Rams Tempted: JCHS Grad Becomes Rams Cheerleader
By Jill Moon
The Telegraph
Megan LaTempt danced her way into the big time, making the St. Louis Rams Cheerleading Squad this year.
The 24-year-old Jersey Community High School graduate performed at the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii before, but making the St. Louis Rams’ Cheerleading Squad just ramped up her football experience.
“Dance has always been a huge part of my life,” LaTempt said while visiting her parents in Godfrey. “I finished (with college), and I wasn’t ready to stop, so I looked at the Rams’ Web site.”
LaTempt started dancing when she was 9 years old at the Parish School of Performing Arts in Jerseyville, where she took jazz, tap, ballet and gymnastics. Then, she became a cheerleader for all four years of high school before graduating in 2003. She also ran track and cross country and was crowned Jersey Community High School’s homecoming queen.
During college at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, she danced the whole time with the college dance team, the Sundancers.
“I really enjoyed cheerleading, but at SEMO, I thought I would rather stick with dance,” she explained. “We’re called the Rams Cheerleaders, but it’s all dance.”
The first time LaTempt saw the St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders in person, she was a dancer in 1999 at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. A scout spotted LaTempt dancing with Parish School in a competition when LaTempt was 14 years old.
She was selected with two other dancers from the studio to try out for the Pro Bowl opportunity, but she was the ultimate winner to go to Hawaii.
“We didn’t know (scouts) were there during the competition,” said LaTempt’s mother, Becky LaTempt. “They contacted us with a letter.”
LaTempt saw her destiny in Hawaii.
“When I saw them, I said I wanted to be a Rams Cheerleader one day, and now here I am 10 years later,” she said.
In the meantime, LaTempt graduated from SEMO with a bachelor’s degree in exceptional child education. She teaches special education to middle school students in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., where she lives now. After graduating from high school, she had moved to Godfrey with her mom and dad, Bob LaTempt.
While working full-time at the middle school, LaTempt tried out for the St. Louis Rams Cheerleading Squad in May.
She attended one of four clinics open for potential cheerleaders to attend to see if the squad was for them. The current St. Louis Rams Cheerleading captains ran the clinics. Every cheerleader has to try out again each year, except the four captains.
“The clinics gave you a taste of what they did as far as duties and charities,” LaTempt said.
She also learned a few sideline dances, turns and leaps in the one-hour clinic.
“When I left, I knew I definitely wanted to do this,” she proclaimed.
The tryout period lasted two weeks, with several different workshops at the Russell Training Center in Earth City, Mo. The St. Louis Rams organization flew in a Los Angeles-based coach to teach hundreds of women the tryout routine and some chants, as well.
At the end of two weeks, 36 wannabes were left standing, LaTempt among them. This group underwent an interview round in which they dressed in business attire and were asked about current and cultural affairs and issues. One of the criteria for a St. Louis Rams Cheerleader is to be either a professional or a student.
“They want someone involved who will represent the Rams well,” Becky LaTempt pointed out.
Once the interviews were over, the women faced no more judges but worked with two coaches. The St. Louis Rams organization posted the cheerleaders who made the final cut online May 22 with their photos and names.
“I’ll never forget that day,” LaTempt declared.
Twenty-five of the 36 were selected to be 2009-2010 Rams Cheerleaders. This year’s squad consists of 14 veterans and 11 rookies. Their first performance will be the pre-season game on Aug. 21 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
LaTempt has practiced while teaching summer school, which ended July 9. Practices are from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She also has been busy doing Rams promotions out and about in St. Louis. St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders are involved in more than 500 charities, with each individual cheerleader responsible for 20 charities.
The entire squad recently attended the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Downtown St. Louis, where they handed out water bottles, talked to fans and signed autographs.
