Every year, photographer Mitchell Zachs shoots the Dolphins Cheerleader finals at Aventura Mall in Miami. This year, he didn’t disappoint. Click here to view an extensive collection of photos from the competition!
Washington Wizard Girls Auditions
Prep Classes for the Wizard Girl Auditions begin next week and are being held in Maryland, Virginia and the District.
Meanwhile Assistant Director Brianne Ritzert and a group of the Wizard Girls are preparing for a trip to China.
2009 Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Chosen
Last week auditions for the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders culminated in the selection of dancers to the team. More information is coming soon, but you can view photos from this year’s auditions right here.
Congratulations:
Erin, Sabrina, April, Guyla, Melinda, Nicole Mo., Brandy, Nicole Ma., Erika, Sarah, Devon, Melissa, Jenny, Jennifer, Kenzi, Natalie, Kari, Margaret, Kierra, Kelsey, Candice, Jessica, Kelli, Ashley, Joie, Zora, Monique, Megan, Denita, Katenrine, Heather, and Laura!
Redskins Cheerleaders Debut at Draft Day Party
The 2009-10 Washington Redskins Cheerleaders made their debut this past Saturday at the Redskins Draft Day Party at FedEx Field.
At 2:00, the hottest part of the day, Redskins Cheerleader took the field in the blistering heat to perform for the fans and then celebrate the arrival of the Redskins head coach Jim Zorn.
Coach Zorn arrives.
After the onfield performance it was up to the club level where Cheerleaders signed autographs….
Congratulations to Stephanie Jojokian who is in her first year as Director of the Redskins Cheerleaders. Stephanie became the Redskins Cheerleaders first full-time choreographer back in 2004.
Stephanie told us a little of what is coming up in 2009 for the squad. Next month all 43 Cheerleaders are off to Marco Island in Florida to shoot the 12th edition of the always popular Redskins Cheerleaders Swimsuit Calendar. There are also plenty of uniform changes coming: a new skirt, a new winter uniform and an brand new uniform for the Ambassadors.
Captain Kelly entertains the fans with her lovely singing voice.
Not only did Kelly sign, but a few lucky fans had a chance to dance with her on stage.
Kelly and some young fans.
Around 6:30 the Cheerleaders made their way to the stage. The squad has been together less than three weeks, but in that time. Including the highly-energetic, 7+ minute “The Rock” that the Rookies traditionally perform at Draft Day.
Rookies and the jump split.
Two-year veterans perform
Three and four-year veterans perform.
Captains and Co-Captains perform.
Former Memphis Grizzlies Dancer now an R&B Singer
Former Memphis Grizzlies Dancer Annika is currently putting the finishing touches on her debut album. With most songs drawn from personal experiences, this album promises to give insight into the person she was and the person she has become.
Annika mixes a little bit of the old with the new and defines her familiar yet distinctive sound as smooth and groovable. She will be featured at a listening session on May 8 at Cris Charlz.
Listen to some of Annika’s tracks here.
Axe Maidens Let Us Play!
Bright and early on the morning of April 25th Axe Maidens Cara and Keana ventured to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, the home of the Jaguars, to cheer on enthusiastic athletes. These athletes didn’t wear helmets or pads, they were kids ages 5 – 12 participating in the Let Us Play! Jr 2K. Over 2,000 kids including those with special needs participated in the event which “promotes involvement in athletics and encourage the good health and consistent work ethic associated with participation in sports”. It’s not a race but a run where everyone is a winner and received a ribbon.
Cara and Keana cheered on the participants as each age group lined-up and when they all crossed the finish line. Special appearances by Radio Disney, Jaxson De Ville, and Ozzie the UNF mascot added to all the fun and excitement. The event was also taped for a television special that will air on May 2nd at noon on FOX30 in Jacksonville, FL.
It was Cara’s first time on the football field at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium however Keana was right at home since she had been a member of the ROAR of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007.
The 2009 Axe Maidens headshots have been posted on www.jaxaxe.com more photos and bios will be coming soon.
The 2009 49ers Draft Day Party
Draft Day. A football team’s fortunes may be determined in the few minutes it takes to draft a Peyton Manning or a Ryan Leaf. For the hardcore football fan, it is one of the most anticipated days of the year.
This past Saturday, I made the long trek to the bay area to experience the 49ers Draft Day Party. Thousands of 49er fans packed the Santa Clara Convention Center to partake of the festivities and to eagerly await their team’s draft pick. Fans booed and cheered as the picks were announced, proving that this crowd was as knowledgeable and passionate as those hardcore fans in attendance in New York. A huge roar erupted when the Raiders, with the seventh pick, dubiously selected Darrius Heyward-Bey, the wide receiver from Maryland whom many considered to be a late first round pick. Derisive laughter soon followed because that meant with the tenth pick overall, the 49ers were able to select the consensus top wide receiver in the draft, Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech. Score one for the niners.
Soon after the pick, Head Coach Mike Singletary made an appearance and briefly addressed the crowd. Now, I was never a Chicago Bear fan, but I became a fan of Mike Singletary after his famous “cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them” rant against Vernon Davis’ uninspired play last year. Go get ‘em coach.
And the best part of the 49ers Draft Day Party…the Gold Rush cheerleaders.
The Gold Rush were on hand to meet and greet all the fans who came out to support the 49ers. They graciously signed autographs and posed for photos throughout the day.
Okay, let’s give some recognition to the Gold Rush and start off the roll call with Meridith and Lauren D.
Tampa Bay Lightning Girls Prep Classes
Get a jump on the competition by attending a Tampa Bay Lightning Girl Prep Class. Classes are held every Wednesday evening starting in May.
Dolphins cheerleading hopefuls vie for a spot on the squad
BY Micaela Hood
MiamiHerald.com
April 24, 2009
Most shoppers don’t bring beach chairs to the Aventura Mall. They also don’t scream and jump up and down. That’s unless the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders are performing.
On Saturday, 78 young women auditioning for a spot on the 2009 cheerleading team performed in front of thousands of fans and 11 judges at the mall’s Center Court.
Fans of all ages, who sported Miami Dolphins shirts and hats, camped out during the competition, which started around 11 a.m.
And the competition was fierce.
Out of the 78 finalists, only 42 were selected to start training.
Twenty-two of the women are what the Dolphins call ”veterans” — cheerleaders who have been on the team before.
Fabiola Romero, 26, has been a Dolphins cheerleader for three years.
And in order to make the team, she and more than 200 women, went through two grueling rounds of auditioning earlier this month.
The numbers got smaller as the judges narrowed the pool down to 78 hopefuls. The cheerleaders, who get paid about $75 per football game, can make some extra money by participating in events like autograph signings and celebrity events.
”It was definitely harder this year, we have so many really great dancers and beautiful girls we really had to stay on our toes,” Romero said.
As loud music played in the background, the girls performed one-minute solo routines and group stunts.
There were plenty of high-kicks, back flips and leg splits. The women also invented their own dance moves and booty shakes.
Friends and family also got into the spirit. Some donned stickers or waved banners and handmade signs with a picture and name of their favorite cheerleader. Others shelled out more cash to have a professional sign made.
”My fiancé and family were holding up a sign made out of vinyl with a picture of me at the Miami Dolphins game in London,” Romero said.
The Florida State University graduate works in marketing for an MRI center — but said she cheers to relieve stress and have fun.
”It’s the most exciting thing, and it doesn’t seem like work at all,” she said.
But the event was really for the fans.
Coral Gables resident David Gonzalez has been attending since 2005.
”I love it, it’s a way to show support for our favorite football team and get ready for a kicka– season,” he said.
This year’s celebrity judges were TV and radio personalities Kenny Walker from Coast WFLC-FM (97.3); Pamela Silva, co-anchor of Univision’s Al Amanecer; Lorenzo ”Ice-Tea” Thomas, radio personality for 99 Jamz; Erika von Tiehl, anchor for CBS4; Aubrey Aquino of Deco Drive; and Claudio Sorrentino, CEO of Body Details.
Rounding out the judge’s panel: Michael Smoller, a Dolphins ticket-holder since 1994.
Cheerleader coordinator Emily Newton, who said the team will spend the summer learning new cheers and dance tricks, said she was impressed with this year’s turnout.
”This year we did things a little different and let fans participate in the judging process,” she said.
In a nod to American Idol, fans were instructed to text the names of their favorite cheerleader — which judges factored into their decision.
”We received over 6,000 text messages in a two-hour period,” Newton.
The lucky gals will also head to St. Maarten to catch some rays and shoot the official 2010 Miami Dolphins cheerleaders calendar.
And for Romero, that’s just one of the perks of being a Dolphins cheerleader. “It’s a well-deserved vacation before the seasons starts.”
Buffalo Bandettes Close Out the Regular Season
Our good friend Phil has the latest info and photos from the Bandettes last regular season game.