My teammates and I easily have some of the best seats in the Georgia Dome to watch the Falcons play on Sundays. That being said, I’ve had plenty of time to watch some big plays go down – for better or for worse. As I watch most games, of course, I’m focused on my own performance as a cheerleader, but I also am able to observe and make note of some of the most exciting things that happen on the field. Naturally, when looking at the season in review, there’s always a lot of talk and analysis of the team as a whole and the best plays of the season, who stood out and so on and so forth. There’s something missing, though. No one has really touched on who really had a breakout year.

After some consideration, I came to my own conclusions regarding this topic. Here are my picks:

5) Rookie running back Jacquizz Rodgers
Rodgers proved to be a consistent surprise for me — in a good way. Often used in special offensive packages, especially on the third down, his size and speed proved to be unexpected for many defenses. Not only that, he actually saw a good amount of the ball by way of the pass — he had 188 receiving yards and 21 catches. He ended the season with 205 total yards and one touchdown on the ground, not too bad for a non-starting rookie. I have a distinct feeling we will be seeing much more of this dynamic running back in the future.

4) Second-year defensive tackle Corey Peters
Peters had a heck of a season. I think it’s safe to say he is better recognized for his ability to stop the run, but this year he showed up as a pass-rusher, too. He recorded three sacks and was able to consistently threaten opposing offenses by creating pressure with his defensive tackle partner, Jonathan Babineaux. Peters also finished ninth in tackles among all of the DTs in the NFL. Want more proof that he had a pretty incredible season? He was the only DT in the NFC with an interception during the regular season. With a breakout season like this, I think Peters has caught some much-needed positive attention for his standout talent.

3) Second-year linebacker Sean Weatherspoon
Weatherspoon missed five games in 2010 year due to injury, but came roaring back in 2011. He proved he’s a defensive powerhouse and registered four sacks and 115 tackles this season. He’s got incredible speed and awareness, and is a powerful blitzer. I really believe he stepped up in a major way and made himself a serious asset to the defensive unit. He made such huge impact this year that he saw huge numbers when it came to voting for Pro Bowl, and quite frankly, got snubbed this year. The bottom line? He had a standout season, one that many perhaps didn’t expect. The even better news? He’s just getting started to fully realize his potential with this team.

2) Backup-turned-starting tackle Will Svitek
The offensive line saw a lot of changes this year and often held a lot of question marks because of new starters and injuries. Svitek jumped into the role of starter midway in the season when previous starter Sam Baker went down with a back injury and stepped up immediately. In his 10 starts, he allowed only 1.5 sacks. Clearly, he added an element of stability and was able to securely protect Matt Ryan’s blind side. He added serious depth and protection in a role that is key to an offense’s success. It’s for this reason that Svitek has landed on my list of breakout players. Look for him to continue to improve and compete for a starting position next season, step up as a leader and continue to prove his worth as an offensive tackle.

1) Rookie wide receiver Julio Jones
I’d be remiss not to put this guy at No. 1. The rookie wide-out from Alabama showed up this year ready to play. Even with a nagging hamstring injury, he finished the season with 959 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Not too shabby for a first-year player. He had some heavy expectations placed on him and felt the pressure before he even stepped foot in Flowery Branch. Sure, he’s got room to grow, but he is a serious talent to be reckoned with. I can’t wait to see what he does on the field next year, especially after a full season under his belt.

Honorable Mentions:

• Rookie punter Matt Bosher – Bosher started off the season a touch shaky, but oh, man, when he got comfortable, he became great. I think a lot of people were quick to criticize Bosher, but had a lot more faith in him by the season’s end.
• Rookie linebacker Akeem Dent – Dent, a former Georgia Bulldog and third round draft pick, ended up having a monster season on special teams. He made a serious impact with 19 special teams tackles. He proved to be an invaluable asset in coverage and I think we’ll be seeing much more of him next season.

More Best of 2011

• Best of 2011: Games
• Best of 2011: Plays
• Best of 2011: Performances
• Best of 2011: Quotes
• Best of 2011: Photos
• Best of 2011: Storylines

Just as fans vote your favorite Falcons players into the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, we as a cheerleading team vote for one of our own to represent our team and our fantastic Atlanta Falcons organization in Hawaii. This cheerleader is the epitome of what the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders represent – talented, beautiful women who are intelligent, classy, fun and, of course, dedicated to serving the community and cheering on the Atlanta Falcons to victory.

The Pro Bowl cheerleader is one who will do appearances, community service work and interact with fans throughout the week in Hawaii. This woman will be the representation of what the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and the Atlanta Falcons organization represent. This cheerleader is literally being voted Cheerleader of the Year.

This year, we as a team have voted for seven-year veteran Brandy K. to represent us in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl. We are proud to have her be our Pro Bowl cheerleader and we know that she will represent us as a team and as an organization the best possible way she can. She will join one representative from each of the other cheerleading teams from around the league to participate in all of the Pro Bowl activities and events.

We are thrilled for Brandy and can’t wait to hear about her adventures in Hawaii!

Hi there, Falcons fans! This week, I was lucky enough to sit down with three-year veteran and first-year captain Zorah B. I learned all about her time in performing arts schools, her weird quirk, and her big family. Read on to get to know her better:

Sara D.: This is your first year as captain. Two part question: What challenges have you had with it, and what’s the best part?

Zorah B.: Well, to answer the first part of your question, the most challenging part of being captain is thinking on your feet. When you’re on the field, excited about a play that just happened, with thousands of cheering fans, and a random song comes on, it can be very hard to think of a dance that you can call that will fit perfectly. To answer the second part, the best part about being captain is being someone my line can rely on. It’s a good feeling when a rookie asks you a question because they respect you and value your opinion!

SD: You’re a trained dancer. Tell me about your studio experience.

ZB: My mom put me in dance classes when I was three. At first, I hated it! Putting on those tights was my worst nightmare. After I got used to the tights, though, there was no stopping me. I started competitive dancing in third grade and after six years of competitive dancing, I went to a performing arts high school where I was a “dance major.” I was in numerous musicals and dance concerts. It was a blast!

SD: Performing arts schools seem to be a big part of your life. I know you went to University of the Arts in Philadelphia — tell me about that experience.

ZB: Philadelphia is an amazing city! I majored in dance at the University of the Arts where every day for four years, I went to an 8 a.m. ballet classes. My teachers ranged from ballerinas from The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Hungarian National Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet. My days also consisted of modern and jazz dancing, even African dancing. My favorite classes, though, were stylized ones — Fosse and hip-hop. Although most of my classes consisted of dancing, I still had to take core classes — math, science and history.

SD: That’s awesome — sounds like Fame! All right, switching gears. I know you’re starting a new job — exciting! What will you be doing?

ZB: I was just hired as a sales coordinator at a media company. My main job is to communicate with cable systems and advertising agencies to ensure all cable spots are confirmed and running correctly.

SD: Awesome! Congrats! So, many fans would be happy to hear you’re a Georgia girl born and raised. What is your favorite part of being a hometown girl?

ZB: Having a huge support system. My family and friends are very important to me, and it’s nice to be surrounded by all of them.

SD: Speaking of, you’re a part of a big family — what is that like?

ZB: Loud! Growing up my house was very loud. Having two younger sisters and a younger brother can get very hectic.

SD: What’s something most people wouldn’t know about?

ZB: My hands sweat all the time! It’s embarrassing in the locker room when we hold hands and say our game-day prayer. I always apologize for my sweaty palms.

SD: Actually, this is true, I think we’re always next to each other in prayer. OK, sweaty palms, pick a super-power: flying or invisibility.

ZB: I think it would be amazing to be able to be invisible whenever I wanted. Plus, I don’t like heights, so flying is out.

SD: What’s your favorite part of being an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader?

ZB: Performing. I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember and it is a great opportunity to continue my passion as an adult.

SD: What’s your favorite gameday or locker room memory?

ZB: My favorite gameday memory was last year during the Falcons vs. Ravens game. After losing a fourth quarter lead, Roddy White hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan with 20 seconds left in the game, resulting in a Falcons victory. I was right next to Roddy when he caught that pass and couldn’t believe my eyes!

SD: I love that you know all the details of that. All right, last question. What’s something most people would be surprised to learn about the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders?

ZB: I’ve actually been asked a lot of questions by people who are curious about professional cheerleaders and how we balance everything. Most people are surprised when they find out that every girl on the squad is required to have a full time job or be a full time student. Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders prides itself on having motivated, professional women making up its squad!

For more on hometown girl Zorah B., check out her bio or find her on Facebook! As always you can find me on Twitter and Facebook – feel free to ask me questions! Stay tuned for another AFC interview next week!

Cheers,
Sara D.

Sara D.: Let’s jump right in. You’ve transitioned from one red and black team to another. Tell me about the differences between AFC and UGA’s Dance Dawgs.

Erin P.: Red and black look good on everyone! The most obvious differences between the two are squad size and audience. The dance team at the University of Georga, the Dance Dawgs, was a squad of 12 when I was there, and we danced at all mens and womens home basketball games, gymnastics meets and various school and spirit events. AFC is about four times that size and we only dance at 10 home games but in front of 60,000-plus fans. The arenas are so different but I can’t pick one over the other. Both experiences have been so special!

SD: You’re from Peachtree City. Please explain the golf cart thing, because I’m still trying to learn about it.

EP: Man, I miss home! Peachtree City is a golf-cart community with several different golf courses and over 100 miles of golf-cart paths throughout the city. You can get anywhere by golf-cart. Schools have parking lots for them. You can go to the store, out to eat at a restaurant or just on a leisurely drive. There’s even a golf-cart parade on July 4th!

SD: A golf-cart parade? I think I need to see this! Did you have a golf cart growing up?

EP: I actually didn’t have a golf-cart until I was older, but luckily all of my friends and neighbors had them so I didn’t miss out!

SD: Did you ever get into a wreck? How would that work? Sorry for the golf-cart question streak. I’m fascinated.

EP: I’m a responsible driver, Sara! I never got in a wreck, but it is fairly common. Unfortunately, the accidents can be pretty serious, so there has been legislation to enforce rules over the last few years. The police enforce traffic laws on golf-carts very similar to regular cars.

SD: Well, how about that. I just learned something new! OK, let’s move on past golf carts. You’ve transitioned into a really cool new career. Tell me about it.

EP: Let me just say that I have been truly blessed in my professional career. I’m a consultant in the technology space for an amazing web development agency in Atlanta. We help companies identify their business objectives and build and implement the technologies that support them. Pretty cool stuff. Every day is a new challenge!

SD: That’s fantastic! Good to love what you do and do what you love. What’s the ultimate for you? What’s the big dream to achieve?

EP: I’m not sure I’m supposed to know the answer to this. I want to continue to learn, grow, help, and make people laugh for the rest of my life. And, I want to be able to provide for and take care of my parents so they can finally relax. They work too hard. I’ll add to that and say that I’d like to work for myself someday. Doing what, I don’t know yet. Suggestions?!

SD: I think that’s a perfect plan, actually! OK, tell me something about yourself that would surprise people.

EP: I watched those terrible Spanish soap operas on Telemundo growing up. I can still sing some of the theme songs and want to be in one.

SD: Weird! Me too! So what are some of your favorite Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders memories?

EP: There are so many memories that come to mind! We do a lot of hospital visits around different centers in Atlanta. Several of the cheerleaders, myself, and Tony Gonzalez surprised a big group of kids in the newly renovated activity center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Babies, toddlers, kids, and young teens — all patients at the clinic, came pouring into the center to come see us. The smiles on their faces were unbelievable. It’s hard to believe that I could brighten their day when these kids were the courageous ones.

SD: That’s so great! Those hospital visits are ones that seem to have a huge impact! What’s the most exciting thing about being on the field?

EP: Other than performing, I would say the sheer amount of people. You look up and see screaming fans blurred by bright lights and it’s just incredible.

SD: Would you rather fly or be invisible? Why?

EP: Fly, duh. There’s something creepy about being invisible. Makes me think about the Kevin Bacon movie.

SD: What’s one thing that you think would surprise people about the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders?

EP: The cheerleaders that you see out at appearances in the community are real cheerleaders. Yes, people, real cheerleaders. Not fake cheerleaders!

And there you have it, Falcons Faithful! Want to learn more about Erin? Visit her bio or follow her on Twitter. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter as well. Get ready, first year line captain Zorah is my next big interview.

Cheers!
Sara D.

Sara D.: You’re doing some big things right now. Tell me about grad school and your motivation to be a teacher.

Kelsi S.: I actually started college at Auburn with a degree in electrical engineering. I really liked all of my classes because I was doing so well in them compared to others. I was one of about 15 freshman students in the entire college of engineering to keep a 4.0 my freshman year of college. Because I kept doing so well, I kept my major as engineering until the middle of my junior year. Then, I actually thought about what I would be doing when I got done with school and if I would like it or not. I thought about what would really make me happy. After really putting thought into it, I realized I’ve always wanted to work with kids. I love being a mentor, teacher and role model. I knew that being a teacher is what would really make me happy, especially teaching math (a subject that most students struggle with). I decided to change my major to math and look for a job teaching. Since I was not certified, I was not able to find a job at first, which was very frustrating. So, I applied to graduate school to get my masters in math education and become the best teacher I could possibly be.

SD: That’s great, Kelsi! I had no idea you were an engineering major. So what do you love about teaching, in particular? I think it’s so unusual you love math, especially since, as you said, it’s something most people aren’t a big fan of.

KS: I love being a mentor to students and I have always loved working with kids. Math has always been my favorite subject. I think it is such a beautiful thing. Sadly, though, most people struggle with it and don’t understand it, when to me it makes the more sense than most other things. I am hoping I can change kids perspective on math.

SD: You’re a newlywed! How’s the first year or so of marriage been?

KS: It has been amazing! I am so very blessed to have found the man of my dreams. It sounds so cliché, but really I have never felt this lucky to have someone in my life — other than my family members. He treats me like a princess and always makes me feel so special. I really can’t describe how wonderful the first year of marriage has been. It’s funny because everyone told us to be prepared because the first year is so hard. Well, I hate to disagree with everyone, but we didn’t think so! Nothing has ever been easier in my life. Maybe that’s because I know I can be myself around him.

SD: That is so sweet and so romantic! I know you went to Auburn — what made you decide to go there?

KS: My older sister went to Auburn and I had visited her a few times and loved it. The campus is beautiful and the people are all so nice. The academics at the school are also top notch.

SD: I completely understand. I know you also danced in college. What’s it like being on AFC vs. Tiger Paws (the Auburn dance team)?

KS: Tiger Paws and AFC are actually similar. With both teams, I met new girls that instantly became like part of my family. There were only 16 members on Tiger Paws, however, so the AFC family is much larger.

SD: You’re a trained dancer — what’s your favorite studio memory?

KS: I went to Jill’s Studio of Dance and I have so many awesome memories from there. My absolute favorite would have to be driving to the competitions with my parents. It was like a mini vacation for us. They always supported me 100 percent and I am so blessed to have them.

SD: Tell me one random fact or funny quirk about yourself.

KS: I love animals! Cats, dogs, mice, bunnies, deer — anything with fur and a cute face and my heart melts. I have 2 cats and a dog that we adopted from the Humane Society and they are a part of our family! I could never have enough pets.

SD: That is great! I love stories like that — it’s so great to adopt pets! Ok, let’s switch gears here. What superhero power would you want, and why?

KS: I would want the power to fly. I think that flying would be the most exhilarating feeling.

SD: Me too. Plus you could travel a lot easier. On that note, actually, where would you go on your dream vacation?

KS: My dream vacation would be to Paris. I have always wanted to go and I think it would be so neat.

SD: Good choice! OK, in the home stretch with this interview, so let’s play would you rather!

KS: Ok!

SD: Would you rather live near mountains or the beach?

KS: Beach.

SD: Sweet or sour?

KS: Sweet.

SD: Cake or brownies?

KS: Cake, but cookies if I had the choice.

SD: Dogs or cats?

KS: Ahh! That’s a hard one. It’s a tie! I love them both!

SD: That was fun! I’ll remember to bring you cookies instead of cake on your birthday. All right, last question. What do you love most about AFC?

KS: There are two things I love most about AFC. The first is the amazing girls that become like sisters to me. The second is getting to make a difference in people’s lives just by going to charity events and making people feel special.

Big thanks to Kelsi for being so happy to sit down with me and share a little bit with Falcons nation! If you want to learn more about Kelsi, make sure to check out her bio. Get excited, too, as next week I sit down with Erin P.

Cheers!
Sara D.

Sara D.: Tell me what it’s like to be a first time veteran on AFC?

Brittiney W.: Year two has been great so far. I’m more comfortable this season because I know what’s going on, but I’m definitely still learning! It’s great not having to carry boxes and sit on the floor in the locker room! All jokes aside, it really does feel great to help this year’s rookies and be able to be there for them whenever they need me!

SD: Tell me about your hometown of Eden, NC – I know it’s a small place.

BW: Eden, NC is known as “the land of two rivers,” and it was a great place to grow up. It is the typical “everyone knows everyone” type of small town; one middle school, one high school and one big ol’ Super Walmart!

SD: You’re best friends with rookie Alice F. When did you meet and how?

BW: Alice and I met… actually, I don’t remember. If you’ve known anyone your whole life, that’s usually the case. The first distinct memory I have of Alice is at our first dance recital at the Eden Family YMCA. She wore a two-piece, silver sequined outfit and danced to “Carolina Girl” (Go Heels) and I think she had a baton? I danced to “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder and had a ribbon tied to my wrist. Ahhh, the good old days.

SD: Ribbons, sequins, and glitter — the things dance recitals are made of. I love it! Speaking of dance recitals, I know you danced in college at East Carolina University. Tell me about that experience.

BW: I started college as a journalism major, but I still wanted to dance. The ECU dance team was a perfect fit for me. We (the dance team) performed at all home football games, men and women’s basketball games. We also danced at baseball games. They called us the diamond dancers during the season. We had strength and conditioning training twice a week at 6 a.m. and practice 3-4 times a week for three hours. It was very time consuming, but I don’t think I would’ve done as well in college without such a busy schedule.

SD: How would you describe your love for the Atlanta Falcons?

BW: I love the Atlanta Falcons organization! It feels good to be part of an amazing family. Everyone is great at what they do, and of course, are so friendly. There’s no place like home and I definitely feel at home in the Dome.

SD: Home at the Dome! I like that! Besides the Dome, if you could choose anywhere in the world to live, where would it be?

BW: I would live in the Georgia Aquarium. Out of all the places I’ve been, the aquarium is my favorite. It’s the largest in the world, and it was the first place I visited in Atlanta. I would love to wake up to the whale sharks every day.

SD: Sharks in the morning! Just like Wheaties! Other than wanting to live at the Georgia Aquarium, what is something most people don’t know about you?

BW: I have an obsession with office supplies! My dad was cleaning out the garage the other day and found close to 2,000 pens that I’d collected over the years. There is nothing more exciting to me, besides Falcons football, than new office supplies. Things such as pens, pencils, paper clips, staplers, planners — I get a new one every three months — and tape dispensers, make me really happy. Yeah, I’ve never actually admitted it until now. Kind of scary.

SD: 2,000 pens?! That’s a lot! Maybe you can use one or two at work. On that note, what’s your dream job?

BW: My dream job would be something news-related. I love writing and video production. I’d like to work for a major news network. I’ve been practicing my sign-off since I was 12… “This is Brittiney W., reporting live (insert news broadcaster head nod).”

SD: That makes total sense to me. Your head-nod sign off is perfection! Final fun question for you. What’s your super power and why?

BW: I would want to fly because Atlanta traffic is terrible!

Big thanks to Brittiney W. for such a fun interview! To find out more about her, check out her bio. You can also follow her on Twitter and find her on Facebook.

Same goes for me – find me on Twitter or Facebook, and let me know what questions you want me to ask the team.

Cheers (and Go Falcons!),
Sara D.

Sara D.: I know you’re not from Georgia. Me neither! Tell me about growing up in New York and how you ended up here in Atlanta.

Melissa Z.: Woo-hoo for out-of-staters! I grew up in Long Island and it definitely shaped me to be the person I am today. I lived in Valley Stream, which is one of the first suburbs outside the five boroughs, up until two years ago. I loved spending the school year at dance class or ice skating lessons, and my summers were always at the beach. I was an active kid, which meant that I was outside playing on my block for a majority of my childhood. It wasn’t until I turned17 that I was allowed to drive in the state of New York, so I spent most of my days walking to and from school, rollerblading to get a slice of pizza, or riding my bike to visit friends and family who were never far from reach. Growing up in New York gave me thick skin, as well as a great sense of independence and respect for all kinds of people. I have cousins who live in Johns Creek, and when we finally visited, my parents fell in love with Georgia. My dad was able to transfer his mechanic position to work in the Atlanta airport and my mom is now able to work her insurance job out of our home for her New York office. It also helped that I am totally fine with change, so it all worked out! My sister just recently made the move to Georgia a few weeks ago, so we are one big happy (reunited) family again!

SD: Your family has an unusual business. Tell me all about Italian Ice!

MZ: Oh man, do not get me started! Italian ices are a delicious and refreshing light desert, and it is sort of a cross between ice cream, gelato and sherbet. It is in no way, shape, or form, a Sno-Cone so don’t get it twisted! Italian ices are very popular in New York, and my dad and I have been stunned that there are little to no Italian ice businesses in Georgia! As of right now, we make Italian ices out of our garage and we have almost 20 flavors perfected. Some of these flavors include: Chocolate (my personal favorite), Lemon, Cherry, Orange Creamsicle, Peanut Butter, Apple, and Coconut Rum (yes, with actual rum). We also make a Coffee ice cream that is to die for! We are in the process of giving away free samples for feedback purposes and are looking to open the storefront in the spring!

SD: You have a sister who just made the Hawks — a dancing duo! Tell me about what it’s like to have your sister be a pro cheerleader too.

MZ: I am so thrilled that my sister, Dana, and I are both dancing professionally. This has been a dream that we have shared for many years. I am extremely proud of my big sister for making the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders, and I am looking forward to going to every game so I can to support her!

SD: I know you’re a student at Kennesaw State University and I know you were on their dance team — how hard was it to leave that behind?

MZ: The KSU Dance Team has been a huge part of my life since I have been living in Georgia. It has prepared me in more ways than one for my endeavors with AFC. I do not feel as if I am entirely leaving it behind because I have taken so much of that team with me already. I run into my old teammates and coach around campus often, and I even attend practices and have impromptu workout sessions with them on my downtime. I will be attending as many KSU events this year to be an active Alumni for a great athletic program. I will miss performing at basketball games and competing at this year’s National dance team competition for sure, though. Owls, Owls, hoot hoot!

SD: That’s great you’re still involved, I’m sure the team appreciates it! Ok, quick! What is your favorite part of being an AFC rookie?

MZ: Receiving continuous encouragement and motivation to do better by my captain and the vets in my line! Not to mention my rookie class is amazing!

SD: Any fun personality quirks you want to share here on AtlantaFalcons.com to help fans get to know you better?

MZ: I must say that I can do pretty good imitations of people (mostly of my mother and the classic “mobster” Italian). I am also borderline obsessed with stand-up comedians, and I have the tendency to narrate my life in my head, and I cannot sit still… ever!

SD: Oh, boy. One day I’ll have to get your impression of me one day! All right, last question: What are you most excited about this season?

MZ: I am most excited to perform a halftime show! My smile will not come off my face for a week. I have fingers crossed for a Super Bowl win as well, of course!

To learn more about Melissa, check out her bio, and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Stay tuned for my blog all about the Falcons’ first game in Chicago!

Cheers!
Sara D.

Sara D.: Cindy! I know you aren’t from Georgia … or the US! Tell me about growing up in Taiwan.

Cindy L.: I grew up in a big family, and lived with my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Every Chinese New Year there were about 30 people gathered in my house to celebrate. I guess that’s the reason I am a family-oriented girl! I started dancing at the age of 3 because my mom wanted me to stay in shape and be healthy. It’s safe to say I fell in love with it, and since then I haven’t been able to stop. In middle school, I attended a special program concentrating on dance; specifically, Chinese dance, contemporary dance, and ballet were my “majors.” At the same time, I had to maintain good grades in my school-work. When I went to high school, I was lucky enough to score a decent grade on the entrance exam and got into the best girls’ high school in my city. After attending two years of high school I came to the States with permanent residency.

SD: What a cool story. So, tell me the next step. How did you decide to go to Georgia Tech?

CL: Georgia Tech has an excellent engineering program and is consistently ranked as one of the best among the universities around the world. It also has a beautiful campus that I fell in love with after my first visit. I also have Georgia residency and was eligible to apply for the HOPE scholarship and reduce the financial burden on my family.

SD: That’s great! Tech is a wonderful school and it’s important to love where you live! What was the big move to Georgia like? What was the transition like?

CL: It was extremely different and not easy. Food choices are different; places are far away from each other; I only had a few friends to talk to. Among all difficulties, the language barrier was probably the biggest challenge I had to conquer. I can still recall when I first came here. Lots of times, I had to use gestures to communicate with my friends and teachers in the school. Now, in retrospect, it was quite entertaining! Of course, without my parents’ being here with me, everything was extra difficult. I remember one time I completely broke down because I was so stressed out, and cried on Skype in front of my mom and grandma! I think they missed me too. They both cried with me! As time goes on, though, I become more used to the difference and I have become more independent!

SD: I can’t even imagine being so far away from my family! I know they’re so proud of you, though! Ok, so tell me, what are you studying at Tech and what drew you to it?

CL: I am currently studying Industrial and Systems Engineering. Tech has the best program in the country!

SD: You smarty-pants! I love it! What are your plans after graduation, if you have any?

CL: For now, I am considering applying to graduate school concentrating in supply chain engineering. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll be working to gain some work experience and then pursue an MBA degree in the near future.

SD: That’s great! Such big things in your future! I know you were on GT’s Gold Rush dance team — how did you decide to try out?

CL: After high school, I just couldn’t imagine life without dance, especially since I have been doing it for my whole life. After searching online, I was ecstatic to find out about Georgia Tech’s dance team. I did not join right away because I missed the audition my freshmen year and had to wait for a year to try out! It was definitely worth it though!

SD: What was the reaction when you told your family about making the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders?

CL: My parents are not familiar with American football so they weren’t super excited about it when I first told them. After I explained more about AFC, I can feel that they are very proud of me and will try to find me on ESPN in Taiwan (Hopefully they’ll show some Falcons games there!) On the other hand, my older brother, who studied here and received his master’s degree in the USA, was ecstatic when I told him that I made AFC! He found it hard to believe and was telling his friends that his little sister is famous! Oh, I love my family!

SD: I am sure they are all incredibly proud! What’s your favorite quirky difference between Taiwan and the US?

CL: There are not as many scooters here as there are in Taiwan. The drivers in Taiwan have to fight for the lane with the scooters!

SD: What do you miss most?

CL: Food! Taiwanese food is amazing and unique. If you have a chance to visit Taiwan, I recommend that you go to night markets in different cities and try special local street foods. Stinky tofu, Taiwanese deep fried chicken breast, basil fried chicken nuggets, bubble tea, etc. They are usually tasty and cheap!

SD: Quick! Give me one fun fact about you.

CL: I love “Hello Kitty!” I have “Hello Kitty” everywhere in my apartment and my car. My mom actually just sent a lot of Hello Kitty stuff to me from Taiwan — a car windshield shade, mini trash can and traveling kit. It sounds crazy, right? And now you know what to get for my birthday!

That, we do, Cindy! Speaking of, her birthday was this week! Make sure to wish her a very happy birthday on Facebook and Twitter! For even more on Cindy, check out her bio!

You can always catch me on Facebook and Twitter, too, and keep an eye out for even more from me this season!

Cheers!
Sara D.

Since the last time I’ve posted here on AtlantaFalcons.com, the team had their first preseason home game against the Miami Dolphins. All of AFC was on the sidelines ready to go.

It’s always special to see the rookies on their first time out on the field. I remember the feeling…(extreme) nerves mixed with excitement. As we veterans say, “there’s only one first game as a rookie!” From what I gather, on the whole, the rookies had a great first outing! Actually, AFC as a whole had a great first outing!

I’m so unbelievably proud of the team with have this year. We can’t wait to see you next week back at the Dome! Make sure to come check us out and cheer on your Atlanta Falcons to victory! We’re pretty pumped about the home opener, too. Surely you are, as well.

We’ve also been busy with our new reality show! It’s currently showing now on Comcast On Demand. You can find out more about how to watch it by reading more here. You can catch episodes of Making the Team, Making the Calendar, and each one of the girls has a video bio airing now. Make sure to stay tuned for more, as we unveil who is in the calendar! On that note, we’ll be making some announcements soon about our calendar release party, so keep your eyes peeled for that as well.

We’ve also been all over the greater Atlanta area, participating in promotions and charity appearances. One of the best parts of being on AFC is the opportunity to be a part of the community and give back. It’s truly one of the things we love most about AFC and the Falcons organization – the value placed on community service is extremely high. We’re proud to wear the Atlanta Falcons’ name and see all of you out and about!

Speaking of, do you have a daughter between ages 5 and 16? If so, sign her up for the Jr. Atlanta Falcons Cheerleading program! It’s a special opportunity for these girls and everyone has a blast! You can find out more information on the Jr. Cheer program here.

We’ve been hard at work learning new choreography and working towards perfection for you on the sidelines this year. This is going to be a season for the record books, and we can’t wait to spend it with you, Falcons Fans!

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or find me on Facebook.

Cheers,
Sara D.

Here on AtlantaFalcons.com, we previously had a post about three-year veteran, Denita C., who takes fitness, health and wellness very seriously. She was recently featured in Oxygen magazine and has high hopes of finding success in the fitness world. I interviewed her for more:

Sara D.: How did you become so interested in fitness, health and wellness?

Denita C.: I was an active kid and participated in sports, so that led me to be more aware of the things that I needed to do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I began working at a local gym in 10th grade, where I learned more about discipline and the importance of nutrition when it comes to achieving your goals. I’m extremely interested in maintaining my overall health so that I can be an active mother and grandmother. I believe that what I do now will affect me later.

SD: That’s great! It all starts when you’re young. What motivates you?

DC: I’m deeply motivated by success stories. I love hearing how people overcame a hardship to achieve their goals. I’m motivated by passionate and genuine people. Fitness-wise, I read lots of magazines and research the “gurus” in the industry! Look at them – That is motivation enough!

SD: I know you really like Jeanette Jenkins. She’s amazing! As members of AFC, we have to stay in shape and eat well. What advice do you have for others who want to achieve the same things?

DC: I believe that staying in shape is an individualistic and continuous commitment. You must be aware of your potential and be in-tune with yourself. There are so many “diet” plans, workouts and trainers out there, but none of them will get you to where you want to be alone. I’ve seen people spend thousands of dollars on a trainer and nutrition programs, only to gain the weight back. You have to want results for yourself and stick to it! It’s a mind over matter situation. It’s one thing to want to look good, but the first priority MUST be to feel good. Working out should be a therapeutic process, not torture. AFC is made up of all types of girls, some that love the gym and some that workout because they have to maintain their level of fitness. Either way, we all know that we have a responsibility to ourselves, as well as to our organization, to be in tip top shape at all times.

SD: Agreed! What are your fitness goals in the short term?

DC: Short term, I plan to continue pushing my body. I enjoy discovering new workouts and ways to challenge myself. I still have physical goals that I’d like to achieve, though. I want to be more consistent with my results. I plan to continue to lead by example and motivate my teammates to do the same!

SD: What about the long term?

DC: I plan to compete in my first fitness competition within the next year. I am a long way out, but I’m doing the research necessary to prepare. Ultimately, I would like to launch a successful fitness modeling and competitive career. I want to share my enthusiasm and love for fitness with people through my physical results!

SD: How do you stay consistent and not lose track of your goals?

DC: I’m proud to say that I’ve developed the ability to really know my body. I can tell when the cravings are about to hit and/or when I’m in a workout rut. I mentioned earlier that I read a lot of fitness magazines — this has really helped me identify things what I could be doing to shake things up. Being consistent is a challenge! We all have times where we fall off, but I always have my goals in mind. More importantly, there are two things that have helped me — planning and preparing my meals and workouts and writing down everything that I eat. Structuring my meals and workouts has changed my life!

SD: That’s great advice for everyone — I want to give the Denita model a try! Any other words of wisdom or pieces of advice?

DC: You should always push yourself to be better. Find your strengths and focus on them! You must know your body and learn to love it. Be consistent and patient and the results will come. Surround yourself with healthy individuals. I believe lifestyles rub off on people. Make it worth it! Most importantly, remember there is always someone working harder than you!

You can check out Denita’s feature in Oxygen Magazine in this post, and check back in the coming weeks for her bio!

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or find me on Facebook.

Cheers,
Sara D.

We’re afforded many incredible opportunities here on the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, and we find ourselves counting our blessings on a regular basis. AFC has the amazing ability to open many doors we never thought were unlocked, and four-year veteran Margaret is a perfect example of this.

Veteran and co-captain Margaret M. was recently featured in a nationwide Reebok ad! (You thought that cutout you saw at the sporting goods store looked familiar!) I sat down with her to get some more info.

Sara D.: How did this all come about?

Margaret M.: This opportunity became available thanks to my talent agency. My headshot was sent in, and from there, I was chosen to audition with the casting agency. We did a short video interview where I showed my personality and then I ran around, stretched and proved I was an athlete. A couple of days later, I received a phone call and was asked to audition live in front of the clients. I was nervous! They had narrowed it down to about 10 naturally beautiful girls.

The stylist gave me and another finalist some Reebok apparel to put on and then we walked out in front of the Reebok creative team. I told them who I was and what I did to keep in shape and that was it. The very next day, my agent called to tell me I was chosen!

SD: What a cool experience! And exciting! So tell me, what was the shoot like?

MM: The shoot was incredible. Everyone there was so nice and made me feel like a superstar. The location was in an old brick building. I worked out with Kevin, an official Reebok trainer, who pushed me to my max even when the camera was off. I was paid to have fun and have an incredible workout with an awesome trainer! It was all about precision and executing all the exercises perfectly. He, along with the other Reebok staff, claimed they were very impressed and planned to use me in the future for Crossfit ads. Fingers crossed!

SD: That’s awesome! Congrats! When was the current ad released to stores?

MM: The ad was released in March 2011 and will stay in stores until September 2011.

SD: Obviously, I want to check out your ad in person…so where can it be found?

MM: Fans can see me in every Dick’s Sporting Goods Store in the Women’s Reebok Apparel section.

SD: Do you have any similar opportunities on the horizon that we can tell fans about?

MM: Yes! I host and interview for “Get Connected” (it airs in 35 markets in the southeast), including Comcast OnDemand. I interview celebrities and cover events in Atlanta. I’ve had the honor to interview former WWE Champion Jack Swagger, mega-producer Will Packer, comedienne/actress Margaret Cho, legendary boxer Sugar Ray Lenard, and many more. Make sure to check ‘em out!

Make sure to find Margaret in stores until September and keep your eye on Comcast On-Demand for her interviews! Want more info about Margaret? Check out her bio in the coming weeks here on AtlantaFalcons.com.

As always, you can find me on Facebook and Twitter!

Cheers,
Sara D.

I have another fun AFC profile for you, Falcons fans. Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders rookie Susanne and her husband, Lee, are both athletes and make the perfect pair. He currently pitches for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs and is in Georgia playing against the Gwinnett Braves. I asked Susanne a few questions about his trip home.

Sara D.: Let’s get the basics. How did you and your husband meet?

Susanne H.: We both attended Georgia Tech. Lee played baseball and I was a cheerleader, so we would cross paths at the Athletic Association where we worked out, ate meals, etc. We also had mutual friends and were around each other a lot. In fact, my roommate started dating his roommate before we even started seeing each other. He made the first move and I’ve been smitten ever since!

SD: Your husband plays baseball for the Syracuse Chiefs — can you tell me a little bit more about that?

SH: This is his first season with the Syracuse Chiefs. They are the Triple-A affiliate for the Washington Nationals. Prior to playing with the Chiefs, he was a part of the Braves organization. He was claimed off waivers smack in the middle of AFC auditions (in March) and moved to the Nationals organization — talk about an eventful week for us!

SD: Sounds like it! A lot of stress that week, I can only imagine! What’s it like to have your husband traveling all the time? How do you two balance home life with work life?

SH: We’ve always had to deal with distance from the very beginning. During college summers, he would play summer ball in Cape Cod. Once he was drafted, he would be on the road from February to September. It doesn’t help that our schedules are completely opposite, either. It’s hard to talk on the phone because when he’s not working, I am, and when I get off work, he’s already on the field. He gets about one day off a month and usually is traveling from one city to another. When we do have the time, we’ll Skype — which is nice because we can see each other’s faces!

Being apart a lot and balancing home life and work life is not easy. Often, we are asked how we do it. There’s no easy answer, but we do the best we can to make it work. This is such an exciting time in our lives and I want nothing more than for my husband to succeed in his career. Even though it’s crazy now, we know at some point we will have more of a “normal” life.

SD: I understand how hard it must be, but it’s great you both are so supportive of each other! OK, so he’s playing the Gwinnett Braves this week – how cool! What’s it like to cheer for the opposing team, though?

SH: It’s so nice to have him in our hometown this week! The Chiefs only travel to the South about twice a year. It was definitely strange being at the Gwinnett stadium (Coolray Field) cheering for the opposing team, especially since it was just last season when I was cheering for the Braves!

SD: Are you able to spend any time with him while he’s here?

SH: Yes! The coaches have let him stay at our house versus the team hotel, which is so nice! To make it even better, my boss has let me work from home this week. We get to spend a little bit of time together in the morning and have lunch before he heads off to the field.

SD: I’m so glad you’re able to see each other! What a cool story — two athletes in one marriage. Give me one random fact about you two.

SH: It’s funny, we thought about this at lunch today. I’ve got two things: we are both true Atlantans, born and raised, and we are really laid back in the baseball offseason. Our typical date includes dinner at Teds and a movie!

Sounds like a marriage made in sports heaven! For more about Susanne, you can check out her bio in the coming weeks on AtlantaFalcons.com. As always, you can find me on Facebook and Twitter!

Cheers,
Sara D.

Hey there, Falcons Fans! I find that I’m constantly being asked what all us ladies who make up the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders do when we’re not practicing, doing promos or charity work, or dancing on the field.

We all have great jobs and careers, or are full-time students, and seven-year veteran Brandy K. is no exception. She easily has one of the coolest jobs of anyone I know.

Brandy is the casting director for “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” and “Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids” on TLC.

Super cool, right?

As if that’s not enough, she also serves as the field producer for both shows on weekends when she is on site at weddings, gathering footage for post-production (when it doesn’t conflict with our football schedule).

Here’s a little background for all those guys out there who don’t necessarily sit down to watch the show every Friday night.

“Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” is a “docu-soap” that follows engaged women as they search for their dream wedding dress. “Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids” is the sister show that focuses on the bridal party.

“Have you ever seen five women try to decide on one dress that they all have to wear? It’s a natural disaster!” Brandy said.

In other words, it makes for great TV, not to mention funny experiences.

Brandy had a “groomzilla” (new vocabulary word). While filming during the spring, he got so fed up with the bridal party’s complaining that he went and tried on a dress himself.

Another indelible memory? Brandy said it’s when a girl literally got stuck in a sample dress and she thought she was going to have to call the fire department.

This job is awesome, exciting and hard work, so it’s a wonder how it fits in with an extremely busy Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders schedule.

The two shows are filmed simultaneously and she’s on set six days a week, and each shoot day is about 8-13 hours (that’s dedication, folks!). Combine this work week with our practices and promos, and you can imagine how exhausting it all is.

“I don’t think of what I do as work. It’s way to much fun to be called that,” Brandy said. “I’m a master of time management and I try to squeeze the most out of every day. We do film on Sundays during the fall, so I have my laptop out at every game in the dressing room. I’m constantly checking my e-mail and phone for any last-minute issues that arise with the cast.”

Say you’re an engaged female Falcons fan and you want more info because YOU are interested in appearing on “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta.” Head on over to the “Say Yes to the Dress” website for more information, and make sure to tune into TLC on Friday evenings as Season Two of “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” and Season One of “Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids” starts July 8.

I love talking to girls on AFC about what they do outside of the Dome, the gym and in uniform — it’s so fascinating! Everyone has different interests and passions, and it’s clear that Brandy kicks butt in everything she does.

Are you curious about what the rest of us do off the field? I’ll have much more on other ladies on the team as the season continues.

As always, you can find me on Facebook and Twitter!

Cheers!
Sara D.

Hello, Falcons Fans! I’m bursting at the seams! I have so much to share with you!

As you probably know, Alicia D., Sabrina C., Shamea M. and I embarked on an incredible trip to Curacao to visit Military personnel stationed there last week. We’re afforded many incredible opportunities here on AFC, and this can easily be added to the list. It was, hands down, one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

We arrived in Curacao last Thursday night, where we joined Sandy Charboneau, CEO of ProTour Productions, who brought us on this amazing trip. We met our guides and hosts for the trip, Q and Julius. These two guys were the best — they truly looked after us and ensured that our visit to the base was one we’d never forget.

On Friday morning, we began a busy day. We arrived early to the base and began “rotations.” These rotations consisted of spending time with various units — taking pictures and getting to know everyone a bit better.

While on these rotations, we got to step foot inside a giant Air Force plane (we even sat in the cockpit!), ride on the fire trucks (and spray the giant water cannons on the top and front of the truck), and meet all the incredible men and women who are serving our great country.

Needless to say, we had a blast!

As we finished up our rotations on base, we headed back to the hotel for a big farewell party for the Base commander, Col. Bell. This party was so much fun! We were treated to a performance of native dancers from Curacao and our very own Shamea even got to participate!

Speaking of Shamea, she also sang “Happy Birthday” to Col. Bell! I think it may have been the highlight of party — her voice is incredible! We followed up this fun party with a night of karaoke and spending some more time with everyone. It was a long, but wonderful, day!

Saturday was a bit more relaxed as we got to head to Porto Mari with Q and Julius, as well as a few others. This was easily the most beautiful beach I have ever seen!

We got to hang out, splash around and even snorkel! It was a great opportunity to better get to know the guys on base who had come with us. It’s so fascinating hearing their stories — many have been stationed all over the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan, on multiple tours.

They’ve served in all capacities and are excited and happy to share their triumphs from their time abroad. It’s a staunch reminder of the sacrifice these men and women make in the name of protecting us back home in the States.

We followed up our fun morning with a performance. We debuted a few of our new routines for 2011 and got a great response! It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to provide some entertainment and fun for everyone.

We signed photo cards and calendars, and were able to leave a little piece of the Atlanta behind in Curacao. We ended the night by visiting those who were stationed overnight on base. It was so fun seeing their faces when we walked in — they were certainly surprised to see us! I think it shook up their night shift and gave them a smile.

Sunday came so fast. The tour flew by! We stopped by the base one last time to say our goodbyes. It’s so hard to say “farewell” to people you feel a connection to! This trip was one of a lifetime and was inspiring beyond words.

Many of these men and women have left their families behind in order to be a part of something bigger than themselves. I have nothing but admiration and the utmost respect for those serving our Military and am so thrilled and blessed to have been a part of this very special tour to Curacao.

Alicia, Sabrina, Shamea and I want to say a gigantic thank you to Sandy Charboneau and ProTour Productions for taking us on this amazing trip. We also owe a major thank you to our coach, Chato Waters, for allowing us to have this incredible experience! Another big thank you to Q and Julius for being the best tour guides and hosts we could’ve asked for.

We also owe a debt of thanks to Col. Bell for allowing us to travel to Curacao and be a part of his final few days there! Of course, the biggest thank you goes to the men and women we met at the base in Curacao, serving our country! We are so happy and grateful to have met you and to have gotten to know you.

Make sure to check out our pictures, and find all four of us on Facebook and Twitter to hear more about our tour in Curacao!

Cheers!
Sara D.

Happy Monday, Falcons fans! I know I put my interview series on pause for a few weeks because of all of the activity centering on the calendar shoot in Bermuda. I’m back, however, and I have a fantastic interview today with two-year veteran Alicia D. (pictured above). Read on, my friends, and get to know her a little bit better.

Sara: For starters, I know you’re from outside Georgia, just like I am. Hooray for out-of-towners! Tell me where you grew up and something cool about it.

Alicia: I’m from a suburban town in Washington state called Gig Harbor. It is so beautiful there, with evergreen trees all over the place and lots of waterfront views. One of the cool things about my hometown is the rivalry between the two high schools: Gig Harbor and Peninsula. The annual football game between them is called “Fish Bowl” and it’s always a big deal. The events leading up to the game, the traditions and the game itself is a huge part of what makes Gig Harbor an awesome town. Go Tides!

S: How many songs do you have on your iPod?

A: 516 songs.

S: Really? You seem like you’d have more than that! What’s currently on your workout play list?

A: I like to be aggressive when I workout, so I have songs from NOFX, Stone Sour, Digital Summer, Avenged Sevenfold, Social Distortion, Slipknot, White Zombie and the always great Busta Rhymes, to name a few.

S: Speaking of music, I know you like metal — not so typical for a cheerleader! What’s so appealing about it?

A: I think growing up in Washington, with rock music having such a huge influence on the culture in Seattle, really influenced my taste in music. Something about really great guitar riffs — that crunching sound — with some high-energy drums just gets me moving.

S: Quick. Choose one. Call of Duty or Madden?

A: Call of Duty, hands down!

S: Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible? Why?

A: I would rather fly. Besides cutting my commute time down and saving tons on gas, it would be so much fun! I also think I’d play pranks on people riding an airplane: “There’s someone on the wing!”

S: Ha! I can see you hanging out on a plane wing waving at people, freaking them out! All right, on that note, if you could be the best at anything in the world, what would it be?

A: Probably singing, because I’m HORRIBLE at it and have always admired those that can carry a tune. Plus it’d be nice to have a sing-off with Mariah Carey… and beat her.

S: Who was your childhood hero? Are they still?

A: My childhood hero was Janet Jackson. She had all the best dance moves and the greatest songs. I had my mom play the Rhythm Nation cassette in the car so often, I’m sure even she still remembers the words to “Black Cat.” I hope Janet comes out with something again because she was and still is fierce!

S: Who would win in a battle, a ninja or a pirate?

A: A ninja, with their mighty roundhouse kick to the face!

S: Like Chuck Norris? A Chuck Norris ninja! Awesome. OK, if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

A: I would love to travel to Egypt. There’s so much history and unique culture there. Since I love to learn, visiting the pyramids and the museums would be amazing.

S: What’s your favorite dance recital memory?

A: My favorite memory from a dance recital is also my worst one. I think it’s my favorite because it makes me laugh just thinking about how embarrassing it was. My dance teacher at the time thought it would be a good idea to do a dance to “Rock Lobster” by the B-52’s. She wanted to do a literal interpretation of the song title, and so there we were, a handful of 14-year-olds dressed up in bright red unitards with giant pinchers and those headbands with the bouncy eyeballs attached. I was mortified, as I had to run across the stage twirling and pinching the air with my claws, and pretending to be cooked in a giant pot of stew.

S: That is, hands down, the best dance recital story, perhaps of all time. All right, last question: hot dogs or hamburgers?

A: Hamburgers. With cheese, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayo, mustard and ketchup. And fries on the side.

Stay tuned for more interviews in my series, and get ready to really get to know your AFC!

You can learn more about Alicia by following her on Twitter or being her friend on Facebook! Of course, you know where to find me on Twitter and Facebook, too!

Cheers,
Sara D.

Bermuda came … and went … in a flash. I couldn’t have had a better time while on the beautiful island.

I feel so lucky and blessed to have been able to shoot with such a talented photographer, Drew Crozier, with his team (Kate Hansel and Russell Dreyer) and with such a supportive and incredible creative staff with the Atlanta Falcons, including creative services director Michael Benford, AtlantaFalcons.com managing editor Jay Adams and video services staffers Matt Moore and Robert Gilkes.

I also want to thank Jamison Shaw Hairdressers and Sephora for making us so very beautiful!

Another huge thank you to AirTran Airways for getting us to the island! This was truly a once in a lifetime experience, and the most gratitude goes, of course, to our coach, Chato Waters, choreographer Jakene Ashford, and the Atlanta Falcons organization.

This calendar shoot was more than just 40 gorgeous girls taking photos — it was five days of team bonding and excitement shared with those who are all in it with you. I felt as though I got closer to all the new girls on the team and fortified the bonds I have with the veterans. I had a blast with the Falcons staff and our photographer and his crew as we rocked it out on set.

At the end of the day, what really matters is the experience I had and the memories I’ve taken with me. The 2011-2012 Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader Calendar is going to be amazingly beautiful with stunning shots of girls from the team.

What went into that calendar, though, is much more than outer beauty — it was hard work, laughter, fun and excitement. We on AFC can only hope YOU, the Falcons fans, love the final product as much as we will.

I’d also like to take a moment to reflect on how thankful we all are for the sacrifice of those who are currently serving and have previously served for our United States Military. We’re thankful to you on this Memorial Day, and are further grateful for the sacrifice you have given to protect us.

I’m looking forward to an exciting, fun season filled with great memories just like those I’ve gained from this calendar shoot trip. Get pumped for the calendar release, Comcast reality series that features your AFC in Bermuda, and much more!

As always, stay tuned to AtlantaFalcons.com for more calendar coverage! You can also follow me on Twitter and friend me on Facebook!

Cheers!
Sara

I went to bed last night, ready to wake up early, work out, and have a leisurely morning.

That all changed with a phone call at 8 a.m., telling us that our shoot time changed and we had to go into hair and makeup right away. It was a whirlwind as we got ready and jumped in the car.

Despite the initial feelings of being rushed, we were able to get to where we needed to be without any hiccups. There is no other way to describe today other than it was a total and complete blast! The group of girls I shot with was Reneau K., Zorah B., and Ariel A. and we definitely made it fun. We shot in the town of St. George in the streets, and the colorful buildings and beautiful water made for an ideal backdrop.

Reneau was up first and she looked gorgeous in her nautical themed swimsuit — loved it! She shot at a chain link fence and again at a bridge over the beautiful blue water.

Zorah was next as she worked it out in front of a turquoise door that made her purple bathing suit pop!

I was up after Zorah and had a hard time containing my excitement. I’ve never done anything like this before, and could feel my nerves starting to act up, and combined with adrenaline, I was feeling a rush of different emotions. You’d think standing and taking pictures is easy, but it is much more difficult than you know!

I had some great help with posing and had wonderful encouragement from the other girls, our coach Chato Waters, and the photography and the creative teams. I did my very best to get a good shot, and had entirely too much fun while doing so! Ariel followed me in her cheetah swimsuit and was fierce! Today was an absolute pleasure and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was truly special, and a day I will never forget.

We topped off our afternoon with some ice cream as a reward. Bermuda is beautiful, our Chato was incredibly supportive, and the creative, glam, and photography teams are amazing beyond words. We are so lucky to be in such a beautiful place and to have support that goes beyond anything we could ever ask for.

Stay here on AtlantaFalcons.com for more pictures and stories, and of course you can check out my Twitter and Facebook for more!

Cheers!
Sara D.

My roommate, Zorah B., and I both shoot this afternoon and we could not be more excited!

There’s so much to look forward to — the beautiful blue waters, excitement of the photo shoot and opportunity to do something that most never get to experience. We are so lucky and blessed to be able to have this incredible adventure, and to hopefully get some great pictures and a fantastic calendar as a result!

I can’t wait to get glammed up today by our fantastic glam squad from Jamison Shaw and Sephora and to get to taking great photos! We are also lucky enough to have Comcast here as well as they are filming us along the way for a an upcoming making the calendar series.

As I step foot in front of the camera this afternoon, I want to focus on being my own spunky self and delivering a great photo. I want to find a pose that is flattering and helps me look taller (at 5-foot-4 I want any extra height I can find…like standing on my tippy-toes!).

Posing is actually a lot harder than you’d think! My mind also wanders to the pressure of having all eyes on me when I shoot — it can be intimidating; but I know that if I stay tuned into the task at hand and just be me, I’ll get a great result! Every girl on this team is incredibly beautiful, and I know we’re all in this together and the final product will be absolutely amazing.

I am excited and ready to have fun and experience shooting for a calendar for the first time!

Keep your eyes glued to AtlantaFalcons.com as well as Facebook and Twitter, and get excited. We have great things coming your way!

Check out all our coverage on our Swimsuit Calendar photo shoot main page!

Cheers,
Sara D.

We had a special introduction at the Atlanta airport as we performed with a steel drum band from Bermuda. There was also a special appearance and performance by a native Bermudian dance troupe, who performed in full costume! It was such a fun way to celebrate the inaugural flight, as well as the start to our calendar adventure!

As we landed in Bermuda, we saw the crystal clear, blue waters of the Atlantic. We stayed for a meet and greet and press conference at the Bermuda airport and then headed to our hotel — the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The first group of girls got right to work shooting for the calendar, and let me tell you, they looked absolutely stunning. Get ready for an incredibly beautiful and “clexy” calendar!

Click here to see a photo gallery from the Day 1 shoot!

Stay tuned for more here on AtlantaFalcons.com — we’ve got more coming your way!

Cheers,
Sara D.

Hey there, Falcons Fans! I’m taking a brief break from my interview series this week to catch you up on what we’ve been doing lately, as well as something that has been on every cheerleader’s mind for the past month.

We’ve been a busy team lately! Last week, we premiered our brand new reality series that has been in the works since our auditions back in April. We had an amazing screening party at Whiskey Blue in Buckhead and had a great response to the first two episodes.

We owe a huge thank you to Comcast on Demand – Get Local ATL for all of their hard work in putting this series together. It has been exciting to be a part of a project like this, and we think that you will love the show!

You can find the first two episodes of the New South: Making the Team series by selecting the “On Demand” button on your Comcast remote, then choose Get Local ATL > Atlanta Sports > Falcons TV > New South: Making the Team. Let us know what you think!

And now…the big thing on every cheerleader’s mind. Drum roll please…!

Once again, we have been lucky enough to travel abroad to shoot our stunning swimsuit calendar. This year, we will be jet-setting to Bermuda! We’ll be staying at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess which is one of the most established hotels on the island.

Click here to check out the 2011-12 Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Swimsuit Calendar photo shoot main page

Fun fact: the hotel opened in 1885 and name for Princess Louise, the daughter of Queen Victoria of England. It is Bermuda’s most storied landmark luxury hotel and celebrated its 125th anniversary last year. If that doesn’t scream cool, I don’t know what does.

I’m excited to see what this hotel and resort has to offer, and I know that we will get some great shots of all of the girls on the team while staying at this beautiful location.

Stay tuned for extra coverage of our calendar shoot right here on AtlantaFalcons.com starting Thursday. We’ll be posting video and pictures, and of course, I’ll be blogging on site to give you every detail!

You can also follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara and find me on Facebook for more updates and information about the calendar as we take off on Thursday.

Fear not, I’ll resume my interview series when we return from the trip, but in the meantime stay glued to AF.com!

Cheers!
Sara D.

Hey there, Falcons faithful! I have a special treat for you!

As you know, my weekly posts for the Cheer Blog center around the Atlanta Falcons, football, cheering, community service and promotion, and, of course, all things AFC! The next few entries will be a part of a series which consist of interviews with an AFC rookies, veterans and alums.

This week’s interview is with AFC Rookie Elizabeth M. Read on, friends, and get to know one of our new girls!

Sara: Tell me a little bit about yourself … where are you from? When did you start dancing?

Elizabeth: Well … my name is Elizabeth (picture above) and I’m from Marietta, Georgia. I started dancing when I was four, and 20 years later I’m still swingin’ these hips. Dancing in front of 92,000 plus fans while attending LSU was a huge rush and definitely one of the highlights of my life. I love to perform and entertain! In my opinion, there’s no better feeling than bringing a smile to someone’s face.

S: What made you decide to audition for AFC?

E: I’ve always had dance in my life and upon graduation, it was the next logical step.

S: … and what do you think so far?

E: It’s kind of surreal. I don’t think it will actually hit me that I’m a professional cheerleader in the NFL until I step on the field for the first game of the season!

S: OK, for real … how nervous were you at finals?

E: It is what it is — if you let it get the best of you, then you’ll always wonder how it would have been.

S: Clearly, it turned out great for you! No regrets, right? Tell me, what did you think of the Retreat?

E: Aside from that heart-stopping and stomach-dropping prank the vets played on the rookies, I had a blast!! It was a great team-bonding trip.

S: Whoops, yeah … sorry about that! But it was one of the most epic pranks ever. Actually, on that note, what was your first impression of the veterans?

E: I need to tan.

S: What is most exciting to you about being a rookie this year?

E: The opportunity to prove myself as a valuable and dedicated team member. You’re only a rookie once!

S: That’s the truth! Live it up! Speaking of living things up, tell me one randomly awesome thing about yourself.

E: I danced during the 2007 LSU National Championship!

S: What is something you want people to know about you?

E: When it comes to traveling, I’m quite spontaneous and always up for an adventure!

S: On a scale of 1 to Infinity, how excited are you for this year?

E: To infinity and beyond!

Get to know Elizabeth more throughout the season, and look for her on the sidelines with the rest of your Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders! Stay tuned for next week’s interview with a veteran!

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or find me on Facebook!

Cheers,
Sara D.

I love this sport, and have spent my entire life soaking in all I can and following all the latest news. That being said, I’m excited to bring a special edition of the Cheer Blog to you — the Draft Week Edition.

We are T-minus three days to the Draft and I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve. Everyone under the sun has mock draft boards going (including me … yes, football nerd alert), and of course, we never really know what will happen until Draft day.

As I was reading AtlantaFalcons.com managing editor Jay Adams’ latest post about the NFL Draft, I started thinking about what actually goes on in the so-called war rooms of these NFL teams.

How does a coaching staff and front office account for last minute changes. What if another team drafts the guy you’re itching for? How do you make those ranked lists?

Well, my friends, I am not an NFL coach, nor am I an expert analyst, but I will tell you this — I have my own hopes for the Atlanta Falcons for this year’s drafts.

Amping up the pass rush
The popular opinion is that the Falcons need a solid defensive end to help with the pass rush. Big guys like Allen Bailey (Miami), Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Brooks Reed (Arizona) or JJ Watt (Wisconsin) could really make a difference here.

What about a receiver?
Jay also touched on the idea of drafting a receiver at 27 in his JAWS blog, and it was also discussed by ESPN.com’s NFC South blogger Pat Yasinsakas, so I hate to sound like a broken record, but I think this might be a really good idea to take a look at some of the talented receivers that are in the mix in this year’s Draft.

There’s no doubt that Roddy White is one of the most elite wideouts in the league today, and of course he’s got Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas out there with him, but it’s interesting to think about who can join the receiving corps with some strong talent and good hands to catch those bullets that Matt Ryan throws.

Naturally, Torrey Smith is a guy who has been much discussed as a player that could be molded to fit the Falcons’ offensive game, but what about Titus Young (Boise State), Terrance Toliver (LSU), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), or Leonard Hankerson (Miami)?

These guys all have their own style (and swagger, for that matter) that they bring to the receiving game, and could be a threat in the red zone and in stretching the field, as well. The question is, with this many talented receivers, and a lot of teams in the market for one, how many will be around by the time the Falcons get to the 27th pick?

What about the Offensive Line?
It might be worthwhile to take a serious look at some of the guards and tackles in the Draft this year. Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State), Nate Solder (Colorado), Mike Pouncey (Florida), and Ben Ijalana (Villanova) are all guys who could fit into the Falcons’ offensive line scheme.

Is there a need for a Tight End or a Running Back?
We all know Tony Gonzalez is the man at the tight end position — he’s still playing at the highest of levels and producing big numbers on the field. But, would it be smart to draft a young player that Tony G can mentor to develop into a good TE down the road?

I don’t think that this position is one that the Birds would need to use a high pick on, but it’s something to give some thought to. A player like Kyle Rudolph (Notre Dame), DJ Williams (Arkansas), Luke Stocker (Tennessee) or Lance Kendricks (Wisconsin) could really be shaped into a beast with the legendary Tony G laying the foundation.

As far as a running back goes, the Falcons obviously have a premier player in Michael Turner, but the same TE idea goes here — is there a need to develop a young guy and bring him into the fold?

Clearly, Mark Ingram (Alabama) is the top pick for a RB in this year’s Draft, and the Falcons likely wouldn’t get to take him before a team that has a real need for a strong RB does. However, there are some strong guys floating out there that could potentially be a good fit for Atlanta — DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma), Shane Vereen (California), Noel Devine (West Virginia) and Darren Evans (Virginia Tech) may be solid picks as backups (and trainees, so to speak) for the RB position.

Wait and see
We can all sit here and try to predict this and that, but the real surprise and fun of Draft day is waiting to see what really happens. This is one of the best days of the year, and gives us loyal Falcons fans the patience to get through the summer and into the season.

Stay tuned, friends! And make sure to watch the 2011 NFL Draft on Thursday. You can also be a part of the action at Taco Mac restaurants in the Atlanta area. There will even be visits from us — the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders!

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or find me on Facebook.

Let me know your thoughts on this year’s NFL Draft! Also, keep an eye out every Monday for an update from me — lots of new material and fun, exciting things to share with you!

Cheers!
Sara D.

Hey there, Falcons Fans! Saturday was our second, and final, day of the AFC Retreat. The morning kicked off with incredibly important and relevant seminars. Our first seminar of the day was presented by our coach and coordinator, Chato Waters. She spoke about the importance of appearances and always putting our best foot forward.

Charity appearances make up the bulk of what we do as cheerleaders for the Atlanta Falcons. They are integral to our program and so important to us. It’s vital to walk into each and every promotional appearance doing our very best and representing the Falcons in the most professional way possible. We love to do appearances — and if you’d like the AFC girls at one of yours, make sure to check out more information about how to book us!

Our next seminar was with the lovely Paula, one of the best makeup artists in the biz. She showed us how to do our makeup and bring the glam to everything we do as an AFC. It’s incredibly helpful to get pointers from a pro when it comes to makeup, especially for girls like me who need help in the glamazon department.

I’ve always had a hard time doing my makeup by myself, and her tips are absolutely invaluable. Paula was followed by Marc, one of the owners of our fitness sponsor, Quick Fitness Solutions. We discussed healthy habits, working out and nutrition to keep us at peak performance. These things are an important part of being on the field, but even more so when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle.

These seminars broke for lunch, and when we returned, we got the presentation of ALL presentations from the man himself, AtlantaFalcons.com managing editor Jay Adams. He went over every detail about social media and how to leverage it to reach you, the fans!

View photos of Saturday’s events here.

He also detailed the do’s and don’ts when it comes to being on Twitter and Facebook, all while being incredibly witty. I must admit, his slides were pretty epic. I think it’s safe to say all the girls really understand the uses of social media a lot better, so keep an eye out for more girls from AFC on both Twitter and Facebook in the near future.

We had a great choreography session where we got into our lines with our captains, learned a few fillers and got to dance together for the first time! That feeling is amazing, the excitement is palpable and everyone is eager to learn and jump right in.

We had some free time and moved into the evening’s events. We had a lovely dinner, and were so excited to see some AFC Alumni come in! The alums each gave their advice to the rookies about how to approach their first year on the team, and how to enjoy every single moment. We then started a new tradition — The Captain Board.

Each AFC alum that was a captain spoke to the 2011 captains and gave their advice about how to be a great leader and really shine! The captains then signed the Board and officially kicked off the year!

We shot straight into skits — we had everything from Snooki and J-WOWW at auditions to a parody of Black Swan! It was absolutely hilarious and really showcased the personalities and senses of humor that the girls on this team have. Did we have team bonding this weekend? You bet we did!

I write this as I head to bed Saturday night — it’s been a fun and exhausting weekend! We had a few more events Sunday morning and then we say sayonara to the 2011 AFC Retreat. If this was any sign of the fun, hard work, and excitement to come this year, then we’ve got great things headed our way.

I know I say it often, but thanks for sticking with me! Get ready for some new great things coming your way from the Cheer Blog!

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or find me on Facebook.

Cheers!
Sara

Friday night was one of the most exciting, fun nights of the AFC retreat. This is the night where the whole team really gets to meet each other. Sure, we know each other in passing, maybe each other’s names, but it still feels like a separation between veterans and rookies. The first night is when we break the ice, find out new things about one another and really introduce ourselves.

We got started with an activity where everyone did the usual things: say your name, hometown, college you went to and career.

The twist? We had to do certain actions corresponding with the letter our names start with. For example, the girls whose names start with E had to perform a scene from their favorite movie (in this case, we got a fabulous rendition of a scene from the movie Mean Girls).

Or take the J’s — they had to sing a line from their favorite song (choosing a Spice Girls song was pretty spectacular!). As for me, since my name starts with S, I had to give a favorite childhood memory. I thought back to going to dance competitions as a kid and the fun I had with all my friends.

Once the introductions were done, the exciting part came — finding out whose line we were in!

Our four captains this year – Zorah, Brandy, Margaret, and Shamea – were introduced to their lines. It is so fun seeing everyone react, and to really know where you’ll be at for the season!

We shared an emotional moment of realizing that we are all so lucky to be in the position we are and this is the beginning of a truly wonderful season. This experience is like no other, and this year will be the best yet!

Get ready for more great things from AFC, and keep your eye on AtlantaFalcons.com as we put up more pictures, video, and of course, blogging, from our 2011 Retreat!

In fact, click here to see a photo gallery from Saturday.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or find me on Facebook.

Cheers!
Sara

Being a member of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders is an amazing experience, and one I’ve valued beyond words. As I enter my third season on the team, I realize now, more than ever, how important the “team” aspect is. I know I’ve harped on it before, but we truly are a family.

This weekend, AFC will hold its annual squad retreat. This retreat is incredibly special to us, as it gives us time to get to know each other, work hard and have fun!

This year, in particular, our retreat is more important than ever before. We have a large number of rookies this year, which means there are a lot of new girls to get to know! I’m excited to spend time with all our rookies and welcome them to the AFC world, and for them to have their first real experience with everyone as a team.

Just as with everything else we do, our retreat takes on a “work hard” theme. Although we will be having fun, we also will be focused on learning choreography for the sidelines and will be in various seminars that focus on health and wellness, beauty, professionalism, the ins and outs of the Atlanta Falcons organization, and much, much more.

I look at the retreat as a three-day learning event — we learn about each other and get to know each other, and we learn the important and helpful lessons that we can take with us all season long and apply to our everyday lives.

Our weekend away from Atlanta together as a team sets the tone for the entire year and it’s by far one of my favorite AFC events. I know you’re thinking “How cool! I’d really like a behind the scenes look at everything they do at the retreat!”

Well, Falcons Fans, you’re in luck!

I’ll be documenting everything all weekend, and together with Jay Adams, we will put together an inside look just for you!

Get ready for big things this year — I’m beyond thrilled and proud to say that this blog has really taken off, and I’ve gotten great feedback across the board. Look for new features and stories right here on AtlantaFalcons.com.

As always, you can find me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or on Facebook.

Cheers!
Sara D.

Anticipation. Anxiousness. Elation.

I arrived at finals Thursday a complete wreck. I get so nervous for auditions, it doesn’t matter how many times I’ve gone through the process. I had even met with Denita C. and Margaret M. earlier in the day to run through the dance, and I knew I had prepared the best that I could.

It was finally go time.

I signed in and received my number (50), and began stretching and mentally preparing for what was to come. I wanted and waited for what seemed like an eternity, and then … time to dance!

It came and went in a flash, and I was proud to walk out of the room knowing that I had done the very best that I could. I knew in my heart that I put 110 percent into everything during auditions week, and at this point it was out of my hands.

My heart started to pound when we were called back in to announce who had made the team.

I heard a few names … my hands started shaking … and then … my name!

I cannot even being to describe the sense of relief and joy I felt as I ran up to get my welcome bag and give cheerleader coordinators Chato Waters and Jakene Ashford, and my teammates, who had already been called, a hug. I’m so thankful, blessed and proud to be back for a third season with the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders!

This year, there are 40 cheerleaders that will be gracing the sidelines of the Georgia Dome instead of the usual 32! This is very exciting, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what 2011 has in store for us!

I am anxious and ready to get to know the new rookies, excited to step back into my role as a veteran and ready to step up and help wherever I can.

This is it, Falcons Fans! The beginning of the new year for AFC, and I’m so glad you could join me on my journey to make it back on the team! I hope to take you inside the rest of our year so you can get an inside look at what we do when we’re not on the field. The future for AFC and the Atlanta Falcons organization is bright!

Thank you for the support, love, and encouragement — I certainly hope you know how much it means to not only me, but all of the girls on AFC. Get ready, the Fabulous Forty ladies of the New South are coming your way, and we can’t wait to meet you!

As always, you can catch up with me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or find me on Facebook

Cheers!
Sara D.

Related Links

• Photos: Gallery of photos from Thursday’s final audition round
• Photos: Gallery of photos from Sunday’s preliminary audition round
• Video: Highlights of Sunday’s preliminary audition round
• Stories: Read Sara D.’s audition diary entries

I can’t believe it.

The day is here. It’s the day of FINALS!

Wednesday night, the ladies who made it through to the final round of Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders auditions learned the second half of the choreography from the AFC team choreographer, Jakene Ashford.

As we packed into a small room, we all took a collective deep breath in and out.

This is it.

Time to buckle down and show ‘em what we’ve got!

Even though Wednesday night was a learning night, we were still watched and observed. We wear audition-style outfits and even have numbers. Everyone gets their serious game faces on as we clamor to learn the new moves and get them down before the night ends.

I stayed up late Wednesday night rehearsing. I ran the new choreography over and over again until it was literally ingrained in my mind. I went to sleep dreaming of the dance and woke up dancing!

Today is the big day — we’ve waited in anticipation, and you’ve followed the journey this far, it’s hard to believe that today is the day that auditions come to a close.

Tonight, the ladies will be assigned into pairs and will perform two-by-two for the judges’ panel.

If you want to watch the process, you can check it out, live and streaming online here. Everything begins around 6:30 p.m. today. You can watch all of the extremely beautiful and talented finalists do their thing as they work for a position on the 2011-2012 team.

I feel ready. I feel excited. I’m proud to say I actually really had fun this year. I kept reminding myself of what it meant to be on this team, what an incredible honor and privilege it is to be a part of something so special, and that I should enjoy each and every moment, no matter how small.

I’m thankful for every girl I’ve met, both new and veteran, every member of the Atlanta Falcons organization, and of course, every fan along the way. I can’t wait to get out there to do what I love — perform and dance my heart out!

As always, thank you all so much for following my journey to make the team again. It means so much to me that I am able to share the process with you from the inside out. I’ve gotten amazing feedback and I’ll be the first to tell you how much it means to me. Just goes to show you Falcons fans are the very best out there!

You can follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or find me on Facebook

Cheers,
Sara D.

Related Links

• Photos: Gallery of photos from Sunday’s preliminary audition round
• Video: Highlights of Sunday’s preliminary audition round
• Previous Entries: Read more of Sara D.’s audition diary entries

Phew! We can all take a deep breath in and out because the preliminary round of Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader auditions is over! I was so nervous, anxious and eager about what prelims would hold, and the day proved to be an exciting one!

From a veteran’s perspective, prelims are a chance to really show what AFC is all about — we show the girls the “AFC Style” and what a tight-knit team we are. We love helping the girls auditioning, encouraging them and seeing them give it their all.

It’s eerie watching the girls step out in front of the judges… I had deja-vu a few times, remembering the nerves I had when I was in their position and then the feeling of total elation when I heard my number called for semifinals; and then again for the final round.

From here on out, however, we are all on equal footing. Veterans and potential rookies will all take the same stage Wednesday and Thursday this week, with no separation between the two. Judges will not know who has been on the team and who hasn’t. We all have uniform footing and an equal chance to make the team.

Admittedly, seeing the level of talent Sunday was intimidating! There are girls that are moving into the final audition round who are stunningly beautiful and just as talented. It definitely does not help my nerves seeing all these gorgeous gals who will be vying to be on the team. It is, however, motivating to keep up with them, and to show why I want to be back as a member of AFC!

From now until Wednesday, I plan on running the first half of the choreography that we’ve already learned a million times over — so much so that I could do it in my sleep! I want that choreography in muscle memory so that I can just get out there and do it on the spot, should I have to! I also need to get my mind right and focus so that I can learn the second half of the choreography and master it just as much as the first half.

Leading up to Wednesday, I plan on continuing my fitness routine (spinning, sprint and weight intervals) and nutrition plans (grilled chicken and fish with fresh veggies) to stay as fit as possible.

I know I’ve stated it in my previous Audition Diary entries, but I am really taking a new look at how I go through auditions this year. Previously, I lost sight of the fun aspect of auditions.

Yes, they are serious. And, yes, they require an incredible amount of work, concentration and perseverance, but they should always be fun, too.

We are all so blessed to be able to do what we love — dance — and do so with girls who share that passion. This is an exciting moment for all of us, regardless of veteran or rookie status. I’m so thankful to be able to share this adventure with my best friends, and, of course, Falcons fans, as well!

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or find me on Facebook! I’m so grateful for the support and encouragement that I’ve received. I’ll keep you posted on what comes next!

Cheers,
Sara D.

It’s here. It’s real. I’m nervous.

Preliminary auditions for the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders begin Sunday. I feel a combination of nerves and excitement and I think about what not only Sunday holds, but the rest of the week, as well.

As a team, the veterans of the 2010-2011 squad learned the first half of the choreography Thursday night (you can read more about how I was feeling before that night in my last entry into my Audition Diary).

I’ve been practicing non-stop … literally (I ran into my neighbor this morning who kindly asked me to stop playing “that one song” over and over. Whoops!). I feel like I could do the choreography in my sleep, and I feel ready to get out there Sunday at the Georgia World Congress Center and jam this dance out!

As I’ve previously mentioned, the veterans of the team won’t be formally participating in the preliminary event Sunday. But we will be there to help teach the choreography and answer any questions during the first few rounds of auditions.

I try to remember back to what it was like for me when I first auditioned. I knew no one, I was so nervous that my whole body was shaking and I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I wish someone had told me that it was all going to be OK, and to enjoy the moment, because it flies by.

This audition should be fun, and it should be enjoyed. These are things that are easy to lose sight of when you’re laser focused on a goal. It’s a good thing to work hard and put 150 percent into what you do, but it’s also easy to lose sight of the reasons why we do this: We do it because we absolutely love it.

When you’re on that floor, in front of the judges, show why you want to be a part of this team. Let your passion flow through every inch of your body — trust me, it will be noticed.

I will never forget how nice and comforting the vets were when I auditioned for the first time. They were helpful with the choreography and smiled at me when I looked stressed out. I’ve made sure to remember that as I take that role on Sunday with the girls at prelims.

Come Wednesday, it’s a whole different ballgame. Everyone is in it together, and that’s when the intensity is real for the veterans as we mix in with the potential rookies. This is an absolutely grueling process, but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime one. If you’re coming out on Sunday, don’t lose sight of that! Be YOU, be excited and get your game face on!

I’ll keep all you loyal Falcons fans posted about the process, and of course, how it goes Sunday! Thanks for sticking with me and reading about what the process is really like. I’m thankful for the constant flow of support, motivation, and well-wishes, and it’s driving me to work harder, better, faster and stronger! I’m determined to be a part of this team once again!

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or on Facebook.

Cheers,
Sara D.

Hopefully, you’ve read the first entry in my audition diary and now feel as though you’ve had a peek into the world of auditions for a veteran.

Surely, you loyal Falcons fans know that preliminary auditions for the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders are this Sunday. That is (are you ready for it?) THREE days away! I know it’s equally exciting to me as it is to any of the new girls who are considering auditioning.

At this point in the process, my to-do list is a mile long.

While, yes, it includes fun things such as “rhinestoning” my audition top, intensifying workouts, streamlining my nutrition and other similarly related things, it also includes getting ready with the rest of the team.

Today, the veterans of the 2010-11 AFC team will learn the first half of the audition choreography. This officially kicks off AFC auditions week. Our team choreographer, Jakene Ashford, will no doubt create an audition routine that is a challenge and embodies the absolute essence of AFC style.

Tonight, it’s time to lock in, focus and get ready for the intense week to come.

As I prepare for tonight, which is just as much a part of auditions as the rest of the week, I take a step back and reflect on the 2010-11 season and how special it was. It motivates me to look ahead with the very serious goal of making the team for a third year. I’m so honored to have you reading about my journey, and of course, appreciate all the support I’ve received.

So read on, loyal Dirty Birds! And I’ll be back soon to fill you in on everything prelims, finals and, of course, AFC.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or on Facebook.

Cheers!
Sara D.

Auditions.

The word alone incites myriad emotions in me. I remember moving to Atlanta in May 2008, right after graduating from the University of Colorado. I was nervous about a new city and knowing no one. After one of my closest friends convinced me that auditioning for the Falcons was the right idea, I began preparation, totally unaware that the best few years of my life were to come.

My first audition experience was a complete whirlwind, and here I am, two years under my belt, preparing for my third NFL pro cheerleading audition — albeit, still just as nervous as I was the first time around. As a veteran, our position on the team is not secure. We have to audition just as if it were our first time. I believe we have to work even harder to prove why we should be kept on the team.

The idea behind this audition diary is to give you, faithful Falcons fans, insight into the process. It’s not a walk in the park and it’s a nerve-wracking, intense process for all those who participate. I want to open the door to show you the inside of auditions, and all of the emotional, mental and physical effort that we pour into them.

We are now three weeks out … unbelievable! The 2010-2011 season came and went in a flash. Preliminary auditions are on Sunday, March 20th, followed by the workshop and choreography day on Wednesday, March 23rd, and of course, the final audition on Thursday, March 24th. Getting to that point, however, is a long road.

To prepare, I amp up and change up my workout routine (for fitness advice, check out Denita’s latest blog), I have been doing a variation of interval cardio exercises including sprints, lifting weights and spinning; and I have been taking classes that emphasize full body interval exercise.

I have combined an intensified workout regimen with an updated eating plan. Nutrition is just as important as working out! I have a condition called Celiac Disease that prohibits me from eating anything with gluten in it (wheat, oats, barley, and rye), which makes finding the right balance in eating a challenge at times.

I have focused in on grilled chicken and fish with vegetables and snacking healthily on fruit and raw almonds throughout the day. My focus on fitness has become important to me throughout my journey on AFC, but also for life in general. Gearing up for auditions is always a sharp reminder of role fitness plays when I am on the field, and I’ve really stepped it up over the past two years.

As far as mental preparation goes, I always take time for me to focus on why I want to be a part of this team. Being on AFC is a once in a lifetime opportunity, something I never want to take for granted. AFC is a sisterhood in which we hard work and dedication is valued, laughs and tears are shared, and above all, it’s a way for us to do something we love and have fun while doing so. I keep this in the forefront of my mind when I’m getting ready for auditions, and it helps to motivate me to keep pushing, keep working to prove myself to earn a spot on this prestigious team in this very special organization.

I’m so thrilled that you’ve joined me on my journey throughout auditions! Keep up with my AFC Audition Diary and you’ll get a peek inside our world! As always, you can catch me on Twitter @AFC_Sara or on Facebook.

Cheers,
Sara

Oftentimes, I get questions about what the judges and the Atlanta Falcons organization are looking for. In short, I’d say it’s the overall package.

This package includes a woman who is confident, fit, intelligent, charismatic, has a strong dance ability and has the desire to be an active part of the Atlanta community. On audition day, however, it’s important to put your best foot forward.

The preliminary audition is considered open call, which means that anyone is welcome to audition (simply follow the instructions here). Everyone will learn a short amount of choreography and will perform for the judges. A first cut will occur, and then the semi-final round will be conducted. A few more eight-counts of choreography are added to the mix, and after the semifinal performance, the finalists are chosen!

Easy, right?

Wrong!

This day of preliminary and semifinal rounds can be stressful. Here are some helpful tips to help you prepare for this very big day:

• Come prepared — this means be ready in all aspects — mentally tell yourself you can do this! Bring snacks and water (I suggest unsalted, roasted almonds!) and get yourself “in the zone.”
• Know that you will be learning choreography. Being a cheerleader is something we all love — but we’re also dancers. If you need to work on your dance ability, make sure that you are taking dance classes and working on your technique. The ability to retain choreography in a short amount of time is a difficult skill, but the more you practice, the better you will become. It’s vital that you can perform at least a double pirouette, high kicks, leaps and be able to adapt to any other technique that may be included in the audition routine.
• Perform, perform, perform! Even if you have a major mess up moment, don’t stop dancing! Smile big, perform big and always give 110 percent! If you give your best, the judges will see it. Stay confident and it will show. Remember, the way you practice should be the way you perform.
• Have fun! This should be an exciting day, don’t let stress get to you. Enjoy performing and make friends. Everyone gets nervous (including me. AFC veterans still have to audition every year, our place on the team is not guaranteed). Always keep in mind that a good attitude goes a long way!

We can’t wait to see you on March 20, and keep up the good work in your preparations for auditions! If you want to know more, then check out the Audition Information page on AtlantaFalcons.com. You can always catch AFC on Twitter and on Facebook!

Happy preparations and good luck!

Cheers,
Sara