Dara McFarlane

Finding favor
By TED DUNNAM
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/11/25/friendswood_journal/sports/11-26_dara_story.txt”>The Friendswood Journal
11.25.09

Talk about having the best of both worlds.

She’s not even 21 years old and already she’s a two-year veteran of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and currently a member of the NBA’s gold-standard cheerleading team, the Laker Girls.

Friendswood High School product Dara says she’s thankful for her good fortune.

“I consider myself to be very blessed,” Dara said. “To be only 18 years old and still in high school and be with the Cowboy cheerleaders…that was amazing.

“I live my life one day at a time, and I’m very spontaneous. Those were two years of my life that I could never have imagined, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

From patrolling the sidelines in front of 60,000 Dallas Cowboy for two seasons, Dara is now part of the Los Angeles glitterati, albeit in front of a much smaller crowd, but just as rowdy.

“Honestly, it feels like it’s the same amount of people because they’re so much closer to you,” Dara said. “It’s a more personal experience than a Cowboys game – and a Laker game is much more of a show.

“There are a lot of differences. At the basketball games, we black-out the entire arena, have the big screen drop, do a pre-game video, and we’re right there next to the players.”

Dara will also be working as many as 40 games this season, including the playoffs, compared to eight regular season games with the DCC.

“I think the number one difference between the two squads is that I’m not using pom-poms as a Laker Girl,” she said. “It’s very different, routine-wise, too. We’re on the court in tennis shoes and the style is more fun and upbeat. We play up to the crowd a lot more, also.”

It may not be all fun and games for Dara, but it’s close enough.

When she’s not burning calories on the basketball court, Dara’s a student at Santa Monica College majoring in communications and public relations.

Dara certainly didn’t venture west just to audition for the Laker Girls, but that was definitely an eye-catching incentive.

“I love it – I have family here which makes it a little easier,” she said. “I think maybe I was meant to be a California girl.

“I was just so thankful to have family and friends out here when I made the move.”

As for auditioning for the Laker Girls, Dara says she went in to the tryouts with the attitude of the letting the chips fall where they may.

“For me, my approach was very open-minded,” she said. “I’m very confident in what I can do, but I never go into anything believing it’s a done deal.

“You never know exactly what they want in the look or the style. And if I hadn’t made the team, that would have been OK. But it’s great to start over in a new place with new people.”

Dara says she doesn’t miss the opportunity of performing in the new Cowboys Stadium.

“I’ve thought about that, but I know that I can always go back and visit, and I can always say I was one of the last cheerleaders to perform in Texas Stadium,” she said. “That very last game there was really cool.

“But I’ll say this – I do envy the girls’ new locker room.”

When one navigates through Dara’s fitness profile on the Laker Girls’ website, a plethora of information can be found on working out and eating properly.

But even a Laker Girl cheerleader can stray from the healthy diet every now and then – and still maintain almost zero body fat.

“I really like every food possible,” Dara said. “But if I could have one meal…it would probably be Taco Bell.

“Or I can eat ice cream all day long – especially if it’s Marble Slab birthday cake ice cream with sprinkles. What I really miss is not having Whataburger out here. I can always go for a regular Whataburger with jalapenos. I also love Pot Belly’s – they’re super good.

“I’m a food junkie – I could also eat vegetables all day long.”

And you, too, can dine to your heart’s content at all of those places and maintain a sleek figure – if you follow Dara’s regimen:

Work on dance technique 2-3 hours, take jazz, hip-hop and contemporary classes, perform cardio exercises, lift weights and do ab crunches on a daily basis.

That doesn’t include twice-a-week workouts with the Laker Girls that last almost four hours each.

“Lisa (Estrada) is a great director,” Dara said. “We don’t work out that often, but you work really hard. You get in and get the job done.

“She tells you ‘you’re working – this is your job’. And that’s how it should be approached. Working with the Cowboys’ cheerleaders was just as rigorous.”

Off the court, Dara finds herself equally occupied.

“In working charity events and making appearances, we’re constantly on the go,” she said. “But I like to be kept busy, so I think that’s great.”

And to be associated with the defending NBA Champions is a perfect fit, also.

“It’s fantastic to be a part of team that won it all last year,” Dara said. “It’s pretty much like it was in Dallas – the Lakers have a lot of die-hard fans.

“I’d love for the Lakers to win it again, and obviously, I think we have a great shot at doing that.”

Although Dara could have a lengthy future as a professional cheerleader, she hasn’t made a definite decision concerning that part of her life.

“I’m told I need to enjoy it while I can, and I’ll do it as long as God allows me,” she said. “Dancing is something I don’t want to get burned out on.”

She realizes, though, that education is the backbone of what lies ahead.

“My major is communications and I’ve been talking with my dad (David) about my future,’’ Dara said. “My minor is broadcast journalism and I wouldn’t mind being on television as an anchor or whatever capacity I’m needed. I’m a big people-person so I’d be open to a lot of things.”

As for the holiday season, Dara already has a couple of treats planned.

“On Thanksgiving, I’ll be home to celebrate with my family (her dad, her mother Pam, and sister Raguel),” she said. “And I’ll also be there to help my dad celebrate his birthday.

“Then, I’ll be bringing the family out to California in December to have a West Coast Christmas.”

So whether working, going to school or enjoying the holiday season, Dara’s experiencing a pretty nice year-round gig.

“I’ve been very fortunate and very blessed,” she said. “I don’t know of a better way to say it.”