On August 23, Cowboys Stadium opened its doors to fans of all ages for the Dallas Cowboys Silver & Blue Debut Presented by Miller Lite.  The free practice was open to all Cowboy fans anxious to see the team in action before the 2012 season officially kicked off.

Many alumni were in attendance, seated in our special ‘Alumni Section’.  It was a busy afternoon as the Cowboys were having practice, the DCC were rehearsing, and CMT was there to film it all!

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Silver & Blue Debut

For 2 days in August, the new DCC squad gathered at the Gaylord Hotel for their annual DCC Campout.  I was honored to be invited to attend by Kelli... it’s been a long time since I’ve attended a campout.  Back in those days, we were still at Southfork Ranch and we all fought over who spent the night in Bobby’s bed.....

The new campout is chock full of great information for the gals.  Everything from seminars on appearance, social media, and fashion to a motivational speaker on team building, my head was swimming and I’m an seasoned alumni!  Don’t be concerned, there was plenty of time for bonding:  fun in the sun at Paradise Springs, the 2013 DCC Calendar reveal on the big screen in the sports bar, and dancing at the Glass Cactus on the last night.

New, even for this year, the team broke into smaller teams and took part in a Fantasy Football draft.  DCC Staff also has a team and it is proving to be fun for all.  There is a focus amongst the team this year to be immersed in football knowledge.  Fantasy Football will definitely teach you a thing or two!

Before the gals headed off for fun and dancing at the Glass Cactus, Kelli hosted the ever popular ‘Etiquette Dinner”.  Kelli challenged the ladies to hold and use their utensils in the European style (knife in the left, fork in the right- no changing) which proved to be interesting... only a few items ended up on the floor.  Many questions were asked and by the end of the night, the gals could eat with the best of them... be it a handsome boy or 5 star general....

As is all campouts, there was swag to be had!  Ugg boots donated sparkly new navy/silver sequined boots to the gals, the official dentist of the DCC, ‘Dr. H’, stopped by and presented the gals with bags full of dental supplies and a pair of Tory Burch earrings, and Kelli gave each girl a blue satin pouch to keep all of her precious uniform stars in.

A fun time was had by all, and from this alums perspective, it was so special to see the traditions continued and the lifelong friendships begin.

2013 DCC Calendars

Just in time for  the holidays, the 2013 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders calendars have arrived in stores!   Yes, I did say calendars!  This seasons’ calendar is available in  15", 12", 7", and a desktop box size.  They are available online at DallasCowboys.com, the Cowboys Pro Shop, and I even spotted them at Barnes & Noble.

2012 Cowboys Training Camp

The Cowboys arrived in Oxnard, CA on July 28th to a warm welcome from their very own DCC... this was the 7th time in the last 12 years the Cowboys have had Training Camp in Oxnard.

2012 DCC Campout

Ready for the season are:  Vicki Hammons Woodlee (DCC 1973, 74), Katherine Rodriguez Lee (DCC 1990), Beverly Flower Gallagher (DCC 1973, 74, 75), and Cindy Smith Bennett (DCC 1976)

In the special ‘Alumni Section’, Vicki, Beverly, and Andrea Richards James (DCC 2005, 06)

Cindy and I proudly in our Alumni gear!

All those weeks of training camp paid off... the gals looked GREAT!

The Pro Shop even gave the alumni the ‘family discount’ for the night!  Cindy bought herself a pair of the DCC boots!  You can too... either online or at the Pro Shop.

Season 7 of ‘Making the Team’ is currently airing on CMT.  Can you believe we’ve had our own show for 7 years now?  You can catch all the episodes online at CMT.com.

Making the Team

The September 5th, ‘Live with Kelly’ show, was basically DCC love day!  Demi Lovato, daughter of Dianna Hart de LaGarza (DCC 1982), was the guest and she said that she is a Cowboys fan and that her mom had been a DCC.  Kelly also paid a great compliment to our organization... watch below!  The DCC part of the interview is from 1:40-2:20....  Thank you Natasha McCarley Wiggins (DCC 1985) for the heads up on this!

Twitter, anyone?

This is Rick Reilly for  ESPN

Live with Kelly

Are you a tweeter?  If you are, you can follow the current squad on Twitter!  @DCC_name

Got a call from ESPN and they were amazed that we ever had male cheerleaders!  So much so that they wanted to film a segment about the early days of the DCC.  Thank you to Dan Eddy (CowBeaux 1963), Lee Jackson (CowBeaux 1965, 66), Sally Singleton (CowBelle 1961), and Sheri & Carrie O’Brien (‘70s DCCs) for representing your decades so well!  The segment aired during the pregame hype before the October 1st Cowboys vs Bears game, which also happened to be the same night as our Komen halftime performance.  See how it all began below....

Pulling out the Pink Ribbon!

On Monday, October 1st, 125 DCC alumni joined over 200 cancer survivors and their family members on the field at Cowboys Stadium for the annual Susan G. Komen Pink Halftime.  This was the first time DCC alumni had been invited to participate and looks to become a possible new tradition for the alums!

Before we got our ‘pink’ on, we had the first ever alumni movie night!  I had a little surprise up my sleeve.... instead of the sneak peak of an upcoming blockbuster, the gals were treated to the original, made for tv, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders movie!  Big hair, even bigger poms, and our Dallas entrance music brought out the  goosebumps!  Even more special, we had 3 ladies in the audience who were stars of the movie- Tami Barber (DCC 1977, 78, 79), Debbie Wagener Ormsby (DCC 1976, 77, 78), and Geni McKelvey (DCC 1978, 79)!  I’ve already had requests to view the sequel!  Great weekend had by all... enjoy the photos below.....

Beautiful DCC smiles.....   Shelly Boston Bramhall (DCC 1989, 90, 94, 95, 96), Rashel Shepard Larson (DCC 1990), Carla Waddill Huggins (DCC 1990, 91, 92), and Kristin Pavuk Depew (DCC 1990, 91).

Would you like some jersey to go with that bling????  Me and Christine Jenson Ewald (DCC 1993). 

Think they’ve done this before?  Group shot and so evenly spaced!  Ashley Elmore Emmons (DCC 1997), Cheryl Gates (DCC 1996, 97, 98, 99), Megan Sims Flowers (DCC 1998, 99, 00, 01), Nora Tagle Cano (DCC 1998, 99, 00), Camille Caskey Burgoyne (DCC 1997, 98, 00), Julie Holeman Moulas (DCC 1997, 98, 00, 01, 02), and Kim Lawrence Ramirez (DCC 1998).

Sisterly love!  Brandi Kilby (DCC 2009), Virginia Mauldin Edloe (DCC 1971), me, Rhonda Cumby Dawson (DCC 1981, 82), Christine Jenson Ewald.

If you weren’t able to join us, here’s the halftime in its entirety.....

No matter the year, we’re all sisters!  Camille Caskey Burgoyne, Julie Holeman Moulas, Vicki English Maynes (DCC 1980), Wendi White Wasson (DCC 1980), Jeanne Montfort Bassetti Jullien (DCC 1979, 80, 81), me, Carla Barnes Powers (DCC 1977), Dawn Alston Delaney  (DCC 1987, 88 ), Kristin Pavuk Depew, Ranie Lindeman Young (DCC 1981), Fredelyn Walters Christian (DCC 1979).

Headin’ to the stadium... no bombs or sharp objects please....

70s ladies ready to rehearse..... how ‘bout the 80s?

The 3 Musketeers arrive in style for rehearsal!  Vicki English Maynes, Wendi White Wasson (all the way from Hawaii), and Jeanne Montfort Bassetti Jullien...

80s in the house!  Where are the 90s gals?

Superbowl decade ready to work!

Red carpet treatment!

Even had Cowboys themed martinis!

70’s gals kickin’ back and enjoying the show!  Cindy Bennett Smith (DCC 1976), Debbie Wagener Ormsby, Suzette Hash Freeman (DCC 1976, 77), and Tami Barber.

Spotted at Training Camp:  DCC alums Erica Jenkins (DCC 2007, 08, left) and Abigail Klein (DCC 2007, 08, 09, right) shown above with Coach Garrett.

I tried to teach Rick the ‘over the shoulder’ pose.....

Shelly Roper McCaslin (DCC 1989, 90, 91) corralling the troops before we begin....

See you next year!

Heather Dunn (DCC 2002, 03) and her new friend....

Practice makes perfect!

Inga Van Wagoner (DCC 1995) and Rowdy showing off their pink!

VonCiel Baker, Suzette Hash Freeman, and Tami Barber are ready for Monday Night Football!

Kitty Chapman Carter (DCC 1974, 75) stirring up trouble with Leslie Ezelle (DCC 1988, 89), Helen Stubblefield Peck (DCC 1989, 90, 91), Kourtney Mitchell Ketterhagen (DCC 1989, 90, 91), and Dina Brown Donley (DCC 1987, 89).

Pretty in pink.....

Representing the past, as well as the future of the DCC, are Victoria (daughter of Tina Miller Kalina), VonCiel Baker, and Samantha (Kelli’s daughter).

Speaking of the future, Monica Cravinas Pennie’s (DCC 2002, 03, 04, 05) future DCC is already gaining halftime experience!

It was a small world for Desiree Johnson Jett (DCC 1988) whose breast cancer survivor partner for the halftime was a friend of hers from bible study and a trip to Destin. Desiree hadn’t seen her in 15 years and had so much fun catching up with her!

Bis Sis’ got a special opportunity to meet their Lil Sis’ and visit before the game....  Here are Tina Miller Kalina and Collin.

Cindy Smith Bennett and Meagan.....

A very excited Brittany and her Big, Suzette Hash Freeman....

Angie Michell (DCC 1999, 00) and her Lil, Amelia.

Big/ Lil... Kim and Nicki Anselmo Hale (DCC 1992, 93, 96, 97).

Game time!

Rookies Kinzie and Jenna show off their pink stars....

Tami and VonCiel holding good thoughts for their ‘Boys.....

Watching the game, except for the occasional photo op.... Sandi Boruk Phillips (DCC 2000, 01), Brandy Rodgers Sanberg (DCC 2000, 01), Whitney Ott (DCC 2001, 05, 06), Tori Spurgin Snoddy (DCC 2001), Breah Brown Herzog (DCC 2001, 02).

2012 Rookies ready to swing in the Pink halftime!

Mission accomplished.... what a special day!

With halftime over and a roaring success, Kelli and Judy can relax and enjoy a little time with friends.....  Gina Piazza Giovannoni (DCC 1984, 85, 86), Kelli, Peggy Kinn Hawkins (DCC 1984, 85, 86), Vicki Foster (DCC 1984, 85, 86), Judy, Dawn Broadus Smith (DCC 1986, 87), and Julee Graham Cheever (DCC 1984, 85, 86, 87).

Embracing the past and the present..... Stars of the movie, Geni McKelvey (DCC 1978, 79), Tami Barber, and Debbie Wagener Ormsby posing with Kinzie, Jenna, and Jessica, Rookies, 2012.....