So how did you become a Raiderette?
I started dancing when I was very young. My mother enrolled me in classes at the local studio, where I trained from the time I was six until I graduated from high school in tap, ballet, jazz, and many other forms of dance. When I started college, I soon found that I missed dancing and found time to fit it into my schedule. I met a member of the dance team, who told me that they were still looking for additional team members and I decided to give it a try. It was my first exposure to dancing for sports teams, football, and basketball.
It was wonderful to combine my love of dance and my interest in sports. So when I graduated from college, I felt that I still wanted to pursue dance, and what better way than by auditioning for my favorite team, the Raiders! So I went to the open audition that is held every year, and the rest is history!
Tell me about some interesting experiences you had in that job.
As a lover of sports, of course, being on the field with some of today’s greatest football players including Jerry Rice and Brett Favre was thrilling. I was humbled to honor Raider legend Gene Upshaw upon his passing. Witnessing John Madden’s induction into the Football Hall of Fame was incredible. I was also able to travel to Mexico City twice with NFL Mexico, promoting American football in the country. I’ve traveled to Hawaii with the team every year to shoot our annual calendar and been featured in several beautiful photos in that calendar.
I have witnessed some incredible games, some heartbreaking games, sweltering games, raining games and moments that will live on in my memory forever. I’ve seen millions of smiles from fans, but the one that was most memorable was that of a make-a-wish child whose wish was to see a Raider football game. Not only was he able to attend the game, but he was on the field during pre game warm ups, and was able to meet two of the Raiderettes personally. I was lucky enough to be one of those two. The smile that beamed across his face that day was as bright as the California sunshine that shone down on us that day. I’d have to say that was the highlight of my career.
It says in your Raiderette bio that you went to Sac State. Are you from this area?
I was born and grew up in the Sacramento area. I attended Casa Roble High School in Orangevale, and am a Sacramento State Alumni. My father works at Folsom Prison and my mother is now retired from working for the state and living in El Dorado Hills. I really love the Sacramento area.
How did you end up in Steve Knight’s office?I have worked previously for the legislature. While in college I worked for the Senate, as a security technician with the Sergeant-at-Arms office. After I graduated I was hired by the California District Attorneys Association as an executive administrative assistant. After three and a half years with that organization, I decided to make a move back into the building. With the addition of many new members in an election year, it was the perfect time to come back and luckily with the contacts I had made working in the building before, I was able to find my way into Assemblyman Knight’s office.
Why did you decide to give up being a Raiderette?
I spent four wonderful seasons with the team, and experienced so much. I made some of the most incredible friends and last year had the honor of being named a co-captain. But my life is here in Sacramento. After four years of consistent driving back and forth to the Bay Area 3-4 times a week, I knew my time with the squad was complete. I accomplished everything I wanted to achieve with the team and while my heart will always be with them, I know it is time to pass the torch on to other Raiderettes. When auditions were held in April, I did feel a pang of jealousy for those women who tried out and ultimately made the squad, but it passed quickly and I am very happy with where I am and what I have accomplished.
What’s your long-term career goal?
With my education and interest in criminal justice, public safety is a passion I would love to pursue. Legislation in that area highly appeals to me. Making the communities we live in safer for all citizens is very important to me. But beyond that, the most important career goal I have is to be a devoted and caring wife and have a happy, loving family.
Update: Alicia tells us she’s planning a September wedding!
[Dallas Stars Ice Girls Auditions]
Sheena used to work in a French daycare center in Iqaluit, the capital of Canada’s newest and northernmost territory. One of the more unusual problems that she would encounter was having to keep the children inside because polar bears were roaming around outside. That’s just one stop on the wild (and romantic journey) that brought Sheena to the ice of Charlotte’s Time-Warner Arena as a member of the ECHL Charlotte Checkmates.
Sheena grew up in Canada’s Nova Scotia province and graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with degrees in French, Biology and Education.
She did an internship in the Bahamas working with dolphins, traveled to the frozen Arctic for the aforementioned daycare position, and worked at Sea World in Orlando as a Marine Information officer.
During her last week in Orlando, she was working the beluga whales exhibit, when a father and young daughter stopped to ask some questions. After an hour Sheena rotated to the polar bear exhibit and ran into the same father and daughter. This continued throughout the day with Sheena answering all their questions. At the end of the day he gave Sheena his card.
On her way back home, Sheena was flying out of Orlando and had two layover choices: Atlanta or Charlotte. She chose Charlotte and they met for coffee during her layover. She did the long distance relationship thing for about a year, then moved to Charlotte, got married, and now they’re one happy family.
Sheena now teaches middle school and high school French. And while she loves Charlotte, one day she was homesick for Canada. So she went to a Charlotte Checkers hockey game, where she saw the Checkers Dance Team, The Checkmates. Since she was young she had always enjoyed dancing and performing. So she talked to Director Brandii McCoy and learned more about the organization, attended a prep class and made the team this past August.
Checkmates Auditions are Saturday, August 15th.
The Florida Marlins Mermaids Summer Dance Camp is 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. July 13-16 at Bally Total Fitness in the Miller Square Shopping Center, 13838 SW 56th St., Miami.
Learn the latest dance moves from the Marlins Mermaids and Choreographer Jose Guerrero.The dance intensive camp is open to girls and boys, age 7-15.
Campers will perform their dance routine at a Marlins game on Friday, July 17 against the Phillies at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens. They receive dance camp T-shirt and two tickets to the camp performance game.
Camp cost $200. Go to marlins.com or call 305-626-7334. E-mail mermaids@marlins.com.
Former Tokay High cheerleader earns spot on the Raiderettes
By Joelle Milholm
Lodi News-Sentinel
Since she was a little girl, Amanda Mason has loved doing two things — dancing and being a football fan.
Now she is taking both of her passions to the next level.
The former Tokay High dancer and cheerleader recently earned a spot on the Raiderettes, the Oakland Raiders’ cheerleading team.
Mason started dancing when she was 7 years old. After graduating from Tokay High, she was a member of the Stockton Lightning’s football dance team, the Shockwave, for two years and was even the captain in her second. Now, being part of the Raiderettes is a dream come true.
“I love football. I would say that just as much as I grew up with dance, I grew up with football,” she said. “I have always liked the Raiders. They are a great organization. They have come a long way and it is really great to be a part of it.”
Mason is one of two former Tiger dancers who are now professionals. Tokay graduate Lindsey DuPriest is entering her second year with the San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders — the Gold Rush. Last season DuPriest was named the squad’s Rookie of the Year. Jeanie Jones, the cheer advisor at Tokay High, coached Mason and DuPriest and said she is proud of both. She’s excited Mason is getting her chance to shine this season.
“I knew that Amanda really wanted to do it and she worked hard and she did it,” Jones said. “To see her achieve one of her goals is just amazing.”
Mason tried out for the squad in April. After a nerve-racking interview session, Mason cleared the first round of cuts. She then had two trainings to learn a routine before answering more questions in front of a panel of 12 judges. Then she was asked to perform the routine, all by herself, before the judges.
When the team was set, Mason was one 15 rookies selected to the 36-dancer squad. The new Raiderettes then flew to Hawaii for their 2010 Raiderette Calendar photo shoot. Different dancers had their swimsuit shoots at various locations around Kona on the island of Hawaii. After getting her makeup and hair done by the team’s “Glam Squad” Mason got in front of the camera with a white chapel in the background.
“It was so beautiful. It was breathtaking,” Mason said. “I don’t even know how to describe it. You felt so glamorous. It was just amazing.”
The Raiderettes then got to enjoy the rest of their Hawaiian vacation and really bonded as a team, according to Mason. She knew some of the women on the team before, but is enjoying getting to know everyone.
“I love meeting new people and these girls are amazing,” Mason said. “These are girls that are going to be your bridesmaids.”
Now the Raiderettes are practicing three days a week to prepare for the upcoming season. They are learning how to work together and memorizing all their routines. In addition to practices, Mason and her teammates keep busy with the appearances they make and the charity work they do in the community. They are also preparing for the Raider Nation Celebration on Aug. 8 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Raiderettes will participate in a meet-and-greet with fans and perform. Being a Raiderette is making for a busy summer for Mason.
“I am dedicating myself to the Raiderettes this summer because I have worked really hard to get here and I just want to give 110 percent,” she said.
This fall, Mason will continue to get her education at Sacramento State. She’s entering her junior year of studying pre-law. In the future she wants to go to law school and become a district attorney.
“I have high goals,” she said.
She’ll be juggling her school work with her Raiderette duties throughout the 2009-10 season. The Raiders open the year by hosting the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason game on Aug. 13. They begin the regular season on Sept. 14 when they host the San Diego Chargers.
Mason can’t wait to get out on the field at the Oakland Coliseum.
“I am really excited. I’m sure the nerves will kick in and it will be anxious excitement,” she said. “I know stepping on that field is going to be one of the most amazing things. Not many people get to do it and I love football and I think it is going to be breathtaking.”
Every year there are changes to the Redskins Cheerleaders uniform. Sometimes the change is subtle, not this year.
Good friend of the blog, Talmesha, who is less than a year away from earning her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, shows off the new skirt.
Here’s a second look at the skirt with rookie Ashley. The skirt is part of the “primary” uniform. The shorts are still around, but will be seen mostly at Cheerleader appearances.
For a reminder of what the shorts look like here are Jessica, Denise, Chelsea and Khlover.
Six-year veteran and engineer/defense contractor Heather sports another uniform you probably haven’t seen before. This is the Redskins Cheerleaders new game-day practice uniform.
More photos of the Redskins Cheerleaders at P-R-O here.
[Washington Redskins Cheerleaders]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders in Scotland. Watch the video here.
Thirty Knicks City Dancers candidates need your vote to make it to training camp. Cast your ballot here.
CFL Season kicks off. The 2009 Calgary Stampeders Outriders 2009 are here.
Have a Happy 4th. I’m outta here!
The popular Sideline Distraction Magazine is always a huge hit at the Convention. The Magazine features articles written by Professional Cheerleaders and photographs of ‘Sideline Hotties’ from various teams and leagues.
Dancers take a look at the magazine during a short break.
(more…)
The P-R-O Convention is all about the choreography, so “Let’s Dance!”
Lots of photos of the cheerleaders and dancers in action here.
The Philadelphia KiXX announced that the Liacouras Center will be the official location of the 2009-10 Philadelphia KiXX Dance Team auditions. The tryouts are scheduled for Thursday, July 16 at the Temple University venue, which is located at 1776 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA. Registration will begin at 5:30 pm ET.
Jillian Gonzales will return for her second season as the KiXX Dance Team Director. A six-year member and former co-captain of the Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team, Gonzales is setting the bar high for her sophomore year with the KiXX. “Not only are we looking for beautiful women with great dancing ability, we’re looking for girls with the total package. Our dancers serve as ambassadors of the KiXX, they are a major part of our public relations initiatives and I look forward to building this year’s squad,” said Gonzales of the July 16 auditions.
In addition to performing during all Philadelphia KiXX home games, the dancers will be featured in a 12-month calendar spread shot by Contrast Photography with styling done by Toppers Spa/Salon located in Rittenhouse Square of Center City, Philadelphia.
All positions of this year’s squad are available to interested dancers at least 18 years of age, as of September 1, 2009. Those interested in auditioning are encouraged to bring close-up and full-body photographs as well as their dance resume. Attire for the auditions is shorts or briefs and a crop top, tights optional.
