By Kyle Plantz
Boston Globe
Alyssa Caddle leads a double life. Not only is she a New England Patriots Cheerleader, the Boston resident also holds two degrees in engineering and works as a program manager for EMC’s office of sustainability in Hopkinton. On Thursday, during February school vacation week, she helped show about 300 Girl Scouts and other students that science and math are all around us, and they can be fun and exciting to study, too.
“The Patriots cheerleaders love to get involved in anything that is girl-focused or STEM-focused,” Caddle said, referring to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. “We love when we get the chance to come in and show girls that, yes, you can be a cheerleader, but that’s not all. You can be that and have a great career.”
At Patriot Place, with seats filled by students and chaperones from all over Massachusetts, Caddle and representatives of the engineering company Raytheon and Science from Scientists performed interactive experiments, like making “elephant toothpaste” (a colorful foam that forms and shoots out of a graduated cylinder when hydrogen peroxide interacts with potassium iodide) and testing whether it would be more comfortable to sleep on one nail or 1,000 nails (better sleep on 1,000 nails, since weight is better borne when distributed evenly).
The demonstrations are part of Raytheon’s annual observance of National Engineers Week nationwide; this was its first celebration of “Girl Day,” aimed at showing girls how creative math and science can be.
“We look at all these young women right here as the next generation of technological workforce,” said Allison Jeannotte, director of strategic initiatives at Raytheon. “Doing an event like this helps us to get them not only interested in science and technology, but excited about it and excited about pursuing those careers, because when you look at careers of tomorrow, they are very focused on technology and innovation.”
According to the National Science Foundation, only 11 percent of engineers are women, which is why Jeannotte said it is imperative to get girls excited about science during their late elementary school and early middle school years.
Amanda Schutt, director of development for Boston-based Science from Scientists, who performed several of the experiments, said she wants to show that there is more to science than some girls might expect.
“It’s funny, because if you Google ‘scientist,’ you get a clip art of a crazy, old, white guy with [Albert] Einstein-type hair,” she said. “We don’t all look the same, and so I think part of it was exposing them to what different women are doing in their careers. Alyssa is a prime example of smashing a stereotype.”
That resonated with Katherine Rodriguez, 14, of Lawrence, who said she wants to be a marine biologist.
“When I was a kid, that was my dream job: to become a Patriots Cheerleader,” she said. “She is very inspirational and my role model. If she can do it, I can, too.”
For 11-year-old Mati Bartel of North Attleborough, though, she said it is too soon to know what she wants to do.
“I really liked when the stuff came out of the tube,” she said, about the elephant toothpaste. “I don’t know what I want to do yet, but this was fun.”
Garrett Downing
BaltimoreRavens.com
Amanda R. will now compete for the crown of Miss United States after winning the state pageant.
The Ravens organization is enjoying a bit of success away from the football field during the 2014 offseason.
Cheerleader Amanda Ross was crowned Miss Maryland on Sunday, and she will now advance to compete for the Miss United States crown in July.
“It was so overwhelming,” Ross said. “As soon as they announced I won I just started balling.”
The Miss Maryland competition was just the second pageant Ross had ever done. Her first pageant was in November, when she was named the first-ever Miss Baltimore.
She never really saw herself as a pageant girl, but decided to give it a try at the urging of some of her Ravens’ teammates.
“If I hadn’t worked with the Ravens I never would have done the pageants,” Ross said.
“Cheerleading definitely made me more confident in myself with just performing in general. Every week you’re comfortable performing in front of 70,000 fans.”
The biggest benefit she sees in making the pageant rounds is that it has provided her a chance to promote social causes she is passionate about, specifically childhood reading and literacy. The Morgan State senior is a physical education major, and she is involved in a local childhood literacy program called Reading Partners.
“This experience has been great because it’s given me a platform to talk about these issues,” Ross said.
Ross will take the next couple of week to celebrate her Miss Maryland crown, but she will shift her focus to cheerleading tryouts next month. Last season was her first as a Ravens cheerleader, and like the entire team, she has to try out for the squad again this year.
Cheerleading tryouts are March 8-9, and then she’ll start getting ready for the Miss United States competition this summer.
“I’ll be busy, but I just want to have fun with it,” she said.
The new squad just announced:
A member of the ROAR of Jacksonville
REQUIREMENTS:
~Must be 18 years old by June 1, 2014
~High School graduate by June 2014
~Must be able to attend all cheerleader rehearsals for the entire season
~If selected, must live in or relocate to South Florida and have means of transportation.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
~Preliminary & Semi-Final Auditions will be held at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday, May 3, 2014
~Registration begins promptly at 8:30 am. Competition begins at 10:00 am.
~Between 9:00 am and 10:00 am contestants learn audition choreography that will immediately be performed at 10:00am. (This choreography will also be taught on Friday, May 2nd, at prep class.)
~Applications will be accepted now through registration on May 2, 2014 at 5:00pm.
Pre-Registered applicants arriving by 8:30 am will receive the first contestant numbers. You will also need to fill out a bio sheet and bring a photo to registration with you. Pre-registered applicants must present a photo ID to receive their contestant number.
Applicants not pre-registered need to bring a completed application form, bio form and photo to registration on the day of auditions. Blank application forms will be available at registration.
This portion of the audition process is CLOSED to the public.
It will be a long day, so please bring your own snacks and drinks.
Mirrors, restrooms and outlets will be available for your convenience and use.
For Audition Questions email: auditions@dolphins.com
WHAT TO WEARCrop/half top with trunks (dance style boy shorts)
Nude/flesh colored tights or panty hose
Dance shoes (sneakers, jazz shoes, character shoes, etc.)
No dance pants, warm-ups or shorts.
Wear your hair in a fashion that compliments your features and does not hide your face. This is not a typical dance audition, THINK GLAMOROUS!
The judges will rate you on poise, smile, personality, energy, figure and dance ability.
OVERVIEW OF THE AUDITION PHASES
Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 8:30am (times are approximate) – Registration doors open – pre-registered applicants will be allowed in first. All contestants must have an application, bio sheet and photo at the registration table. Applications can be filled out online by registering and those pre-registered will be the first to enter.
9:00am – 10:00am – Contestants learn audition choreography. This choreography will also be taught on Friday, May 2nd, at prep class. To register for prep class, click here.
10:00am – Contestants will perform a :30 freestyle routine, followed by audition choreography learned in groups of five. After all contestants have auditioned the judges will retire to make their decisions. At approximately 12:00pm call backs for the Semi-Final Phase will be posted outside the admittance gate. Those selected will re-enter the stadium at this time.
*All contestants who received a “Free Pass” at the Prep Classes must arrive by 11:00 am to register for the Semi-Final Phase.
12:00pm – Contestants must bring their Preliminary contestant number or their “Free Pass” to re-register for the Semi-Final Phase. After registration is complete, the Cheerleader Choreographer will refresh the choreography learned earlier and kick line. Immediately following, contestants will perform the dance combination and kick line in groups of five. Upon completion of the dance section, the judges will retire to make decisions and return shortly for the announcement of those selected to advance to the next phase. Those selected will stay for a brief meeting to discuss the final phases of the Audition process: Interviews, Clinics and Performance.
(only for candidates selected at Semi-Finals)
FINAL CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS
Monday or Tuesday, May 5 or 6 @ Sun Life Stadium, Gate G
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm – You will sign up for a specific interview time slot on one of the above dates.
FINAL AUDITION CLINICS
Tuesday, May 6 @ Sun Life Stadium, Gate G – 6:30pm – 10:00pm – Clinic 1
Wednesday, May 7 @ Sun Life Stadium, Gate G – 6:30pm – 10:00pm – Clinic 2
Thursday, May 8 @ Sun Life Stadium, Gate G – 6:30pm – 10:00pm – Clinic 3
FINAL AUDITIONS
Saturday, May 10, 2014 – 9:00 am- 3:00 pm @ Sun Life Stadium
Open to the Public – the final phase of the auditions will take place in a public location in front of an audience.
[Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders Audition Information]
The three-year veteran strikes a pose in New Orleans. Photo from the Nuggets Dancers Facebook page.
[Kalia at the Nuggets Dancers Website]
(I can’t find a comprehensive list of members of the All-Star Team. If you know who made the squad, please let us know.)
A Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader
Application Process
• Complete the online registration form. You must upload a photo with your application. Please put thought into your application and photo. Please make sure you are the only one in the photo and that it is a full body shot to at least the knee.
• Pay the nonrefundable audition registration fee ($40.00). If you attend any of the Prep Classes, Technique Classes and/or the Project Cheer Seminar, you DO NOT have to pay the audition registration fee.
• Those who apply at the registration desk the day of auditions must bring cash or money order for the day of registration fee ($40.00), as well as a non-returnable recent photo of yourself with the application. Please make sure you are the only one in the photo and that it full body to at least the knee.
• All applicants must submit an Audition Waiver. Those attending the Prep Classes, Technique Classes and/or Project Cheer, your Audition Waiver must be received on or before the date of your first class. Audition Waiver can also be submitted online with your application.
• If you do not apply online, applicants may also turn applications in at Prep Classes, Technique Classes or Project Cheer. Click here to download the application.
• Note: All judges’ decisions are final.
Requirements
Dates
• All finalists must have a medical release statement from a doctor by April 1, 2014, stating you are in excellent physical condition and able to participate in strenuous activity at least four to five times a week.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old, on or before April 1, 2014.
• Applicants must have a High School diploma or G.E.D by June 2014.
• If you become a Washington Redskins Cheerleader, you must have a full/part-time job, be a full-time college student or have a family.
• Washington Redskins Cheerleaders must have their own transportation.
• The 2014 Washington Redskins Cheerleaders will be traveling to an exotic location for the photo shoot of our 2014-15 Swimsuit Calendar. All squad members are required to attend. Dates will be announced by the end of March and are usually in May or first half of June.
Ambassadors
• The Redskins Cheerleaders Ambassadors are the promotional game day group of the Redskins Cheerleaders. They will not appear in the 2014-15 calendar, but will be involved in various photo shoots and promotions throughout the year.
• Redskins Cheerleader Ambassadors will be selected from various rounds of the Auditions, not just those who make the Finals. The Ambassadors will receive a phone call from the Director the one to two weeks after final auditions telling them they have been selected and will be given further instructions at that time. If you wish to ONLY be considered to be an Ambassador, you only need to attend the FIRST round of the auditions and will not be asked to dance.
• Auditions will begin March 29, 2014 and last until April 6, 2014. Click here for the 2014 audition schedule.
Application Deadline:
Online Registration: March 24, 2014
Applications and registration fee ($40.00) will be accepted at the registration desk the day of auditions.
Preliminary Round:
Saturday, March 29th, 2014 (8:00am mandatory check-in)
FedExField, Landover, MD
Semi-Final Round:
Sunday, March 30th, 2014
FedExField, Landover, MD
Swimwear Photo Shoot and Rehearsal:
Monday, March 31st, 2014 from 7-10 p.m.
FedExField, Landover, MD
Interviews and Finalist Rehearsals:
April 1-4, 2014 from 7-10 p.m.
Final Auditions:
Saturday, April 6, 2014 from 2-4 p.m.
Location: Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club (7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Show from 2:00-4:00 p.m. The Final Auditions will be OPEN to the public. The 2014 Washington Redskins Cheerleaders will be announced at the completion of the final auditions. Tickets will be available online soon.
[Complete Redskins Cheerleaders Audition Info]
Kings Vision was on hand for the 13-14 Ice Crew calendar photo shoot presented by Zerorez! Check out this profile featuring Ms. February 2014, Hannah!
A Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader
