Ultimate Cheerleaders

NFL cheerleading squad boasts three South Mississippi women

By James Edward Bates
Sunherald.com
Sep. 24, 2011

[Photo Gallery]

NEW ORLEANS — Three South Mississippi women are enjoying their turn as professional cheerleaders for the New Orleans Saints.

Chastity McLemore, 25, Jerami Goodman, 23, and Kristina Williams, 20, are members of the Saintsations.

The 32-member cheerleading team stays busy performing at Saints home games and attending events throughout the area.

All three graduated from South Mississippi high schools. McLemore graduated from Picayune. Goodman graduated from Long Beach, and Williams graduated from Pearl River Central.

McLemore is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and recently earned her masters in education from William Carey University.

In addition to being a Saintsation, she also is a teacher at Biloxi High, where she sponsors the cheerleading squad.

“I absolutely love being a Saintsation. It’s an amazing experience and I love just being on the field with our amazing New Orleans fans,” said McLemore. “It’s always been a dream of mine to be a Saintsation.

“When I was getting my masters in education, I thought I might as well try and fulfill that dream.”

Now in her first year as a Saintsation, Williams grew up in the Carriere community and attends Pearl River Community College.

The Picayune resident plans to transfer to Southern Miss and major in elementary education. She plans to teach and coach high school cheerleaders.

“My most favorite part about being a Saintsation is just representing Picayune and all of Who Dat nation. It’s fun,” said Williams. “This is the top-notch. You want to be a cheerleader and you want to go to the highest and being an NFL cheerleader is the best.”

Performing as a Saintsation for her second year, Goodman is a resident of Long Beach.

She was a Dixie Darling at Southern Miss and decided to try out for the team after graduating college.

“I’ve always wanted to become a pro cheerleader. I’ve actually danced my whole life, but this is the closest thing to actually being a professional dancer,” said Goodman. “It’s a great experience.

“I’ve been on it (team) since last year and I’ve done so many things. I love the fans. I love performing for the fans at the games.

“I love being from Mississippi, getting support there and from Louisiana.”

According to their official website, Saintsations have visited troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, appeared on TV with Dr. Phil and Bill O’Reilly, and have been published in Sports Illustrated, Maxim and FHM magazines.

To girls who may aspire to one day follow in their footsteps, Goodman says, “Keep up the good work, practice hard and you will succeed.”

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One thought on "NFL cheerleading squad boasts three South Mississippi women"

  1. charles says:

    these women are nice and they are in the swimsuit calendar

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