2006-07 Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Squad Includes Bay Area Residents

Tiffani doing her best to impress the judges – Photos by Zane Rettstatt

On any given Sunday in the Fall and Winter, most of us will spend the day watching professional football and in this area, most of us will watch the Washington Redskins.  Now most of us know the players, and coaches, but many do not know that the entertainment on the sidelines, the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders, are also athletes in their own right. This past Saturday at Tysons Corner Mall, the finals of the auditions for the 2006-07 squad were held. This was the second year that the finals were open to the public.

The beauty phase of the competition, and yes, believe me, it is a competition, was held earlier in the week.  Saturday’s finals included a walk through by the final 59 contestants, a 4-girl routine and a 6-girl sideline routine where the judges, most of whom were former Redskins Cheerleaders judged them on poise, skill in performing the routines and I presume, that certain something that will keep the fans entertained on Sundays.  The squad was pared down to the final 39 ladies.  And by the way, they are billed as the “First Ladies of Football,” which is fitting because this years  squad is the 44^th edition. This year they will embark on their 21^st tour overseas to entertain the troops, performing routines and a variety show that includes singing and skits.  And the lucky 39 finalists are set to travel to the Dominican Republic next month to shoot the 2006-07 Swimsuit Calender.  They also have a junior cheerleader squad and dance team that provides young girls with positive  role models and prepares young girls for cheerleading opportunities of their own.

Many of the ladies are former pageant contestants, gymnasts, dancers or cheerleaders. They combine all of these elements in their routines under the watchful eye of Redskins Cheerleaders Director-Choreographer Stephanie Jojokian. Stephanie cuts the ladies no slack when it comes to putting the best show on the field, but she is also a friend and mentor, especially to the younger ladies on the squad.  Melanie Treanor, Events and Marketing Coordinator handles the task of scheduling the ladies for their many appearances for corporate outings and charities.  This writer has the pleasure of knowing Ms. Treanor since she herself was a cheerleader and visited Solomons Island for the annual Children’s Hospital Benefit hosted by Hogette Dave Spigler.  And now she handles their bookings, so they even promote the ladies to positions as well. And all of this is kept together by Donald Wells, Director of Cheerleaders and Entertainment.

Christine, of Bowie, in a 4-girl dance routine

One of the neat things I noticed was the sense of family, a sort of sorority among the current and former cheerleaders. And just like the players, they have their own alumni association. Former cheerleader Carin Resnick flew in from London to be there for the event.  Carin was an All-American gymnast prior to becoming a Redskins Cheerleader, according to her mother, who was also there cheering the ladies on.