Click here to check out Scott Kegley’s photo blog from San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush final auditions. It looks like they changed a few things up this year. Check out this video.
By Stephanie Porter-Nichols
SWVA Today
April 6, 2010
Angie Mountain loves all things to do with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. She collects their memorabilia, and got a Cowboys jacket one Christmas.
The Chilhowie woman is a devoted follower of the television show Making the Squad on CMT, watching every week as hopefuls try out for coveted spots on arguably the most famous cheering squad in the world.
On Friday, she got to meet her idols in person. Actually as a Very Important Person.
This dream-come-true story began for Angie about a year ago when she said she wanted tickets to see the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, her mom, Beverly Mountain, said.
“We thought she was talking about a football game, and we decided to kind of just let it drop, because we didn’t think she would be able to get to Dallas,” Beverly said.
Angie didn’t drop it. In fact, she mentioned her desire to see the cheerleaders to Beverly’s niece, Ashley Dyson, who works for an attorney in Abingdon.
“Ashley called us about a month ago and said, ‘Could you take Angie to Dallas on Easter weekend? I have two tickets to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Family & Friends extravaganza,’” Beverly said.
Beverly checked the calendar and saw school would be closed. “I work at Head Start, so I knew I would be off.”
The plan was in motion, thanks to Ashley to whom all the credit goes, Beverly said. After talking with Angie, Ashley had gone to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Web site and e-mailed Brooke Alexander, a former Dallas cheerleader, Beverly said. Ashley shared with Brooke that Angie’s dream was to see the cheerleaders, and “that she wore their logos all the time.”
“A week or so later, Brooke e-mailed back,” Beverly said. She told Ashley about the 2010 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Family & Friends Show with special guest Neal McCoy at the Gaylord Texan hotel and convention center in Dallas April 2. Angie would be the cheerleaders’ guest.
The cheerleaders’ Web site said the event is an end-of-season way for the squad to thank their network of supporters who make their time as Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders possible.
Beverly called her cousin Margaret Johnson in Yukon, OK, on the western outskirts of Oklahoma City. “She said to come spend the weekend, so I got a ticket for her, too,” Beverly said.
Late last Thursday, eight people boarded a 15-passenger bus Beverly leased and headed west, driving all night to Margaret’s house.
“Angie and I rested a while,” Beverly said, and they left Friday afternoon, Dallas-bound, Angie all gussied up in her Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform. “Hers looks different from theirs. They said she could wear it.”
Only after arriving in Oklahoma did Angie learn the reason for the long trip. Otherwise, “she would have been too excited to sleep,” Beverly said.
When Angie found out where she was going, “I videotaped her reaction,” Beverly said, expecting an outburst of glee. Instead, “she was sort of stunned.”
Back home, in spite of the secrecy, she’d somehow gotten a clue, and had been telling people she was going to see the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for her birthday, which is May 14, Beverly said. “She said Ashley would get her tickets.”
Still, Beverly said, “Angie did not fully grasp what was happening until we got to the Gaylord and she saw a poster” about the show.
“We got to where the event was going to be and Ms. Alexander met us and gave us our passes,” Beverly said. “There were at least 100 people waiting to get in. I asked her, “Do we need to just wait over here?’ and she said, ‘Oh, no. You are our VIPs for the evening. I’ll be seating you.”
Angie and her party were escorted to their seats. Angie’s had a sign that said Reserved for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders VIP Angie Mountain, Beverly said. “There was one for each of us.”
Angie received a gift bag filled with cheerleaders’ items, including a photograph of the squad, autographed by each member and signed “Cheers to Angie,” Beverly said.
“They performed 30-some numbers,” she said. “It was awesome. They are so talented.”
And to top it all, Angie got to meet them.
“They said they had been hearing about her for three weeks,” Beverly said. “They just made over her. The 14 hours to Oklahoma and then three more to Dallas were worth it. I can’t express what joy she felt. Angie danced in her seat while they were performing. At one point she looked over at me and said, ‘Happy birthday to me!’ And then she looked at me and said, “Thank you, Mommy, for bringing me.”
Beverly said they arrived back home in Chilhowie around 11 a.m. Monday. And Angie said, “Thank you, Mommy, for taking me.”
Although to her this was a birthday trip, Angie will be 34 next month. Asked Monday about the journey, Angie first said, “It was hot down there!”
Then she said, “I saw the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. We had a full day. They gave me some pom-poms and goodies. My favorite is cheerleaders. We got back on time.”
Cheerleaders informed of who made cut
By Shannon Liston
Tampa Bay Online
4/2/2010
*Click here to watch the video coverage on Buccaneers.com*
Finals week is over. Candidates for the 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleading squad spent two weeks mastering intricate dance routines and conducting interviews in front of a panel of judges. The women know their every move was dissected throughout the audition process.
The 100 finalists endured three days of intense scrutiny.
The candidates spent two consecutive nights in training camp. New dance routines and kick sequences were introduced. Then, one by one, veteran Bucs cheerleaders and newcomers got on stage and performed their hidden talents.
“I’m tapping,” rookie cheerleader Nina Stauffer said. “I’m doing a street, Irish tap-type thing. It’s very different.”
During the week, the finalists were grilled by the judges during an interview session.
The interviewers peppered the candidates about their personal experiences, community service involvement, and Bucs football knowledge.
“I did some research beforehand as far as the football team,” rookie candidate Amber Rehman said. “I like football. I like watching it, but I need to do more homework about all the rules.”
Bucs cheerleading manager Catherine Boyd stressed the importance of the community appearances.
“We’re not looking for someone that can just dance,” Boyd said. “We’re looking for someone we can send out into the community. The cheerleaders are only on the field for a few games during the year. The rest of the time, they’re out representing the Buccaneers.”
Each captain of the cheerleading squad selects a charity that her dance line will focus on during the season.
During her interview, Faith Decker informed the judging panel about the charity she would like to become involved with if she was selected as a Bucs cheerleader.
“My mom suffered through quite a few problems during pregnancy. I was a twin. My twin was lost. So they told my mom that it probably would not be a very good idea to have me. But she insisted of course. I think that if my mom had something like Children’s Miracle Network behind her to help her along the way. It would have made things a lot easier.”
The final audition test concluded Thursday afternoon at One Buccaneer Place.
Groups of 10 candidates arrived for the last audition.
It was eerily silent in the room as the candidates stretched and practiced the dance routines before their name was called.
Rehman was the first finalist selected to dance before the judges.
“I practiced,” Rehman said after her routine. “I felt prepared. I enjoyed performing going out there and trying my hardest.”
All of the cheerleader finalists were informed Friday of the decision.
Rehman did not make the final cut but she said she will not be discouraged.
“It’s okay,” she said Friday evening. “There’s always next year.”
Newcomer Faith Decker and veteran Nina Stauffer were selected for the 2010 Bucs Cheerleader squad.
The final results will be made public Wednesday on the team’s Web site.
Click here for a few photos from round 2 of this year’s Eagles Cheerleader auditions.
By Graeme Wood
The Vancouver Sun
4/4/2010
VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions Felions will be dressing for the weather as the football team prepares for its first outdoor season in nearly three decades.
As the dance and cheerleading team gets set to prowl the sidelines at a temporary stadium at Empire Fields, Felions dance team coordinator Alexandra Severyn has had to adjust the uniforms so they’re more suitable for Vancouver’s unpredictable weather.
Out are last year’s black, white, and orange skirts and in are this year’s black short shorts and tight tops. The women will also sport long mesh sleeves and knee-high boots. During cold weather games they will wear a capri pant tucked into the boots and possibly fitted jackets. Should it rain the Felions will wear Lions ball caps.
“We have a lot of transition with the new stadium being outdoors. We have to revamp the uniform,” she said.
The Lions will play the 2010 season at a temporary stadium at Empire Fields while a new ertractable roof is installed at BC Place. It will be the first time they played outdoors in B.C. since 1982 at Empire Stadium.
But that didn’t deter more than 100 young women from auditioning at Scotia Dance Centre Saturday to become part of the team.
In fact, being outdoors is what brought back Nikki Swerhun, 25, a four-year Felion who works as a retail clothing manager.
“That’s one of the things that made me want to come back. It’s going to be a completely different season. It will be outdoors, it will be a new stadium, a different team — It’s going to be a really good experience,” said Swerhun.
The auditions were some of the most competitive in years, according to Severyn, and much was expected from the dancers. If they make the cut, a final interview awaits them next week.
“In a perfect situation a Felion would be a ‘triple threat.’ which means they have excellent dance ability, they’re in pristine physical shape and they’re a ‘stunner’ — that is to say they’re attractive,” Severyn said.
She said it’s the dancing portion of the auditions that separate the pretenders from the contenders.
The dancers, who are 19 to 35 years old, only have two hours to learn a dance routine and show their skills. Swerhun said it’s usually nerves that get the best of them.
“You have to pick up the choreography, have a great personality, be super outgoing, be physically fit — because we have to dance a lot — smile a lot, and perform to the crowd. You can be a super great dancer but if the nerves get to you you’ll just go blank,” said Swerhun.
A gymnast for the past 12 years Victoria Brooks, 24, appeared at the auditions for the first time and was one of a handful of dancers who wowed the crowd with a tumbling routine.
“Just believe in yourself. You need to be calm and keep smiling and show a lot of enthusiasm,” said Brooks of her auditioning experience.
The auditions were everything from fun to painful as they danced to rap music.
“I fell on my side when we were practicing. I was trying to kick with everything I had and my foot slipped and ‘boom’ I’m on my side as fast as my leg was at my head. My hip hurts but you have to stand up and shake it off and keep going,” said Brooks’ friend Mandi Lambert, 21.
The Felions are also well known throughout Metro Vancouver for their charity and corporate events. And despite the new venue the pre-game Fan Fests and Felion calendars will continue to be a staple at Lions games.
“It’s about the whole package. It’s not all dancing. It’s about public relations and getting out there so your personality is important. They can’t be shy,” said former Felion Dana Luketic, 27, who was assisting Severyn with the auditions.
Severyn believes Empire Fields will be a more “intimate” place to watch a football game but while you may be closer to the Felions this year don’t think that wink and smile from the sidelines is just for you.
“We probably don’t even notice you,” joked Luketic.
Here we go with the first images and video from the 2010 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Family and Friends show. Click here to check them out on Flickr.com.
Click here to check out the latest photos of the San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers on the Sports Illustrated website!
From BuffaloBills.com:
During the past two weeks, two Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders teamed up to provide their thoughts and insight to the Jills Cheerleader audition process. In today’s final installment here on BuffaloBills.com, Lisa, a three-year Jills veteran and Natalie, the newest Jill, share their thoughts on making the 2010 Jills squad.
Jills Cheerleaders squad chosen: Final Blog
BuffaloBills.com
April 2, 2010
Lisa, Jills 2010 veteran;
Here we go!
The 2010 season has officially begun, and I couldn’t be more excited. The final team was announced this past Tuesday after the third cut. The new team has 44 girls total, 28 veterans and 16 rookies. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know a few of the rookies so far, and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season with them.
There’s been so many changes in the Bills organization this year (a few for the Jills as well) and I can’t wait to see it all come together. First up in our schedule is supporting our Bills for Season Ticket Holder Draft Day events at the Field House, followed by a trip to Jamaica for our popular Jills calendar shoot.
Thank you to everyone who followed us through this difficult process and I’m proud to say, once again, that I’m a Buffalo Jill!
Go Bills!
Natalie, Jills 2010 rookie:
Auditions are FINALLY over and I have made it through all the cuts…I am officially a member of the Buffalo Jills! This has been such a long process and I have put so much into it that I am more than happy to see all my hard work has paid off.
Tuesday night, after some final cuts were made, all of us that were left in the conference room had our names called one by one and told that we had made the team. When I heard my name called I just wanted to scream or jump around in excitement and relief but I tried to keep my composure while the other girls enjoyed their moments!
After the team was announced we got our first official picture taken as this season’s team. It was such a great feeling to know that I get to be a part of it even though it has not really hit me yet!
Once the pictures were taken it was time to get right to business. We each received our informational binders with everything we will need to know about the program and how it works.
For myself, and I’m sure the other rookies feel the same, it was incredibly overwhelming to take in all that information at once as well as trying to process that we’ve actually made the team! Words can’t even explain how happy I am and I’m looking forward to starting my new beginning as a Buffalo Jill!
Read part 1
Read part 2
By Shannon Liston
Tampa Bay Online
April 1, 2010
Gallery: Cheerleader tryouts
Veteran Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders know the drill. They must tackle difficult dance routines during practice, work hard in front of the fans at Raymond James Stadium and participate at numerous community events.
The work is time-consuming, and being a cheerleader is not their only job.
Some squad members are full-time students. Others have demanding careers.
Rookie cheerleader Nina Stauffer is one with a lot on her plate.
Stauffer attends St. Petersburg College and is a dance teacher.
“Time management is key,” the 20-year-old Palm Harbor native said.
Right now, Stauffer’s focus is earning spot on the 2010 cheerleading team.
Every year, veterans have to go through the auditioning process, just like every other candidate.
“It’s definitely a completely different experience,” Stauffer said. “Walking into it last year, I did not know anything. I didn’t know what tights to wear, how to do my hair or how to do my makeup.”
Only 34 women will be selected to be on the team.
With hundreds trying out, Stauffer knows everyone is gunning for her.
“Any girl could come in and (the judges) see something really great in her,” Stauffer admitted. “She could be better than any of us.”
Bucs cheerleading manager Catherine Boyd is keenly aware of the pressure the women face.
“We expect them to come in and stand out,” Boyd said.
Stauffer just hopes her dedication will leave a lasting impression and earn her another year on the squad.
“I’m putting more pressure on myself,” Stauffer said. “I really want all of the judges to see what I can do.”
Stauffer and the rest of the women who auditioned will find out Saturday if they made this year’s team.
By Leeanne T. Stronach
GateHouse News Service
Mar 31, 2010
Holbrook —
As a Boston Bruins Ice Girl, Kristen Wysocki is used to trying to please the crowd at the home games at TD Garden.
On April 17 at Simmons College, Wysocki will try to please high school girls planning on attending the prom by helping them pick out dresses.
Wysocki, 24, a 2004 Archbishop Williams High School graduate, interviewed to be an Ice Girl right before the beginning of the last hockey season.
She decided to try out because she loves to skate and grew up in a hockey family.
Her father coached and her brother played, she said.
Although Wysocki didn’t play hockey, she did figure skate and belonged to the Commonwealth Skating Club in Randolph.
As an Ice Girl, Wysocki is one of 15 women hired to interact with the fans at the game.
She isn’t a cheerleader or a dancer, but she does try to keep the crowd interested in the game, she said.
At times some of the Ice Girls get to skate on the ice during intermission.
For a three-minute period, young players from local hockey clubs get a chance to play on the same ice that professionals use. During that very brief action, a few Ice Girls referee the game.
The Ice Girls also get on the ice when they hold a T-shirt toss; again, this is done during intermission. The Ice Girls throw shirts up into the crowd.
Wysocki enjoys getting on the ice but at first had a hard time with hockey skates rather than figure skates.
“It was a huge adjustment,” she said. “I wasn’t used to not having a toe pick.”
Along with their job responsibilities when they’re at a game, the Ice Girls occasionally help out a charity.
This year, the team has been collecting prom gowns for the Belle of the Ball collection drive, sponsored by Anton’s Cleaners.
Wysocki was able to gather up almost 30 dresses from her cousin, neighbor, herself, and her former college roommates, she said.
All together, the Ice Girls collected over 60 dresses.
When the sixth annual Belle of the Ball boutique opens on April 17, the Ice Girls will be on hand to distribute dresses to high school junior and senior girls who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend their school’s prom.
All the donated dresses are free of charge.
In order for a girl to get a gown, she must be referred by a guidance counselor, a teacher, church clergy, or a social services representative, be able to present a valid school ID card or other proof of current enrollment, and provide her name and contact information.
Other requirements apply and can be found on the website www.antons.com/belle/.
Wysocki is looking forward to participating in the Belle of the Ball boutique for the first time.
“It’s an incredibly warm feeling to be able to help girls who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it and give them an experience like I had so I’m really excited,” she said.
Wysocki remembers her own prom fondly.
“I have excellent memories of my prom,” she said. “It was so much fun.”
Wysocki is studying to be a registered nurse. She will graduate from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions with a bachelor of science degree in nursing.
She also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston University that she earned in 2008.
