Re-branding of the Washington Football Cheerleaders - Julia
Julia shares her journey to becoming an NFL cheerleader and the truth behind the re-branding of the Washington Football Cheerleaders.
“When I look at my teammates I see multifaceted, diverse, strong, powerful women that have created an environment of inclusion and self organization.”
DANCE JOURNEY
Her mom started her in dance classes at a young age even though she hated being out of her comfort zone. She stuck with it and continued to train up through high school dancing ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and point (even though she felt she didn’t have the body or flexibility for it.) She just loved the discipline that dance provided, no matter the style.
As she got older she began to make friends and started looking up to the competition girls at the studio as role models. She knew that is where she wanted to be and began training to make the company herself. To this day, she still remembers the call from the studio owner asking her to join the team.
“I started to cry and it was that same feeling from when I made the Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders and when I heard my number called for the Washington Football Cheerleaders. When you have these moments of celebration it just – you build off that confidence and it pushes you to keep going. You just remember that feeling.”
After heading to college she decided to audition for the company at her studio and didn’t make it. She took classes here and there but decided to solely focus on her Civil Engineering degree.
“Everyone hears no and I kinda just gave up. I was like “I’ll never be a professional dancer so I’m going to dedicate myself to my studies only.”
After she graduated college at the University of New Hampshire, she moved to the DC area to be closer to home and her family.
“I started working 9-5pm and had some extra time so I told myself that I should invest in something I enjoy doing and I love dancing. So I find adult dance classes near me, dance studios near me, I start taking classes, and start networking with the women in the classes. That is really where I was empowered to even audition and prepare to audition for the Baltimore Blast.”
“The Baltimore Blast is a great dance and cheerleading program. The director helped me accomplish what I wanted on the team and beyond. She will definitely help you get to where you want. She helped me prepare for my NFL cheerleading auditions and make the team - it really was the best experience of my life so far. Emphasis on so far because this is just a part my story.”
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
“The dance audition process is so hard and such an accomplishment to even make it through. You’re doing this with other women who are supportive of you and encouraging. One thing I have loved about the team is it’s so empowering and the most self-organized group that I have been a part of. We just happen to be women and we just happen to be diverse. Now, when I say diverse I mean: upbringing, ethnicity, occupation. I have never been a part of a close network that is full of doctors, trainers, beauticians, engineers, attorneys, you just have everything. In this moment you are just in awe of your teammates. It really is a sisterhood, a resource, and a support group. Another thing that has made it so important to me is this uplifting environment that our director, Jamilla King, created for us.”
FAVORITE MOMENTS
“Mostly from my rookie season because that is when we danced on the field, my second year was during the pandemic.”
Hearing her number called for the first time at dance auditions
“My number was the last number to be called. They chose 36 women, including two alternates. They called 35 numbers and I had just danced with these women through the boot camp so I am looking around like, “I know what the women left are capable of so I am packing my bags and going home.” Sure enough they called my number and I am feeling so excited. I can not wait to just meet the rest of the team and to be part of something. That is just a moment I will never forget.”
The first time running onto the field as a Washington Football Team Cheerleader
“As an alternate it takes you a couple of games to get on field. The first game I was set into routines - that was everything. The moment of running onto the field, feeling the energy from the crowd, knowing my family is in the stands, being alongside my supportive sisters that WANTED me to level up. They celebrated that with me. That was a really great moment.”
Appearances - Community Events
“We did a lot of appearances on behalf of the Washington Football Team and one that stands out to me was a memorable charity event. I was able to travel with three of my teammates to North Carolina to perform at a watch party. It was really cool to travel but the event was hosted by a construction company and I happen to work in construction with my degree in Civil Engineering. I was in both of my elements. I was able to mingle with people at the event and talk about our industry while being respected as a dancer. I would be chatting with someone about construction then able to say, “I have to go perform so I will catch up with you guys later!” It’s just great – it was really nice and validating on both fronts.”
RECENT NEWS AND NEXT MOVES
“The Washington Football Team decided to cut ties with their NFL cheerleaders and they are going to go with a co-ed hip hop crew instead. It was difficult to find out just because we found out through media and there was certainly a lack of transparency. I will not be auditioning, but I understand that when you audition for a team it is not just for the organization. It is for maybe - a specific fan base, to dance alongside certain teammates, or because you want to work under certain leadership. I wish nothing but the best for those that are going to return to the organization or hope to.”
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PROFESSIONAL CHEERLEADER (NFL CHEERLEADER)
“When I look at my teammates I see multifaceted, diverse, strong, powerful women that have created an environment of inclusion and self organization. That is a great example for me. That is something I am going to take outside of cheer. That alone has changed my life forever. Even thought I am not returning to the football team - I am still going to dance, I am still going to work on my craft, and will always continue pulling inspiration from my teammates and my former director.”
“Even though something seems like it is ending, it’s not. It is still going to live on. There is still a legacy there. I am just proud to be a part of that and I hope that can inspire somebody else out there.”
Instagram: hulia_c