By Air Force Master Sgt. Chuck Marsh
Defesne.gov
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have partnered with the USO for the last 34 years, and since that first performance in 1979 in Korea they haven’t looked back.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Jackie Bob addresses sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis
With two cheerleaders, Jackie Bob and Cassie Trammel, currently on a USO overseas troop entertainment tour with Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld, Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the high-stepping, high-kicking and high-energy ladies show no signs of slowing down.
“The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders take pride in showing support to our troops in the U.S and all over the world,” Bob said. “We’ve been doing this for so many years because it’s the way we can give back to the men and women who sacrifice so much for us. This is my third tour and I’ll do as many more as I can during my tenure as a cheerleader.”
The USO tours began in 1941 when Bob Hope and a cast of other entertainers sought a way to give back to the troops. Winnefeld, who’s accompanied on the tour by his wife, Mary, felt the same calling to bring entertainment to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen stationed and deployed around the world.
This is the second USO tour headed up by Winnefeld since taking his post as Joint Chiefs vice chairman in August 2011.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Cassie Trammell, left, performs a dance routine as American Idol finalists Diana DeGarmo, middle, and Ace Young perform for sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis
“These women are so professional, they work so hard and they train very, very hard,” Winnefeld said. “They are in a sport — it’s so physically demanding that they can only do it for a few years. They are so poised that there was no question in my mind who I wanted to bring on tour with us again.”
Aside from showing off their dance moves on stage, the pair of “America’s Sweethearts” shared their stories with the audience and why it’s important to them that they are on the USO tour.
“It’s a joy,” said 24-year-old Trammel of her fifth USO tour so far.
“I’ve spent the last four Christmases and New Years away, and people come and ask me, ‘Why would you do that? Why would you want to be away from your family to go visit people overseas?’”
The troops are “away from their families all year. Why can’t I give up one day?” she replied.
For Trammel, a Garland, Texas, native, traveling on USO tours is something her family knows a lot about.
“For me, this is really special. My mom went on USO tours when she was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader in the ’80s so I’m just walking in her footsteps,” she said.
Bob, the other half of the dancing duo, had a different reason for joining the team. The four-year veteran cheerleader opened up to the military audience in Naples, Italy, and let them know she, a California native, was cheering for another NFL team, but wanted more.
“I was a 49ers cheerleader for four years,” she said. “I left California to join an organization that took pride in serving those that serve us. I left home, I joined the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and am now honored to be here on my third USO tour.”
She continued, “When I turned in my time-off request to the physician I work for, in the reason for leaving section I wrote, ‘To be able to serve those that serve us.’
“This is a tradition that we know the team will carry on for many years to come, and we’re glad to be part of it and to have the chance to say ‘thank you’ to the men, women and family members who help us have the freedoms we enjoy,” Bob concluded.
From SeawayNews.com
At left is Cassondra Ruest, a Cornwall native who has been added to the Montreal Alouettes cheerleading squad.
Cassondra Ruest has a problem. The thing about her new job she is most looking forward to is also the same thing that is making her more than just a bit nervous.
But it’s a great problem to have.
The soon-to-be graduate of Concordia University has been added to the cheerleading squad for the Montreal Alouettes.
Ruest, a Cornwall native, said in an interview she can’t wait for the Alouette’s season opener this summer – but it will be the first time she has performed in front of a stadium full of people.
“This is one of the biggest things I’ve ever done,” she said.
Ruest has been a student of dance nearly all her life. She is in the final year of the dance program at Concordia and has lent her services to small-scale music videos, promotions and the like.
But this was one of her first high-pressure auditions…and she nailed it.
“It’s stressful,” she said, adding about 150 young women turned up for the audution last weekend. “You just go in as a massive group and they split you up.
“They teach you the routines – it’s pretty lengthy.”
Officials reduced the crowd of hopefuls to 50, and then the girls were split into small groups of five and told to perform the routine again.
“Then they announced the call-backs, and I wasn’t one of them,” she said. “I didnt think I had made it.”
What she didn’t know was that Alouette cheerleading officials didn’t need to call her back, they’d seen enough and had already made the decision to keep her.
Ruest is one of six rookies on the 33-member squad, but the only Anglophone.
“I can understand what they are saying, so I should be ok,” she said of the Francophone-dominated squad.
The CFL schedule is expected to be released next week, but Ruest said the cheerleaders are already at work rehearsing.
[Montreal Alouttes Cheerleaders]
A Miami Dolphins Cheerleader
A Houston Texans Cheerleader
LivingSocial.com is offering a three-day trip for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the annual Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ swimsuit calendar.
What you get:
•Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience!
•Round-Trip Air Transportation from DFW Airport for You and a Guest
•Three-Night Stay at All-Inclusive Five-Star Resort
•Chance to Watch the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Swimsuit Fashion Show
•Meet-and-Greet with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
•Group Dinner with Staff and Guests
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders spend the whole season on the sidelines, but once a year they take center stage for the annual swimsuit calendar. Pay $6,999 ($16,000 value) for an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the making of this fan favorite.
With this once-in-a-lifetime package, you and a guest will be whisked away to Riviera Maya, Mexico, from April 7 to 10. There on the sunny shores of the Rivera Maya you’ll enjoy an all-inclusive three-night stay at a five-star hotel and a chance to watch the swimsuit fashion show featuring the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. You’ll also be able to mix and mingle with the cheerleaders at a meet-and-greet and enjoy a group dinner with staff and guests. Once you arrive back at DFW on April 10, you’ll have a lifetime of memories to share with friends and family. Mark your calendar, because this is one date you don’t want to miss.
[DCC Calendar Trip at Living Social]
Esther Lee
Philly.com
A “new look” is indeed in the works for the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders.
A decade after debuting her first batch of the squad’s uniforms, fashion designer Vera Wang is in the process of currently redesigning the green-and-white, skimpy spandex pieces.
“We are thrilled that we are continuing our relationship with Ms. Wang – one that we have had for ten years,” confirmed the Philadelphia Eagles. The organization says the project is currently in the “very preliminary stages.”
An American household name, Vera Wang carries clout not only with the legions of brides who dream of walking down the aisle in the 63-year-old’s couture creations: She’s revered by the fashion industry. Wang was a former senior fashion editor at Vogue, and design director at Ralph Lauren for two years before she launched her eponymous line in 1990. The New York-based fashion figure also dabbles in multiple partnerships and side projects, including a diffusion line of home products for Kohl’s and a popular, lower-priced collection of wedding gowns offered at David’s Bridal called “White by Vera Wang.”
A close friend of the Lurie’s when she originally agreed to design the uniforms, Wang debuted the recognizable white push-up sports bra and black and green striped boy-cut short combo at the gala opening of the Linc. Keeping chilly climate conditions in mind, she added pieces like black spandex pants, cut-off sweaters, and full bodysuits for the cheerleaders to layer over their unis during the fall and winter months. “These outfits are highly athletic,” Wang told Elizabeth Wellington in a 2003 interview. “It was a challenge to make sure the pieces were sexy and they wouldn’t fall apart,” she added.
A former figure skater herself, Wang has designed costumes for Olympic athletes like Nancy Kerrigan and Michelle Kwan in the past. Most recently, she’s been serving as a mentor to Coatesville-born and Delaware-bred national figure skater Johnny Weir. The Eagles cheerleaders are lucky to sport a second set of looks created by a highly-regarded designer like Wang, who possesses a firm understanding of athletic prowess and movement.
The new designs, we’re certain, will be a combination of haute and hot couture.
By Jeff Newpher
YourHoustonNews.com
The increased success and popularity of the Houston Texans football team has also been good for the team’s Cheerleaders.
Their number of off-season appearances has jumped, meaning Clear Brook High alum Stephanie Q. is as busy as ever.
“It’s a lot busier than it was last year, which is awesome because it keeps me busy and it keeps the fans excited to see us,” Stephanie said.
She just completed her second season on the squad.
“A lot of us, outside of cheerleading, do have full-time jobs or are full-time students or part-time students. We don’t just cheer,” Stephanie said while greeting people at Advantage BMW Clear Lake on the Gulf Freeway in League City on Wednesday (February 20).
She’s been cheering since she was eight years old and misses the pep rallies and cheering “…pretty much for every sporting event,” at Clear Brook.
Now, in addition to her Texans job, she is a college student and works at an engineering company.
Being a cheerleader helps her to get to know a lot of people, which may propel her toward her goal of marketing for a sports team or full-time event planning.
[Stephanie at HoustonTexans.com]
Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 12pm
Dancation Studio of Dance and Theatre
3101 US Highway 9
Old Bridge Township, NJ 08857
Pre-registration is required- go to http://bearfootdancers.com/3.html
Questions? Email bearfootdancers@gmail.com
Requirements:
-18 years or older
-Have collegiate or professional dance experience
-Personable and committed
-Is versatile in hip hop, jazz, and some contemporary
Time Commitments:
-Practices are either Monday/Thursday weekly at 8pm
-Games are held Aug- Dec in the Fall 2013 on Saturday evenings
Expectations for the Team:
-Embody and demonstrate the following values: Respect, Teamwork, Pride, Perseverance, and Leadership
-To attend practices, games, and other events
-To fundraise and participate in community service events
-Participate in social activities with both dance and football teams (fundraising, charity events, prayer at the end of the game, after party, etc.)
-Maintain physical well-being by eating healthy and exercising
-Three unexcused absences from games, events, and/or practices will result in removal from the team
Dancer Leadership:
-Responsible for assisting with fundraising opportunities
-Provide ideas for various social opportunities with both teams
-Responsible for assisting with some choreography
The Kansas City Chiefs once again got a jump on the rest of the NFL and announced their new squad yesterday afternoon.
From KCChiefs.com:
After a long weekend of interviews, dance routines and intense fitness tests, the 2013 Chiefs Cheerleader squad has been decided.
Director of Chiefs Cheerleading, Stephanie Judah, is excited about the 2013 squad and has high hopes for what this squad can accomplish this year.
“I’m so excited about this year and I think this may be one of the best teams ever,” Judah commented. “These girls have phenomenal talent. However, not only talent, but these women have amazing character and they are beautiful on the inside and out. It’s going to be an amazing team!”
These 34 women will be representing the Chiefs on the field on game day and in the community throughout the year.
See the entire new squad here.
Ashley W of the Washington Kastles Cheerleaders
