Skimpy cheerleader uniforms covered up

TAVARES, Fla., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- High schools in a Florida district are tempering the tradition of cheerleaders wearing uniforms to class on game day, some by banning the outfits altogether.

The Lake County school district sent out a memo instructing schools where the cheerleading uniforms are too skimpy to meet dress codes to have the girls wear shorts or long pants beneath their short skirts and T-shirts under their sleeveless tops, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday.

"During the educational portion of the day, they have to meet the dress code just like every other student," said School Board Chairwoman Debbie Stivender, who pushed for the policy.

Two schools in the district, Leesburg High School and Lake Minneola High School, announced they are not allowing the uniforms in classrooms at all.

Michelle Thomas, a varsity cheerleader at Leesburg High School, said she was disappointed by the decision.

"It shows that we're a team just like all the other sports," she said of the uniforms.