Angie prior to the October 23rd game against the Texans

Singing is a core part of Angie’s soul, but she listens to her heart on how best to progress towards her musical goals. Therefore, her path does not always take the steps that others expect. So far, the journey that started in her hometown near Bay City, Michigan, has taken Angie to Nashville, aka “Music City,” aka “Nashvegas.” But Angie inserted a twist into a singer’s journey, and added being a Tennessee Titans Cheerleader as an opportunity to combine her performer’s passion with her love of football. Bright and articulate, Angie shared with UltimateCheerleaders her experiences of being a young woman finding her voice in Nashville, how her grandfather’s letters show that leaving home to do what one needs to do runs in her family, her admiration of a Beatle, and her hometown’s connection to a group that was hyped as “the new Beatles.”

The hometowns of this season’s Titans Cheerleaders are from every possible different direction from Nashville, and Angie, along with Yalea, hails from Michigan. “I grew up in a small community in Michigan just outside of Bay City called Kawkawlin,” Angie says. “I lived there throughout my childhood until I moved to Nashville to pursue my singing career at 22 years old.” Bay City seems to be doing its darnedest to become “pro cheerleader capital of the world,” with Angie on the Titans, and three members of the unofficial Detroit Pride Cheerleaders. Angie comments on her home state team and their cheerleaders, “I know (Detroit Pride Cheerleader) Megan, we grew up together. With the season they are having, I’m really, really excited for Detroit in general, and the girls that are part of that. I hope that they can officially be cheerleaders.”

For Angie, her first “spotlights” as a singer were the lights in her own home. “Singing has always been an integral part of my life,” recalls Angie. “At two years old, I began performing for my first audience, my family. My parents and older brother have always been my biggest fans. I walked around the house with my Fisher-Price microphone and hand held speaker, belting out the lyrics to many of Whitney Houston’s top hits. I spent countless hours ‘entertaining’ family and friends with my favorite hits of Judy Garland, Shirley Temple, and anything Classic Hollywood.”

Angie (second from right) during player introductions

But outside of the home, Angie was a shy girl, but luckily a teacher saw the signs of a future performer. “It was my first grade teacher who gave me my first ‘true’ performance opportunity,” remembers Angie. “I went to a private Catholic school and was involved in the children’s choir. We were rehearsing for an upcoming Christmas program and the choir director decided to give me the role as the soloist. I remember being so tiny that two older children in the choir had to help me onto a milk crate so I could reach the microphone. I was six years old and my solo was ‘Jesus Is Beautiful.’”

And has been seen time and time again, “shy” does not mean a lack of talent and ambition, and Angie found her comfort zone singing in front of audiences. “I knew at a very young age I wanted to be an entertainer,” explains Angie. “When the lights were on and the stage was mine, it was difficult to get me off the stage. The more applause, the more I wanted to continue entertaining. This was very different from my personality when eyes were not on me. I grew up as a very shy girl who usually only spoke when spoken to. My school and singing teachers found it hard to believe that this soft-spoken, shy girl was the same person who stole the show when on any stage.”

Singing has always been important to Angie, but she has also always seen “the big picture” that success in life requires multiple endeavors. “From a young age, being in the ‘spotlight’ was always a part of my life whether it was singing my first solo in kindergarten, participating in musical theater, or competing in many talent pageants across the state,” Angie says. “Throughout my childhood, I performed as much as possible. Singing at church-related events and at community activities was a regular experience for me. I continued to keep this focus into my teenage years, but also knew how important my studies were, being involved in the community through volunteer opportunities, my integral role on the high school cheerleading squad, and my first job as a sales clerk at a department store. Even with this busy schedule, my dedication to music continued to grow.”

Angie spent much of the October 23rd game in LP Field suites, including the suite of Titans owner Bud Adams

Do You Have What it Takes to be a Fillies Dancer?

The Milwaukee Mustangs Arena Football Team has more than strength and power; they have some seriously sexy moves with their Milwaukee Mustangs Fillies Dance Team! The Fillies Dance Team is rounding up the stables for another amazing season.

The Fillies perform at each of the Mustangs eight home games this season at the Bradley Center. Members also make appearances at community events in and around the Milwaukee area and provide unstoppable energy to thousands of fans per game.

The Fillies are compensated per game, and members also receive complimentary gym membership, free tanning, hair services, photo shoots, Mustangs gear, and a number of other perks.

To be considered for the 2012 Fillies Dance Team, you must have reliable transportation, local housing, and the ability to attend all rehearsals, games and community appearances. A total commitment is required!

ON TRYOUT DAY
– Female high school graduate
– Must be 18 years of age by the preliminary audition. Valid ID is required
– Bring filled-out registration form and $20 tryout fee.

ATTIRE FOR AUDITIONS
– Two-piece dance apparel (crop top/sports bra and tight shorts/pants)
– Footwear-any sneakers or dance shoes of your choice
– Appearance- hair and makeup should be sophisticated and glamorous. You are encouraged to bring touchup makeup and hair products
– This is a professional audition, so it is important to maintain a game-day appearance. The Fillies perform with their hair down and makeup is always performance-ready!

AUDITION INFORMATION
YOU MUST ATTEND AUDITIONS ON PRELIMINARY AUDITION DAY. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A MEMBER OF THE FILLIES DANCE TEAM, YOU MUST QUALIFY FOR FINALS. THE FINAL AUDITION WILL DETERMINE WHO WILL MAKE THE 2012 SQUAD.

Both auditions are closed to the public, and the first 15 minutes of the preliminary tryout will be for registration. Walk-ins are welcome, but you are encouraged to pre-register to accommodate time.

DATES
Saturday, Nov 19: Registration begins at 12:45 pm. Auditions begin at 1:00 pm.
Sunday, Nov20: Final auditions begin at 1:00 pm

LOCATION
Wisconsin Athletic Club Aerobics Studio 5020 S. 110th St. Greenfield, WI 53228

For more information about the Fillies Dance Team, visit us on Facebook (Mustangs Dance Team) or the team website at mkemustangs.com

Jessica performs during the October 23rd Titans-Texans game

Rookie Tennessee Titans Cheerleader Jessica decided to try out for the squad because “things kind of slowed down” in her life and she had some extra time. Yeah, she is just working on her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Vanderbilt, that’s all, so not much going on with Jessica. Luckily for Titan fans, time management is just one of Jessica’s many outstanding qualities, so they can get the chance to see her perform on the LP Field sidelines. Jessica grew up with severe asthma, so may not have seemed destined for high energy dancing on the NFL sidelines, but add an adventurous spirit and an extremely curious mind, and anything and everything is possible. Charming and humble, Jessica has already accomplished so much, but one gets a sense that the sky is the limit for this talented young woman. Jessica graciously spent time with UltimateCheerleaders to fill us in on her strong family bonds, the reaction of being a Titans Cheerleader from her co-workers, and how titrating some dance into her life can provide solutions in her scientific research.

Like many of the Titans Cheerleaders, Nashville is Jessica’s adopted home. “I was born in Jacksonville, Florida,” Jessica informs. “My family moved to Huntsville, Alabama when I was three years old.” Engineering runs in Jessica’s family, as her dad is an electrical engineer who works for the US government.

Jessica was drawn to science as a young girl, as Jessica explains, “The elementary and middle school I attended focused on science and research. My ‘ever inquiring mind,’ as described by my family, was always involved with a research project or competition. I enjoyed being able to pose a question and perform research and experiments, which would provide information to answer the question posed. I knew from an early age that I wanted to participate in something in the science arena, however it was not engineering.”

Her independent spirit lead her to personal and academic growth, as Jessica recalls, “One of my favorite childhood memories would have to be moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico during my last summer in high school. My first summer away from home totally on my own, I completed my first research project improving various chemistry analytical methods. The work, the process, the friends I made, and being away from home really contributed to who I am today.”

Jessica’s first career goals were influenced by personal experience. “I desired to go into the medical field, specifically pediatric pulmonology. Having grown up with severe asthma, I was determined to produce a ‘disease changing drug,’” Jessica says smiling. “I wanted to major in Engineering because I knew that it would help me develop the critical thinking skills necessary to become a successful physician or medical researcher. After completing my first semester, I started working with a professor in her research lab, she took me in as her mentee and a whole new world of engineering research was opened up to me.”

Nashville was the place where Jessica took this step of taking her academic career to the next level, explaining, “I moved to Nashville, Tennessee right out of high school to attend Vanderbilt University. At Vanderbilt I completed my undergraduate degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and my Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering, both in (a total of) four years. I am now in the second year of Vanderbilt’s Chemical Engineering Doctoral Program.”

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TopCat Captain Courtney can't mask that she adores candy corn

The October 30th home game against the Vikings was filled with tricks and treats for the TopCats, the Carolina Panthers Cheerleaders. First, it must have felt like a trick to practice at 8 am in temps barely above freezing, but it was a treat that game time was sunny and generally warm enough not to shiver. Then the TopCats were treated to a last minute rally, as Cam Newton completed a 44-yard pass on fourth and 15, which, at worst, certainly would allow a Panthers field goal to tie the game. However, the Panthers missed the 31-yard field goal, which felt like a very mean trick to the enthusiastic Panther fans. TopCats coordinator/choreographer Richelle Grant felt like the game was a bad dream that certainly she would awaken from.

But the one thing Carolina fans can count on is that they will always be treated to seeing the great performances by the TopCats. Certainly if you have seen their leg kicks, you would know any of them would have nailed a 31-yard field goal.

Though not exactly scary, having that Elvis sneak up behind you is, well, creepy

And to help us get into the holiday spirit, the TopCats graciously shared some Halloween memories. They note their favorite and least favorite Halloween “treats” that they found in their trick-or-treat bags, and certainly they know what not to hand out: raisins, whoppers, dots. But perhaps Lindsey is mistaken, listing Milk Duds as her least favorite, since Milk Duds are probably the most delectable foodstuff ever concocted. Perhaps Lindsey confused them with Mounds. Read on to learn about the TopCats candy preferences, scary movies, favorite costumes, and embarrassing scary moments, which will teach us that if gorilla masks must be used, please use them responsibly!

Laura B

Eiesha

Jena (left) and Clair (right) honor their moms at the October 23rd Titans-Texans game

For Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders Jena and Clair, this past Sunday’s game against the Texans was a special day of recognition and remembrance. Throughout October, the NFL’s “A Crucial Catch” campaign, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, emphasizes the importance of annual screenings, especially for women who are 40 and older. During the game in Nashville, part of that recognition of breast cancer survivors included Jena and Clair’s moms, both named Debbie, who are now cancer free.

Jena is an accountant and graduate of the University of Memphis. She is a three sport dance star, cheering for minor league baseball, the Predators of the NHL, and now in her third season with the Titans Cheerleaders. Clair is also in her third season with the Titans, and also part of the musical trio, Danger Love Saint.

For Jena’s mom, this was going to be a complete surprise, and Jena’s main concern was that Jena would be a blubbering mess on the field. Clair was calm and cool pre-game, but said that she her mom was probably a bit nervous about being on the field. After Titans Cheerleaders performed their routine during the break between the first and second quarters, Jena and Clair’s moms were escorted onto the field, and presented with gifts as the public address system introduced them to the fans. Upon the statement that the two TTC moms were cancer free, the throngs of LP Field cheered with monumental volume.

The recognition of breast cancer survivors actually started during player introductions, as women from the area lined up on the field during the introduction of the Titans players. Then at kickoff, pink ribboned the entire stadium as the Cheerleaders and fans all held up pink cards. Pink was the color of the day, for poms, mascots, and in the jerseys the Titans Cheerleaders wore throughout most of the game.

Jena and her mom Debbie in the tunnel prior to the game

Clair and her mom Debbie during the recognition

The Titans Cheerleaders are joined by breast cancer survivors for player introductions

Jena leads the way as LP Field supports the fight against breast cancer.

From Bri's pink poms to mascots going pink, awareness was in the house

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Gloria Esposito and Wynne Lacey are ready for the try-out season for indoor football, are you?! Gloria lets us in on a great way to get prepared:

WORD UP!!!: Professional Indoor Football Cheerleader Auditions are just around the corner. Feeling a little rusty or in need of some tips from the pros? Check out our professional seminar in Chicago on October 30th from 10am to 3pm at HiFi Fitness. All required dance techniques and choreography will be covered by current directors Wynne Lacey, Gloria Esposito and Katie Knepler. Fitness professional Pierce Hutchings will provide his proven secrets for female physique excellence and fitness. Chrissy McClaughry will provide her newest hair/makeup techniques specific to auditioning. Follow this link (http://www.wynningteams.com/) to register under the “Sign Me Up” tab! Space is limited to 25 participants! PLEASE PRE-REGISTER!

Yes, if they were trick or treating in your neighborhood, you would definitely leave your porch light on, and you’d put away the circus peanuts, and hand out the good stuff!

You can’t lock the the Indiana Pacemates out of getting into the late October spirit, so they are in the midst of the Costume Contest! And the Pacemates need your help deciding who has the best Halloween costume. Visit www.pacemateshalloween.com to submit your vote as well as check out photo and videos of every member of the Pacemates dressed up in their favorite costume. Voting ends Sunday, October 30, with the top three vote-getters announced on Halloween.

Each girl has selected a Central Indiana charity and whomever wins, the Pacers Foundation will donate $1,000 to their charity!

The Chicago Rush is excited to announce that the audition process for the 2012 Adrenaline Rush Dance Team is set to begin on Sunday, November 27th. The Rush is looking for 16 multi-talented dancers to represent the team as members of the Adrenaline Rush Dance squad.

“We are extremely eager to begin our search for the 2012 Adrenaline Rush dancers,” said Dance Coordinator Gloria Esposito. “It is always exciting to see these women striving to achieve their dreams. There were so many talented women who auditioned last year, we are anxious to see what this year brings.”

There will be three rounds of auditions before the final squad is named. Dancers who wish to auditions for the 2012 team must be at least 18 years old by January 1, 2012.

Dancers are encouraged to attend the audition prep classes prior to the first round of auditions. The class will review technique and will provide the opportunity to learn a new routine as well as speak with the dance team’s personal trainer. Each class will cost $20 to attend. However, if the dancer attends both prep classes they will receive a $10 discount off the audition fee. The classes will be held on Tuesday, November 15th and Thursday, November 17th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Applications for the prep class are due on Monday, November 14th and can be found at Arenarush.com.

The first round of auditions will take place on November 27th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. All choreography will be taught throughout the day of the audition. The audition fee is $50. Applications along with the audition fee, a completed waiver and release form and a recent photo are due by Friday, November 25th. The top 30 or 40 dancers will move on to participate in Mini Camp.

Mini Camp is mandatory and will be held on Tuesday, December 6th and Thursday, December 8th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This camp will prepare dancers for the final round of auditions.

The final round of auditions will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The location will be announced at a later date and will be open to the public.

For questions regarding the 2012 Adrenaline Rush Dancer auditions please call 855-RUSH-WIN or email dancers@arenarush.com.

On September 18th, Heather and Josalynn started the day at the Eastern Market tailgate

On Monday night, the undefeated (yes, you read it correctly) Detroit Lions will host the Chicago Bears at a sold out Ford Field. And their unofficial dance squad, the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders, will be there to cheer them on! If their first regular season game on September 18th is any indication, it will be a traffic stopping, photo flash popping, crowd cheering, hot dance stepping good time for the DPC and their growing legion of fans. Although it won’t require the squad to wake up at 4 to 5 am, like they would for a Sunday 1 pm start, certainly DPC Directors Andrea Wilamowski and Stacey Latona will have their squad ready to deal with the combination of rush hour and game traffic.

For the first home game against the Chiefs, dancers from Bay City, East Lansing, and all places in between needed to converge on Detroit by 7 am for hair and make-up. By 9 am, the Cheerleaders needed to be in uniform and ready to be on their limo bus to be at the Eastern Market tailgate by 9:30. Andrea’s husband Mark teased, “I have the World’s worst job. Do you know how hard it is to get one woman to go out somewhere? Try getting 26 rounded up at the same time, ‘Get on the bus in five minutes!'” Mark’s Lion game days have gone from season ticket holder to helping out in the day long Detroit Pride Cheerleader extravaganza, but he sees the progress, saying, “They are doing things the right way, and they are getting better. Now it is growing constantly.”

Prior to their arrival at the tailgate, the PA announcer at Eastern Market was reminding the fans that the Pride Cheerleaders soon would be there. So by the time DPC exuberantly stepped off the steps of the bus, the cheering and hooting of the fans was already at a fever pitch, and kickoff was still more than three hours away. Despite the noise, Andrea said it would only increase throughout the day, saying, “It is not even crazy yet.”

The DPC marched around the tailgate as fans were drawn in their direction like threads of metal to a moving magnet. Photos and high fives abounded, and Andrea mentioned, “It’s 80% fan interaction, 20% dancing, that’s really what it is.” But as the time arrived for the performance, the DPC’s dance set seemed to belie any notion that this squad’s dance chops should be taken as anything secondary. Rather than “a single song and they’re out of there” performance, which they certainly could get away with, the DPC performed a multi-song set with a variety of music and styles.

The Detroit Pride Cheerleaders perform at Eastern Market (click to enlarge)

But this was just the start of this extended game day. After more than an hour at Eastern Market, the DPC and their devoted and friendly staff, including security lead Manuel, were back on the bus for their next stops. The energy of dancing followed the DPC onto the bus, as they conversed en masse with exuberance. One strong voice came out of the back of the bus, “Andrea, that was the best time I have had dancing yet!”

It was sunny, but a cool-ish morning, certainly cooler than the pre-season games, and Danielle commented about the cooler temps, “This is much much better.” But despite the lack of extreme heat, the DPC had quite a workout at the first stop, and needed some touch-ups to their look, so calls of “Does anyone have hairspray?! Does anyone have perfume?” rang throughout. So rather than a rest, the Pride Cheerleaders’ bus ride was more of a chance to attend to their looks, discuss their squad’s “natural bouncy-ness” and the tape that was needed to prevent the dreaded wardrobe malfunctions, and encourage one another, especially the anxious rookies.

Erin, Danielle, and Kylee ride from the first to second stop on the morning tour

The bus stopped to split up the squad. The DPC had be asked to perform at one of the downtown casinos later that week, which is not as straightforward a request as one might think. The members that can perform at a casino have to be 21 or older, and need to have a gaming license. Therefore, a portion of the squad was dropped off at the casino to get their paperwork completed, whereas the rest continued to the next tailgates.

The remainder of the squad was dropped off at an intersection to greet tailgaters, and, at this corner, fans seemed to emerge from thin air to notice the sight of a bevy of beautiful cheerleaders being delivered right before their eyes, like some kind of fantasy portrayed in a beverage commercial. One of the Pride Cheerleaders exclaimed, “Hey, I think we stopped traffic,” and a stream of stopped cars certified the accuracy of her observation.

One of the DPC's super powers is the ability to stop traffic with a single crossing (click to enlarge)

Rookie Detroit Pride Cheerleader Chelsea's smile lasts from the beginning to end of their long game day

Detroit Lions fans show up in droves to experience the joy of getting their photos taken with the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders. But sometimes, the Cheerleaders get little bursts of joy from being photographed with fans. Case in point, during the morning of the first home Lions game, the DPC took a “break” between morning tailgate performances in a lobby of one of the downtown hotels. A “break” still means a lot of fans walking through the lobby asking for photos, and the DPC happily obliged. As Director of Operations Andrea Wilamowski waited on one side of the lobby, DPC Chelsea’s boot heels quickly clicked over to Andrea from the other side, as Chelsea’s bright smile was especially joyful.

“I just had my picture taken with the cutest eleven-month old boy. You should have seen him!,” Chelsea beamed.

Andrea replied, “Are you in love?”

“Yes,” stated Chelsea matter of factly. “They have three boys and none of them would take a picture with me except the eleven-month old. They were like (Chelsea extends her arms in a modified Heisman-type pose), ‘NO, NO!'”

“Are you causing Lions fans to scream in displeasure?,” Andrea joked, “In a couple of years, he will be kicking himself.”

Some kids just don't know what is good for them

In her second season leading the DPC along with Stacey Latona, Andrea observes, “It is really interesting, we see a trend. When boys are young, like six, seven, they want pictures. When it goes from ages eight to thirteen or fourteen, you can’t pay them to take a picture, they’re too embarrassed. From fifteen to thirty, it is like ‘all in,’ but from thirty to forty, they are worried that theire wives are going to see the pics so they stay away. And it is interesting to see the trends of who the older fans like compared to the younger fans.”

Chelsea continued to happily smile for the fans during the Lions-Chiefs gameday. Although she loves dealing with fans, Chelsea’s facial muscles did need a break. At halftime, Chelsea needed stretching, “I’m getting tired of smiling, I have to frown for a second.” But Chelsea can only frown for a millisecond before the beaming returns.

Chelsea (right) with Brittany at halftime of the Lions-Chiefs game

This is a big weekend for the DPC, with double the fun! Monday night, the football world with be focused on Detroit, as the undefeated Lions host the Bears. The Detroit Pride Cheerleaders will be there to support them in the stands and during pre-game routines. But with an open Sunday on the calendar, Lions fans don’t have to wait to see their beloved DPC’s, because the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders’ 2012 Calendar Launch Party is being held Sunday, October 9th at 12:00pm, in the Skybox Lounge at Emagine Royal Oak. What a perfect way to get ready for the big Monday Night Football game!

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