Rebecca and Maurisa the Philadelphia Soulmates Finals last night at Parx Casino. Jewelry courtesy of Bernie Robbins Jewelers.
By Daniel Perez
The Daily Cougar
Despite her previous experience, Shannon B. did not expect to become a Houston Texans Cheerleader.
“It was really random, because I actually cheered (at UH) for three years. After my third year, my body was really worn out because I’ve danced and cheered all my life. So, I didn’t want to cheer anymore. I just wanted to focus on getting school done so I wouldn’t be a year behind,” Shannon said.
“Two months before tryouts, I just decided I’d try out for Texans. It was totally out of the blue. I got really lucky and ended up getting the position.”
Every year, more than 1,200 women compete to become a Texans Cheerleader. The first round of tryouts is televised, and fans take a role in deciding who gets a spot. For Shannon, the pressure of fans and media attention only makes the process more exciting.
“The first round is live stream so you get to watch while we’re trying out. It’s probably one of the best rounds because it’s really fun,” Baty said. “We have our super fans and some local news reporters, and they’re our judges so it’s really fun that the fans get to decide if they want to see you on the field or not… it’s so stressful and a lot of work.”
Everyone has to try out again in order to continue cheering — no one has a secure position on the team.
“It’s actually harder to make it back,” Shannon said. “You just have to make sure you’ve improved from last season. There could be a girl who looks like you, and if she’s better, she’ll take your spot. You got to make sure you’re keeping up.”
Aside from cheering, the girls are required to have full-time jobs or be enrolled full-time at a university.
“They want you working for something…they don’t want you to give up everything you’re doing just to be a Texans cheerleader,” Baty said.
Baty fulfills more than one of the requirements with her time spent as a broadcast journalism student and coach.
“I’m a student, and I’m a cheer coach,” Shannon said. “Being a cheer coach while being a Texan is inspiring because these kids look up to me…they don’t realize that they’re inspiring me at the same time.”
The time spent with the Texans is useful for Shannon’s career as a broadcast journalist.
“Right now, I’m the one being interviewed, but one day I want to be the interviewer,” Shannon said. “I get to learn from some of the best people in the industry being a Texan Cheerleader, so it’s a good tool for getting in the direction of doing what you want to do.”
Balancing her responsibilities can be daunting, but Shannon says she does so by communicating with her professors at UH.
“I always make sure I go and talk to my professors and explain my situation because I don’t want them thinking that I just skip class. I always tell my professors when I have to go to a game, and I ask my fellow students for what I missed in class that day,” said Shannon. “They’re very understanding. I’m a full-time student, and I’m keeping up with my schoolwork at the same time as getting to experience this unique opportunity. They understand that I’m at least reaching out to the professor.”
Recently she was awarded the Judy A. Harvey scholarship.
“I wrote about what I do, including school, cheer and coaching,” Shannon said.” I ended up getting the scholarship, which was pretty rewarding because they reached out to me.”
[Shannon at HoustonTexans.com]
Jessica of the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders
Chiefs Cheerleaders visited military members and their families overseas
By Rachel Santschi
KCChiefs.com
The Chiefs Cheerleaders recently visited five military bases throughout Germany and the United Kingdom. The Cheerleaders have a long-standing relationship with the military and are continually visiting local bases, assisting in hosting military personal at Arrowhead Stadium, or traveling overseas to support our troops.
This year, the group had a few unique opportunities to support the military, including multiple local base visits, a trip to a base in Nevada and a trip overseas. Six women were selected to travel overseas and tour the five different bases.
“One of the great things about being a Chiefs Cheerleader is spending time with our military,” Stephanie Judah, Chiefs Cheerleader Director, commented. “For these six girls to have the chance to travel overseas to thank the men and women who serve our country is an incredible opportunity that I know they cherished.”
Over the years, the Chiefs Cheerleaders have also traveled to Egypt, Germany and Japan. Each visit, they work in conjunction with that base’s Post Exchange to organize several activities, including youth cheerleader clinics, social outings, and visits in hospitals to meet wounded troops.
The girls spent 11 days touring Germany and the UK, while hosting events and supporting the military.
“The purpose of the trip was to visit with the military and their families and to give them a piece of home,” Krystal, 8th year Chiefs Cheerleader, explained. “Each day, we hosted a youth clinic for boys and girls ranging in age, from five or six years old to 18 years old, then a Variety Show performance, and a meet and greet session to follow.”
Each Cheerleader truly values these trips to the military bases, but for Krystal, this trip was special.
“These visits are extremely close to my heart, since both of my parents served in the military,” Krystal said. “As a kid, I remember saying goodbye to my dad and waiting for him to come back from tour. I remember how much I missed him, so being able to hang out with the children at the bases and give them a moment of joy and happiness, truly meant the world to me. Since I didn’t follow in my dad’s footsteps and join military, I feel like this is my way to contribute and give back. It has also brought us closer together as we have stories to share and bond over.”
When they arrived at each base, they were welcomed with open arms and beaming smiles. All of the girls were overwhelmed with emotions and very thankful for the response they received and the opportunities they had to impact these families’ lives.
“I have always had a special place in my heart for the military and I was overjoyed with each and every moment I got to spend with not only the soldiers, but the wives, girlfriends, and even children,” Kassi, 2nd year Chiefs Cheerleader and UMKC graduate, noted. “The responses and the reactions were that of gratitude and appreciation. It didn’t matter whether they were a Broncos fan, Raiders fan, or not a fan at all. They made a point to tell us thank you. The kids acted like we were celebrities, it was a great opportunity.”
The girls came back to the states with some incredible stories and memories they will never forgot and cherish always.
“It’s so hard to pick just one favorite memory, but I’d have to say that one of my favorite memories during our cheer clinics was teaching the kids and their families The Chop,” Leslie, 2nd year Chiefs Cheerleader and Mizzou graduate, said. “As I watched the families and their children participate, I witnessed the same feeling of pride and excitement as I get on game day watching our fans at Arrowhead. Whether they were Chiefs fans or not, they all came together to support us and our organization with such enthusiasm.”
The group also had the chance to tour the bases, learn the different jobs and responsibilities of the members on the base and get a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to be in the military.
“My favorite part of the trip was being able to tour the workplaces of our service men and women,” Hayley, 4th year Chiefs Cheerleader from Peculiar, MO, said. “We were able to see them in their element, hear about their pride in their work and really get to know them. It was eye opening to see the day in and day out work our military puts into such a large variety of jobs. It made me even more appreciative of these men and women and gave us a better understanding of the impact each individual has on the big picture.”
The girls returned with an even greater appreciation for these men and women and were incredibly thankful for the experience and opportunity to serve and thank these brave families.
“It didn’t matter who their home team was on Sunday afternoons or what color jersey they had in their drawer, we were a part of a bigger picture — a representation of the NFL and the USA, which brought a familiarity of home to the servicemen and women and their families,” Pamela, 2nd year Chiefs Cheerleader from Blue Springs, MO, explained. “Our brief time with them was a piece of home and I truly believe that we made a difference and touched the lives of these families and conversely they forever changed ours.”
These girls truly value their time visiting the military and were thankful for the chance to impact these men and women’s lives overseas. In turn, they had life changing experiences as well, learning a lot about themselves and caught a glimpse of life in the military.
“Nothing was better than getting to spend so much time with these military men and women and really get a different feel for what they do every day,” Brooke, 3rd year Chiefs Cheerleader from Liberty, MO, said. “The families were amazing and touched my heart to the fullest. It really put everything into perspective. All military men and women need to be thanked more often. They constantly put their lives on the line and we are so proud to support them and give back to them in this small way.”
In addition to these international military visits, the Chiefs also honor the troops locally throughout the year. The Chiefs Cheerleaders make annual base visits to local military installations such as Ft. Leavenworth, Ft. Riley, Whiteman AFB and McConnell AFB.
A member of the Jacksonville Sharks Attack Dance Team
By Kimber Westphall
DallasNews.com
Although the calendar is on the cusp of wintery, frosty months, temperatures are rising in the American Airlines Center. With NBA season comes the Dallas Mavericks dance team. And it’s no secret the Mavs dancers have stellar physiques. In order to keep in tip top shape, donning the tiny uniforms, the Mavs dancers have discovered some of the best training techniques in the fitness arena. We got an exclusive look into the Mavs dancers’ exercise training rituals.
When the Mavs dancers are performing center court, it’s not just about the hair flip. It involves every muscle in the body, especially the core. But when the dancers aren’t shaking it with their latest dance number, they focus on tightening up the core with planks. Challenge them with any variation of planks and they have it mastered.
One of their favorite variations is a plank with hip dips side to side. This move is easily replicated at home. No gym membership or equipment required. The dancers recommend doing three sets of 10 hip dips on each side.
To complement a set of cut, slender abs is a nice caboose. Another one of the Mavs dancers’ favorite workouts doesn’t involve spending one penny. One-leg glute lifts are a sure-fire way to get the booty burning, while getting it high and tight. With the planted leg slightly bent, the opposite leg lifts straight back, leading with the heel. To complete the move, one can hold onto a wall or concentrate on engaging the core for increased stability and balance. As pop culture has placed a concentration on the derrière, this is often a zone women wish to enhance with some hard work and sweat. The squad recommends eight to 10 lifts on each side, three times through.
And in the same region, the legs mustn’t go without some exercise attention. All one needs for this move is a stepping stool or even a staircase. One of the dancers’ favorite variations of the good ol’ fashion lunge is adding an elevated knee. With one foot on the step, lunge straight back and then lift the free leg up towards the chest with the knee bent. Not only is this giving the quadriceps and hamstrings an ample workout, the core is engaging for balance, getting an extra workout too. Three is the magic number again. The women find that three sets of 10 on each side does the trick.
And moving up the body, those arms require sculpting attention too. One of the team’s favorite moves involves an exercise band that can be purchased at any athletic equipment store. But the band isn’t a necessity for this move. It can always be executed with dumbbells or even soup cans that are already nestled in the pantry.
Upright rows are the dancers’ go-to moves for shoulders and arms. Depending on the weight or resistance of the band, eight to 10 reps are recommended, three times through.
So with these tips from the Mavs dancers themselves, sculpted limbs can be stashed under bulky holiday sweaters this winter. Just because the layers pile up, doesn’t mean the gym routine goes flat.
Thanks to reader Mike for this photo of the Eagles Cheerleaders from last week’s Pep Rally Party.
Auditions for the 2015 Philadelphia Soulmats took place earlier this month at the Soul Practice Facility in South Jersey.
Lora and Diane
Maurisa
Rebecca
The Philadelphia Soul will hold the final round of Soulmates auditions on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at Parx Casino, located at 2999 Street Road in Bensalem, PA. The finals will be open to the public and begin at 7pm, following a Soul Connect event, which will be held from 6-7pm. Soulmates Coach & Choreographer, Michelle Spaventa, along with a star-studded judging panel will determine the final 2015 Soulmates roster. Judges include- Soul Assistant Coach Phil Bogle, current Eagles player Bennie Logan, former Eagles player Hollis Thomas, radio personality Harry Mayes and 2013 Sexy Singles and former LFL player, Angie Perfetto.
“We see a great deal of potential in this group of girls,” said choreographer, Michelle Spaventa. “They have worked hard throughout the audition, Boot Camp and the interview processes and I could not be more excited to see who makes it to the final roster.”
