Sans Souci Dancer Almost a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader

(Sans Souci is in New South Wales, Australia – james)

From The Leader

Sans Souci dancer Bianca Argyros, 22, made the recent semi-finals of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader auditions.

Argyros traveled to Dallas, Texas, last month to try out for her dream job against 400 other hopefuls. She was chosen among the top 100 dancers but missed the final 40.

“Making it to the semi-finals for the world’s best team is a huge achievement for me and I’m so proud of myself for pursuing that dream,” she said.

“I will continue to audition for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and I hope to make the dream team one day.”

She cheers for St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL rugby league competition and is a former cheerleader for Canterbury Bulldogs.

Argyros, who had studied at the Broadway Dance Centre in New York in 2011, wants to dance professionally in the US.

Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders Finals

Final Auditions for the 2014-15 Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders were held at the Kimmel Center earlier this month.

Team Deonna waiting outside the theatre.

Backstage with Cat

Alumni Jennifer and Lauren. Jennifer still works for the DOD and coaches the LaSalle University Dance Team. Lauren is now a stay-at-home mom.

Cheryl during the swimsuit portion of the auditions.

Jessica during he dance performances.

Michelle scored big during the interview question.

Gabrielle

Top Scores (l-r): Michelle (interview), Malia (dance), Erica (physical fitness) , Lauren (beauty)

[Eagles Cheerleaders Gallery]

Titan cheerleaders reach out while in South Walton

By Kristiana Scott
Walton Sun
May 28, 2014

Behind the blue and white uniforms, the Tennessee Titans cheerleaders are women with impressive resumes. Kiara Y., a two-year veteran with the Tennessee Titans, recently graduated with a master’s degree in public health and plans to begin med school next fall.

“Being a pro-cheerleader was a lifelong dream of mine,” Kiara said. “But it wasn’t my only dream. And I want girls to know that if they work hard enough and follow their dreams, anything is possible.”

Kiara and three of her teammates took time out of their busy schedule to share their stories with the Emerald Coast Middle School ’s cheerleading team May 21. The Titans cheerleaders are in town shooting their swimsuit calendar, but say they always make time for a little community outreach.

“Giving back to the community is my favorite part of this job,” said Tandra C., seven-year Titan’s cheerleader. “We get to be a role model for these girls. We get to show them we were just like them and if they work hard enough, they can do anything they want.”

During their visit, the ECMS cheerleading team performed a routine for the Titans cheerleaders, and then learned some moves from the professionals.

“My favorite part was learning the dance,” said Ella Losee, 7th grader at ECMS. “It was awesome, kinda hard but really cool.”

The Titans cheerleaders also had the opportunity to tell the girls a little about themselves and how they, too, can “have it all.”

“If you follow your dreams and go for it, anything is possible,” Tandra said. “Just never give up — never lose that passion or dedication to go after what you want.”

And although they admitted that being a Titans cheerleader is “challenging” at times and requires “very good time-management,” they wouldn’t change a thing.

“It’s a dream come true,” Kiara said. “Being a pro-cheerleader and having the opportunity to reach out to younger girls like this… it’s an amazing experience.”

DCC Candidate vows to keep chasing her dream

A few weeks ago, the Kilgore Herald began reported about Ally Honeycutt in a “local girl pursues big dreams” article. Ally, an alum of the Kilgore Rangerettes (a prestigious drill team in Texas) made it to finals, but wasn’t chosen for training camp this year. She plans to audition again next year. Click here to watch her dance video from this year’s DCC fan vote.

Honeycutt chases dreams in Dallas
By CHELSEA KATZ
Kilgore News Herald
May 2014

When one dream is put on hold, another dream begins for Kilgore native Ally Honeycutt.

After advancing to become one of the final 55 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader hopefuls, Honeycutt will have to wait until next year to try out again for the squad.

While she is not giving up on her lifelong dream of becoming Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Honeycutt said she will be working toward her other goal of eventually returning home to open her own hair salon.

After she found out she had not being invited to DCC training camp, Honeycutt said she called the Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy in Dallas and confirmed that she would like to attend.

With classes beginning July 8, Honeycutt will move to Dallas and continue to advance toward both of her dreams. While attending the academy, she said she will continue to dance and stay in shape to prepare for next year’s DCC tryouts.

“That’s my dream as well, but I’m a dancer, so I don’t want to just give up,” she said about looking to next year’s DCC tryouts.

The final round of the 2014 tryouts brought the veteran cheerleaders to compete against the hopefuls for the 2014-2015 team. In groups of five to present a DCC dance, Honeycutt said some had one veteran, but she had two.

“It made me dance really hard because I knew I had to look as good as them, or at least try to look as good as them,” she said.

Her mother, Lisa, said she held her own against the returning dancers.

“She was just like one of them,” Lisa Honeycutt said.

When it came to her solo, Honeycutt said it was the best she had ever performed it.

“I left it totally out on the floor that day,” she said about May 17’s finals.

An interview was included in the process, and Honeycutt said she believes that is what could have cost her. Throughout the year, as she prepares for the 2015 tryouts, Honeycutt said she will be working to gain the experience she lacked this year in the interview.

The extra time will also allow her to improve her knowledge about the Dallas Cowboys current team and history.

“I have all the time in the world,” she said about being able to learn the information without cramming.

Although she believes the interview was a factor into the end result, she said she will never get feedback from DCC Director Kelli Finglass, any judges or anyone else connected with the process.

“I just know that’s the hardest part is walking away, and you don’t know what you could have done more,” she said. She added that she did everything she could, so 2014 simply was not her year to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.

For the first time, family and friends were allowed to watch part of the process on AT&T Stadium’s massive screen spanning nearly the entire length of the football field.

Lisa Honeycutt was there to watch as Finglass and the other judges looked at each of the woman’s “HD face,” Ally Honeycutt explained.

“She was so good,” Lisa Honeycutt said. “I was so proud of her.”

“That was really fun to know that she was there supporting me,” Ally Honeycutt said.

When the tryout’s final list was called, though, it was behind closed doors as the dancers, family members and friends waited many grueling hours for the announcement. As the time kept getting pushed back, Lisa Honeycutt said it was originally set to be announced at 6 p.m., but it was after 9 p.m. before she received a text from Ally.

Although Lisa Honeycutt anticipated the last day of tryouts to be an all-day process, she said, “It was the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever experienced.”

The community and the nation can follow Ally Honeycutt’s through the process when “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team 9” premieres on CMT – Country Music Television – in August.

“It’ll be cool to see my journey on TV,” she said. She understands, though, the need for drama in the show and said she hopes she does not fall victim to the producer’s dicing and splicing to be perceived as something she’s not.

While Honeycutt prepares for her move to Dallas, she said she is thankful for the support she has received from the Kilgore community – both friends and strangers.

“I can honestly say that it was the best experience,” she said.

Now, Honeycutt will look toward developing her skills as a hairdresser while continuing to follow her Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader dream.

“I’m really glad I had another dream like that,” she said. “I still have so much to look forward to.”

“Recent ‘Rette rises through ranks of Cowboy Cheerleader hopefuls “

Interview with a Rookie Pats Cheerleader

New Patriots cheerleader perfected pep at D-Y
By Jason Kolnos
Cape Cod Online
May 28, 2014

WEST YARMOUTH — Three cheers for Jacqueline Jamiel!

The Cape native has landed a coveted spot on the New England Patriots cheerleading squad for the upcoming season. Jamiel, a Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School graduate, was one of 28 women chosen out of about 320 applicants for the spirited gig.

Jamiel was a cheerleader for her beloved Dolphins football team throughout high school and will soon have an audience of nearly 70,000 fans when she takes her talents to Gillette Stadium.

“It’s been a whirlwind. I still can’t even believe it,” said Jamiel, 22, during an interview at her family’s home this week. “I’m just so proud to call myself part of the Patriots organization.”

Being a Patriots cheerleader, however, is a little different than offering rah-rahs at high school games. They’ve got to have moves, since the professional routines usually incorporate several varieties of dancing.

“We’re one of the only NFL cheerleading teams to actually do call-out cheers,” Jamiel said. “It’s mostly a lot of dancing, a lot of fun, upbeat jazz dancing, which I’m so used to. So it’s been awesome to work with poms and to keep working it.”

Jamiel has studied dance at Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania and is studying interior design at Suffolk University while living in Boston. She dreamed of becoming a professional dancer.

“I have always done ballet growing up, always been a part of “The Nutcracker,” pointe shoes, the whole thing,” Jamiel said.

“But I think that I’m a better jazz dancer. And even hip-hop, too. I like to really perform and get out there, and I think the Patriots are perfect for my style.”

Her former varsity cheerleading coach at D-Y, Dawn Capra, said Jamiel excels at both dance and drumming up fan support.

“She was so motivated to get the crowd going. A lot of our spirit and enthusiasm was because of her,” said Capra, who owns Cape Cod Cheer Academy in Hyannis.

“And the fact that she’s beautiful doesn’t hurt her at all,” added Capra.

The roughly monthlong audition process in April was demanding, and Jamiel said candidates were required to learn sometimes complicated dance moves quickly and demonstrate that they could master the routines.

She balanced daily training with being a full-time undergraduate student and waitressing part time.

“It was a lot to make sure I was in the gym, always practicing the choreography,” Jamiel said.

“So it was a full-time commitment before I even found out I was a Patriots cheerleader.”

Ellen Botello of West Barnstable, who was a Patriots cheerleader for four years in the 1990s, said the positives of the experience will outweigh any initial soreness or fatigue that Jamiel will have as she learns new dances under tight deadlines.

“It’s a big deal, for sure, and an amazing opportunity to not just perform in front of thousands of people, but also to get out into the community, volunteer and meet lots of people,” she said.

Jamiel can’t count on being buddies with her favorite player, Tom Brady, however.

Botello, a former longtime cheering coach at Barnstable High School, said fraternizing between the players and the cheerleaders is a no-no for the most part.

Tracy Sormanti, director of the Patriots cheerleaders, said she was looking for the most talented, energetic, community-minded and health-conscious women for the team. There are no age limits to be a Patriots cheerleader.

“It’s my goal to select a squad of women who embody the Patriots’ spirit of teamwork and excellence,” Sormanti wrote in an email to the Times.

Sormanti added that Patriots cheerleaders make hundreds of promotional appearances each year at community and corporate events.

One of those extra events Jamiel that is looking forward to most is a Patriots cheerleader calendar shoot in Mexico scheduled for early June.

Gimme a C-A-N-C-U-N, indeed.

Wizard Girls Auditions and Prep Classes

 

You think you have what it takes to be a member of one of the NBA’s hottest dance teams? The Washington Wizards are hosting Wizard Girl Auditions, presented by Ciroc, Saturday, July 19th. The Wizard Girls are one of DC’s best dance teams and we are looking for talented, beautiful, highly confident, and versatile dancers for our 2014-2015 squad. The Wizard Girls make countless appearances in the community and travel the world as ambassadors for the Washington Wizards. Want to be a part of the excitement and perform at Washington Wizards home game for thousands of fans? Register today!

Wizard Girls Auditions, Presented by Ciroc
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Trinity Washington University (Trinity Center)
125 Michigan Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20017
8:30AM Registration

Additional Information

• Interested candidates should expect 2-3 rounds of choreography focusing on jazz and hip-hop genres.
• Please wear 2-piece outfit (halter/crop top and shorts) and shoes with NON-MARKING SOLES.
• Must be in performance ready hair and make up
• Please bring a professional photo/head shot and dance resume
• 30-40 Finalists will be selected into Wizard Girls finalist training camp
• Training camp runs July 21st –August 2nd. Finalist should expect to attend 3-4 nights per week.
• Wizard Girl Audition Finals Showcase, presented by Ciroc, will be held August 4, 2014 at The Howard Theater

620 T Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Doors 6:00PM
Show 7:00PM
$10 pre-sale
$15 event day

If you have further questions, please contact Derric Whitfield, Dance Team Manager, at dwhitfield@monumentalsports.com or call (202) 292-1918.

Wizard Girl Audition Prep Classes, presented by Ciroc are the best resource to prepare you for the 2014 Wizard Girl Auditions. We offer six classes and each focuses on a different audition topic and the Wizard Girl dance style. Classes are $25 each. Attend all six classes and receive a round one bye! Additionally, one lucky young lady will receive a round two bye at every class! Classes begin June 9th, register today!

June 9th – 2014 WG Audition Process; Full WG Style Dance
June 12th – Basic Dance Technique Review; WG Style Dance Combination
June 17th – Fitness and Nutrition, Full WG Style Dance
June 19th – Advanced Dance Technique Review, WG Style Dance Combo
June 22nd – Coach Derric’s Tips to a Successful Audition & Audition Attire Fashion Show, Full WG Dance Combination
June 26th – Mock Audition Round 1 Choreography Taught

Registration begins at 5:30p.m.
All classes from 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.

If you have further questions, please contact Derric Whitfield, Dance Team Manager, at dwhitfield@monumentalsports.com or call (202) 292-1918.

[Wizard Girls Official Site]

‘Saints, Sandestin, Saintsations. Can’t Get Any better’

By Travis Mewhirter
Daily News

Nick Saban, Gus Malzahn and Les Miles are all in town this week for the annual SEC spring coaches’ meeting, and yet, the most enviable man in Destin on Tuesday morning — or the entire state of Florida, for that matter — was an anonymous fellow wearing a Harley Davidson shirt complete with befitting silver mustache.

One moment he had been going on a routine morning walk at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the next, he was being squeezed between 36 telegenic females in tiny white bikinis, flashing a mega-watt smile for a platoon of cameras.

Perhaps he realized it, perhaps not, but he had just walked smack into the middle of a Saintsations — the New Orleans Saints cheerleading team — calendar shoot, and walked out with a story certain to make his buddies jealous.

“The scenery is absolutely beautiful,” said Heidi W., a pro bowl selection last year now in her fifth season with the team. “It’s fun to go somewhere else and in Destin we have a lot of New Orleans Saints fans here even though it’s in Florida.”

The Saintsations don’t always make the 275-mile trip from New Orleans to Destin for their shoot — last year, for instance, they opted for a bayou in Lafitte, La. for a “sportsman’s paradise” theme — but it’s difficult to turn down the resort that has been named No. 1 on the Emerald Coast and its seven-plus miles of beach, 113-slip marina, and picturesque bay front.

That, and it’s equally beneficial when Saintsations director, Lesslee Fitzmorris Mitchell, lives in Destin.

“I think between our relationship and her being a fan of the resort, it just made this process a lot easier,” said Brooke Scholl, the resort’s marketing and public relations manager. “We have a lot of different locations and almost 1,300 accommodations…it’s a lot easier for us to accommodate the girls. They never have to leave the resort.”

The troupe of cheerleaders, who can range anywhere from ages 18-40, may be staying at one of the top vacation spots in the country, but they are hardly on much of a kick-back-and-relax vacation.

Heidi, a Louisiana native and lifelong Saints fan, was up at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. At 5:30 came time to get dolled up — makeup perfect, hair just so — and by 6 it was onto shooting, which is a process unto itself.

If a finger was out of place, let alone, God forbid, a pom, Fitzmorris Mitchell was going to let it be known.

“Put your poms up!” she said more than a few times. “You’re leaning! Turn and straighten up! Get down, second row…bring your poms up, bring your poms down.”

“It’s interesting, it varies what swimsuits look good and what girls and hair color looks better in what situation,” Heidi said. “So you just follow along and whatever they want you to do, you do.”

So it went until it was flawless. Such is how a calendar, which will sell more than 10,000 copies at $25 apiece, is made.

“With over 10,000 calendars sold, the making of the calendar, TV show, the promotional YouTube video, and our internet site, our audience exceeds well over one million,” Fitzmorris Mitchell said. “The annual calendar has become a staple of must-haves for fans.”

Neither the resort nor the Saintsations profit directly off the shoot itself; it’s a win-win public relations move for both. The Saintsations get their calendar, the resort gets its name all over the captions.

“We’ve worked with them in years past so we have a long relationship with them,” Scholl said. “Just creating that relationship for both of us is really beneficial.”

With the morning shoot about wrapped up, the Saintsations, having flashed smiles for nearly an hour of pictures during their mid-morning session, had but one more clip to film for a video.

“Saints, Sandestin, Saintsations,” rang out 36 voices in unison, “can’t get any better.”