Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Blog

Big Finish for Last Year's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Squad

2009-03-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

View more photos in the slideshow: http://www.dallasobserver.com/slideshow/view/259678
Photos by Patrick Michels

For most fans, there isn't much of the last Cowboys season that'll be remembered too fondly -- but for the team's cheerleaders, who gathered up for one last time for a year-end performance last week, 2008 drew a tearful adios.

The crew of dancers, some of whom are undoubtedly headed for bigger and better things next year, put on an elaborate two-hour show onstage at the Bass Performance Hall Wednesday night in Fort Worth, where the seats were filled with friends, family, and flocks of young dancers.

Along with the main attraction, and their riffs on football, freedom, and what it's like to be a cowboy, the show also included a few numbers from the Junior Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, video biographies on a few dancers, and a ventriloquist song-and-dance number. One of the puppets was dressed as a cheerleader too.

via: DallasObserver.com

Former DCC Melissa Rycroft is on Dancing With The Stars

2009-03-11T22:45:00.000-07:00

DCC Alumni Melissa Rycroft is on Dancing With The Stars, watch every Monday on ABC

via: http://abc.com

Cowboys Cheerleaders Reveal 2009 Calendar

2008-11-27T22:18:00.000-08:00

By Frank Heinz

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders showed off their new calendar Saturday night at The Glass Cactus in Grapevine.

Calendar photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists and VIPs joined the cheerleading team as they showcased the calendar at The Glass Cactus at the Gaylord Texan Resort.

The 2009 calendar was shot on location in Nayarit, Mexico, roughly 100 miles north of Vallarta.

The region was ideal shooting location for the cheerleaders, who were not only photographed on the pristine Pacific beaches but in the nearby jungles as well.

"The Nayarit Convention and Visitor's Bureau offered critical guidance and daily assistance in finding and accessing amazing areas from jungles to beaches to ocean view mansions," said DCC director Kelli Finglass.

The region was so pleased to host the team that the governor of Nayarit, Honorable Ney Gonzalez Sanchez, flew to DFW to take part in Saturday night's event.

To order the 2009 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Swimsuit Calendar visit the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader website.

Click here to view more photos of the calendar release party.

via: http://www.nbcdfw.com

Sports Illustrated - Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Photos

2008-11-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

SI.com Weekly 12 NFL Cheerleader Gallery has 19 photos of the DCC's.

Video of the Week

2008-08-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders performing "Shake It" at DCC Camp 2008 at Valley Ranch

'Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' third season to debut Oct. 4 on CMT

2008-08-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

CMT has announced Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team's third season will premiere Saturday, October 4 at 9:30PM ET/PT.

Like the show's prior seasons, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team's third season will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at cheerleading try-outs for one of the NFL's most storied franchises. It will begin with thousands of cheerleading hopefuls auditioning for a role with the Dallas Cowboys at the team's Texas Stadium. Cheerleaders will then be cut throughout the course of the season as they compete in various challenges at the try-outs -- from mastering the team's signature kick-line to memorizing dance routines. Dallas Cowboys cheerleading director Kelli Finglass, fitness instructor Jay Johnson, and team choreographer Judy Trammell will all be reprising their roles to help test the physical and mental strength of the hopefuls.

Local girl hits the big time

2008-08-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

Pearl resident Brittnay Thornton Evans had danced and cheered all of her life.

Growing up she was member off a group called the Showstoppers. She was a Pearl Pirate cheerleader, beginning in junior high and continued through high school. She studied ballet, jazz and danced as a member of the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet Company.

So when she graduated from the University of Mississippi, where she danced as a Rebellette, she wasn't ready to stop.

"I wanted to follow my dream and pursue my passion for dance," Evans said.
With the encouragement of her family, friends and fellow Rebellettes, Evans decided to try-out for a spot with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

Evans had been a Cowboys fan from birth, she even has a picture from Halloween when she was young in a Dallas cheerleader uniform.

She was one of about 1,000 who decided to try-out. With the odds already stacked against her, Evans had a setback. She had to start the try-outs with a knee injury.

"The hardest part was going into the audition process with a knee injury, knowing I wouldn't be performing to my very best ability," Evans said. "Thoughts and prayers from family and friends definitely helped get me through it."

In her toughest times, Evans often found strength in her faith.

"I have always been strong in my faith, but going through a process like this taught me even more to totally rely on God for everything and every need," Evans said.

Even with the injury, Evans made it through the first round. From there the potential cheerleaders were narrowed down to 150 girls.

Evans again made the cut, down to 88 girls, and had to perform a solo routine and compete against the veteran Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

In total Evans progressed through four different try-outs, often spending weeks away from her family and her husband.

"My family was here with me for the weekends off auditions but after making it to training camp, I didn't even have time to drive back to Mississippi," Evans said. "I stayed in Dallas with my one suitcase and was fortunate to have a family to stay with whom I consider my Texas family."

The time away was worth it in the end though as Evans earned a spot as a Cowboys cheerleader, a member of Show Group.

"I feel so blessed, happy and grateful," Evans said. "This process was definitely the most challenging experience I've ever been through, but also the most rewarding."
Along with being on one of the most well known cheerleading squads in the nation, Evans has also made a new set of friends.

"The staff and all of the girls are just so amazing and I have enjoyed getting to know them and spend time with them," Evans said. "I am so excited to cheer on the Cowboys this season and dance with these girls who already seem like my sisters and family."

via: RankinLedger.com

DCC Alumni Starr Spangler on The Amazing Race

2008-08-19T00:11:00.000-07:00

Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Starr Spangler is going to be on The Amazing Race 13 with her brother Nick! The show premieres Sunday, September 28th on CBS.

Biography from the official website:

This brother/sister team will stop at nothing to win the Race. Both are extremely driven and competitive, especially with one another. They admit to being over-zealous when a prize is involved – even if it’s only bragging rights. They’re excited to use this to their advantage on the Race.

Nick and Starr could practically be twins, and consider each other best friends, even though they rarely see each other due to distance. They hope to strengthen their relationship on this adventure, but do worry that since they haven’t spent much time together in several years that they could get on one another’s nerves. After all, in high-school they were bitter enemies.

Nick claims that the biggest difference between them is that Starr can be a bit reckless – she leaps into a situation without thinking about the repercussions - while Nick thinks everything through before acting. Starr claims that she is simply more spontaneous and figures everything will work out in the end. Nick and Starr have both accomplished their life-long dreams. Nick performs on the New York stage in an Off-Broadway musical called The Fantasticks, while Starr was a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys for the past three seasons. They’re anxious to bring a new approach to the game and are motivated to strengthen their relationship. They believe that their charisma, wit and relentless spirit will make for a dangerous combination.

via: cbs.com

Cheers for "Ears"

2008-08-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Cheers for "Ears" By Pamela Jagger Purcel

IRVING, Texas - You know those rare moments when it seems the planets are aligned just so perfectly that something magical has the opportunity to take place? I saw it myself when the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders made a very special visit to a children's summer camp in the countryside of Celina, Texas. At first glance the camp is typical. The usual stuff, really - fishing, waterslides, games, camp songs. Upon closer inspection, however, you see the camp counselors are actually graduate students at the UTD Callier Center for Communication Disorders and the children wearingt-shirts, shorts and various summer hats share a common accessory, cochlear implant processors.

Cochlear implants, in simple terms, are high-tech hearing devices that allow,with a lot of audio and verbal therapy, profoundly deaf individuals the ability to hear and speak. The internal part of the device is surgically implanted behind the ear, while the processor that transmits the sound to the internal implant is usually hooked over the ear. While this is all very high-tech kind of stuff, the kids using them often just refer to wearing their cochlear implant processors as, "putting on my ears."

Why was I there? Well, I share a deep appreciation for both groups as a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader myself and now mom to a little cochlear implant-wearing four-year old son, Benjamin. The cheerleaders visited the Camp last year, and I was so proud of their innate ability to connect to the small children with their trademark DCC smiles, bear hugs and captivating personalities. Plus, frankly these ladies know how to access any situation and have fun. It was no surprise that the children were eager to share an afternoon with the Cheerleaders again this year.

As I drove into the camp to greet the six cheerleaders,it occurred to me that these two groups, the world famous, iconic NFL cheerleaders and the little, profoundly deaf children, shared a few things in common. For instance, there isn't a cheerleader on the team that would tell you becoming a member of the Organization was easy or that it happened over-night. They'd tell you there was a lot of workinvolved both physically and mentally. I personally remember there were many gut-checks on the road to wearing the famous uniform.Will I make it through this training camp? Can I possibly rehearse that pregame performance again? How many more kicks?!
Similarly, the children attending the summer camp share the same drive to succeed. No deaf child learns how to speak and hear overnight. There are years of work behind the children's success as well. As a mom to a child with cochlear implants, I see first-hand how hard my son works to achieve the goal of effortless spoken communication through hours of audio and verbal exercises.It can take months for a child to even make sense of the first sound they ever hear with the use of cochlear implants. It's certainly not a quick process. Yet, both groups are passionate about their work.

The other remarkable thing these two groups share is their ability to inspire. When a group needs extra inspiration, the DCC are often called upon. Troops who have been away from home for a long time, children in hospitals, andlonely senior citizens living in nursing homes have been touched by the magic of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. And so, too, are the inspiring qualities of the children making their way in the world every day with cochlear implants. After all, when I find myself overwhelmed with responsibilities, I look over at my son who, though profoundly deaf, is speaking English without the need for sign language andhas recently begun singing Spanish songs too. It's hard to believe anything is impossible anymore with this "can-do" kid around.

During the cheerleaders' visit to camp, Justine, Makenzi, Abigail, Deryn, Christina and Crystal, helped the children to focus on the different qualities of musical sound, such as rhythm, volume and pitch through dance activities. Then after spending the afternoon dancing, the groups shared hugs, took photos together and each child was given a personally autographed Cheerleader squad-photo to remind them of the special time they spent together.

Justine Phillips, a four-year DCC veteran, explained the significance of being at the camp. "We are so happy to be here dancing with these children. It's so neat because many of them have just begun to hear music for the first time."

According to camp director Melissa Sweeney of the UTD Callier Center, many of the grinning children dancing front and center alongside the cheerleaders were the very same children who up to that moment had been timid and hesitant to participate in some activities.

The DCC and the small children attending the CI summer camp seemed to share a mutual appreciation for each other. After meeting the children at the CI summer camp, two-year DCC veteran Abigail Klein beamed.

"I love this. I really do love this," said Klein as she gestured around her to the children dancing. It's not every day that you get to enjoy a room full of profoundly deaf children happily listening to music.

The feeling of appreciation was truly mutual; just days after the camp ended, Ben told me he really liked the cheerleaders. I agreed, "Me too, Ben." Then he added,"I really, really like Abigail...the cheerleader." To further prove his point,in a grand gesture Ben has recently named his favorite toy truck "Abigail" and has since mastered the pronunciation. Now that's true admiration.

via: DallasCowboys.com

Cheerleaders Pay Visit to Troops

2008-08-15T23:58:00.000-07:00

Christina Parker and Deryn Derbigny take part in record 66th USO tour.

IRVING, Texas - War is Hell, but occasionally angels visit.

Veteran Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Christina Parker and Deryn Derbigny recently completed the group's record 66th USO tour. Guests of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, they visited military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The cheerleaders joined Adm. Mullen, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora, touching down on Air Force Two in Kuwait earlier this month to begin their seven-day stay. Also on the tour were Milo Ventimiglia of NBC's "Heroes" and Jack Lengyel, former coach of Marshall University and rebuilder of the school's football program following the tragic 1970 plane crash.

The group was able to access remote Forward Operating Bases rarely visited by the USO, greeting troops, signing autographs and lending a grateful ear to America's fighting men and women.

"To see our troops all over the world truly is an honor," Parker, a fifth-year cheerleader, said. "To just be there to see what it is they're doing to keep us safe at home, and knowing what they're sacrificing - USO tours are definitely one of the biggest highlights of being a cheerleader. Being able to give back is the greatest honor."

The trip marked the seventh USO tour for Parker and second for Derbigny, a two-year veteran of America's Sweethearts. Derbigny completed a USO holiday tour in South Korea last winter, while Parker has visited South Korea three times, and Guantanamo Bay and the Middle East twice each.

"The outlook that I have on the United States military is completely different now," Derbigny said. "I have a huge amount of respect for what they do. It's a job that not everybody can do and not everybody is willing to do. With the sacrifices that they make day-in and day-out and being away from their families as long as they are - they work 16 hours a day, everyday - to me the job is amazing."

After three days in Iraq the traveling party moved to Afghanistan to visit, among other bases, FOB Tillman, named in honor of former Arizona Cardinal and Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.

Shortly after the USO group left for home, nine American soldiers were killed in action near a base the tour visited, giving the guests a somber reminder of why they went, and why their hosts fight.

"The difference in going from Iraq to Afghanistan is stark," Derbigny said. "Driving through Kabul, we saw more clearly just how much a reality the war is. Having to ride in a convoy in a Humvee with guards protecting us made me concerned for the first time on this trip. It was my first time going to a war zone. I was anxious and nervous at the same time. I was really excited about going, but also there was the fear of the unknown."

Derbigny and Parker said they were proud to be part of an organization so instrumental in the USO's support of our soldiers.

"Even if they're not Cowboys fans, they're Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders fans," Parker said. "To be able to just bring them an hour of not having to worry about the war, as little as that may seem, it's a huge part of their day. It's something that's a memory they keep with them a very long time."

via: DallasCowboys.com

DCC 2008-2009 Rookies

2008-08-04T01:26:00.000-07:00

(Click the photo for a slightly larger version)

Jordan Baum, Sydney Durso, Crystal Trevino, Lauren Castillo, Jordan Chanley
Brittany Thornton Evans, Kelsi Reich, Kaitlin Ilseng, Whitney Isleib, Melissa Kellerman

Jordan Ketchum, Michelle Keys, Jennifer McMahon, Stefani Peterson, Amy Reese, Cassie Trammell

Former DCC's Make Dallas Mavericks Dance Team

2008-07-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Three former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Leah Mullinax, Michelle Mozek and Carmen Butler just made the Dallas Mavericks dance team, in which director Shella Satler calls the strongest dance team in the 11 years she has been director.

Congratulations girls!

via: http://www.nba.com/mavericks/dance/Dancer0809.html

El Paso teen vies for Cowboys Cheerleaders

2008-06-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hanks High graduate Jaymie Rae Hunt trains for a possible spot on the 2008 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad. (Courtesy the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders)A life of dancing, modeling and male adulation awaits El Pasoan Jaymie Rae Hunt, who's in the hunt for a spot on this year's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad.She won't know if she's made the cut until August, but the 2007 Hanks High School graduate does know that she's one of 45 women competing for 36 coveted spots on football's most celebrated cheerleader squad.

"I've always wanted her to do what she wanted to pursue. She's always been into dance, always loved dance," mom Lydia Rivas said. "One of her dreams was to pursue being in the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders."

"She has the personality for it, the looks and a real strong dance background," beamed dad Brian Hunt, who's already getting hit up for favors from his co-workers.

Officially, Jaymie Rae, 19, is a "Training Camp Candidate" for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, according to a release from the group, which has been cheering on the team in blue-and-white spangled outfits since 1972.

"Over the 12 weeks of summer the Training Camp Candidates will spend four to five nights a week at the Cheerleaders studio developing the technique and precision characteristic of the world-renowned squad while perfecting the 40 to 50 dance routines they will perform on the field at Texas Stadium," reads a DCC handout.

Trainees also go through "hard-core" physical training, hair and makeup "transformations," as well as coaching on etiquette, fan interaction and how to handle the media, according to the DCC.
Jaymie Rae started her dance training at the British Ballet Academy and danced in school groups at Hanks and Desert View Middle. She was in "Viva! El Paso" for two years and was crowned Miss Teen El Paso United States in 2005 and Miss Teen Texas United States in 2006.She has an older sister and three younger step-siblings.

Jaymie Rae had planned to move to Dallas to go to college, but changed course when she survived a vetting process in May that whittled a field of 600 down to 45.

"She was picked from the people who were left and they had to compete against the veterans," Rivas said. "Six of the veterans didn't make it back in."

via: ElPasoTimes.com

Gina Becchetti now a Vikings Cheerleader

2008-06-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

Gina was a rookie with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for the 2007-2008 season, and this year she is now a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader (she is originally from Minnesota).

Congratulations Gina!

Gina as a Vikings Cheerleader

Gina as a DCC

Video Of The Week

2008-06-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders stop by the CW11 to show Emily Francis a few moves and perform for us Live!

U.S. Army Challenge the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

2008-06-12T18:11:00.000-07:00

IRVING, Texas - Mesquite Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) cadets and Future Soldiers competed against Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in the Army physical fitness test, May 31 at Memorial Stadium in Mesquite. Participants competed in push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2-mile run. The contestants were judged one-on-one to see how they scored against the cheerleaders.
Two students proved they were Army Strong by taking the top two spots in the competition. Martha Ramos, a 16-year-old 10th grader from West Mesquite High School, won first place. Second place went to 17-year-old Jose Diaz from North Mesquite High School. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Laura Beke earned overall 3rd place in the competition.

The Challenge the Cheerleaders event promoted physical fitness, health, and living an Army Strong lifestyle among high school students, said Lt. Col. Ronnie J. Williamson, commander of the Dallas Recruiting Battalion. Additionally, it motivated Army Future Soldiers before they ship out to Basic Training later this summer.

Coordination for the event included two instrumental U.S. Army D/FW Community Advisory Board members: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jim Blunk, Mesquite Independent School District Director of Army Instruction, and Lin Johnson, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Boot Camp Fitness trainer.

via: DallasCowboys.com

The 2008 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Training Camp Candidates!

2008-05-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

IRVING, Texas - Forty-five young women have progressed through the three weekends of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders audition process to become the 2008 DCC Training Camp Candidates. The group is comprised of 20 veterans and 25 rookies.

Although they've made it through Auditions, the hard work of Training Camp lies ahead as each strives to demonstrate that she is one of "America's Sweethearts" during the physical conditioning, dance training and personal counseling packed into the next 90 days. As was the case for the last three years, CMT is again covering the DCC selection and training process in the "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making the Team" series which will premiere later this year.

Veterans: Sarah Clay, Deryn Derbigny, Kristen Gauthier, Sarah Gourley, Nicole Hamilton, Kandi Harris, Julie Jacobs, Erica Jenkins, Abigail Klein, Dara McFarlane, Meredith Oden, Tobie Percival, Justine Phillips Orf, Ryan Ray, Meagan Sharp, Brooke Sorenson, Makenzi Swicegood, Ally Traylor, Trisha Trevino, Tia Williams

Rookies: Jordan Baum (Mavericks Dancer), Lauren Castillo, Krystle Chanley, Jordan Sunni Cranfill (Mavericks Dancer), Kathryn Elaine Dunn, Sydney Blaine Durso Sydney (Miss Rio Grande Valley), Thornton Evans Brittany, Cathie Gonzalez, Jaymie Rae Hunt, Kaitlin Taylor Ilseng, Whitney Christine Isleib, Melissa Rae Kellerman, Jordan Ashlee Ketchum, Michelle Christina Keys, (Mavericks Dancer)Brandi Kilby Joannah Liad (Dallas Desperadors), Jennifer Lynn McMahon, Leah Anne Parker, Stefani Peterson, Amy Reese, Kelsi Reich, Alyssa Sarasani, Katie Anne Schouten (University North Texas Dancers), Cassie Trammell, Crystal Michelle Trevino (Mavericks Dancer)

Finding Out If You've Got What The DCC Needs

2008-05-26T20:43:00.001-07:00

IRVING, Texas - While the nation was rushing to get Mother's Day gifts and spend time with their moms, Katie Schouten was making her way to Texas Stadium to take a shot at possibly becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.

The process is long, and it's not easy, and for some, just showing up at Texas Stadium with hundreds of cheerleader-hopefuls can be intimidating.

When Schouten was 12 years old she moved from Atlanta to Southlake, Texas, and was first introduced to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization by her first dance instructor in Texas, former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Pamela (Jagger) Purcel, who also turned out to be the first director of the Dallas Desperados Dancers. Back then Schouten was asked by Purcel to attend a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' Family and Friends Performance.

"From then on I knew I wanted to continue dancing and become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, I fell in love with the team," Schouten said. "I believed they were beautiful women, and I knew I wanted to be one, one day."

Now 24 years old, Schouten has nearly completed her Bachelor in Fine Arts from the University of North Texas in dance, and has been a member of the North Texas Dancers for two years, finishing her last year as the squad's co- captain. She decided now was time to take her shot at trying out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

Jennifer Cloutier, director of North Texas Dancers and former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, encouraged Schouten to continue dancing and live her dreams. Cloutier's dance style resembles that of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, giving Schouten added confidence during the auditions since she had been under Cloutier's guidance for several years. Unlike most of the candidates, she already had been exposed to the "style base dance training" of the DCC.

"I believe Cloutier has prepared me for this style of dance," Schouten said. "She has also encouraged me to continue dancing beyond college, and to try out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders or Mavs Dancers."

So let's take a look at what the weekend is like for a young lady trying to claim one of the precious 38 spots on the famed Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad, having to go through a two-day process just to qualify for the finals, which will be held this Memorial Day weekend, with the interview portion of the auditions held at the team's Valley Ranch complex on Friday with CMT cameras rolling and then the talent portion out at Texas Stadium on Saturday.

Schouten awoke at 5:30 a.m. on May 10, the first day of tryouts, and made her way to Texas Stadium, where found a long line of beautiful women, all with the same hope. She would stand in line for two hours, and quickly realize this was much different than what she had seen on the CMT special Making the Team, which has become an annual TV special.

"It was surreal, I was so tired and a little delirious, and there were so many girls and they are talented and beautiful. It was a little intimidating," Schouten said.

While waiting for her shot at America's Sweethearts, Schouten said she mentally rehearsed her choreography time and again, but found herself quite anxious to get it on with her dance.
"My emotions went back and forward over time, at times I was saying I want to go dance, I want to go dance, I want to perform," Schouten said.

Schouten waited five hours before it was her turn to freestyle in the preliminaries. She obviously impressed the judges with her charisma and style of dance; tired and sleep-deprived, Schouten was extremely excited when she was asked to return for Day 2.

But the wait to find out if she was moving on must have seemed like an eternity. Schouten's number didn't appear among those asked back for Day 2's semifinals until 8:30 that night. She was only halfway to the finals.

Day 2 began at 7:30 a.m., Sunday's line of ladies much shorter than Saturday's since the panel of judges had cut the girls from some 400 to 150. But the semifinals are much more difficult than preliminaries.

"Preliminaries are a lot different from semifinals because in preliminaries you do whatever you want and in semifinals if you miss a step, or mess up, the judges know," Schouten said.
This time around the contestants would performance the same dance, one choreographed by former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Audrea Ulmer and Megan Fox to Piece of Me by Britney Spears. The dance was a jazz-based dance, and Schouten and the other 149 girls were taught the routine in one hour. The ladies were given an additional hour to do makeup and then it was on with the tryout process.

"I like the dance and I keep redoing it in my head," Schouten would say while preparing for her shot. "You know there is a fine line in practicing it enough and practicing it too much. I feel good about it. I am hoping when the moment comes I am able to focus."

Maybe it was all the waiting. Maybe it was the anxiety. But after Schouten finally danced, she just wasn't impressed with her semifinal performance.

"I made a couple mistakes," Schouten said. "I hope the judges understand I learned it that day and that they would acknowledge my showmanship and have seen enough to invite me back to finals."

And they did.

Schouten was absolutely thrilled when she found out the judges chose her as one of the 64 ladies to advance to the Memorial Day weekend finals, and making it to this level of the auditions was a huge step toward her lifetime dream of becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.

But the finals aren't really the absolute finals, just the next level in the audition process before training camp, where the final squad will be chosen. The competition becomes even more intense since the 64 candidates to advance will now meet up with the 25 returning DCC veterans. And depending on the quality of the candidates, the group of 89 will be whittled down to the best 40-45 candidates heading to training camp.

There will be two parts to this weekend's finals: An interview with a panel of judges, including the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass, and then a talent competition in front of a panel of judges. Some might sing, some might dance and some might play a musical instrument.

Schouten said dancing is her best talent, so she will perform a self-choreographed routine for the talent contest.

"I am eager for finals to begin, because now I would be able to show my strengths in dancing," Schouten said.

Getting this far in the auditions to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader takes years of preparation, big dreams and serious ambition. Not everyone is able to claim one of the final coveted 38 spots.

And now we'll see if a 12-year-old dream will come true for this Southlake dancer.

DCC Tryouts Have Texas Stadium Buzzing

2008-05-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

IRVING, Texas - Some 400 hopeful women met at Texas Stadium over the weekend trying to claim their spot on the prestigious Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad for 2008, putting themselves through a fun but anxiety-filled process.

Women ranging from 18 to 40 came to dance and prove they have what it takes to be one of America's Sweethearts.

Though the tryouts did not begin until 8 a.m. on Saturday, many of the young ladies began arriving by 7 a.m. at Texas Stadium, some taking their third and even fourth shots at claiming a spot on the squad. This past weekend's tryouts were an intense two-part process. Everyone was asked to give a freestyle performance during the preliminaries, with the best asked to return for Sunday's second round.

The candidates all danced to a Billboard's Top 10 selection the DCC provided, and all dressed similarly in bright-colored bra tops and short shorts. And while this portion of the tryouts lasted more than 12 hours, 150 candidates advanced to Sunday's semifinals where they first learned a dance choreographed by former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Audrea Ulmer and Megan Fox.
This year's song for the tryout dance was Piece of Me, by Britney Spears. Ulmer and Fox also taught the traditional kick-line the ladies would also have to perform for the judges. The candidates were given one hour to learn the dance and kick line; and another to redo hair and makeup, and then it was on with the tryout process.

One of the young ladies taking her second stab at making the squad was Alexandra Benvenuto, actually moving from Rochester, N.Y., to Dallas and taking strenuous dance classes year-round to try to improve her chances this time around.

"I think since last year I have improved my dancing ability so hopefully they remember me from last year and understand it could have been an off day," Benvenuto said.
Benvenuto realized after being eliminated last year her whole image was wrong.

"This year my total image has changed, I lost 14 pounds, my hair is straight and curled and I am more physically fit this year," Benvenuto said. "If I had to lose 10 more pounds I would do it, if I had to dye my hair red, I would do it. Anything to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader."

The girls performed the dance and kick-line in groups of five twice so judges could eye each girl adequately to give a reason why she should advance to the next round or head home. And this time Benvenuto made the cut during a second consecutive 12-hour day out at Texas Stadium, chosen as one of the 63 semifinalists to join the 25 veteran cheerleaders from last year's squad heading into the May 23-24 finals at Texas Stadium.

Those heading into the finals will be required to go through a round of panel interviews on May 23 and then perform a dance routine the next day, all hoping to make the cut for the DCC's training camp, after which the chosen 38 will be selected for the 2008 squad.
via: DallasCowboys.com

DCC 2009 Calendar Shoot - Day Two

2008-04-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

w.Behind the scenes photos from Day Two of the
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2009 calendar shoot:

Kristen Gauthier

Sarah Clay

Abigail Klein

Kristen, Abigail and Sarah

See more photos here:
http://dallascowboys.com/cheerleaders/calendar_day2_2009.cfm

via: DallasCowboys.com

DCC 2009 Calendar Shoot - Day One

2008-04-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are in Vallarta Nayarit, Mexico for their 2009 Calendar Shoot. Take a look at some of the behind the scenes pictures:

Abigail Klein

Sarah Clay

Kristen Gauthier

See more photos here:
http://dallascowboys.com/cheerleaders/calendar_day1_2009.cfm

via: DallasCowboys.com

2008 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Audition Forms Available at Planet Tan

2008-04-04T21:04:00.001-07:00

Planet Tan, home of Dallas/Fort Worth's premier tanning super centers, and the most respected brand in the industry announced today that 2008 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders audition forms will be available at their salons through early May. Interested candidates may obtain an application at any of their 13 locations in the Metroplex. To find a salon near you, visit their web site at http://www.planettan.com/.

Planet Tan has been a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders sponsor since 2005 and is the official tanning center for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They help America's Sweethearts maintain their polished appearance both on the field of Texas Stadium and on camera when they are filming their CMT reality television series Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders; Making The Team.
Tony Hartl, Founder of Planet Tan, will be assisting the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders with their nationwide search for the 2008 squad. For the past 3 years, he has served as a judge during the audition process, helping select the elite young women that represent America's Team.
Preliminary auditions for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will be held at Texas Stadium on May 10, 2008. For more information about the audition process and requirements, visit the DCC web site at http://www.dallascowboys.com/.

About Planet TanPlanet Tan is the official tanning center for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Mavericks Dancers, and the Dallas Stars Planet Tan Ice Girls. They are the leader in tanning super centers, operating 13 locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Planet Tan has been recognized on the SMU "Dallas 100" list as one of the fastest growing privately held businesses in Dallas, and was selected as the "Best Place to Work in DFW" by the Dallas Business Journal in 2006 and 2007. Looking Fit magazine ranked Planet Tan in their "Top 250" - the top 1% of tanning centers in North America. The company has also been included in the Inc. 5000 magazine 2007 list of 5000 fastest growing companies in America. The company was founded in 1995 by Tony Hartl, and is based in Garland, Texas. To learn more about Planet Tan memberships and locations, visit http://www.planettan.com/.

via: http://www.prweb.com

Cheerleader of the Week - Melissa Rycroft

2008-03-31T20:29:00.000-07:00

Cheerleader of the Week

2nd year veteran Melissa Rycroft

Melissa is a 24 year old Land and Marketing Coordinator from Dallas, TX

Lifetime goal: "Just to be happy, keep smiling, and have no regrets about any of the decisions I've made."

DCC Alumni Update: Micaela Johnson

2008-03-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

2003-2005 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader alumni Micaela Johnson is the current Miss Nebraska USA 2008. Johnson is currently attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and is an aspiring actress.

From the MissUSA.com interview:

Name one personal accomplishment (in addition to being a State Titleholder) that makes you especially proud.
Micaela: One of the personal achievements I am most proud of is being a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, allowing me to experience many wonderful things I had never imagined possible.

To read the rest of the interview and for more information on Micaela and the Miss USA pageant, with video and pictures go to:
http://www.missusa.com/delegates/2008/files/NE.html

For more information on Micaela, please go to:
http://www.micaelajohnson.com

Watch her compete for the title of Miss USA 2008 on April 11th, on NBC!

DCC Prep Class: Behind The Scenes

2008-03-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

IRVING, Texas - Imagine two scenarios. In the first, you park your car at Texas Stadium for the first round of DCC Auditions, nerves in full swing, wondering if you really should have tried this new hairstyle today and debating between wearing the blue or the red (you've packed both since you're just not sure). Your bag is extra heavy because you haven't really figured out which shoes to wear yet --the dance shoe, the high heeled shoe, or the sneaker?? You walk up to take your place in line, not quite knowing anyone else standing there and you are just hoping your internal butterflies will decide to take a rest... sooner than later.

In our second scenario, you park at the stadium and look for your new friends (you met them at the official prep classes and have been gossiping with them, dancing in the DCC studio and getting geared up for the big day together for weeks). You are armed with the perfect audition outfit and hairstyle... You know this because you asked the staff at the official DCC Prep classes and they gave you some real advice and tips. You are excited but relaxed too because you've had a weekly preparatory class where every single question you can imagine has been answered; you have been rehearsing the style with the DCC veterans and now it's up to you to go have fun and if all goes well, claim your spot to the next round.

Every year the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders hold a series of Official Prep Classes to give all interested applicants an edge in the process. Some applicants choose to attend all available classes and some attend just one or two. The classes are valuable on so many levels. The first and most obvious is that applicants can get some level of comfort by attending even just one class. There's the opportunity to ask questions each week, get one-on-one advice about personal audition-day appearance, and to practice the type of dancing that the Cheerleaders are famous for. There are also killer stretches and challenging warm-ups in each class.

DCC hopeful, Jacqueline Hardy has added to her skills set including the dance terminology taught in Prep Classes. "When they say 'kick ball change, pas de bouree, and pirouette', I'll know what they're talking about now."

Jennifer Devendorf another of the applicants adds, "I think it's a great opportunity to not only learn the choreography, but to learn the style, and really get a feel for the technique and also get a chance to work on our flexibility."

There are even more reasons to attend. This is important so listen up... To show up every week and get a chance to say, "Hello," personally to the DCC staff is a smart move. Listen, you've got about two minutes to make a lasting impression at the Preliminary round of auditions. Prep classes afford each applicant an opportunity to maximize their exposure and face-time. After all, these classes are held by the actual DCC staff and veterans.

Shelly Bramhall, Associate Choreographer for the team also directs many of the Prep classes. She explains the elements of the classes. "We try to cover our traditional walk, kicks, turns, and a combination every week in the style that we perform at the football games."

Additionally, coming to class shows that you are committed and very interested in doing what it takes to make this elite team.

Bramhall adds another nugget of inside information, "The girls walk in the door and Judy Trammell (official team choreographer) gets a chance to peek in and see them in class. She then has an idea about their strengths over a twelve week period."

This can be very advantageous when a strong applicant struggles with an off-day during the audition. Trammell has the ability to defend the candidate to the panel of judges because she's watched them work over a period of time.

While the classes are a smart step in the audition process, they're simply fun too. Ladies are ushered through the hallowed halls of the Dallas Cowboys Complex, into the brightly lit DCC studio for an evening of heart pumping warm ups, combinations and choreography. While auditioning may be serious business, prep classes allow for some light moments and kidding around with current and past Cheerleaders and staff.

Stefani Peterson enjoys the Prep class series, "Meeting new people, making new friends and dancing the different styles has been fun; plus it's neat to dance with the Cheerleaders."

Peterson's thoughts must be shared by many this year. The classes have been so popular that after filling to maximum capacity, additional classes were recently added to the schedule to meet the demand.

It seems that attending Prep Classes calms the nerves both on a weekly basis and on audition day. An applicant can't really know this until she appears at the first day of auditions, but the process is both exhilarating and unavoidably overwhelming. Why not take advantage of being prepared to the fullest while auditioning with 40-plus familiar faces? There's nothing better than having a friend encourage you just before or after you've performed for the judges.

Now, if there were just prep classes for all the rest of those interesting challenges out there!

via: DallasCowboys.com

Cheers to Fitness

2008-03-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

For many of us, casual Friday is a day worth looking forward to all week. The mood seems a little lighter, the environment a little more relaxed. But for the students of Denton Creek Elementary School in Coppell, a recent Friday morning was anything but relaxed.

In fact, the mood was downright fun and the volume was turned up a few notable notches. The school gymnasium seemed to rock with the level of cheers and enthusiasm.

Why so pumped? Well, for starters, three members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders spent the morning with the students. Megan Fox, Makenzi Swicegood and Deryn Derbigny, all veterans of the glamorous squad, also happen to be members of the team's "power squad", the fittest of the fit so to speak.

So why were they there? The purpose of the visit was obvious through the presence of the fourth member of this group, Sgt. Jay Johnson, a nationally known fitness professional and trainer to the DCC. The kids were in for a serious boot camp . . . and some serious fun.
The group was invited to Denton Creek Elementary School by Coach Larned. His goals were simple. He wanted to reiterate the importance of fitness and nutrition to the youngsters in a fun presentation.

"We want the kids to know that fitness is not work; you can enjoy moving and it's fun," Coach Larned said. "Plus they'll learn about nutrition and how to better help their bodies."
The children filled the gymnasium and were treated to a genuine "boot camp" series of exercises lead by Johnson. But they weren't alone. The three enthusiastic cheerleaders worked right along side of the kids. Johnson not only lead boot camp but offered real advice too about nutrition, encouraging the kids to stay away from sodas and doughnuts and make better choices when it comes to diet.

"Fitness is simple. It's not rocket science and anyone can do it," said Johnson.
It's no secret that obesity levels in our country have reached an alarming number. Coach Larned is acutely aware of that.

"Obesity is a problem in our country - especially in our state - and I'm thrilled that our state has gotten involved and that our schools are holding kids responsible," Coach Larned said.
After the children completed a series of exercises in the gymnasium, they were broken into groups for the course created for them outside. Once back inside, they were allowed to ask the Cheerleaders questions. Those questions ranged from "Who is your favorite Cowboy?" to "What's your favorite color?"

When the Cheerleaders were asked by one student who their role models were while growing up, the ladies answered unanimously that their parents were the role models that guided them. When the same question was asked of the kids, one little voice answered excitedly above the others, "Beyonce!"

What a reminder of how impressionable these children really are. Coach Larned took advantage of that fact by bringing in the world-famous ladies and their trainer.

"If I could have one Cheerleader out here every day all year long I would have no problems . . . the level of excitement has raised the roof," Coach Larned said.

via DallasCowboys.com