Cheering the (Raider) Nation

Former Tokay High cheerleader earns spot on the Raiderettes

By Joelle Milholm
Lodi News-Sentinel

Since she was a little girl, Amanda Mason has loved doing two things — dancing and being a football fan.

Now she is taking both of her passions to the next level.

The former Tokay High dancer and cheerleader recently earned a spot on the Raiderettes, the Oakland Raiders’ cheerleading team.

Mason started dancing when she was 7 years old. After graduating from Tokay High, she was a member of the Stockton Lightning’s football dance team, the Shockwave, for two years and was even the captain in her second. Now, being part of the Raiderettes is a dream come true.

“I love football. I would say that just as much as I grew up with dance, I grew up with football,” she said. “I have always liked the Raiders. They are a great organization. They have come a long way and it is really great to be a part of it.”

Mason is one of two former Tiger dancers who are now professionals. Tokay graduate Lindsey DuPriest is entering her second year with the San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders — the Gold Rush. Last season DuPriest was named the squad’s Rookie of the Year. Jeanie Jones, the cheer advisor at Tokay High, coached Mason and DuPriest and said she is proud of both. She’s excited Mason is getting her chance to shine this season.

“I knew that Amanda really wanted to do it and she worked hard and she did it,” Jones said. “To see her achieve one of her goals is just amazing.”

Mason tried out for the squad in April. After a nerve-racking interview session, Mason cleared the first round of cuts. She then had two trainings to learn a routine before answering more questions in front of a panel of 12 judges. Then she was asked to perform the routine, all by herself, before the judges.

When the team was set, Mason was one 15 rookies selected to the 36-dancer squad. The new Raiderettes then flew to Hawaii for their 2010 Raiderette Calendar photo shoot. Different dancers had their swimsuit shoots at various locations around Kona on the island of Hawaii. After getting her makeup and hair done by the team’s “Glam Squad” Mason got in front of the camera with a white chapel in the background.

“It was so beautiful. It was breathtaking,” Mason said. “I don’t even know how to describe it. You felt so glamorous. It was just amazing.”

The Raiderettes then got to enjoy the rest of their Hawaiian vacation and really bonded as a team, according to Mason. She knew some of the women on the team before, but is enjoying getting to know everyone.

“I love meeting new people and these girls are amazing,” Mason said. “These are girls that are going to be your bridesmaids.”

Now the Raiderettes are practicing three days a week to prepare for the upcoming season. They are learning how to work together and memorizing all their routines. In addition to practices, Mason and her teammates keep busy with the appearances they make and the charity work they do in the community. They are also preparing for the Raider Nation Celebration on Aug. 8 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Raiderettes will participate in a meet-and-greet with fans and perform. Being a Raiderette is making for a busy summer for Mason.

“I am dedicating myself to the Raiderettes this summer because I have worked really hard to get here and I just want to give 110 percent,” she said.

This fall, Mason will continue to get her education at Sacramento State. She’s entering her junior year of studying pre-law. In the future she wants to go to law school and become a district attorney.

“I have high goals,” she said.

She’ll be juggling her school work with her Raiderette duties throughout the 2009-10 season. The Raiders open the year by hosting the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason game on Aug. 13. They begin the regular season on Sept. 14 when they host the San Diego Chargers.

Mason can’t wait to get out on the field at the Oakland Coliseum.

“I am really excited. I’m sure the nerves will kick in and it will be anxious excitement,” she said. “I know stepping on that field is going to be one of the most amazing things. Not many people get to do it and I love football and I think it is going to be breathtaking.”

[Oakland Raiderettes]