Raylee Stearman in finals for Cowboys cheerleaders
Joe Elerson, Staff Writer
Athens Review
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Becoming a member of America’s Team.
Malakoff senior Raylee Stearman has a chance to accomplish a lifelong goal of being a member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
“I have wanted to do this for a few years now,” Stearman said. “I just this year am old enough and this is my first audition for any professional league team in the NFL or NBA. I am very excited. It was nerve racking this past weekend.”
Stearman is currently in Dallas working with the choreographers as she is in the finals for the auditions to become a cheerleader.
“Of course, I am nervous but I am excited. There are about 50 beautiful and lovely women who are all wanting the same thing,” Stearman said. “There are actually 13 rookie spots this year, which is a lot for this year. I am excited and having last week under my belt I am ready to get this weekend going.”
Stearman took part in the preliminaries and semifinals May 2-3 in Dallas.
She said she will take part in panel interviews Friday to show her personality to the judges.
Candidates had to be at least 18 years of age or older at the time of the preliminary auditions.
“Friday, I will show up and there will be the director, Jerry Jones’ daughter and the head choreographer along with a few others,” Stearman said. “It is basically your chance to show them your personality and how well you can get along with people and speak.”
If she makes it to Saturday’s portion of the finals, Stearman will have a written test on general knowledge about the Dallas Cowboys Organization, the cheerleaders history, the National Football League, current events and dance terminology. They will perform a 90-second individual talent presentation following the test.
They will then perform the dance combination and kickline taught previously at Semis in groups of five for the judges panel.
The judges will then make the selections for those making the summer training camp.
Stearman said she would love to have the citizens of Malakoff see her audition at http://www.dallascowboys.com/content/raylee as the top vote getter receives an automatic bid to training camp June 1.
“I do need the votes because the girl with the most votes gets an automatic pass into the training camp,” Stearman said. “I would love for that to be me. The town has helped so much with sharing it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. They have been so helpful and supportive and I have gotten several wonderful messages from people. Their support is definitely there.”
With so many girls trying out for the team, Stearman said she is nervous but ready to see what the weekend holds for her during tryouts.
“I am going in there with an open mind but realizing this is my first year,” Stearman said. “A lot of these girls are coming in with their second and third year of trying out. Being my first year, I am excited and that would be a dream come true.”
With her experience at the state UIL prose competition, Stearman feels confident in her speaking ability with the panel.
“I think at this point you just have to be yourself. They have already seen you dance and kick line and appearance,” Stearman said. “You have to show them that you are comfortable with who you are and would be a wonderful spokesperson for the Cowboys.”
With all of the messages on Facebook and support on Twitter and Instagram, Stearman is thrilled for the support of people in Malakoff and Tool.
“I am so happy to have all of the support I have had. I did not realize how many people were watching for this and keeping up with it,” Stearman said. “I have been dreaming of getting this for years. I have been driving to Dallas for years hoping one day this would be a possibility. I can not even tell you right now what I would think.”
