The Friday Flyer
May 14, 2010
Local Charger fans will have another reason to cheer when football season begins, since local resident Nicole Lawson was recently selected to be on the San Diego Chargers Cheerleaders Team.
The daughter of John and Sandi Lawson, Nicole began dancing at the age of 5. She was a member of the all-star dance team at Touché in Temecula and was on the Temescal Canyon High School dance team her senior year.
Nicole is a 2007 graduate of TCHS and a 2008 graduate of Paul Mitchell cosmetology school. She currently works at California Styles in the Canyon Lake Towne Center.
The preliminary tryout process to become a Charger Girl began on a Sunday, with more than 470 girls trying out, and ended four days later with the announcement of the 28-member team. Nicole says the girls were taught a routine and, after the first cut, 212 girls remained. After a second cut, 69 girls remained. The girls were interviewed in front of a panel of eight judges. They also had to create their own dance routine and perform a routine taught to them.
When the final 28 numbers were announced, Nicole says it took her a while to realize they had called her number and, when she did, she says, “I was speechless.” Charger Girls must re-tryout each year and this year’s team consists of eight returning members and 20 rookies.
The girls were given a week off before gathering for a weekend at the Omni Hotel for a mini camp, where Nicole says they did a lot of team bonding. Practices began on May 3 and are held two days a week and one Saturday a month until the season starts, at which time they will practice once a week. Nicole is the second Canyon Laker in recent years to make the final cut. Natalie Morrison made the final cut to become a Charger Girl in April 2006.
The Charger Girls are the official dance team of the San Diego Chargers. They perform primarily at home games and are very active in the community and donate time to charity groups. Nicole says most of the travel involved is for promotional and charity events. Her position at California Styles, where she has worked for almost two years, provides the flexibility she needs to schedule her clients around practices and games.
[Why yes, that is one of my photos they posted with the article. Imagine that! ~sasha]
Second try’s a charm for former Husky
Lauren Glendenning
Vail Correspondent
Post Independent
May 15, 2010
VAIL VALLEY, Colorado — Megan Brooks has danced ever since she was a little girl, but she never imagined she’d be dancing on the sidelines at Denver Broncos games as a cheerleader.
It’s just starting to sink in for Brooks, 21, that she is officially a Broncos cheerleader. The Battle Mountain High School graduate found out Sunday night that she made the team this year after barely losing out for a spot on last year’s team.
“A sport like this is something you really have a passion for,” Brooks said.
Brooks said she couldn’t have made the Broncos team without her Battle Mountain High School coach, Andrea Glass.
“She made a huge difference,” Brooks said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”
Brooks also humbly credits Liz Harris, her dance coach at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she’s been dancing since her freshman year. Brooks is applying to physical therapy schools this summer and would likely begin school next fall. She plans to graduate from University of Colorado in December.
While she has aspirations that go well beyond dancing, Brooks just wasn’t ready to say good-bye to her dancing career.
“I don’t want to stop,” Brooks said. “It’s so hard to pursue an actual career in dance.”
Becoming a Broncos cheerleader is about more than just the dancing, though. Brooks said the cheerleaders participate in a lot of promotional and charity events — something she’s especially looking forward to doing.
“I’m excited about interacting with the community,” she said. “It’s a pretty neat opportunity.”
The Broncos gig is a part-time, paid job, and it comes at a perfect time in Brooks’ life. She has just one more semester at school and said she’s ready to make the commitment.
There’s a big responsibility that goes with cheering on Colorado’s beloved pro football team. She’s a role model, now, and she said she is ready to be a leader.
“You’re a role model for a lot of people [as a Broncos cheerleader],” Brooks said. “I have to be very conscious of what I’m doing at all times — I’m excited to take on that responsibility. I have the character to take that on.”
Brooks’ mother, Muffy Brooks, said she’s so proud to see her daughter reach the goals that she has set for herself.
“Parents are excited for their children when they’re happy,” Muffy Brooks said. “I think it’s truly an opportunity.”
Megan Brooks will have her work cut out for her in the coming months — the new job isn’t glamorous all the time. She has two full days of training next weekend, and then the team goes into their practice schedule, which is five hours each on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Megan Brooks is ready to do what it takes, she said. She’s just happy when she’s dancing, and now she has one of the largest stages in which to do it.
The Dolphins chose their 2010 Cheerleaders at after the candidate performed at Aventura Mall last weekend. One great thing about having the final round of auditions in public is that it makes easier to find coverage out here on the internet.
Click here to watch a video feature on the Dolphins website.
Click here for photos of the dance portion of finals
Click here for photos of the individual talent presentations.
Warning: this video is LOUD. You might want to dial down the volume a little before playing it.
NBC DFW
5/15/2010
The dreams of a couple hundred young women have been dashed. More than 600 auditioned Saturday for a chance to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, but only about half make it to the next round.
“My goal today is just to do my very best and to know that I did my very best,” said Nina Perez, an auditioner from Dallas.
That’s about all you can do when you’re up against such stiff competition from hundreds of hopefuls.
“I made it to training camp last year and was cut,” said Ashley Kelly, of Belton. “I have been training almost every day now for three years and I still haven’t made the squad, so it’s a huge commitment for me and my family.”
And it’s not just about dancing.
“There’s tanning involved, primping, curling,” Perez said, showing her bag of supplies. “Plenty of different eyeshadows. I have two different kinds of hairsprays.”
The chosen ones will have these traits in common: the moves, the personality, the smile. But the judges also are looking for diversity in skin color, hair color, and looks.
“There are so many of us girls that put in so many months and nights and long weekends and dedicate really to this one day,” Destine Grobe, of McKinney, said.
They get just a few precious seconds on the dance floor to leave a lasting impression.
“The floor was a little slippery, so that was a little scary,” said Caylen Fields, of Corsicana.
“I felt like the music went on forever. That’s what I was thinking,” said Lauren Gibler, of Santa Barbara, Calif.
“I was very nervous, and you can only think of so much to do, so I hope I did really well,” said Ashley Reynolds, of San Angelo.
As far as what music will be played, “you have no clue, so you just have to hold your position, you know, for the first couple counts. And you’re like, ok and go,” said Kenley Minchew, of Baton Rouge.
All the women can hope for is that the judges will be impressed enough to send them to the next round of auditions.
Saturday’s auditions were the first in the new stadium. The ladies who made the cut will move on to the semifinals. Those who make it past that round advance to the interview. After that are the finals and a written test about football and dance, and then, finally, to training camp.
Jose Lambiet
May 13, 2010
Page 2 Live
[Photos]
There’s new blood on the Miami Dolphins cheerleading squad — and the hottie’s from the TCoast.
Brianne Herndon,18, an ex-honor student from John Carroll High School in Fort Pierce, just went from die-hard Dol-fan to leggy SunLife Stadium sideline eye candy.
So, why did a freshly graduated Catholic schoolgirl want to end up on an NFL cheerleading squad?
“Well, ever since I was little, I always wanted to try out for the Miami Dolphins,” Herndon tells Page2Live’s Sheli Muniz. “It feels awesome . . . like a dream come true.”
Port St. Lucie resident Herndon, who’s been training for the Dolphins tryouts since January, was picked from among more than 600 wannabes, said the Fins’ cheerleading boss, Emily Newton. Herndon and 76 other hopefuls made it to the final cuts over the weekend. And 42 made the squad after strutting their stuff in front of shoppers and DWTS-style judges at the Aventura Mall.
“Right off the bat,” Newton said, “she has such a stunning presence, confidence that just comes out. She seemed like a great candidate, easy fit for the team.”
Herndon described the process as “emotionally draining and nerve-wracking.”
“I’m looking forward to cheering at the games, doing the charity events, and being out there in front of 90,000 people and supporting my favorite football team,” said Herndon, who’s been dancing ballet, tap, and hip hop since she could walk.
And she’s actually excited about driving four hours round trip to the stadium for practices and games. Now, if only the Fins could win a couple big games . . .
“Chatting With the ChivaGirls” is back for the 2010 MLS season! This video series highlights each individual ChivaGirl, giving you a chance to learn a bit more about the ladies on the team. Let’s start this season off with veterans Emi and Mandi:
This is the 3rd and Final Tryouts for the Jersey Stags/Prancers 2010 Dance Squad. We have a couple more spots open – so come out and give it your best shot! Do you love to dance and perform in front of a crowd? Do you miss dancing with a dance team? Do you want to be in the best shape of your life? Well look no more, the Prancers are looking to fill their “1st” 2010 Dance Team. The Prancers are the official dance team of the Jersey Stags Minor League Football Team www.njstags.com. Sussex and Morris Counties newest Minor League Football and Dance Team!!!
The Prancers are looking for confident dancers who are dedicated and professional. The 2010 football season is from August until October. Prancers practices will start in May and be two times a week. Tryouts will be held on Sunday, July 11th from 1:30pm-3:30pm at Fitness Factory, 350 Route 46 East, Rockaway, NJ.
The dancers bring a positive and entertaining element to the game. The Prancers are a major part of the football gaming experience. When we are not dancing at the games, we will be doing charity events, fundraisers and public appearances.
If you think you have what it takes to be part of the Prancer Dance Team, then fill out an application at www.njstags.com and come be a part of the newest Minor League Dance Team.
Attire for the Tryout:
* Please wear form fitting dance attire
* Do not wear baggy pants or tops (no sweats)
* Dance shoes of your choice
* Hair and makeup should be glamorous & attractive (hair should be down)
* You need to bring your current drivers license
* Bring a copy of your medical insurance card
* Don’t forget to bring water
* $20.00 tryout fee
This week the Philadelphia Flyers Ice Girls are featured on SportsIllustrated.com. Click here to see the photos!
Congratulations to the 22 dancers (10 vets, 12 newbies) chosen for the 2010 Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue Dancers!
(Click to view full size)
