the release of a study on college cheerleaders that determined that women who wear midriff-bearing uniforms are at greater risk of developing eating disorders.

 

As you can imagine, the board reacted to the girls' pleas quickly and purchased black bodysuits for the girls to wear under their uniforms.  

 

Kudos to the young ladies at Central High School. Their parents, school administrators and community members should be proud of them for having the confidence to take a stand on such a serious issue.