Richmond fans have been going gaga over Lady Raiders Keisha, Lia, Ryan, and Sherika for 5+ seasons

The PIFL’s Richmond Lady Raiders certainly are a standout squad, and the role over its existence from long-time pro cheerleaders Laura Eilers-Clark and the current leadership of Kelly Owens-Allen are a key ingredient. But also, when you see key veterans, like Lady Raiders Keisha, Lia, Ryan, and Sherika, all part of the squad for five-plus years, one sees the synergy of a healthy organization, where veterans want to return and help shape the experience and culture of the squad. So here are the veteran Lady Raiders, and congratulations on another stellar season:

Keisha

You were born in what city? Martinsville, Virginia

Years on Lady Raiders? 5

What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I started cheering at 14, and the our first dance we learned was to “Candy Girl.”

Your college/major and/or day job is…. I am kindergarten teacher.

Your dream job is? (laughs) I would like to be Beyonce.

What is your “go to” Karaoke song? Anything by Beyonce.

As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are…. Goooo Steelers!

What are your favorite things to do in summertime? Go to the beach or pool!

When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? I like to show them Carytown.

For the swimsuit calendar for your dance team, if you could choose the location anywhere in the world, where would you send yourself and the squad? Jamaica or any beautiful island with beautiful beaches

Lia

You were born in what city? Omaha, Nebraska

Years on Lady Raiders? I am going into my sixth season with the Lady Raiders

What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I started performing at two years old for a dance company called Traylor Dance Academy. The first song I danced to was “I’m a Little Teapot”

Your college/major and/or day job is…. I recently graduated from college where I studied Dental Assisting. I am currently working as a dental assistant for Virginia Family Dentistry and have been for about eight months.

Your dream job is? I am happy to say I am working in my career field and where I have wanted to work since I was little, but I would love to one day pursue a career in music. I love to sing.

What is your “go to” Karaoke song? Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel”

As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are…. Colts and Broncos for NFL and for college I would say Virginia Tech.

What are your favorite things to do in summertime? Love going to the beach, spending time with friends and family, having/attending cookouts and fishing at the river in Urbanna. (smiles) So relaxing

When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? Love to take them to downtown Richmond and have them experience to city nightlife. Also to some of the great shopping malls such at Stony Point Fashion Park and Short Pump Town Center Mall. As far as food, it depends what were in the mood for but I really enjoy the restaurant The Daily. Great food.

For the swimsuit calendar for your dance team, if you could choose the location anywhere in the world, where would you send yourself and the squad? Bora bora would be phenomenal.

Ryan

You were born in what city? Chester, Virginia

Years on Lady Raiders? Five years

What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? Five years old and it was to “Hey Mickey” by Toni Basil

Your college/major and/or day job is Manager of a Heart Failure Clinic

Your dream job is? To one day own my own cheerleading apparel store

What is your “go to” Karaoke song? “Shoop” by Salt-n-Pepa

As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are Baltimore Ravens and Virginia Tech

What are your favorite things to do in summertime? Lay by the pool and read a book

When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? I love the South of the James Farmers Market. Such great fresh food and local vendors.

For the swimsuit calendar for your dance team, if you could choose the location anywhere in the world, where would you send yourself and the squad? Bermuda! I love the pink beaches

Sherika

You were born in what city? Petersburg, Virginia

Years on Lady Raiders? Five years

What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I started dancing when I was three. I believe the first song was “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” from Disney! I still love that song!

Your college/major and/or day job is… I majored in Health & Physical Education and obtained my Master’s in Sport Management. I currently work in medical billing and teach dance and fitness.

Your dream job is? I would love to be a dance and fitness entrepreneur. (smiles) I’m working on it!

What is your “go to” Karaoke song? Respect by Aretha Franklin…. I can jam to that song!

As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are…. Virginia Tech and the Washington Redskins

What are your favorite things to do in summertime? Cookout by the pool and go to all the various festivals that take place in downtown RVA (Richmond, Virginia)

When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? I love to take my friends for walks along the Canal River and show off the Richmond Arts & Culture District which is where many of the art galleries and studios are located. I live not far from there and call it the area where the “movers and shakers” are.

For the swimsuit calendar for your dance team, if you could choose the location anywhere in the world, where would you send yourself and the squad? Bali! It’s known as one of the best islands in the world and I have always wanted to go.

Thanks to Kelly and the Lady Raiders for all of their graciousness! More photos of the four vets are at this link.