In her fourth season, Anne B is the perfect fit as Titans Cheerleaders captain

Titans Cheerleader Anne B during the first half of the Titans-Nibers game in October

Sometimes, using only a measuring stick just does not measure all the right components. When Titans Cheerleader Anne B worked for a year at Disney World, based on solely on height, “I was too tall to be Tinkerbell and too short to be a princess,” Anne says. Well, anyone who spends any time with Anne will find that she is a just the perfect character combination, with Tinkerbell qualities of being light, airy, along with her own special brand of pixie dust to brighten those around her, while adding the girl next door qualities with an option to pump up the glamour beyond the realm of any old ordinary princess.

UltimateCheerleaders is pleased to feature the super wonderful Anne as she and her Titans Cheerleader sisters hit the field for one last home game today. Anne is in her fourth season as a Titans Cheerleader and her first as captain. Anne is a native of Miami, but then moved to Knoxville, and attended Middle Tennessee State, graduating with a degree in Textiles and Merchandising. Anne’s year working at Disney World involved doing merchandising in the Magic Kingdom, like their store windows. Though Anne’s height prevented her from being Tinkerbell or a princess, if she had the chance, there would have been a couple characters that she would have liked to have donned the costume. “I would be Chip or Dale; that would be fun!” Anne says.

Anne’s started dance very young at age three, and Miami had the advantage of getting instruction from excellent dance teachers. “Some of my first teachers were a lot of the teachers that were on ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ Anne recalls. “Like Mia Michaels was my first dance teacher from Miami, so then I ended up dancing at her brother’s studio.”

Dance continued for Anne after she moved from Florida to Tennessee. “I danced in high school, and then in college I was in a dance company, and then I was a dance teacher for that company as well,” Anne smiles. “Dance has always been the thing.”

So does Anne hope dance will always be a big part of her life? “Yes, and that is why this is hard to give (Titans Cheerleading) up because I love the costumes and the make-up,” Anne says. “You feel like you are dressing up, and giving that up is such a hard thing.”

So did Anne make the Titans squad her first time she went through auditions? “I did, I didn’t expect it!” Anne remembers. “I had no idea. I found out about tryouts about a week before. And then I tried out, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I am going to make it!’”

And this season, Anne was one of four brand new captains for the Titans Cheerleaders. Being named captain was also something that was a surprise for Anne. Does she like the new role and responsibility? “I do!” Anne responds. “It’s been different, just having to be in charge of everything. Now instead of relying on somebody else to know what dance to do, even though I try to rely on my girls a little, and where we need to be at a certain time, now you have to KNOW. And I really have to follow the game a little more than I did before.”

Anne not only loves her on the field time with the Titans Cheerleaders, but the unique experiences it brings. For instance, when I spoke to Anne prior to the late October Halloween game, she had just filmed a commercial along with Pro Bowl Titans Cheer alumnus Brooke. “Because of Titans Cheerleaders, I shot a commercial on Friday for Papa John’s with Brooke. It was really fun; I have never done anything like that.”

The commercial was filmed to be shown during CMT broadcasts of “Making the Team.” The eight hour shoot provided an extra unique opportunity for Anne. “I actually had a speaking role which was real cool,” Anne says. “I kick this plate out of this kid’s hands and I say, ‘Let’s make this tailgate better!’ And then Brooke says ‘YEAH!’”

How many times did Anne have to say her line? Anne responds, “I think like 30. It was a lot and then close-up ones where it was the ‘beauty shot’ and I had to say it. And then there was a dance party when the girl brings the Papa John’s pizza. There was only five of us, it was small. I liked it! I could do it again!”

For Anne, this was just part of the varied experiences of being a Titans Cheerleader. “Just the different things you get to do, like the trip we went to Seattle to Fort Lewis. It was so much fun to go visit the troops. ‘Waiting for Wishes’ is one of the appearances I did last year for critically ill children and they have all of the celebrities of Nashville,” Anne explains. “Or just the friends, just the memories. I love it.”

Due the time commitments of Titans Cheerleaders, Anne has been happy to move this year from managing a retail store to being an inside sales rep for Dell enterprise servers and such, which has more standard hours.

Anne is also very family focused. She gains inspiration from her mom and her most prized possession is her sister. But I had to ask about her super classy high end pets! A dog named Bentley and a cat named Prada. Anne starts with the doggie, “Bentley is huge! He is a Saint Bernard, so he is like the size of a car. We almost named him Captain Jack Sparrow; I am kind of a child at heart. So he was going to be Captain Jack Sparrow, and then Harry Potter, then I was like ‘Bentley, BENTLEY! We like Bentley!’”

Anne continues, “And then Prada, she was sitting next to my sunglasses, and kind of looked cute. So I was like Prada, PRADA! And it worked.”

So despite the fact that the Magic Kingdom may have found her too small to be a princess and too tall to be Tinkerbell, the magical world of Titans Cheerleaders finds the Anne is just the perfect fit in every dimension for her role. Bubbly and articulate, Anne amazingly can fit the role of girl next door or swimsuit super model glamorous. And for her last game today of her season number four, certainly it will be full of emotions for Anne, as she explained, “I still get goose bumps when I get out there and the music starts. You just never get used to that feeling.”

Best wishes for an excellent 2014 Anne! And of course, thank you to Stacie Kinder, the Tennessee Titans Director of Cheerleading/Entertainment, and Robbie Bohren of the Titans for all of their assistance!

There are more photos of Anne B from the Titans Cheerleaders Halloween game at this link, and check out Anne’s videos below at the Titans web site:

http://www.titansonline.com/media-center/videos/Behind-the-Pom-Poms-Titans-Cheerleader-Anne/131fa4e5-3059-4496-ab90-672a203acfed

http://www.titansonline.com/media-center/videos/Anne_B_2013/3a4634ea-a9d4-44fc-9fe7-cc14bc1cf29f

Anne during the second half, in Halloween costume, "her favorite game" of each season

It’s more than a sideline, featuring Raiderette Sarah Marie

Sarah Marie of the Oakland Raiderettes during the September home win over Jacksonville

Today, photos of the multi-talented Sarah Marie of the Oakland Raiderettes, with a few fun facts, designed to entertain and inform:

• Sarah Marie is in her fifth season as a Raiderette
• Sarah Marie recently graduated from law school and works in the District Attorney’s office
• The most famous television attorneys working in the DA’s office were Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) of Law & Order and Night Court’s Dan Fielding (John Larroquette)
• In season 2 of Night Court, the public defender was played by Ellen Foley as Billie Young
• Foley was also a singer, notably the female counterpart of Meat Loaf on the hit single “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” Also, the Clash’s hit song “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, written and sung by Mick Jones, was about the turbulent relationship he shared with Foley at the time
• Meatloaf is a dish of ground meat formed into a loaf shape, mixed with egg and breadcrumbs, then baked or smoked. The meatloaf has European origins; meatloaf of minced meat was mentioned in the famous Roman cookery collection Apicius as early as the 5th century
• American meatloaf has its origins in scrapple, a mixture of ground pork and cornmeal served by German-Americans in Pennsylvania since Colonial times. However, meatloaf in the contemporary American sense did not appear in cookbooks until the late 19th century
• Into the year 1900, most states did not require lawyers to have a university education (although an apprenticeship was often required) and most practitioners had not attended any law school or college
• Some of Sarah Marie’s favorite memories as a Raiderette have involved her father, who is in the military. One of those moments came when Sarah Marie first made the team and her dad was deployed in Iraq. She was able to call him to share the good news.
• “My dad is a huge inspiration in my life; he is very hard working and sacrifices a lot not only for his family but this country,” said Sarah Marie. “It was a great experience to be able to share the exciting news with him; I could feel how proud he was over the phone.”
• Sarah Marie is of Indian decent (her dad is from Fiji) and she speaks fluent Hindi
• According to Google Translate, “Football’s Fabulous Females” in Hindi is फुटबॉल शानदार महिलाओं
• Fiji is comprised of more than 332 islands, of which 110 are permanently inhabited, and more than 500 islets. The capital and largest city, Suva, is on Viti Levu
• During World War II, thousands of Fijians volunteered to aid in Allied efforts via their attachment to the New Zealand and Australian army units
• The country’s currency is the Fijian dollar
• Pro bono publico (English: for the public good; usually shortened to pro bono) is a Latin phrase for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession, unlike traditional volunteerism, uses the specific skills of professionals to provide services to those who are unable to afford them
• In 1994, California’s 44th Congressional District was “pro Bono,” electing Sonny Bono to the US House
• In 1998, U2’s lead singer Bono played himself on The Simpsons episode “Trash of the Titans”
• 1998 was Jon Gruden’s first season as Raiders Head Coach
• Sarah Marie took a break from the busy life of a Raiderette to apply to law school and finish her first year
• Sarah Marie has also participated in various half and full marathons, including the 2009 Chicago Marathon, during her time off
• She wanted to rejoin the Raiderettes because she missed the team, the ladies, the performance, and the experience on the field
• She loves to perform on game day for the Raider fans. “My favorite part of game day is performing for the best fans in the NFL,” said Sarah Marie. “Performing for Raider fans is a one-of-kind experience. Raider fans have so much passion for their team and that always shows through at each game. Raider fans create an energy in the Coliseum that is hard to resist and always gets me pumped to perform on game day!”
• Sara Lee is the brand name of a number of frozen and packaged foods, often known for the long-running slogan “Everybody doesn’t like something, but nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee”
• In Oakland and for pro cheer fans everywhere, “nobody doesn’t like Sarah Marie”

Click on the Continue link for more photos, and even more are at this link

Continue reading “It’s more than a sideline, featuring Raiderette Sarah Marie”

NY Lizards Dance Team Auditions are January 18th

Join the NY York Lizards Dance Team for the 2014 Major League Lacrosse season…

Have you ever imagined yourself dancing in front of thousands of fans for a professional sports team? Now, could be your chance. The NY Lizards Dance Team, the professional dance team for the NY Lizards (formerly Long Island Lizards) will be holding auditions for their 2013 MLL season. The team will dance center field at Lizards home games and at various other public appearances.

The NY Lizards Dance Team is under direction of Paula Sanders, a former Knicks City Dancer, professional dancer and choreographer. Her credits include Pitbull, Neyo, Melissa Gorga, Prince Royce and Wisin y Yandel. Last season Paula debuted as Director and brought the heat to the field with a new vibe and a totally new team.

We are looking for dancers who are talented, versatile, attractive, athletic, personable and poised to be great representatives of the NY Lizards Dance Team.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, January 18th at 1:00PM. They will take place at Pearl Studios, 519 8th Ave. (between 35th and 36th street) New York, NY 10018. Please check in on the 12th floor in Studio A at 12:30 PM. Call backs will be held on Sunday, January 19th.

Requirements:

– Must be over 18- please bring valid ID
– Must have technical dance training (ballet, jazz, contemporary) as well as proficient hip hop skills
– Tumbling is a plus but not required
– Dress the part. Please wear body conscious dance/workout wear. Full hair and make-up.
– Bring Kneepads
– Bring headshots and resume

All candidates must be available to attend 7 home games and one or two weekly evening practices starting in February. Games begin in April and run through the end of August.

Professional compensation will be provided for all games, appearances and practices.

To register, candidates should email PSanders@NYLizards.com.

[New York Lizards Dance Team]

Wizard Girls Juggle Careers and Cheers

By Andrea McCarren
WUSA9.com

They may be the unsung heroes of the NBA. Whether their team is winning or losing, the league’s professional cheerleaders still need to energize the crowds. But the women on the court in Washington juggle their careers and their cheers.

“It can be a really, really long day,” said Leah, whose last name we can’t disclose to protect her privacy.

Her alarm goes off at 5:45 every morning and Leah happily begins her day with a classroom of special ed students.

“You always have to be on. You’re putting on a show for your students. And especially for special education students. You have to engage them the whole time,” she said.

In fact, engaging 10 year-old boys is not unlike her other job–firing up a Washington Wizards audience.

“I am my students’ biggest cheerleader so it is very similar,” said Leah, through laughter.

Dancing since the age of three, Leah says she’s lucky to combine both her passions: dance and teaching.

“I think the most rewarding part is when it finally clicks to them and you finally reach them in some way or another. You see that light go off in their heads and you see them really be successful and that’s so exciting to me,” said Leah.

And she’s among an entire squad of educated career women. There’s Joanna, a Harvard anthropology graduate and corporate trainer. And Michaela, a government contractor who works at the Navy Yard in DC. And many others.

“I am the luckiest girl in the world,” she said.

The NBA’s professional cheerleaders aren’t always appreciated for the long hours they put in-at practice, games, and countless public appearances. At games and practices, they make just 12 dollars an hour.

Leah’s students know she goes to a lot of Wizards games, but they have no idea she’s a cheerleader. Her secret may not be safe for much longer.

[Washington Wizard Girls]

Her dad’s poster inspires two-time calendar cover model Kayla to be a Texans Cheerleader

Houston Texans Cheerleader Kayla is in her third season

Remember attending your first NFL game? The sonic volume of the cheers, the exploding pyrotechnics, the tingle that goes down your spine as the team runs onto the field? Well, imagine that during your first ever NFL game, you not only are ON the field, but only steps away from the players as they run onto the field, and that you are also performing as part as the entertainment. That is exactly how Kayla of the Houston Texans Cheerleaders experienced her first NFL game.

“I will NEVER forget my first time stepping onto the field,” recalls Kayla. “It was my first NFL game to ever go to. I had no idea what to expect. The best part is when they introduce the team and the whole stadium is cheering. The sound of how loud the cheering is from the field is completely overwhelming. It is one of the most exciting/emotional feelings. I think I speak for all the cheerleaders when I say you get this lump in your throat like you’re so excited that you could cry!”

Kayla is only 20 years of age yet already in her third season with the Texans Cheerleaders. A full-time student with the goal of being a teacher, Kayla shared with UltimateCheerleaders her journey to the HTC at age 18, how she ended up on a fun video that lead her to be interviewed on the NFL Network, and how her mom helped her find the dream dress for Kayla’s upcoming wedding. So how did Kayla end up among the select Houston Texans Cheerleaders at such a young age?

“I was only 18 when I made the team and I never expected to make it on my first go ‘round,” Kayla says. “My dad has always been a huge Texan fan so I remember sitting in his ‘man cave,’ out in our Texan themed garage, and looking at the poster of the cheerleaders. I just decided I could do that.”

“I started watching videos of the cheerleaders’ two-minute warning and other performances they had done,” Kayla remembers. “I just kept telling myself I could do it. I read everything that was posted on the website about how to prepare yourself, and I just bought an outfit and signed up for tryouts. I had no idea what to really expect when I walked in. I used one of my senior pictures as a headshot!”

“Needless to say,” Kayla continues, “when I walked through the doors and saw about a thousand girls in there, I realized how unprepared I really was. When I made it to the finals, I was thrilled. Making the team, I thought, was a long shot. I guess they saw something in me and I’m glad they did. Three years later here I am, two times on the cover of the calendar, and everything else I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of, I have been blessed to say the least.”

Cheerleading has always been a big part of Kayla’s life. “I have been a cheerleader for as long as I can remember,” Kayla shares. “I did competitive cheerleading growing up. I was on a team called Cheer Explosion, then I was on Spirit Elite. I cheered in junior high and then went on to cheer all four years in high school. After I graduated, I moved to Nacogdoches to attend Stephen F. Austin State University, but during Thanksgiving break, I decided I was going to be a Texans Cheerleader. I moved home Christmas break and started taking a couple dance classes at the Houston Met Dance center.”

So compared to trying out as a rookie, how has it been to try-out as a veteran? “Going into try-outs as a veteran, I had a better insight of what to expect, which was a little comforting but more stressful at the same time,” Kayla responds. “I will without a doubt in my mind say that it is harder to make it back as a veteran than it is to make it as a rookie. You are held at higher expectations and every girl in there is there to try and take your spot. Did you do your job the best you could the year before? It’s very easy to get replaced.”

Well, Kayla has been doing her job very well, as evidenced by being a third-year veteran. Asked about some of the aspects of being a Houston Texans Cheerleader that she did not expect, Kayla answers, “Something I didn’t expect was the calendar. I have had the opportunity to be in the calendar all three years that I’ve been on the team. I made the cover as a rookie. I shot for the cover my second year, and then I made it again this year! Definitely all unexpected.”

“Actually being on this team, I don’t expect anything,” continues Kayla. “Every girl on our team is beautiful and capable of doing the things that I’ve been given the opportunity to do. I guess one of the biggest things is to not take anything you’re given for granted. I’m happy for the things I’ve been given the chance to do.”

And one of the fun opportunities was to co-star in a parody video. The NFL’s Play 60 campaign featured a commercial with a boy on the playground giving Cam Newton the low down on how he was on his way to replacing Cam. So Kayla starred in the HTC version in which she discusses being a Texans Cheerleader with little Briana, who was initially sweet but eventually, quite ready to grab Kayla’s spot on the squad, and more.

Had Kayla acted much before this video? “Oh my goodness!” Kayla exclaims. “I have never acted in my life other than being in theatre arts in junior high! Brianna was amazing! She absolutely has a bright future ahead of her and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw her in a movie one day.”

Then the video lead to Kayla being interviewed on the NFL Network. “Appearing on NFL Network was definitely a wonderful opportunity and another nerve wracking experience where you just don’t want to mess up!” Kayla says. Of course, Kayla never lost her footing during this either.

Continue reading “Her dad’s poster inspires two-time calendar cover model Kayla to be a Texans Cheerleader”

Photo of the Year – December 27

Between Christmas and New Year’s we are showcasing the year’s favorite photos from our contributors.


New England Patriots Cheerleaders Heather and Stephanie demonstrate the Cheer Crab

Because the Cheerleaders and Dancers that grace the sidelines, courts and rinks of professional sports are so strikingly beautiful, sometimes it is hard to remember that they are also incredible athletes as well. At the P-R-O Convention, New England Patriots Cheerleader Captains Heather and Stephanie demonstrated one of Patriots Cheerleaders Director Tracy Sormanti’s favorite displays of athletic prowess: The Cheer Crab!

Game Day with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

By Jay Betsill
Special to DFW.com
Dec. 24, 2013

[Photo Gallery]

On a crisp football Sunday in December, the parking lot at Valley Ranch is filling up just before 9 a.m.

Rookies and veterans, wearing their sweatsuits and game faces, have arrived early to get in some extra practice for what will be one of the most crucial days of the season.

The bus leaves at 10 for the 3:25 p.m. kickoff at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where more than 91,000 fans will watch their every move on the giant HD screen hovering above the field. Millions more will see them in action on the national TV broadcast.

But the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the most iconic and recognizable squad of dancers in the NFL (in the world, actually), are used to the spotlight. They’ve got their own TV show on CMT and four popular calendars, and the team’s 38 members regularly make public appearances and have growing fan bases on Twitter.

On weeks like these, though, the glitz and glamour of being one of America’s Sweethearts can be overshadowed by the sheer hard work it takes to make things look so seamless.

First off, the recent ice storm made it impossible for the squad to get in their usual number of practices before a game. Fifth-year cheerleader Jackie Bob sent videos of the new dance moves to each team member so they could work on them during the thaw.

When they were finally able to resume practice at the stadium, five days before the game, the pressure was on, because this game — Cowboys vs. Packers — would also showcase the DCC in their Christmas Extravaganza halftime show. The DCC would be joined on the field by several high school dance teams, tumblers and flag teams, which made practices even more intense and intricate than usual.

“For our rehearsals on the week of a home game, we are at the stadium every night. We get here at 6:30 with practice beginning at 7,” said Sydney Durso, a six-year veteran who is the only team member from the franchise’s days at Texas Stadium. “We basically run through the entire game — player introductions, all four quarter changes, our dances on the decks — and this week we have the Christmas show. Sometimes we will do everything twice, sometimes three times if they are not perfect.

“Each night this week, we have been here past 11.”

When they step onto the field on Game Day, all of that stress falls away and their sweat equity begins to pay off.

They are a study in grace, precision and synchronicity.

“The group leaders did an amazing job of making sure we were ready,” said third-year cheerleader Brittney Schram. “In spite of the added stress with the ice storm.”

The crowd loves them, too, and many of the cheerleaders have big groups of friends and family in attendance to see the Christmas performance. Nobody’s family came farther than Angela Rena’s. The third-year veteran moved here from Australia to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.

“This week’s game has an extra meaning for me because my family will be able to see me perform as a DCC for the first time,” she said. “We work so hard for this uniform, and being able to look up in the crowd and see my family and being able to share this game-day experience with them is very special.”

And no matter how long you’ve been cheering, says Mia Greenhouse, a fifth-year DCC, each game day feels special.

“When I started cheering my rookie year, I was only 18 and everything was new. The stadium was new and we had new choreography,” she says. “Throughout the years, I’ve learned time management and I know the choreography, which allows me to perform with more confidence, but every time I go out there on game day, it’s like my very first time. You practice the routines all week, but the moment you go out and the stands are filled, it is a completely different vibe. Everyone’s excited, everyone is cheering, and every game, there are always new elements that make it great.”

‘A crazy juggling act’

On the Friday evening before the game, Kelli Finglass, director of the DCC for 22 years, invites the squad to her house for a tacky sweater/pajama theme party. They exchange gag gifts and compete for best dish — rookie Paige Elaine’s buffalo chicken dip takes top honors.

It’s a chance for the tight-knit group to relax and laugh after a tough week of practices.

While just about any of the 38 members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will tell you it’s a chance of a lifetime to be on the team — hundreds of women audition for the squad each year — they all have busy lives off the field.

“I’m a graphic designer, photographer and mother,” said Morgan Whitney, in her rookie year on the team. “I stay at home all day with my daughter, who is 2 years old. So after I get her situated, I am basically on the computer working for most of the day. Before I know it, it is her nap time, and that is when I get ready for practice. It can be a crazy juggling act.”

All of the cheerleaders are required to either be full-time students or hold a full-time job. This year’s squad has jobs ranging from patient care coordinator and pediatric physical therapist to personal banker and financial analyst. Several are dance teachers, while another manages the Bar Method fitness studio in Dallas.

Their pay — $182 per game, with 10 home games per season — can be supplemented with appearances, which are paid based on their tenure, according to Katelyn Nichols, spokeswoman for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

DCC alumnae have gone on to act and to appear on TV shows like The Bachelor and The Amazing Race, but most are lifelong Cowboys fans who have dreamed of wearing the silver and blue.

“I studied dance when I was younger and transitioned into cheerleading in high school and college, and deep down I always dreamed of being a DCC,” said Morgan Whitney. “My dad is a die-hard Cowboys fan and I have never seen him smile like when I spot him in the crowd during the games. It makes me all choked up just to think about it, knowing how proud my parents are that I achieved this dream.”

A flawless first half

As the squad’s Wynne Motorcoach steers through the underground tunnel at AT&T Stadium on Sunday morning, winding its way toward the DCC locker room, you can feel the energy building.

The women wheel in their gear in matching pink bags and begin to get ready — stretching, putting on makeup, going over the routines one last time. Each cheerleader has a “cameo” photo taken during training camp posted above their lockers — a reminder of how hard they worked to get here.

At about 10:30 a.m., nearly five hours before kickoff, they take the field in practice attire for a full dress rehearsal.

Later, back in the locker room, Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell give the dancers specific corrections to focus on. Then they break for lunch and to touch up their hair and makeup, and two groups head up to the party plazas to perform for fans arriving early.

Before you know it, the DCC are on the field performing their opening routine to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck. The crowd is pumped.

After the national anthem, the cheerleaders divide into groups and head to the corners of the stadium. The first half could not have gone any better. The Cowboys dominated both sides of the ball and took a 26-3 lead into halftime. Division rival Philadelphia had already lost, so a win would put Dallas back atop the NFC East.

The cheerleaders make their way into the locker room at the 8-minute mark of the second quarter and re-emerge at halftime wearing Santa-inspired outfits with red and white long-sleeve tops and red shorts. Their Christmas Extravaganza performance, a six-minute routine consisting of a five-song medley of holiday music, is flawless.

“I was beyond proud and impressed,” Trammell said. “This was one of our more intense productions, but they delivered a high-energy, high-quality performance for our fans. It is a great feeling when everything comes together to pull off a perfect halftime show.”

A ‘difficult’ second half

And then the second half gets underway and the tide shifts.

Green Bay scores 14 points in the third quarter and begins the fourth with an 80-yard touchdown drive. The Cowboys faithful are stunned, and Packer fans are going nuts.

Though the Dallas cheerleaders are not a traditional cheerleading squad, this is the time in the game that can make the women’s job much more difficult.

“It’s always our goal to keep the crowd positive,” said four-year veteran Nicole Bulcher, who moved to Dallas from Idaho. “At the same time, we are invested in what the team is doing and do our best to get the crowd loud on defense and quiet on offense.

“Our job on game day is to make the experience for the fans more enjoyable, so it was considerably more difficult when the action on the field was not going our way,” she continued. “When there is an interception, the last thing our fans want to see is someone who is smiling ear to ear. So I’d say it’s actually more important that we are on our toes when something bad is happening on the field.”

When the two-minute warning arrives, the cheerleaders head up to the Touchdown Decks, the raised platforms behind each end zone. They are very close to the fans and in position to rally them, but on this day, in a cruel twist for the home team, the Packers intercept Tony Romo for the second time and put the game on ice: Green Bay 37, Dallas 36.

This was Green Bay’s first trip back to AT&T Stadium since its 31-25 triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV in 2011. This unlikely comeback victory was nearly as sweet.

In the locker room following the game, Finglass and Trammell give the squad positive feedback on their day, specifically the halftime show.

The bus ride back to Valley Ranch is quiet — the cheerleaders are busy on social media, posting pictures and answering questions from fans on their official DCC Twitter accounts. There is little time to dwell on the heartbreaking loss.

The 12 cheerleaders who make up the DCC’s elite Show Group are scheduled to leave the next morning for the organization’s 77th USO tour. So they exchange hugs with their teammates and head home to finish packing for the eight-day trip to South Korea.

“We are going to visit some troops overseas to show our thanks and gratitude for what they do for us,” Schram said. “It is truly a win-win situation because the soldiers are happy to see something from home and we are so grateful for them. It is such an amazing experience that I’d say it’s the highlight of my entire 20s.”

There is no rest for the other DCC members, either.

At 9 a.m. Monday, Cowboys players and cheerleaders visit Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas and Medical City Children’s Hospital.

For many, the trip overseas and the visits to the hospital put everything into perspective, especially the loss Sunday.

“Hospital visits are my favorite day of the year. It doesn’t matter if we won or lost, it’s all about the kids,” said second-year veteran Kelsey Lauren. “It is one of the greatest feelings in the world to put on this uniform and make these kids’ day, and it warms my heart to see their smiles and know that I can make a difference in someone’s life.”

Photos of the Year – December 26

Between Christmas and New Year’s we are showcasing the year’s favorite photos from our contributors.

Of the photos of 2013, this is my favorite. It is easy to be enamored with “hair-tography” but I like this photo of Titans Cheerleader Evony from their Halloween game because the hair, expression, body language, and costume all exemplify super-hero (hence, an Ultimate Cheerleader) to me. Plus Evony is a blast to photograph on the sidelines in general, and despite her “Robin” costume, she is nobody’s sidekick. Evony is a super-hero in her own right.

Thanks to all the cheer directors, cheerleaders, dancers, and media people who went out of their way to help me out in 2013!