Congrats to former Washington Redskins Cheerleader (and as seen here Washington Kastles Cheerleader) Stephanie who just made the 2010-111 Miami Heat Dancers!

By Bill Lohmann
Richmond Times-Dispatch

Jaqui

The past few years have been difficult ones for Paul Bennett. He has endured a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and a stroke, and now he’s residing in hospice care.

His face brightens when his daughter and grandson come into the room, but the 82-year-old retired railroad man otherwise shows little recognition when he meets anyone.

Except yesterday when three Washington Redskins cheerleaders showed up to surprise him. Once he spotted the Redskins logo — he perhaps noticed the short-short pants and long legs, too — Bennett clapped his hands, and his eyes grew as wide as pom-poms. He grabbed one of the cheerleader’s hands and didn’t want to let go.

“For him to show that kind of emotion . . . the Redskins are way up there,” said his daughter, Lynn Campbell, with a laugh. “That shows how much it meant to him.”

Bennett is a longtime, devoted Redskins fan who held season tickets for a while and didn’t think twice about sitting through rain or snow to watch his favorite team. His room at Emeritus Senior Living at Deep Run in western Henrico County is a testament to his loyalty: Redskins comforter, Redskins wall-hanging, a Redskins stuffed dog.

He wore a Redskins shirt and a Redskins cap as his daughter, wearing a No. 47 Chris Cooley jersey, pushed his wheelchair into the lobby to greet the cheerleaders. A Redskins blanket lay across his lap.

The three cheerleaders — Lee-Ann, Tecoya and Jaqui (they don’t publicly share their last names) — hugged Bennett, chatted with him and posed for pictures. A group crossword puzzle game in an adjoining room ground to a screeching halt.

The cheerleaders later made the rounds of the facility, signing autographs with Sharpies tucked in their white boots and spreading, well, good cheer. Their appearance was arranged by Melinda Jones of Hospice Community Care, which partners with Emeritus Senior Living to provide care for hospice patients, after they learned of Bennett’s devotion to the Redskins.

The cheerleaders drove from the Washington area yesterday morning on their day off. All have full-time jobs: Jaqui is a business analyst, Tecoya is an education coordinator and Lee-Ann operates a dance studio.

“We do a lot of these things all year-round,” Lee-Ann said. “We like to visit people just to brighten up their day, just to make them happy.

“It’s an honor to be able to do something like this.”

Born in West Virginia, Bennett served in the Army, worked as a truck driver and spent more than 30 years as a railroad foreman. He later volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He turns 83 on Aug. 16.

“Some days are better than others,” Campbell said of her dad. “Yesterday and today have been really good days.”

Let’s see: Three Redskins cheerleaders pay a visit to your room and make a big deal over you? Yep, I’d say that’s a pretty good day.

Bennett made the most of it, enjoying their company and patting their arms, prompting one of the cheerleaders to note, “You haven’t lost your touch.”

He was living a dream, but Bennett wanted more. As long as he had their attention, Bennett mentioned he hoped the Redskins finish in first place this season.

I don’t know. Some dreams might just be too wild.

Former Redskins Cheerleader Ambassador Jessica Andrews sat down with folks at The District Dish to talk her about her blog and her involvement with the military.

[G.I. Jess]

(Click to enlarge)

Courtesy of Ron, the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders at an appearance at Bull Run Boots on Saturday. And a reminder, the Redskins Cheerleaders Calendar Release Party is this Thursday.

I thought Philadelphia was bad, but Sunday in Washington DC was hot, hot, hot. And humid, too. I drove down for my first ever look at the Washington Kastles Cheerleaders. It was a great relief that the tennis match started at 7:00pm and as the sun dropped lower and lower, things cooled of considerably.

The Washington Kastles Cheerleaders are under the direction of our good friend Donald Wells. And if you think you recognize some of these ladies, you are probably correct. They all previously cheered for the Redskins.

Melanie

Now you’re probably wondering what do the cheerleaders do at a tennis match. Pretty much the same thing, they do at any other sporting event.

Continue reading Washington Kastles Cheerleaders

I don’t have a TV, but last time I visited my parents, my mom was watching a show on the Do-It-Yourself Channel. There was a familiar face on the screen and I said “Hey, I know her, that’s Chelsea from Washington Redskins Cheerleaders.

The episode is titled Cozy Bar & Dining Room. They fix up her back patio in and install a built-in grill, sitting wall, and a kegerator.

It airs three times this Friday. (3:30 PM e/p, 10:00 PM e/p and 1:00 AM e/p [actually, early Saturday morning])

(Yes, I still have much more to post from P-R-O)

This is Tracey, a two-year veteran of the Redskins Cheerleaders.  She has a degree in Communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and works for a digital marketing company as an Account/Sales Rep.

When I talked to Tracey at P-R-O, she had some very exciting news. Maxim had selected her to be in an upcoming issue. The Monday after the convention, she and WRC Director Stephanie Jojokian were to take the Metroliner to New York City for the photo shoot. Tracey wasn’t completely sure what to expect. They had asked for her measurements, and she was bringing along a plethora of Redskins Cheerleaders uniforms.

We’ll get to see how it turned out in a few weeks.

[Redskins Cheerleaders P-R-O Gallery]

[Washington Redskins Cheerleaders]

Washington Redskins: The Redskins Cheerleaders and ESPN 980 will host the 2010-11 Calendar Premier Party on Thursday, July 29 at Public Bar (1214 18th Street NW) in Washington, D.C.

The Calendar Party gets underway at 7 p.m. and continues to 11 p.m. The event features performances and a fashion show by the new cheerleaders squad, as well as opportunities for autographs and photos.

Admission is $10. Admission with the purchase of a calendar at the door is $20.

In June, the entire Redskins Cheerleaders squad traveled to the Dominican Republic for the annual calendar shoot.

The women spent a week working with photographers at the resort and on the beach, and the end result was breathtaking photos of some of the most beautiful women in sports entertainment.

Watch for the 2009-10 Redskins Cheerleader Calendar as it becomes available in Redskins Official Stores and online.

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