Richmond’s Lady Raiders final tryouts for 2015, and a look back to 2014’s edition

Today, the Richmond Lady Raiders own legacy of excellence continues as final tryouts are being held at the courtyard at the Innsbrook Shoppes (4028 Cox Road, right off Broad Street). This round is free and open to the public. You can support your favorite Lady Raider and meet the new team, and enjoy drink specials at Sharky’s and food specials at Taziki’s after the audition! Auditions are from 12:30 – 3:00 pm. Here are the candidates for the 2015 squad.

So with the dawning at 2015 squad, let’s take a look back to some of last year’s talented squad! Good luck to those trying out today, and to the wonderful Kelly Owens-Allen who directs the squad.

Your name is…Ally
You were born in what city? Canandaigua, NY
Years on Lady Raiders? This was my first year
What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? 2012, “Grease” songs
Your college/major and/or day job is….J.S. Reynolds Community College, Associates of Science, day job- martial arts instructor
Your dream job is? Physician assistant
What is your “go to” Karaoke song? Faithfully by Journey
As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are….College- Virginia Tech Hokies; NFL – Giants
When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? Genghis Grill and museums
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? French Rivera/Monaco

Your name is… Ashley F
You were born in what city? I was born in Richmond, VA.
Years on Lady Raiders? I have been on the team for one season.
What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I started dancing at the age of 6. I was 7 when I first performed at a dance competition. It was a jazz funk dance to a Cotton Eyed Joe remix.
Your college/major and/or day job is…. I just recently was accepted into the Respiratory Therapy Program at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Because I am still in school, I work as a server at BT’s Deli in Glen Allen.
Your dream job is? My dream job would be a backup dancer for an artist because dancing is my passion. It would also give me the opportunity to travel the world.
What is your “go to” Karaoke song? My “go to” Karaoke song would be “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett because when I was younger I was obsessed with that song.
As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are…. My favorite college football team would be Ohio State. My favorite NFL team would have to be the Cleveland Browns. My entire family is from Ohio so I would go to the games and also go to the Browns Backers club here in Richmond.
When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? There is so much to do in Virginia so I try to give them a taste of everything. I show them the Civil War battlefields in Mechanicsville and take them to Bell Isle because of the beautiful scenery. I also take them on day trips to Virginia Beach, Yorktown, and Williamsburg. As for restaurants, we go Sapori Italian restaurant and Mama Cucinas because the food is absolutely amazing.
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? If I had to choose a location for the Swimsuit Calendar it would be Antigua because the water is crystal clear and the sand is silky smooth. It is by far the most beautiful place I have ever seen.

Your name is…Ashley M
You were born in what city? Huntsville, AL
Years on Lady Raiders? 3 years
What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I’ve been cheering since age 6; I started dancing with the Lady Raiders.
Your college/major and/or day job is….I work at a Credentialing Company; I work in the Provider Enrollment Department where I enroll practitioners into the various Managed Care Plans.
Your dream job is? I would love to be a professional playwright or a professional critic.
What is your “go to” Karaoke song? Tyrone by Erykah Badu
As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are….I personally don’t have a favorite team; I enjoy the sport. I typically pull for the Steelers, because my dad is a Steelers Fan.
When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? For a delicious meal, I like to take friends and family to the Croaker Spot here in Richmond. The food is absolutely delicious.
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? Any tropical island where the water is clear, the sun is bright, and the bugs are minimal!

Your name is…Demetria
You were born in what city? I was born in Petersburg, VA
Years on Lady Raiders? I have danced on the Lady Raiders for 3 years.
What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I started dancing at the age of 14. My first performance was at my high school football game to Earth, Wind, & Fire’s “End of Stone.”
Your college/major and/or day job is….I graduated from Virginia State University with a major in Mass Communications. I now work with Heroes Academy teaching people how to make and save money.
Your dream job is? My dream job is doing what makes me happy and something I’m passionate about. This is exactly what I have at Heroes Academy.
What is your “go to” Karaoke song? My go to Karaoke song is anything Michael Jackson!
As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are…. As a fan of football, my favorite college team is University of Miami Hurricanes and my favorite NFL team is the Dallas Cowboys.
When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? When out of state friends visit Virginia, I love taking them to Maggiano’s Italian restaurant.
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? If I could pick anywhere in the world to go for a swimsuit photo shoot it would be Hawaii.

Your name is… Melissa
You were born in what city? I was born and raised in Richmond Virginia but I’m Filipina by blood.
Years on Lady Raiders? This year was my rookie year as a Lady Raider.
What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I started ballet when I was four. My first performance was as a flower in a Hansel and Gretel play. It was orchestrated so it was an instrumental number. I use the word dancing loosely because back then at age four I’m sure it was much more of running around on stage than it was dancing. Nonetheless I fell in love with the art and 18 years later I’m still dancing.
Your college/major and/or day job is…. I’m a nursing student but I bartend on the side.
Your dream job is? Aside from being a nurse, I can envision myself being so many different things because my interests are so broad and passions are so deep. I don’t have a particular dream job in mind, although if I found an avenue for profit with photography, art, writing, or dance I would definitely be ecstatic. My main concern is just finding a job or several projects that will contribute to my happiness and feed my soul!
What is your “go to” Karaoke song? Don’t Stop Believing by Journey.
As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are….Favorite college football is Virginia Tech. Go Hokies! As far as NFL teams go I’d say the Tennessee Titans.
When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? Downtown Richmond has so much to offer as far as entertainment and good food. There’s always a festival or some kind of event going on during the weekends, so if it coincides that’d be one of the first things I’d bring them to. Restaurant wise it’s hard to choose just one because it all depends on what your mood dictates, but my go-to restaurant being the beer aficionado that I am is American Taproom. Crazy good beer selection, and the food is phenomenal.
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? If I could choose I would send us to the Philippine islands. I had gone island hopping two summers ago with my family and it is absolutely postcard perfect! The water is so clear enough to see the fish swimming around you and the beaches are to die for. It’s paradise!

Your name is…Nicole
You were born in what city? Chicago, Illinois
Years on Lady Raiders? 2
What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I started dancing when I was 3. My first dance recital we danced to a song called “Babydolls” and I was 3 years old.
Your college/major and/or day job is…. My college major was Psychology and I am a professional figure skating instructor.
Your dream job is? I have my dream job teaching figure skating.
What is your “go to” Karaoke song? Wagon Wheel
As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are…. Virginia Tech Hokies and Dallas Cowboys
When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? I like taking my out of town friends to Carytown and the Fan. There’s so much shopping and walking around to do. I love getting brunch at Boychiks Deli with my friends on the weekends.
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? I would choose Oahu, Hawaii. It is one of the prettiest places I have been to and would love to go with my squad.

Your name is…O’Keira
You were born in what city? Richmond, Virginia.
Years on Lady Raiders? This was my first year
Your college/major and/or day job is….I attend school at Virginia College to be a Medical Assistant. I work at Precious Place Salon as a hair stylist.
What age did you start dance?
Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I was 8 years old when I first started dancing, and I performed to Shackles by Mary Mary.
Your dream job is? My dream job is to be a RN.
What is your “go to” Karaoke song? My favorite karaoke song is Respect by Aretha Franklin.
As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are…. Virginia Tech is my favorite college football team and Philadelphia Eagles is my favorite NFL team.
When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? When my friends from out of town come to visit, I take them to Cary Town to shop and eat at the different restaurants. If I could take the Lady Raiders someone for our photo shoot it would be Rio, Brazil.

Your name is… Shana
You were born in what city? I was born in Killeen, Texas.
Years on Lady Raiders? I have been a member of the Lady Raiders Cheer and Dance team for 3 years, and have served as a co-captain for 2 years.
What age did you start dance? Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? I stared dancing at 3 years old and performed to the song, “Bake Me a Cake”.
Your college/major and/or day job is…. I am a senior psychology major at Virginia State University. I currently work on campus as a mentor for incoming freshmen.
Your dream job is? My dream job is to work as a child psychologist.
What is your “go to” Karaoke song? My go to Karaoke song is “Bills, Bills, Bills”, by Destiny’s Child.
As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are…. I do not watch a lot of college football, but my favorite NFL team is the New England Patriots.
When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? I would show them all of the fun things Richmond has to offer, such as the history and museums, the river walk, and of course, a Richmond Raiders game. There are so many great restaurants in Richmond, some of mine are Mama Zu’s, and Tarrants Café.
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? I would love to travel to Greece, and shoot in the Mediterranean!!

Your name is…Tori
You were born in what city? Richmond, Virginia
Years on Lady Raiders? 1 year
What age did you start dance? 12 years old
Your first dance performance ever was at what age and what song? Yeah! By Usher
Your college/major and/or day job is….Cosmetologist
Your dream job is? Lawyer
What is your “go to” Karaoke song? Believe by Cher
As a fan, your favorite college football and NFL teams are….Alabama, Redskins
When out of state friends visit you in Virginia, where are the favorite restaurants and fun things you like to show them? Williamsburg premiere outlets
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? Fiji

More photos of these Lady Raiders are located at this link.