The second half of the Jets Flight Crew Final Auditions featured hopefuls performing 8 eight counts, plus a kickline routine and splits. The routine was taught at Sunday’s semi-finals. Returning members learned the routine on Tuesday and had two less days to perfect their moves.
High school seniors Kaitlyn, Meredith and Emily all made it to the final round.
Member of the 2009 squad were all decked out in green and white.
(more…)
From the Houston Chronicle:
Members of the University of St. Thomas community may recognize a couple of new faces among the Houston Texans cheerleaders.
Nicole Hickl, left, and Michelle Lewis will be entertaining crowds at Reliant Stadium this fall.Two St. Thomas students — Nicole Hickl and Michelle Lewis — were named to the squad on April 27.
Hickl and Lewis were among 29 women selected from about 500 contestants. Hickl is a sophomore communications major and Lewis is a junior on the pre-med track, majoring in liberal arts with concentrations in philosophy and biology.
As a former Miss Black Teen Texas and former Houston Aeros Cheerleader, Hickl has experience performing in the public eye. She was also on the drill team at Dulles High School. Lewis has studied dance since she was in first grade and was a cheerleader at Bellaire High School. The two helped each other rehearse for the audition.
“It’s nice to have someone on campus to share the experience with,” Hickl said. “We will be balancing our studies and other commitments with practice three times a week, 10 home games and numerous appearances.”
Hickl and Lewis are taking their new roles in stride, focusing on their priorities, but for now, they can’t conceal their excitement.
“I couldn’t believe they called my number,” Hickl said. “I had to watch the video online again just to make sure it really happened. When we were performing on draft day, the energy of the crowd was incredible. I felt like I could do this for the rest of my life.”
Lewis was giddy about getting into her uniform for the first time.
“Dancing in front of a crowd of 70,000 fans will be such a rush,” Lewis said. “Everyone keeps telling me my life is going to change, but I am going to stay true to my values and just keep being Nicole,” Hickl said.
[Complete Audition Information]
From UMass.edu:
Westford, Mass., resident Patricia Fox, a graduating senior in civil engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was one of 25 women who recently qualified for the New England Patriots Cheerleaders. Fox, who was a member of the UMass Amherst Dance Team for four years, is a Renaissance woman whose passions range from historic preservation – the field she desires to work in as a professional engineer – to the UMass Amherst chapter of Engineers Without Borders, an idealistic organization that works in Third World countries to create engineering projects such as clean water systems.
What inspired an engineering student to try out for the Patriots Cheerleaders? “My biggest inspiration is my family’s love for the Patriots,” Fox said, “as well as my love for dancing.”
During the tryout, beginning in early March, two dance combinations were taught to 300 candidates during a preliminary audition process. Participants performed the combinations in small groups for a panel of judges.
“The tryouts were certainly a tough challenge, going from about 300 women to the final 25,” said Fox. “We had to perform routines with a few days to practice them and perform them perfectly every time. These routines, coupled with cardio training, made for some of the hardest practices I’ve experienced thus far, but every second was certainly fun and enjoyable.”
During the two weeks between preliminary and final auditions, the finalists reported to Gillette Stadium for personal interviews with Tracy Sormanti, cheerleader director. At final auditions, they were asked to perform the routines they learned at preliminaries. Each finalist also performed a short freestyle combination with her own choreography, showcasing her personal style. In addition, all the finalists were taught, and were required to perform, a kick-line combination and an optional tumbling pass.
“The tryouts were about five weeks long,” said Fox, “and it was very tough waiting to hear each week if I made it to the next round. Luckily, as you can tell, I made it onto the best cheerleading team in the NFL!”
Since the Patriots Cheerleaders team is only a part-time job, Fox doesn’t expect it to interfere with her longtime engineering ambitions in historic preservation. For the last several years, she has stayed in touch with the Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) company from Waltham, Mass., a national-award-winning engineering firm that designs, investigates, and rehabilitates structures and building enclosures.
“I have recently talked to human resources at SGH and we are working with several options,” Fox said. “I do not know exactly what they are interested in having me do, but I will be contacted again soon.”
Meanwhile, Fox also has a humanitarian side that wants to put her engineering knowledge to use helping others. She went to Kenya this year on a team of students from the campus chapter of Engineers Without Borders as part of a project to develop healthy drinking water for about 3,000 people in the western part of the country, near where President Barack Obama’s relatives live.
“My job there was to teach water-related hygiene,” she says. “I lectured about water hygiene to more than 300 high school students, all in one room, and gave them ways to improve their sanitation procedures. They’re incredibly hospitable, and what I loved about teaching them was they always had so many great questions.”
She credits her experience on the UMass Dance Team for her success in making the Patriots Cheerleaders. In four years on the UMass squad she worked her way up to the practice captain, meaning she basically served as the coach, music director, and choreographer. “The UMass Dance Team kept me in shape and sharp with my dancing,” she said. “I was also able to get the experience of performing at football games and learn several cheers, which I feel further aided me for a position as as a Patriots Cheerleader.”
The Most Famous Cheerleaders in the World Will Lead Activities for Camp Participants
PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS (May 17, 2010) – Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas announced today it will host the 2010 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Fantasy Cheer Camp. This will mark the esteemed organization’s first-ever partnership with a luxury destination to host an exclusive cheerleading camp outside the Dallas, Texas area and will be the first time the cheerleaders will serve as both the counselors and dance instructors. The world-famous cheerleaders will be at the resort August 2-6, 2010, offering an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn dance routines and cheer programs for guests 7-17 years of age.
Guests are invited to join in on the fun with the unique Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Fantasy Cheer Camp package, which includes: three days of cheerleading and dance clinics with the world-famous Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, lunch daily, a shallow-water dolphin interaction at Dolphin Cay, admission into Club Rush, a session at Atlantis Kids Adventures (AKA) for those participants 12-years old and under, an Earth & Fire Pottery Studio experience and much more! The cost for the camp is $495* per child. Space is limited and camp pricing excludes room cost.
Participants of the camp will have the opportunity to learn innovative dance routines, choreography and cheering skills alongside the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, while developing and understanding the importance of team sprit, self confidence, motivation and leadership qualities. The program was designed to encourage the participants to create lasting memories and build new friendships in order to promote teamwork and positively influence personal creativity.
“Having had the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders shoot their 2010 calendar at Atlantis, Paradise Island, we are excited to welcome them back for this truly remarkable and industry-leading fantasy cheer camp experience,” said George Markantonis, President/Managing Director, Kerzner International Bahamas.
“I am very excited about this vacation and camp concept. The curriculum of youth excellence taught at the tropical destination of Atlantis will make vacation active and fun for children who attend. Having the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders as camp counselors and dance instructors will leave a long lasting effect on the children attending while being fun and fabulous,” said Kelli Finglass, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Head Coach.
All campers will have access to the grounds of Atlantis, including Aquaventure, a modern waterscape with more than 20 million gallons of water coursing through 141 acres of luscious tropical scenery. Water slides, river rides, pools and swimming areas allow guests hours of thrill-seeking adventure or lazy river-rafting relaxation. Atlantis is also home to the world’s largest open-air marine habitat. The resort’s 14 exhibit lagoons offer up-close views of more than 50,000 marine animals from over 250 species.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Fantasy Camp package can be booked by calling 1-800-Atlantis, or online at Atlantis.com.
Thanks to Pro Bowl Dan who traveled to Dallas back in early April to attend the DCC Family & Friends Show. Here are a few of Dan’s photos:
Raiderette Youth Cheer & Dance Game Performance on Sat. June 19
Girls ages 3-17 are invited to perform at the season’s final regular season game at the Richmond Coliseum for a crowd of thousands! Meet the Lady Raiders Dance Team, make new friends, learn cheers and dances, and experience arena football! $58.00 includes t-shirt, poms, two tickets. Register by June 6. Download registration form or visit www.richmondraidersprofootball.com.
Ladies Ages 40 or Over! Join the Lady Raiders Silver Line!
Calling all women who can shake it! Dance at the Richmond Raiders indoor professional football game on Saturday, May 29!! Learn a choreographed one minute, 30 second routine by Laura Eilers, Lady Raiders Dance Team Director and NFL Cheerleader Alumna. Make new friends and perform for a crowd of thousands at the Richmond Coliseum! $35.00 includes rhinestone Raiders shirt and two game tickets. Register by May 17. Rehearsals held at Victory Lady Fitness – Westend on May 21, May 22, May 28. Download the registration form or visit www.richmondraidersprofootball.com
Lady Raiders Auditions Set for July-August 2010
Please mark your calendars for the end of July and early August to audition for the 2010-2011 Lady Raiders Dance Team! Must be 18 years of age or older by August 1, 2010. We will send updates as soon as exact dates and times are set. You can prepare by attending optional Pro Dance classes ($10 per class) Thursdays 8:00-9:00pm, optional audition workshops ($15.00 per workshop) Saturday, June 12 and Saturday, July 10, 1:00-3:00pm, at Victory Lady Fitness-Westend at 9699 W. Broad, Glen Allen, VA. To be added to the audition email list please email ladyraidersdanceteam@gmail.com.
Host Your Own Raiderette Summer Youth Cheer & Dance Camp
Invite the Lady Raiders to host your 3-hour summer camp for dancers and cheerleaders of any age! Includes choreography, dance and cheer technique, educational topics like fitness, nutrition, sportsmanship, community relations, fund raising and more! Your camp also includes tickets for a 2011 game at the Coliseum!
Minimum 8 participants, $12.00 per participant. Add t-shirts at $10.00 each and poms at $22.00 per pair! Please schedule 3 weeks prior to camp date. Looking for a longer camp? Just ask! Please email ladyraidersdanceteam@gmail.com!
Final reminder!
Watch Miss USA 2010 tonight on NBC and keep an eye on these three ladies!
Miss Arizona USA 2010 and former Phoenix Suns Dancer Brittany Bell
Miss Florida USA 2010 and former Orlando Magic Dancer Megan Clementi
Miss Pennsylvania USA 2010 and former Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader Gina Cerilli
By Lourdes Vazquez
The Victoria Advocate
As a 6- year-old, Victoria native Schuyler Warnell cried before dance class.
Now she and her twin, Dresdynn Warnell are part of the 2010 Houston Texans Cheerleaders squad.
“They took after their momma, I have a lot of rhythm,” joked their mother Delores Warnell-Fillmore.
The two University of Houston freshman laugh, but thanked their mom for enrolling them in dance at a young age.
“It has helped with time management and not being shy,” said Dresdynn, 18.
The two were initially involved in softball beginning at age 3, then added track and gymnastics.
Upon entering middle school Warnell-Fillmore asked her daughters what they would like to focus on and they decided on dance.
“The girls really liked track, but they loved dancing,” said Warnell-Fillmore, who initially thought her daughters would pursue track.
“It was a whole other extreme that we liked,” said Dresdynn.
The two began competing in dance, becoming officers on the Memorial High School’s drill team.
“We wanted to be officers and decided that’s what we really wanted to focus on,” said Schuyler, who was a major of the drill team.
Their mother recalls telling her daughters they could accomplish anything.
“I wanted to do this for so long,” said Dresdynn of becoming a Texans cheerleader.
The two began preparing for auditions in February by attending workshops.
“I’m really glad we have been dancing as long as we have,” said Schuyler, who found being a technically-trained dancer an advantage.
The two were told the Texans were looking for a twin set for this year’s squad.
It was a packaged deal, said Dresdynn.
Warnell-Fillmore awaited to find out if her daughters would become Texans cheerleaders on April 27.
“I was a nervous wreck,” their mother said.
At 7:02 p.m. the first text message was received “congratulations.”
“They were live streaming it, but I couldn’t watch,” said Warnell-Fillmore, who decided to wait for her daughters’ phone call.
The college freshmen Schuyler and Dresdynn made the squad.
“We always knew we wanted to be part of some sort of NFL or basketball dance team,” said Schuyler.
The two sisters will continue to pursue their education while being Texans cheerleaders.
“We’re going to have to manage our time wisely and study when we can,” said Schuyler, a speech pathology major and dance minor.
The two will also take summer courses and make appearances during the summer before the first game.
“We’re going to take one class each session,” said Dresdynn, of taking summer courses.
Warnell-Fillmore said she plans to attend as many games as she can.
“August is the first game, I’m definitely going to go to games they perform at,” said Warnell-Fillmore.
Both 18-year-olds are excited and anticipate traveling.
But they receive one frequent question – “Can you get us tickets?” said Dresdynn.
After a couple months off, On The Flipside is back with a new episode, just in time for the 2010 NBA Conference Finals! On this edition, Aubrey Aquino hosts from the heart of the Big Apple in Central Park. And — to start things off “Just Wright” we hear from a few of the NBA’s and the movie’s stars along, with the leading player, Chicago rapper Common, about their new movie. Watch as Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Jalen Rose and ESPN’s Stuart Scott share their thoughts from behind the scenes and talk about getting the basketball authenticity “Just Wright!” Then we check in with the Orlando Magic’s Matt Barnes at The Athlete’s Foot where he ties his “Athlete’s vs. Cancer” foundation and his Elusion Clothing line into a fan meet and greet!
Plus we hang out with Aaron Maybin of the Buffalo Bills as he strikes a pose for the camera and talks about his stylish ways. Hear what he has to say about being fashion forward… And in our Sideline Distraction, we hear from Alumni NFL cheerleader Tamae Ishii of Ishii NYC. Find out what she’s doing these days, after hanging up her boots and poms with the Oakland Raiderettes. It’s all going down On The Flipside!
