S/S New & Now
PRO BOWL 2012- ALLY TRAYLOR
5 year veteran, Group Leader, and Show Group member, Ally Traylor, was selected by her DCC sisters to represent the Cowboys and the DCC at the 2012 Pro Bowl! Ally’s experience was extraordinary and a ‘once in a lifetime’, but what made her trip to Hawaii truly heartwarming is the fact that her family and her Rookie DCC buddy, Natalie Woods Snowden (DCC 2007), made the trip with her. In her own words....
I remember it like it was yesterday… Nervous, anxious, excited and quite frankly still in shock from being invited into Training Camp (oh ya, and after moving from Missouri in less than 48 hours after the final round of Auditions), I found myself sitting in the First Meeting trying to process the amazing turn of events that landed me in the legendary meeting room of Valley Ranch. You remember the feeling…Palms sweating... Am I smiling enough? Smile Bigger. Deep breathes. Don’t mess up your introduction. You only get one first impression. Nervous twitching of crossed legs. Am I the only one taking notes? Sit up straight, Ally…straighter. I should have eaten dinner. I hope everyone can’t hear my stomach growling. Oh shoot. It’s my turn…What was I going to say again? Please like me. I hope they like me. Deep breath.
After surviving First Meeting, it was quickly time for another first – the first rehearsal. I arrived about two hours early, okay, maybe more like three. Ha! I was the only one in the locker room for a while, stretching while studying my First Meeting notebook, until more Rookie candidates started trickling in. Trying to remember faces and names from Auditions and First Meeting, we all started the process of getting to know each other. As we are all getting acquainted I met the candidate that would be my locker buddy for the summer, Natalie Woods. She came in so poised, confident, friendly, beautiful and sincere. Immediately upon placing her things in her locker, she introduced herself and began asking me about myself, recalling specific things I mentioned in my introduction just the night before at First Meeting. The unwavering eye contact, the warm hug, genuine smile and something I’ll never forget: “You’re special. God put us here for a reason, and we’re going to get through this together.” From there, our friendship grew and even though we were both Rookie candidates, I looked up to Natalie as a big sister and always looked to her for strength, guidance and guaranteed laughs.
Five years later, nothing has changed… Though Natalie hung up her boots at the end of our Rookie season, our friendship, love and support for one another has only grown since. Five years and many life changes later, I can’t think of a single DCC milestone she has not shared with me…Attending every family and friends rehearsal, keeping in touch with my family, cheering me on from the front row at games and even traveling to Honolulu with my family to support me at the 2012 Pro Bowl!
It was a huge honor and blessing to be selected by my teammates to represent the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders at the 2012 Pro Bowl! Having Natalie and my family there with me every step of the way was something I will never forget. Though the Pro Bowl game was my 53rd career game, it felt like my first - the excitement, anxiousness, adrenaline, butterflies and anticipation leading up to the game, and then the awe of soaking it all in and realizing it's not a dream anymore…it’s REAL! Proudly wearing our star-spangled uniform, and watching the crystals glisten in the Hawaiian sun, I took to the field for the last time as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
But, just like my first, right before the music began to play for our pregame performance, looking around and soaking in the moment, there they were: my parents, sister and Natalie! Overcome with joy and tears, it was in that moment that moment that my career as a DCC had come full circle. We started this journey together and we ended it together.
THANK YOU NATALIE FOR BEING SUCH A WONDERFUL FRIEND, ROLE MODEL, SISTER AND INSPIRATION TO ME! I LOVE YOU DEARLY AND CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE IN MORE MEMORIES AND MILESTONES TOGETHER!
Friday, June 1, 2012
For those of you who haven’t seen the Tour show recently, through the wonder of YouTube, you can watch most of it below! One of the videos was featured on military tv!
INSIDE THE NFL
The video below features a clip shown on ‘Inside the NFL’. Dixie Smith Luque (DCC 1972, 73), Anna Marie Carpenter Lee (DCC 1972, 73), Carrie O’Brien Sibley (DCC 1972), and VonCiel Baker (DCC 1972, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80) shared their memories of being on that first DCC squad in 1972 when the phenomena started......
Speaking of Melissa, that is the 2nd part of this special trip! Her father is a Marine and was based in Japan during the mid ‘80s to the mid ‘90s. Show Group visited several of the spots where Melissa’s father had served. Here’s the article as it appeared in the Star Magazine.
CHRISTMAS TOUR 2011
This past December, Show Group embarked on their annual Christmas tour to Korea. This tour was extra special because the gals had a side trip to Japan to visit troops and guess who they ran into thousands of miles away from home? A DCC alumni! Jill Vandygriff Tidwell’s (DCC 1996, 97) husband, Major Fletcher Tidwell, is based at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Below, her sons Bennett, 5 years old, and Beau, 3 years old, are pictured with a few of our beautiful gals- Melissa Kellerman, Sydney Durso, and Sunni Cranfill.
Shopping and eating during some much needed free time.....
Mom and sis primping Ally for the last time...
Representing the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and the Lone Star State!
With her Group........
Soon to be alumni sisters.......
DCC BANQUET
On March 22nd at the Gaylord Texan Resort, 35 ladies gathered to celebrate the 2011 squad. After a delicious dinner, a video tribute, and Ally Traylor, the lone 5 year veteran, receiving her 5 year charm, it was time for the 2 highlights of the evening. All 17 rookies received their coveted ‘Rookie Rings’. Many tears were shed as Kelli placed that small ring of gold around their pinkies. The high honors of the evening were awarded to two very deserving young ladies.... Brittany Evans received ‘Veteran of the Year’ and Holly Squier received ‘Rookie of the Year’.
Ally, doing her best Vanna White, showing off her 5 year charm.....
Brittany Evans (4 year veteran & last year’s Pro Bowl representative) was chosen as ‘Veteran of the Year.’
Holly Squier was selected as ‘Rookie of the Year’.
‘Rookie Ring’ circle.....
ROCK N ROLL HALF MARATHON
Once again, the folks at Competitor Group asked the DCC to participate as entertainment for this year’s Dallas Rock n Roll Half Marathon held on Sunday, March 25th. This year brought a fun change- the gals were stationed at the finish line instead of the start line. All runners were ‘brought home’ to the finish line by dancing and high fiving DCC on platforms. This was also a very special day for 4 current members of the DCC.... Veronica, Colleen, Amber, and Mackenzie who all ran and completed their first half marathon! As a runner and an alumni, I was so very proud of them. This experience will change their lives. Mackenzie’s mom also finished the race as well as DCC alum, Gretchen Stofer Darby (DCC 2000, 01). Rock on Girls!
Veronica (left) and Colleen with their DCC sisters at the finish line...
Amber (center) and Mackenzie (right) sport their hardware!
TERI RICHARDSON 1958-2012
One of the most recognizable and longest tenured sisters passed away in April. Teri Richardson (DCC 1978, 79, 80, 81, 82) lost her 7 year long battle with colon cancer this spring. A ‘going home’ celebration was held in Bay City, TX on April 14th. Five of us traveled to the ceremony to represent all of her DCC sisters and let her family and friends know that she will be missed by her Cowboys family. Kick high up there Teri, we miss you....
Carrie Currie (DCC 1980, 81), Suzette Hash Freeman (DCC 1976, 77), Teri’s cousin, Phyllis Roberson, who sang at the celebration, Connie Redden Dolan Lawrence (DCC 1977, 78, 79), Debbie Wagener Ormsby (DCC 1976, 77, 78), and me.
CASSIE GOT MARRIED!
Cassie Trammell, Judy’s daughter, got married on April 14th at the Dallas Arboretum. She married Collin Loftin in a beautiful ceremony in front of family and friends, many of whom have watched her grow up and have had her pose with them in their DCC squad photo. The couple’s honeymoon was delayed by a few days due to the DCC annual calendar shoot, but Collin was able to meet up with his bride in Riviera Maya for a few days afterward. Congratulations little Cassie!
2012 TRAINING CAMP CANDIDATES
The 2012 DCC auditions will be remembered for its diversity of candidates and the fierce competition. With over 8 countries and 38 states represented, ladies traveled from far and wide to see if they had what it takes to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. With over 400 candidates, there were several ‘feel good’ stories amongst the gals, but one in particular really struck a chord. One young lady traveled from Seoul, South Korea after her cheerleading team took part in Camp DCC that was held on her father’s base during Christmas. She was so inspired by what she saw and learned, that she made the trip to Texas to tryout. Mind you, she’s 18 years old... could you have done the same? Yes, she did make it into training camp. After the ‘American Idol’ feel of the preliminary round, the dancers really came out of the woodwork. The veterans had their work cut out for them at finals. Every solo was awesome and those of in attendance were thrilled we weren’t judges and had to pick from this exceptional field. We currently have 45 ladies in training camp- 18 vets and 27 rookies. Here are your 2012 DCC Training Camp Candidates!
CALENDAR SHOOT
The 2013 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders calendar was shot in beautiful Riviera Maya. 25 veteran DCC traveled to Mexico’s sunny shores for several days of fun in the sun, posing, and bonding with their sisters. The results are stunning... check out the latest edition of Star Magazine and see for yourself!
WELCOME NEW ALUMNI!
Please welcome the following ladies to ‘Spirit of DCC’! This brings the total number of alumni to 605! Keep an eye on your inbox... shortly, we will be starting a new tradition- the ‘Welcome New Alumni’ luncheon! This is something I’ve wanted to start for several years and this is the year to begin.... details to follow shortly. Welcome ladies to the other side- no weigh-ins, no late rehearsals, but plenty of fun with your alumni sisters!
Ally Traylor Sasha Agent
Brittany Evans Amber Smith
Sunni Cranfill Cassie Rowland
Ashton Torres Jenna Brooks
Kaitlin Ilseng Meghan Phillips
Kelsi Reich Kamilah Todd
Ann Lux Alyssa Torres
CAMP DCC
Camp DCC reaches young girls far beyond the Dallas/ Ft. Worth city limits. It is also a training ground for future DCC! On March 17th, Dylan Bodie, daughter of Paula Michalowski Bodie (DCC 1988), and Alana Trinidad, daughter of Cynthia Sanders Trinidad (DCC 1989), both participated in the DCC dance and cheer clinic in San Antonio. The girls attended a morning session where they were split into age groups and taught a dance. After learning the dance, DCC passed out squad photos and spent time with the girls signing autographs and taking pictures. Later that evening, the girls performed their dance with the DCC in front of parents and friends prior to the San Antonio Rampage hockey game.
Dylan Bodie getting her squad photo autographed by Sunni Cranfill.
Alana Trinidad (center, grey shirt) chatting with Jackie Bob.....
SECRET DIARY OF AN AMERICAN CHEERLEADER
Cindy Villarreal Hughes (DCC 1988) is at it again! Not only has she created as sports marketing group, a streaming online channel, The Cheer Channel, she has now developed the first online show about cheerleading! ‘Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader’ has been created as the first dramatic series specifically produced for cheerleaders starring a cast of actual current and former cheerleaders. As a bonus, the cast also includes Cheer Channel's 'Superstars of All-Stars' with some of cheerleading favorites, Maddie Gardner, Whitney Love, Kiara Nowlin, Kelsey Rule, Gabi Butler, Cami Branson, Erica Englebert and Bianca Treger. Other acting cheerleaders include Kyle Blitch, former Top Gun and California All Star cheerleader and Apple Graceffa.
Ok, careful readers... yes, you did recognize a name in there.... Branson! Candy Causey Branson’s (DCC 1983) 15 year old daughter, Cami, will be guest starring on the show!
Cami Branson, front and center! Makin’ her momma proud!
Here’s the trailer for the ‘AllStar’ episode that features Cami... she’s the one who says, “Should we put on a show?”.....
Four of Cassie’s DCC sisters were bridesmaids in her wedding: Kaitlin Ilseng (DCC 2008, 09, 10, 11- 2nd from left), Melissa Kellerman (current DCC- Maid of Honor- Cassie’s left), Whitney Isleib (current DCC- 2nd in from right), Ashton Torres (DCC 2009, 10, 11- far right)
Kelli and Cassie.....
Cutie flower girls.... Sasha Agent’s (DCC 2010, 11) daughter, Sisi, is on the left.
Cassie’s hubby, Collin, gets the thumbs up approval from her DCC sisters!
Back row (left to right): Jordan Baum Healy (DCC 2008, 09, 10), Ann Lux (DCC 2010, 11), Collin, Nicol Bulcher (current DCC), Jackie Bob (current DCC), Alyssa Torres (DCC 2011), Courtney Cook (current DCC), Kamilah Todd (DCC 2011)
Front row (left to right): Sydney Durso (current DCC), Lauren Williams (current DCC), Mia Greenhouse (current DCC), Joannah Liad (DCC 2009, 10), Ally Traylor (DCC 2007, 08, 09, 10, 11) and Brittany Schram (current DCC).
One big, happy family!
Left to right: Judy, Dick, Taylor, Cassie, Collin, and Blair
Father and daughter.... think I see a lower lip quivering....
