Reader Scott was at Texans Training Camp this past weekend, where the Texans Cheerleaders unveiled their calendar and signed autographs.
Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughn, husband of Virginia Destroyers Cheerleading/Dance Team Director Kimberly Vaughn, was one of 30 American service members who died when their helicopter was shot down by insurgents Saturday in Afghanistan.
The crash, which also took the lives of eight Afghans, was the deadliest single loss for American forces in the war in Afghanistan.
“I am saddened to hear that Aaron Vaughn, the husband of Virginia Destroyers Cheerleader Director Kimberly Vaughn, was among the Navy SEALs killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Saturday,” said United Football League Commissioner Michael Huyghue. “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the United Football League go out to the Vaughn family and to the Virginia community at this difficult time.”
“It’s a very tragic, tragic situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kimberly and her entire family,” said Destroyers Head Coach/General Manager Marty Schottenheimer. “It’s very difficult to imagine the magnitude of this loss and how this affects families and extended families. Certainly, Kimberly is part of our Destroyers family. Again, our prayers are with Kimberly and all the families who lost loved ones.”
For more on Aaron Vaughn and other American service members who died on Saturday, the following Web links are provided:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/07/afghanistan.fatality/index.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/afghanistan/2011-08-07-Afghanistan-Navy-SEALS-chopper-crash_n.htm
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/6937311-418/loved-ones-remember-30-fallen-troops.html
The Virginia Destroyers Fan Club is taking small donations to provide a floral arrangement and a donation in Kimberly’s name to a foundation of her choosing. We are taking Paypal donations for the next 24 hours in case anyone would like to make a small donation. The Paypal email is VirginiaUFL@aol.com
Congratulations to Randi of the Jacksonville Sharks Attack Dance Team on being chosen to represent her squad at Arena Bowl XXIV.
Randi is a graduate of the University of Alabama. This is her first year on the team.
The Tampa Bay Lightning is inviting enthusiastic, professional applicants to audition for the 2011 Lightning Girls.
The Lightning Girls are our team’s ambassadors who entertain and engage with fans and guests at home games and Lightning events. Additionally, the Lightning Girls represent the organization at a variety of charity, corporate and civic events throughout the Tampa Bay/Central Florida community.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Outgoing Personality, strong interpersonal skills.
Individuals with a special interest in sports, exercise and living a healthy lifestyle.
Individuals with a will to make a difference in the community.
Comfort with appearing before a large audience.
Ability to welcome, to engage and communicate effectively with the public in a “live” environment.
Must 18 or older and a high school graduate.
A general knowledge of hockey and the Lightning is preferred.
Cheer experience is not necessary, but preferred.
Modeling experience is not necessary, but preferred.
Theatrical, or Dance experience is not necessary.
Ability to skate is a plus.
Please download the application form and mail it with a 5X7 recent photo, resume, and a 2 minute video DVD explaining why you want to be a Lightning Girl and including any special talents you have. All applications must be received by August 18, 2011. Mail applications to:
Tampa Bay Lightning
Attn: Kelli Yeloushan
401 Channelside Drive
Tampa FL, 33602
or email all requirements including a link to your video to kyeloushan@sptimesforum.com.
All applications will be screened and those selected will be called in for a formal interview on August 20th.
[Lightning Girls Application Process]
By Shane Bacon
Yahoo Sports
That’s right, move over Betty White, Susie Sanchez is here!
The Oakland Raiders have hired Sanchez, who is a grandmother, to be one of their sideline cheerleaders for the 2011-12 season.
While Susie is technically a grandmother, she might not be cut from the mold that pops in your mind when you hear that word. Susie is 37, a mother of three and grandmother of one, and after multiple auditions to pom-pom it up on the sideline, she finally got the call.
From the Hollister Pinnacle …
Sanchez again impressed the judges with her dancing ability, skill and presence later that week — she had been dancing since she was 8, after all — and she can now safely say she is the oldest member of the Raiderettes as well.
“I just started crying,” she said after she heard her number called — lucky No. 45. “It was like, ‘wow.’ I was overwhelmed with emotion … just never give up.”
While I’m sure a lot of people are currently thinking up their best Al Davis/old jokes, we must point out that Susie isn’t the first grandmother to make the cheerleading squad for the Raiders. That honor goes to Kathy Ferrin, who was pinned a Raiderette back in ’03-04, but still, a pretty impressive feat considering most cheerleaders barely look old enough to vote.
So congrats to Susie. Many people give up on their dreams long before they hit 30, no matter if that is a basketball player or doctor or even cheerleader, but it seems she’s kept trying and finally landed it. While it may seem strange, we can all probably learn a lot from the grandmother in Oakland.
But does this make Susie the oldest cheerleader in the NFL? Sadly, no. That honor rests with the Bengals’ Laura Vikmanis, who is 42 and still going strong.
What happens in Vegas started on the football field! Alumni Pro Cheerleaders, get the girls together to enjoy a weekend in Las Vegas. Meet other remarkable women who have graced the sidelines across the United States.
Meet featured alumni speakers acclaimed Fitness Professional Shannon Dey (Kansas City) and NBA LA Lakers Scout and Popular Sports Personality Bonnie-Jill Laflin (Dallas and San Francisco). See a performance by the Science Cheerleaders and the Sweethearts for Soldiers. Experience many other fun events this weekend with your pro football cheerleader sisters!
Deadline to register is August 9! Visit the official website to learn more and register!
[Pro Cheerleader Reunion Complete Information]
Auditions for the 2011-12 Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders got under way back on July 17th at the Du Burns Arena, the Blast Practice Facility.
Blast Cheerleader Director Elizabeth "Liz" Guaraldo
Helping with the judging: it's Michelle and GeNienne from the Wizard Girls.
Jessica
Kate
Karen
Whitney
[Blast Cheerleaders Audition Gallery]
By Anna Borowiecki
St. Albert Gazette
When a Canadian Football League team is undefeated in the rankings, you pretty much have to notice the cheerleaders, right? For one St. Albert resident, having landed a spot on the Edmonton Eskimos cheer squad as a flyer is a dream come true.
Yes, Riley Myck, 18, is the petite brunette on top of the pyramid. She’s the flyer that gets tossed from base to base. She’s the stunter that performs the scorpion standing with one foot on the muscular shoulders of her base. With the grace of a dancer, she grabs the loose foot and bends that leg upward behind her body until it touches the back of her head. Admiration mingled with a collective “ouch” at our own inability sweeps through the crowd.
“I love the adrenalin rush. It’s so empowering. It’s just me up there. I am in control of what I can do and, when I’m up there, it’s just me,” says Myck.
The Bellerose Composite High School grad is part of a mixed cheer squad of 18 dancers and 24 stunters. Coach Dianne Greenough explains that, this year, most of the auditioned cheerleaders are new to the squad, as is Myck. In their selection, Greenough looked at a wide range of elements from talent, experience and personality to their gymnastic abilities and daredevil spirit.
Of Myck, Greenough says, “She’s a natural gymnast and she’s a really hard worker. Her gymnastics abilities, her self-confidence and her maturity are huge. She’s very focused and she soaks up all new information and skills.”
The ability to juggle a school or work schedule, practices, 10 home games and about 200 promotional activities is crucial to a cheerleader’s volunteer role. So far this season, Myck has cheered at Edmonton Rush lacrosse games, the Edmonton Indy and various charity runs for diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
One event that had a lot of impact on Myck was the Capital Ex Monday Morning Magic. It is a program designed to assist handicapped children enjoy the fun of the fair in a safe environment. “They were so full of energy and excitement.”
Born in Drayton Valley, Myck has lived in various parts of the country, including Beaverlodge and St. John’s, N.L., before moving to St. Albert five years ago.
While attending Grade 7 at St. Peter’s Junior High in St. John’s, Myck was introduced to cheerleading. “I’m a bubbly, happy person full of energy and it suited me. It’s hard. I love the challenge and there’s always something new.”
After moving to St. Albert, she enrolled at W.D. Cuts Junior High and joined the competitive cheer team. Her decision to attend Bellerose was again highly motivated by the cheer group. And it paid off. Last year, the physically fit grad was captain of the Bulldogs cheerleading team.
This week, the stunt team gets to strut their stuff at the United States National Stunt Camp and Competition.
“I want to show people I can do things by myself. I’m an independent girl and I’ve worked my butt off. Being with the Edmonton Esks is my paradise and I’m enjoying my reward,” Myck said.
Xtreme Fighting Championships will host auditions for the XFC Cage Dolls at Lifestyle Family Fitness in Brandon, FL on August 6,2011. Auditions will be held from 1-4pm, with check-in beginning at 12 noon.
Looking to cast fit, athletic dancers with great performance quality. Some dance experience is required to audition. All candidates must be minimum 21 years-old, have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, be able to commit to an annual contract, attend all rehearsals and appear at scheduled XFC events. XFC Cage Dolls travel to XFC events in the US, abroad and make appearances on national TV.
Auditions Apparel should be two piece, form fitting dance apparel. Midriff top and snug fitting boy cut briefs. No pants or baggy dance clothing please. Any color, any style you choose. Show your personality! Non-marking dance sneakers or dance shoes. Performance quality hair and make-up.
Registration/Check-in for auditions begin at noon. Candidates may pre-register by emailing the following to cjohnson@officialxfc.com:
Cage Dolls application
Auditions waiver
One color head shot and one full body shot photo
Professional and entertainment resumes (please be sure to include any special talents)
All pre-registrations are due by 12 midnight on 8.4.11. If not pre-registering, please bring all items referenced with you to check-in on 8.6.11. Auditions will begin promptly at 1pm. Dancers will be taught two short dance combinations to be performed in front of judge’s panel. Candidates advancing to final round will have an interview with XFC Cage Dolls staff the same day.
Please direct any additional questions to Carla Thomas-Johnson, Cage Dolls Director at 813.625.1942.
[Cage Doll Application and Waver]
The Detroit Pistons dance team Automotion will hold their final round of auditions in the Automotion Audition Finals event sponsored by WRIF-FM radio, on Thursday, August 4th at 7:30 p.m. at The Crofoot Ballroom in downtown Pontiac. Admission to the Automotion Audition Finals is FREE and open to the public (18 and older), with a cash bar available.
“The finals event gives fans an opportunity to witness the audition process first hand,” said Automotion dance team director Rebecca Girard. “Fans who attend are in for an evening of true Pistons entertainment, fun and excitement. For the finalists, performing in front of an audience will be a treat regardless of if they make the team or not.”
The event will feature up to 40 finalists who have survived the team’s audition process, narrowing down the approximate 150 candidates who began the week. All 40 finalists will perform a choreographed dance together to open the show, then candidates will perform again later in the show, in groups of six, where they will be critiqued by a panel of celebrity judges, which includes Pistons legends Rick Mahorn and James “Buddha” Edwards, CBS Detroit New Anchor Syma Chowdhry, and Meltdown from WRIF-FM. The announcement of the 15-member team will be made at the end of the show.
In addition to the finalist performances, special appearances will be made by the Detroit Pistons Drumline, Pistons Spare Tires and DJ Prevu will be entertaining guests after the team is announced. So, guests are welcome to stay and dance the night away.
Automotion members will serve as ambassadors of the Detroit Pistons and will represent the organization both on and off the court for the 2011-2012 season. Automotion team members are required to dance during every Pistons home game and to represent the organization throughout the year at various team and charity functions.
