Asiance Magazine
Jan 2011
This is Tiffany’s 2nd season with the Charger Girls and her first year serving as a team captain. A Taiwan native, Tiffany was raised by her grandmother from the age of two until the age of seven. She then moved across the world for a long-awaited reunion and met her mother for the first time that she could remember. Tiffany admires her mother for her strong-will to provide a life of opportunities and is forever grateful for her love and for the sacrifices that she has made. Tiffany attended the University of California, Irvine where she was a member of the Spirit Squad and held the position as dance captain in her final year of undergraduate education. Education has played an integral part in her life and it was because of the dedication and instruction from her teachers that she was able to immerse herself in an unfamiliar environment where English was not her first language. The presence of those particular role models in her life has led her to pursue a career in Education with the hopes of inspiring other young women.
ASIANCE: What inspired you to become an NFL Cheerleader?
Since moving to the States from Taiwan at the age of 7, I discovered dancing to be my passion. Being involved in dance throughout my childhood helped me meet new friends and integrate myself in a new and unfamiliar place. I have been on a cheer/dance team at every level: Grade school, High School, Collegiate, Semi-professional Basketball team (American Basketball Association), and the NBA (National Basketball Association). I wanted to continue my professional career by being a cheerleader in the NFL. I knew that being a part of the Chargers Organization would give me a way to positively affect the youth in my community. My goal in becoming a Charger Girl was so that I can inspire other young girls to believe in themselves and know that with dedication and hard work, their dreams can become a reality, as it did for me.
ASIANCE: What background do you have that contributed to your success as a professional cheerleader?
My first experience with dancing was through the Chinese School – After school program in my local community. I attended Chinese School on a daily bases and chose “Chinese Cultural Dance” as my elective. I joined the drill team and dance team at my middle school then went on to participate in the High School Pep Club as a JV Cheerleader a Varsity Songleader. I spent three years as a collegiate cheerleader for the University of California, Irvine. In my final year of undergraduate education, I helped the Athletic department in starting the UCI Dance Team and was selected to be a team captain for the inaugural season. I danced for a team in the American Basketball Association for one season before I was selected to be a member of the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit in the NBA. I am now a second year member of the San Diego Charger Girls and first year team captain.
ASIANCE: Did you get any resistance from your family as this occupation bucks traditional Asian Family Values?
My entire family has always been extremely supportive of me as a professional cheerleader. A majority of my family still resides in Taiwan and they see my success as a Charger Girl to be very honorable. My mother was very successful in the entertainment industry as a model and television host while she lived in Taiwan and she is very proud of the fact that I am able to fulfill my own dreams as a cheerleader for the Chargers. I believe that my family is most proud of the fact that I can juggle being an ambassador for the Chargers Organization while working as a full-time High School Teacher and as the Head Coach of the UC Irvine Spirit Squad.
ASIANCE: When did you realize you wanted to be a Chargers Cheerleader?
I have always wanted to be a Chargers Cheerleader since I was turned 18 and made the age requirement to be on the team. I took a few years to gain experience in dance before I decided to actually audition. I am thrilled to be a part of the Charger Girls, this experience has taught me so much and helped me grow immensely as an individual and as a working professional.
ASIANCE: Who is your favorite current Chargers player?
Currently, my favorite Chargers player is Philip Rivers. Rivers is an astounding leader on and off the field. As a quarterback, he has made significant strides during the season which has attracted attention from the fans and the national media, who consistently recognizes Rivers as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. I love witnessing his leadership in action on game day and admire his ability to play under pressure. As the rest of the fans will agree, Philip Rivers for MVP!
ASIANCE: What is the first thing you notice in a man?
Confidence and demeanor. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they carry themselves and by their interaction with others.
ASIANCE: What qualities do you look for in a boyfriend?
Loyalty, sense of humor, and generosity.
ASIANCE: Did you ever have a nickname given to you by a boyfriend?
None that was clever enough to remember!
ASIANCE: Name three words that describe you.
Driven, adventurous, nurturing
ASIANCE: What is your favorite activity to do in San Diego?
I love going to the San Diego Zoo!
ASIANCE: What is your best feature?
Character feature – I have been told that I have the ability to make others feel comfortable in any setting. I think that I have a very unassuming personality and it allows others to open up to me. I am extremely loyal to my friends and teammates and I would often put their happiness before my own.
Physical feature – my freckles! People are always shocked to learn that I have freckles. I guess it makes me unique!
ASIANCE: What is the most adventurous thing you have done?
I am a very spontaneous person and will try just about anything. I haven’t done anything that would seem out of the ordinary, but I would love to bungee jump or go sky diving some day.
ASIANCE: What is the best part about being a Chargers Cheerleader?
It is difficult to choose just one best thing about being a charger cheerleader. I would say that the biggest reward is knowing that I am a positive role model for young girls. Our annual Jr. Charger Girl program allows us to work closely with girls who look up to us. We are enabled to give them positive reinforcement and encourage them to always work towards their goals and never give up for something that they dream of.
ASIANCE: Do you think that Asian/Asian American Women are finally making strides on the professional cheerleading squads?
A great thing about professional cheerleading is the diversity of each particular team. Cheerleading is becoming more popular in Asian countries and it is no surprise that Asian American Women are represented on numerous teams in professional sports. Diversity is great because it contributes to the uniqueness of each team.
ASIANCE: What is the greatest accomplishment in your life thus far?
Becoming a High School teacher has been one of my greatest accomplishments in my life so far. As an immigrant to the states, I could barely recite the alphabet and I never imagined that I would work in the field of education to help teach other children. I have personally felt the powerful affect that good teachers have on students, and I am so glad to be in a position where I can influence other individuals to achieve their greatest potential.
ASIANCE: Can you tell us about a crazy fan/stalker incident?
I have been fortunate enough to have great fans that are very respectful and supportive in what I do. One of my favorite parts about being a professional cheerleader is being able to interact with our fans. The chance to talk to others at events and appearances makes my experience on the team so much more personal and enjoyable. I love being able to relate to others and even more, I really enjoy hearing some of the stories they share with me.
ASIANCE: Where do you hope your NFL Cheerleading experience will lead you to?
I feel extremely fulfilled having achieved the goal of becoming a Charger Girl. I have been given many wonderful opportunities to travel as a representative for the Chargers Organization and share my love for football and dance with others around the world. The organization also introduced me to the Make-A-Wish Foundation which has now become my favorite charity. I hope to stay involved in the charities supported by the Chargers and continue to travel in attempt to inspire others!
ASIANCE: You all look so gorgeous on the field. How do you manage to look so perfectly coiffed throughout the routines and in all types of weather?
Thanks for the complement! We have a wonderful support team that help us look our best out on the field on game day. Thanks to the stylists at Travis Parker Salon and our make-up artists from M.A.C., we try our best to look flawless on the field.
ASIANCE: Do you have any “beauty secrets” that you can share with our readers?
A few things I always carry in my purse: lip gloss, mints, and a teasing comb!
ASIANCE: What advice do you have for young girls aspiring to become NFL Cheerleaders?
What I would tell young girls is that the most important thing is to believe in yourself and believe in your abilities and talents. Never give up on your dreams. Everything happens for a reason and that a few bumps in the road will make you stronger and help you appreciate the meaning of success.
Sweethearts for Soldiers is accepting applications for their 2011 group!
“Sweethearts for Soldiers” is the brain child of former NFL Cheerleaders Bari Yonkers and Tonya Helman. During their time with the NFL, both women had the opportunity to participate in several tours in support of our military and felt it was one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. In 2006, Bari and Tonya dreamed up Sweethearts for Soldiers as a way to continue supporting the military, even after retiring their pom poms. They began with just a handful of former cheerleaders. Today the group has grown to include over two dozen women, who are alumni of more 17 different NFL and NBA dance teams. The Sweethearts produce a yearly charity calendar, visit military bases stateside and overseas, and take their variety show on the road as a way to give back to those who fight for us on a daily basis.
Click here to meet the 2010 Sweethearts.
Do you want to be a Sweetheart? Check our these requirements:
* You must be a former NFL/NBA cheerleader
* You must attain one sponsor ad for the calendar
* You must attend a minimum of one sponsor event and one additional event throughout the year
* If selected for the touring team you must have a valid passport
If this sounds right up your alley, click here for details and application materials.
It’s 90 solid minutes of action packed entertainment.
Part 1
Opening performance in DCC Uniform
DCC welcome/introductions
Dance: Candy man performed by the group
Solo Song: The House That Built Me (Miranda Lambert) sung by Cassie Trammell
Dance: Rock and Roll mix performed by the group
Dance: Every Moment (Joy Williams) performed by Brittany Evans, Whitney Isleib, and Evan Anderson
(Cut off in the middle)
Part 2
Dance: the rest of “Every Moment”
Dance: Country girl mix Performed by the group
Meredith gets three “volunteers” from the crowd
Dance: “All I Want for Christmas” Crystal, Trisha, and Kelsi (feather boa dance)
Dance: “You Can Leave Your Hat On” (Joe Cocker) performed by Ashton Torres, Brittany Evans, Whitney Isleib, and Evan Anderson
Dance: Hip hop mix performed by the group
Song/Dance: “Imagine” performed by Cassie Trammell, Brittany Evens, Whitney Isleib
Kelsi and Crystal’s pushup contest
Dance: Soldier mix performed by the group (Cut off in the middle)
Part 3
Lots of good stuff happens in this part, but unfortunately the audio was disabled by YouTube. (Grrrr…)
Melissa loves to read Harry Potter books
This is the fifth post of a weekly LA Times series that helps you get to know the Laker Girls
Mark Medina
LA Times Lakers Blog
January 1, 2011
Laker Girl name: Melissa
Hometown: Oceanside, CA
Years on the Laker Girls squad: 1 year
Area of Residence: Northridge, CA
College/High School: Oceanside High School, Graduated from CSU Fullerton, Currently doing graduate work at CSU Northridge.
What prompted you to want to become a Laker Girl? I wanted to become a Laker Girl because I wanted to be part of the premier dance team in the NBA! Most importantly, I wanted to grow as a person. I wanted to be more involved in the community and also improve my social skills, dancing abilities, and public speaking skills.
What do you think stood out to the judging panel, about you, regarding your audition? I think my confidence helped me stand out to the judging panel during my audition. I tried to show my confidence through my presence, my dancing, and the way I spoke to the judges. When trying out for the squad, for your first year, I think one needs to work extra hard to catch the judges attention. Gosh, there are hundreds of other girls competing for the same spot! So, confidence is very important when it comes to auditioning for the Laker Girls.
What do you think makes a good Laker Girl? There is not just one thing makes a good Laker Girl……I think it is a combination of many things. It consists of a whole package, which includes: excellent dance technique, great people skills, confidence, talent and enjoys being a philanthropist.
What is your dance experience? I started dancing at 5 years old. Since then I have studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and contemporary. My favorite styles of dance are jazz and hip hop! I have also danced for the Disneyland Resort, Los Angeles Clippers, several professional artists and television specials.
Favorite dance routine, while being a Laker Girl? My favorite dance routine is to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song “Higher Ground.” It’s a fun and up beat routine that gets our hearts pumping!
Favorite uniform? My favorite uniform is one of our newest ones this season called the “Gold Metallic.” It’s my favorite because, under the lights at STAPLES Center , the material it is made out of adds a great shimmer while we are performing on the court!
Favorite Lakers Player? Derek Fisher and Steve Blake!
Favorite Laker Girl memory so far? Getting the call from our Director, Lisa Estrada, saying that I made the 2010-2011 Lakers Girls Squad!!
What do you like most about being involved, as a Laker Girl, at local charity/community events? I love that as Laker Girls we have the opportunity to make a person’s day brighter at our charity events. It seems that when we spend time with people at community events, we make such a positive difference in their day……at times, maybe even their whole lives! I am very appreciative to be in this position and able to do that for others!
What would you say is your beauty secret? SLEEP! Being a Laker Girl and a full time student, I’m always on the go! So, for myself sleep is key to re-energize. It helps me maintain my health as well! (inside & out)
What diet/workout tips do you have? My Diet tips: Eat daily servings of fruits and veggies. Most importantly hydrate – Drink lots of water! Water and healthy nutrition is what gives you energy to work out and get through your day. Also, while working out, one major tip I go by is to sweat! Sweat is a great indicator that you are getting a beneficial work out.
What are your hobbies? Other than dancing, I love to read! It may sound dorky, but I love Harry Potter!! I am re-reading the last book in the series before watching the final movie. Other hobbies I have are….. going to the beach, kick boxing and spending time with my family & friends.
Career aspirations? I’m currently studying to be a teacher. I have a passion working with kids and look forward to starting my career in education!
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders spent their Christmas evening performing for the men and women stationed at Camp Casey in South Korea. Click here for lots of photos from their variety show.
The Houston gals are tearing it up in Texas. Click here to check out the newest gallery on SportsIllustrated.com!
by Sgt. Opal Vaughn
USAG Yongsan Public Affairs
Dec 27, 2010
[Photos]
GARRISON YONGSAN, Republic of Korea – Dubbed “America’s Sweethearts” the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are one of the most popular cheerleader squads of the National Football League.
DCC have toured throughout the military installations of the United States and overseas locations since 1979, which all started with South Korea. This year’s stop is no exception as the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders entertained Servicemembers and their families for the Christmas holiday season while visiting at Collier Fitness Center, Garrison Yongsan, Dec. 26.
“I love being able to come overseas to Korea and support the Troops. It’s just a small way of us showing our appreciation for what the Troops are over here doing,” said DCC squad member Trisha Trevino. “We understand the sacrifices that you all make and it’s really cool that we’re in a position where we can wear the Cowboys’ Cheerleaders uniform and bring the brand over here. It puts us in a position to be able to travel and actually make an impact when we arrive and we meet the Troops, when we talk to them, when we perform for them.”
Before the founding of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC), the football team’s cheer squad was a male-female group called CowBelles & Beaux in 1960. The squad was made up of local high school students. At the time cheerleading was a rookie sport of exhorting the audience to show support for a team.
“This is my very first USO tour, my first time to Korea, my first time overseas – first time everything pretty much,” smiled DCC squad member Sydney Durso. “I’m so excited. So far the experience has been amazing. The girls have been asking me ‘is it what you thought?’ Honestly, I couldn’t even imagine what it was going to be like and it’s just blown me away on how amazing it’s been so far. Hopefully, I’ll be able to visit again after this. I don’t want this to be the last time. I’ve had so many great experiences so far I would like to just keep adding to that.”
“Well being away from my family – we discussed that we’re going to celebrate Christmas when I get back – so I’ve emotionally prepared myself not to get sad. I know all the Soldiers that are away from their families so much longer than we are on this trip so it meant more for me to come here and visit them and to put smiles on their faces because I know that my family will be there with Christmas when I get home. I mean, it’s actually starting to settle in right now actually, that Christmas is almost over in my hometown. But it’s okay I’m in a great mood and I’m happy to be performing tonight,” said Durso.
Everywhere across the country or around the world that any of these ladies appear, people congregate looking for the opportunity for a photograph, an autograph, or a few moments to say hello.
“Everyone wants to make a difference and everyone wants to show their appreciation,” Trevino smiled. “It’s really cool that the DCC organization and the USO have given us that opportunity to come overseas and we can actually do it. We can actually make a difference, put smiles on their faces and really does mean a lot to us like when we sit one-on-one with the different military men and women and we learn about them. I love coming over here and meeting them and learning their stories. It’s just a really cool way that we can give back to them. It’s so small compared to what you all do for us over here.”
“This is my sixth year as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and my fourth time to Korea,” added Trevino. “It’s definitely hard to be away from our families during the holidays but we also understand that the Troops are away from their families at home for every single day of the year. We all make sacrifices and adjustments at home. Like my family celebrated Christmas before I left and it is hard, we’re all human and we like to be with our families over Christmas. But it also really helps whenever we can visit the Troops and their thanking us, overly thanking us for being here. It really helps us to be able to be away from our families because we can hang out with you all. You guys make us feel so appreciated. It definitely helps.”
Prior to the performance the cheerleaders hung out with the youth cheerleaders from Yongsan for a workshop. They also signed autographs and took pictures with Servicemembers and their families after the show.
As the saying goes, “They are often imitated… never equaled… They are the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders!”
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Show Group visited the Humphreys Army base in South Korea on Tuesday as part of the annual USO Hope and Freedom Tour. Click here to see a few photos from their visit.
