Sasha – Page 23 – Ultimate Cheerleaders

The Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue dance team has announced the members of their 2015 training camp. Congratulations!

2015 DCRB Training Camp_640

By Abigail Ventress
The Houstonian
April 29, 2015

Identical twins and Sam Houston State University students, Jordan and Randi Lane, recently made the Houston Texans Cheerleading Team. Over 1,200 girls tried out for the team and only 34 were selected.

“As long as we can remember, we have always loved the HTC dance style,” Randi Lane said. “We see the ladies as role models, and it is truly a dream come true.”

The twins have danced for 13 years and have taught dance for five years. They began dancing competitively at the age of six and have always danced together. Jordan and Randi often performed duet dances at competitions.

“We have stuck with dance because it has been a lifelong passion of ours,” Jordan Lane said. “It is a hobby that we will never stop loving.”

To prepare for tryouts, the twins did gym workouts at least three times a week and focused on eating healthier. They also ordered identical uniforms online and hand-decorated them with rhinestones.

“Coming from a huge dance background, we felt very confident throughout the rounds,” Jordan Lane said. “But since over 1,200 girls were auditioning, we still had that bit of uncertainty and nervousness in the back of our minds.”

The day of tryouts, the twins arrived at the Houston Methodist Training Center for registration. The staff intentionally assigned the twins consecutive tryout numbers in order for them to be able to be side by side throughout the entire process.

“We were very nervous and excited the morning of tryouts,” Randi Lane said. “We definitely saw [being twins] as an advantage and felt very privileged to have each other as support. Our dancing is so identical that we felt it would make us stand out.”

Tryouts began with stretching and a group dance party. Following the dance party, candidates began round one, which consisted of performing the dance in groups of five for the judges. There were three rounds during the tryout process, and as the rounds progressed, the dance combinations became more challenging.

“The fact that we only had about 15 minutes to learn a dance and 10 minutes to go over it was quite challenging,” Jordan Lane said. “It was very sad to see the ladies that got cut have to pack their belongings and leave the tryouts.”

After each round, the groups would meet in front of a projector screen to see the tryout numbers of the girls that would be continuing to the next round. At the end of the night, 50 finalists were selected to attend training camp.

“It is so nice to always have a supporter and shoulder to lean on,” Randi Lane said. “If one of us does not pick up choreography as quickly, the other is quick to help. The best part of tryouts was seeing our numbers up on the finalist board. It gave us such a rush, and we could not wait to call our family and tell them the good news.”

The 50 finalists moved onto training camp, where 34 girls were chosen to be members of the Houston Texans Cheerleading Team. Both of the twins’ numbers appeared on the projector to let them know they were selected as part of the team. The announcement of the new team was streamed live on the Internet. The first people Jordan and Randi shared the news with were their parents.

“We were extremely excited, grateful, and could not contain our happiness,” Jordan Lane said. “Tryouts lasted from about 3:30 p.m. to 11:30p.m. We booked a room at a hotel because we live so far away, and we did not know how long tryouts would take.”
The twins have already begun their practices as Houston Texans Cheerleaders. They work out with a trainer twice a week and practice dances three days a week.

“The practices are very strenuous, but a lot of fun,” Randi Lane said. “We share a vehicle and take turns driving to and from practices.”

Being a Texans cheerleader comes with benefits such as a pay check, free tanning and hair, according to the twins.

“We love to perform in front of a crowd,” Randi Lane said. “It is an adrenaline rush and makes us feel very confident. We are going to see how this year goes and enjoy every minute of it.”

The twins celebrated their 19th birthday earlier this month. They are both fashion merchandising majors.

“Since we are both fashion merchandising majors, we hope to one day work together in the fashion industry,” Jordan Lane said. “We keep a healthy balance between our education and our work as cheerleaders. We take time on the weekends to do extra homework and stay up to date on assignments.”

The sisters have never had to compete against each other. Because they are identical, they are often confused as the opposite twin. One way to distinguish between the two is Jordan being a bit taller than Randi.

“People are constantly comparing us, but it has no effect on us because we love each other no matter what,” Jordan Lane said. “We get confused everyday of our lives. Because we are identical, we don’t blame people for getting confused.”

The twins said they are excited for their first year as Texans cheerleaders. They will be balancing their cheerleading career as well as being students of SHSU.

“Ever since we can remember, we have always been a great team together whether it be teaching dance, playing sports or performing,” Randi Lane said. “Therefore, this is second nature to us. It is so unbelievably exciting to have your best friend with you every step of the way and to always receive constant support from each other. We are so blessed to be able to experience this opportunity together and look forward to enjoying every minute of it.”

Virginia Olson
The Argus Leader
April 30, 2015

After three seasons as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Ashley Ferrel says she is “hanging up her boots.”

Ferrel, a 2004 Washington High School graduate, has been cheering professionally since 2012. But with a master’s degree in counseling and a marriage of five years, Ferrel is stepping away to pursue a career and start a family.

Ferrel was a High Stepper at Washington before she went on to dance at the University of Nebraska for the Scarlets. It was there that she couldn’t let go of the idea to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader — to wear the ionic outfit and dance on the sidelines on the biggest stage around, AT&T Stadium.

“I grew up as a dancer,” she said. “I had been involved in dance, jazz and ballet since I was 6. Ballet was my first love. Becoming a dancer was something I always wanted to do.”

Inspired by her mother, Angela Nieman, who owns and directs Champion Legacy Dance in Sioux Falls, Ferrel says she learned the value of hard work.

“My mom taught me by example,” said Ferrel. “She showed me that it takes perseverance to get what you want.”

Ferrel moved to Austin, Texas, in 2010 and received her M.A. in counseling in 2012. That year, she tried out for the cheerleading team, competing against 600 others for one of 39 spots.

Professional cheerleading is a year-round commitment. Ferrel cheered at 10 Dallas football games each season and attended practices three to five nights a week from 7 to 10 p.m., along with making many special appearances.

“Each game day was a workout because you move for three hours straight. The biggest challenge is to keep your energy level on high,” Ferrel said. “It’s so important because the Dallas Cowboy fans are the best.”

But Ferrel admits criticism sometimes seems to follow professional cheerleaders.

“Sometimes it is tough feedback that you don’t want to hear,” she said. “You just have to trust in your heart.”

Ferrel says her career as a professional cheerleader has had highlights, including her work with children and at veterans hospitals in Dallas. Then there were the Thanksgiving Day halftime shows with Kenny Chesney, Selena Gomez and Pitbull, as well as traveling to Mexico to be part of the Dallas Cowboys annual swimsuit calendar.

She admits she is a true Dallas Cowboys fan and has met owner Jerry Jones, calling him “polite and quite sweet.”

Ferrel continues to inspire young girls in Sioux Falls.

“What Ashley has achieved after moving from South Dakota to pursue a personal dream shows determination,” said Carla Thomsen, whose children danced with Ferrel at Washington High. “She serves as a good mentor to other young South Dakota dancers and cheerleaders. Watching what she has accomplished shows that hard work and perseverance will pay off.” Thomsen believes that although Ferrel was a professional cheerleader, she still made it a point achieve her personal career goals.

Ferrel says her husband, Chris, has been supportive of her cheerleading. But, she says, “I am ready to be home with him and enjoy the freedom to go on a vacation when we want.”

She returns to Sioux Falls frequently to be with family and maintains connections with Champion Legacy Dance, meeting up for competitions in various parts of the country.

“I still work with my mom’s studio, traveling back to Sioux Falls to set choreography for competition teams as well as travel with them to national competitions. Just recently I met them in Orlando, Fla., for Dance Worlds.”

Ferrel currently works as an academic adviser at Southern Methodist University and is a licensed professional counselor-intern at New Leaf Clinic in North Dallas. She and her husband plan to remain in Texas. And, of course, she will continue to dance.

For Ferrel, life is all about being true to yourself, finding something that you love and following your dreams.

“To be a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader was a milestone for me. And it was lots of fun,” said Ferrel. “But there are more of those out there to achieve.”

The New Orleans VooDoo Dolls dance team is here! Click here to check out their poster and individual headshots on AFLVooDoo.com!

The LA KISS website has been updated with new cameo shots of this year’s dance team. Stay tuned, bios should be coming soon.

By Tim Hawk
South Jersey Times
April 28, 2015

PHILADELPHIA — Sixty finalists stood backstage at the Kimmel Center, inside the Perelman Theater, many holding hands with their eyes closed while others appeared to say a prayer, as the 38 names of the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleading squad were announced.

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[[More photos at PhiladelphiaEagles.com]]

The final audition show, which lasted more than two hours in front of a loud and vocal sold-out crowd, featured competitions in physical fitness, beauty and dance, and lastly an on-stage interview.

“Best crop of girls since I have been here,” said choreographer Suzy Zucker, as the women prepared for the physical fitness portion of the show. Zucker has been the choreographer for the Eagles cheerleading squad for the past 10 years.

In a warm and crowded dressing room, Amanda Grace practiced her dance moves with other hopefuls minutes before the start of the audition. “I get more nervous every year,” said the 4-year veteran cheerleader.

The physical fitness and dance portion of the event moved quickly as the women prepared for the last category, the on-stage interview, which is considered to be the most nerve wracking.

Veteran cheerleader Pilar Martin paced in the hallway, preparing herself for the interview, as a group of women walked swiftly past her to change after dancing on stage.

As the Q&A session came to an end, the newest Eagles acquisitions — Seyi Ajirotutu and Ryan Mathews — were introduced while the judges made their final decision.

One by one, the cheerleaders walked on stage as their names were called, waving to the crowd and breathing a sigh of relief.

Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@southjerseymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @photogthawk. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

FOX10 News | WALA

By Hillary Stepney
Fox10tv.com
April 28, 2015

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) – Kriste Lewis, 41, has again made the Saintsations cheerleader roster.

Lewis auditioned for the team last year as a fitness goal, and a 40th birthday gift to herself. She immediately garnered national recognition for her accomplishment.

“It was a whirlwind. It went by so fast, and it was such an amazing experience,” said Lewis of her first season with the team. “It brought so much joy to my life, I felt like I just had to do it again.”

Her story became even more inspirational because of her illness. She was diagnosed 15 years ago with polycystic kidney disease; a disease that will eventually require dialysis, a kidney transplant, and currently has no cure.

“I honestly had no idea that anyone would be interested in my story, but just being able to share it with people, I think has really been a blessing for me,” Lewis said. “I was very guilty of not letting people know about my health issues, and this has kind of been able to give me a platform to discuss that and to be a voice for others.”

For the moment, she remains positive and enjoys her many trips with the team and her fellow cheerleaders. There are 36 members on the squad, nine of those members being from the Hattiesburg area.

Although the girl time, pom-poms, and uniforms are fun, Lewis is also a wife and mother of two boys, 12 and 15 years old. She balances her time between the Superdome, and her home with grace.

“The difference between Sunday and Monday is that on Sunday, I’m in the Superdome, there are 80,000 fans, we’re cheering, dancing, signing autographs, taking pictures, and on Monday morning, I’m right back into mom mode,” Lewis said with a laugh. “I’m ironing school uniforms, making school lunches. It’s such a contrast and I love that.”

The Saintsations only allow each member a maximum of four years on the team. Tentatively, Lewis plans to audition next year as well.

“I would love to do it as many times as I can,” said Lewis. “A lot of that will depend on my family situation, right now with our family dynamics it works really well. My boys are old enough to understand and really enjoy what we’re doing. As long as it works with my family, and my health is good, I would love to continue to do it for four years.”

Final auditions for the Vikings Cheerleaders took place last night, and 35 ladies (22 veterans and 13 rookies) were selected to the team. Congrats to all!

Click here to see the headshots
Click here for photos from finals

Interesting factoid: Among those selected were Karmen and Kirsten, former Sioux Falls Storm Dancers, and now the 6th pair of twins to join the ranks of NFL Cheerleaders this season.

The Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders audition process continued on Sunday with their semi finals pageant at the Pantages Theater. In a process unique to the MVC, the semi final pageant is when that year’s calendar girls are announced. Those 8-10 ladies that scored the highest. This year, the honors went to these talented ladies:

Top row: Brooklyn*, Jeanne, Kelsey, and Jacqui
Bottom row: Kayla, Blair, Kaitlyn, and Melissa
*rookie candidate