Saintsations: Behind the Scenes
By Donna Echols
Clarion Ledger
The glamour, beauty, perfectly choreographed dance moves, and glitzy black and gold uniforms are all part of the allure of the New Orleans Saintsations. We got a rare, exclusive peek behind the scenes to see what game day is like for these women on the Saints cheer and dance squad.
About five hours before kick-off, our Saintsations from Mississippi, are busy packing and then riding together to New Orleans for the game. All their training, exercising, healthy eating, practice and more practice is about to pay off before thousands of fans and often before nationally televised audiences.
Once we made our way into the large circular maze of the Superdome, we went to the Saintsations locker room. Yes, they have their own locker room with uniforms laid out in each locker with their names and photos above each. Off to the side of the locker room is an area for doing hair and make-up.
Walking into the Saintsations locker room you could feel the excitement and adrenalin as these women were rushing around getting ready for kick-off. Everyone was zoned-in and getting focused on game day. The atmosphere was fun, supportive, and highly energetic. This was my first time to meet our eleven Mississippi women who are part of the Saintsations team. We hugged and laughed together as if we were all long lost friends finally united.
Some of the Saintsations were busy practicing to perfect a dance move and others were paired up going over a routine. What was obvious to anyone in that locker room was the unity and camaraderie these women have with each other. The obvious support and encouragement they have for each other reminded me of walking into a big family reunion. Everyone had their game face on as the clock was ticking.
“We get to the Superdome several hours before the game and practice our dance routines” said Brandy Jarvis, of Biloxi. “As we rush around getting ready, we talk about how each other is doing in life outside of the Saintsations with our jobs, classes, and families. The women on this team help each other and support one another on and off the field,” Jarvis continued.
“It’s so exciting to walk into the stadium, the lights on the field are dim, and fans are already gathering outside to tailgate before the game starts,” said Summer Rials, of Hattiesburg. When asked what the most important lesson was from being on the Saintsations team, Rials said, “As women, we face a lot of adversity. I know how much encouragement I have received from other members of my team and what a difference it has made in my life. We should always find kind and positive words to express to one another, because strong women lift each other up, instead of bringing each other down.” Summer and fellow Mississippi Saintsation Kriste Lewis of Moss Point have both been selected to Japan with the USO. “I’m excited to go and see our troops overseas and bring a piece of home to them,” she said of their upcoming trip.
Sarah Friday, of Ocean Springs, says she loves game day because it means carpooling to New Orleans with some of the other Saintsations from Mississippi. “Once we get dressed in our uniforms and practice a bit, the most exciting part of the day is going out to Champion Square and visiting with tailgating fans,” she said. Friday added that selling calendars and taking selfies with children in the crowd is a part of what makes the experience exciting for her.
“The first time I dressed out with the Saintsations, it was like coming home to Mississippi when I walked into the Superdome,” recalled Elizabeth Kiehn of Hattiesburg. “I remember practicing my routines in our locker room before the game started. I was so excited, and kept thinking… bring on the field! Running onto the field, hearing the deafening roar of the fans cheering, the music blaring, I almost passed out, Kiehn laughed. Today, she’s a seasoned pro who loves interacting with children dressed in little Saints jerseys or Saints cheerleading uniforms.
The Saintsations from Mississippi all talked about their friendships and closeness from being a part of this group. “This team blurs the line between family and friendships… It’s a sisterhood for us here.” A person can only be on the Saintsations for a total of four years before they retire. And that limited time together creates a lifetime of friendships and fun memories.
The other element that was obvious from talking with our Mississippi women is how their director, Lesslee Fitzmorris, empowers them to do better, be stronger, and above all to support each other. Each member of the team is required to work a full time job or be enrolled in school full time. They credit their director with this requirement as she wants them to focus on bettering themselves and doing for others. Fitzmorris has been directing the Saintsations since 2001, and she’s no stranger to dance having been an LSU Golden Girl. “There is no such thing as being perfect,” said Fitzmorris. “I look for the unexpected in people, and help guide these women to do better, do more, and to give back to the community through service projects,” she said.
The Saintsations participate in various causes throughout the year. This year, one of their focuses is to teach others how to combat bullying. As one of the Saintsations pointed out, attractive girls get bullied, too. Learning how to cope with the negativity of others is helps develop a more self-confident, successful person.
Kriste Lewis, of Moss Point, added, “Even at 42, I still deal with bullying. People can say some hurtful things, and we have to be stronger and believe in ourselves as the best revenge against negative, hurtful people.” Lewis said, “Just enjoy the joy and be a positive person who helps inspire others as we do for each other on the Saintsations, and I do with other women who I meet.” Lewis’s advice on being supportive of others, “As women, we are each other’s cheerleaders, and we have to build each other up through support, encouragement, and finding our strengths. There is value in each of us, and we have to strive to find that in each other.”
Lewis went on to say, “To be a member of this team and let them see me fail, shows vulnerability. There is safety with these women, my teammates, and that vulnerability means trust. To be okay to fail and learn from that is what the Saintsations are all about.” No one on this team tolerates “mean girls.” Empowerment of each other builds strength and confidence in one’s self and that is a central theme each of these women exudes when they speak about the team effort Fitzmorris has created with the Saintsations.
After getting to visit with a few of our Saintsations from Mississippi, a voice boomed in over Fitzmorris’s walkie-talkie and said, “Get ready, we’re going in early, and you’ve got only three minutes to go.” With a commanding voice, she called the Saintsations together and said, “Okay, it’s game time. Circle up and let’s get ready to run the field.”
Everyone came to the center of the locker room, circled up, and Fitzmorris offered support and a prayer before the game. “It’s a joyful day, and share this experience with others through encouragement and mutual support. Give joy to those around you through actions as these actions speak the loudest.”
