Beeson makes Kings dance team

By Maghan Hunt
Anderson Valley Post
July 3, 2012

In order to make it onto the Sacramento Kings dance team, each dancer must audition every year. Spots are not given out by seniority; they are earned through hard work and dedication.

Megan Beeson, 18, graduated from West Valley High School in 2011. Shortly after graduation she saw a notice the Kings were looking for dancers, so she applied and auditioned with hundreds of hopefuls.

Beeson was selected as a finalist and won the online voting to make the team.

“After making the team, she moved down to Sacramento and got a part time job to supplement her income along with the income she received from the Kings, and she has been doing excellent,” said Carol Kearney-Beeson, Megan’s mother. “She misses living in a small town, and is still getting used to city life.”

Now fast forward a year.

The Kings announced they would be knocking down their team of dancers from 21 to 15. Of those 15 spots on the team, three were decided by the public. Beeson’s mother took to Facebook, posting the online voting link in order to help her daughter nab one of the coveted three spots.

“Auditions were a lot sooner this year, because there was no NBA lockout,” said Carol Kearney-Beeson.

In the end, Beeson made the team and will be dancing a second year for NBA team.

“To make the team a second year is a dream come true,” said Beeson. “You have something to lose; going in to the auditions all you can think about is your bond and sisterhood with all of the girls.”

According to Beeson, she learned a lot from her first year on the team. She learned the routines, but also to make her movements and facial expression bigger because she was dancing in front of a crowd of thousands.

Beeson said there were also a few surprises along the way. “Being a Kings dancer I was most surprised at all the people who get excited to see you, and ask to take pictures and get your autograph.”

In her second year, Beeson said she is looking forward to growing as a dancer. One of the greatest complements she heard came from her coaches, praising her about how improved she was this year.

As for her mother, Kearney-Beeson said she couldn’t be more proud of her daughter.

“She has always been one to set a goal and try her very best to achieve it. Always giving 110 percent.” explained Kearney-Beeson. “Her dad and I plan on going to as many games as my schedule allows. I never grow tired of watching her do what she loves to do -dance.”

Although Beeson is living in the moment and enjoying the start of a second year with the dance team, she already has an eye to the future.

“I will for sure be back for my third year; I can’t imagine why I wouldn’t. This team is my life,” said Beeson of audition for 2013 Kings dance team.