Titans Cheerleader Kiara Recounts Her Experience at the Recent Miss USA Pageant.
By Danielle Bertiger
TitansOnline
On July 12, third year Titans Cheerleader, Kiara, competed in the Miss USA pageant in Baton Rouge, La. This past October, she was crowned Miss Tennessee USA, fulfilling a goal of hers that was eight years in the making.
The Miss USA pageant involved an intense two weeks of photo shoots, community appearances, and charity work with Best Buddies and USO. The pageant culminated with the crowning ceremony in which Miss Oklahoma captured the 2015 title.
Competing in Miss USA was a dream come true for Kiara.
“My Miss USA experience was everything I could have ever imagined. I truly had the time of my life,” she said. “I walked away with so many priceless memories and friendships that I will always remember. I’m so blessed and thankful that I’ve had this opportunity to represent the state of Tennessee in this capacity.”
As she closes this chapter, Kiara is looking forward to another season with the Titans Cheerleaders and pursuing her goal to become a pediatrician. Having graduated in May 2014 with a Master’s Degree in Public Health, Kiara plans to start medical school next fall.
[Kiara’s Miss USA Pageant Gallery]
After a three year hiatus, the Sussex Stags have returned to their 2010 home at Skylands Stadium in Augusta, NJ! After spending 2010 in the MLF (formerly BNEFF) at Skylands and their 2011 season in the GDLF at Vernon HS, the organization took a three year hiatus.
This season, the Stags have returned to their original home and are thrilled to be a part of the 2015 Empire Football League. One of the greatest assets of the Stags Game experience was the dance team on the sidelines. In 2010-2011, the team was under the direction of Natalie Hendricks (New York Jets Flight Crew) and Christine Sampson (New Jersey Nets). Upon the team’s return, the Stags Dancers are now under the direction of 2010-2011 team member Kari Brantner. “It has been a dream come true to take over the Sussex Stags Dance Team! I took on the job knowing that I had big shoes to fill. I believe I have embraced their professionalism and creativity while creating the 2015 Game Day experience. I have been fortunate enough to turn to Natalie and Christine for guidance and am lucky to have their support in this new adventure in my dance career!”
The Sussex Stags Dance Team is compiled of 12 dancers from the North Jersey area with impressive resumes! From commercial models to college dance champions to national tour performers, the girls have come together to create the ultimate Game Day experience at Skylands.
The Sussex Stags Dance Team is fortunate to pair up with Kari’s alma mater, Generations of Dance, as the studio sponsor. Several members of the team have studied under the Generations’ nationally ranked choreographers. “It has been wonderful to reunite with dancers from my childhood for the Stags! We have all come back together so seamlessly and our new team members blend right in!” says Kari.
The Stags opened the 2015 season at Skylands Stadium on July 11th to a crown of over 1,500 fans! “We were all thrilled to take the field at our first game so we could show everyone what we worked so hard on over these last several months!” said Nicholle. Maggie summed up the adrenaline rush perfectly by stating “The energy out of the crowd and the Stags team was awesome! Nothing like live football!”
The July 11th game has some extra special meaning. 2010-2011 Stags Quarterback Colin Doyle passed away on July 4th, 2013 from a difficult battle undifferentiated sarcoma. Colin’s family was escorted onto the field during the pre-game ceremonies and greeted by veteran members and coaches of the Stags. The Doyle family was presented with a framed #15 jersey, which is the first retired number in Stags history. Colin Doyle will always be remembered!
Unfortunately, the Stags fell short to the Watertown Red and Black 8-7, but the game finished with children asking for autographs from the Football and Dance Teams as well as a full stadium round of high fives. Even with the loss, the support from the crown was enormous! “We are a lucky organization to have such a positive, supportive crowd out in the stands!” said Cory.
Since the home opener, the Stags currently have a 2-1 record with the top ranked defense in the EFL. The Sussex Stags Dance Team is looking forward to another exciting game at Skylands on August 8th! Be sure to like the Sussex Stags Dance Team on Facebook and follow @StagsDance on Instagram!
Photos courtesy of Mark Fletcher.
Cavalier Girl hopefuls went through preliminary auditions at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday, July 25th. Check out the audition gallery at Cavs.com
A New Orleans VooDoo Doll
Riverwind Casino to host Thursday’s event, which is free and open to the public
The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the final audition for the 2015-16 Thunder Girls on Thursday at Riverwind Casino, starting at 7 p.m. Fans of all ages are invited to watch as 34 finalists compete for a spot on the dance team. Admission is free and doors open at 6 p.m. The event will also be streamed live on the Thunder website, okcthunder.com, and on the Thunder Mobile App.
A panel of judges – including Roy Williams, former NFL player and an All-American safety with the University of Oklahoma; former Miss Oklahoma Kelli Masters; and Caroline Bennett, the 2015 Miss Black Oklahoma U.S. Ambassador – will assist Thunder staff in determining the final squad. The Thunder will announce the new team at the end of the evening.
Sixty dancers participated in Saturday’s open audition, where judges narrowed the group down to 34 ladies for Thursday’s finals.
WHAT: Thirty-four Thunder Girls finalists will compete for a spot on the 2015-16 Thunder Girls dance team
WHEN: Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m
WHERE: Riverwind Casino, in the Showplace Theatre
1544 W. State Hwy. 9, Norman (I-35 and Hwy. 9)
Front row (from left; first name and hometown listed): Kim (Houston, Texas); Tiffany (North Richland Hills, Texas); Chelsie (Oklahoma City); Kara (The Woodlands, Texas); Kayle (Oklahoma City); Stephanie (Oklahoma City); Jennie (Owasso, Oklahoma); Katie (Moore, Oklahoma); Jaimie (Yukon, Oklahoma); Monique (Kansas City, Kansas); Kourtney (Fresno, California); Sarah (Moore, Oklahoma); Brooke (Prague, Oklahoma); Whitney (Kansas City, Missouri).
Middle row: Jessica (Madison, Wisconsin); Alex (Weatherford, Oklahoma); Kalyssa (Chickasha, Oklahoma); Audrey (Edmond, Oklahoma); Addie (Stillwater, Oklahoma); Kelly (Owasso, Oklahoma); Rachel (Oklahoma City); Blaire (Greensboro, North Carolina); Taniah (Fort Worth, Texas); Alicia (Moore, Oklahoma); Natasha (Edmond, Oklahoma); Carly (McAlester, Oklahoma).
Back row: McKenzie (Mustang, Oklahoma); Kaitlyn (Wichita, Kansas); Liz (Franklin, Tennessee); Kimberly (Del City, Oklahoma); Sydney (Mansfield, Texas); Jeanette (Guthrie, Oklahoma); Tressena (Moore, Oklahoma); Lauren (Duncan, Oklahoma).
A Baltimore Blast Cheerleader
Thanks to Mid-Atlantic Video & Photography Productions for sharing these photos of the MLL Chesapeake Hawkettes form their July 2nd game:
[Mid-Atlantic Video & Photography Productions]
The New York Lizards Dancers under the direction of Paul Sanders, perform at the home games of the Major League Lacrosse New York Lizards. I had the pleasure of visiting with the dancers at their final home game of the season back on July 9th. Unfortunately a thunderstorm rolled in at half time necessitating a suspension of the game so the squad was only around the for first half. Enjoy the photos!
