Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders tough tryout's
By: Lynlee crouch
5/08/24
Have you considered trying out for America's Sweethearts cheerleading team? America’s Sweethearts is what many people call the Dallas Cowboys cheer squad that has the toughest tryout process imaginable.
The coaches Judy Trammell and Kelli McGonagill Finglass, trainer Jay Johnson, stylist Marshall Hatley, and many more people take part in the judging process. They look at if you would look good in their flattering uniform if you can learn material/choreography fast or well, and see if you have the right look or if you would need a makeover.
Even if you're not quite what they are looking for you can still try out in preliminary auditions. Preliminary auditions are the first baby step to becoming a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. It's a freestyle audition so you choreograph a dance on your own and present it to the judges. After every girl auditions the judges deliberate and take good notes on every candidate. After waiting a long few hours a board is presented to all the candidates stating who moves on to the next step of auditions. “When that board comes out we either make someone's dream or shatter it,” said Kelli McGonagill Finglass former DCC and coach of the squad.
In the next step, all the candidates who were chosen come back the following day and learn a dance that they will perform in small groups to the judges to show they can learn the material presented to them quickly. Another signature step to becoming a DCC is their iconic kick line. Candidates learn the kick line and present it in small groups as well.
After another long waiting process, the coaches come out and call names of who is moving on to the next step in auditions. In the next step, you perform a solo choreographed by Kitty Carter a dance teacher in Texas. She is very blunt and gives rookie candidates a very good straight-to-the-point answer. Rookies not only have to compete a solo but also compete with the DCC veterans (The ones that have been cheering for at least one season). In the end, once again the coaches return and call numbers and names of those who are invited into training camp which is a huge leap for the rookies. Most veterans make it but not all of them are guaranteed.
In training camp, Jay Johnson the trainer works hard to keep you in good shape and builds stamina with his aggressive workouts. If any girls need to shave a few pounds he works with them so their chance to become a DCC is not taken from them due to their weight. In training camp, you learn real DCC dances and the kickline. Even if training camp is a huge leap you can still be cut. Being cut is when the coaches think you can no longer perform the duties or show what it takes to be a part of their squad. They started training came with 44-46 candidates (including veterans)
Even in training camp Rookies have the chance to become a part of something called Show Group. In the show group, you travel all around the world visiting veterans and soldiers who serve our country. If they make a show group that doesn't mean that they automatically make the team.
In training camp, you also could get a makeover to look more like a DCC. there is also something called a cameo where the coaches can see if you look good on camera in the uniform.
After the last week of training camp with a few more cuts to go, they start practicing on the turf (the football field). After the last few cuts, the team is finalized with the best fit for it. Would you try out for the DCC team or would not? Fill out the form to send in your answer.
Author bio: Lynlee crouch a sixth grader who loves to write and be with friends in her freetime.