For the first time in history, six alumni Dolphins Cheerleaders will be making their way to Mumbai, India for a two month effort to bring American football choreography, glamour and professional cheerleading style to cricket and the second largest sports brand on the globe, the Indian Premier League (IPL).

This group of ladies will be part of a popular sports network type production on the Set Max channel in India, Extraaa Innings, that encompasses game analysis, commentary, and of course celebrity, from the studio and the stadium.  They will also be performing live at various locations throughout Mumbai as well as media and marketing appearances during the duration of the season.  Just About Sportz, an India-based entertainment firm is responsible for the entire initiative of combining sport and entertainment for the audiences there.

Alumni Missy, Genesis, LauRen, Kayla, Melissa and Lacie, who have all cheered for multiple seasons for the Dolphins, expect to make a favorable impression on some of the most passionate sport fans in the world.

“One of the best decisions a company can make is to hire current or former cheerleaders for corporate entertainment,” said Randall, a four year MDC veteran.  “Not only do we have professionalism engrained in our fiber from being a part of such prominent organizations, but we also know what it takes to put on the ultimate performance – something all ages and genders will enjoy and can be proud of, no matter what the culture.”

The IPL is composed of nine teams, consisting of players from around the world, with an estimated brand value of nearly $4 billion.  The IPL was the first major sporting event broadcast on YouTube in 2010, contributing to the popularity of the more entertaining nightly scheduled Twenty20, version of the beloved, centuries old game.

Name: Alena Capra
Years with MDC: 2001-03

First MDC audition:
I attended my first MDC audition with a friend, and former college dance team teammate (University of Miami Sunsations).  She told me she was trying out and asked if I wanted to as well.  I said I would go if I found the right leotard!  Needless to say I did, and we both made the team!  I think I was one of the last few numbers called and I remember sitting there thinking about how many spots were left.  It was an awesome moment when I heard my name.  I almost didn’t believe they were calling my name!

Most memorable “on field” MDC experience:
My rookie year was the year of September 11th.  They cancelled all NFL games that weekend.  I still have the ticket for the game that was never played.  The very next game played after football resumed was a major tribute to the USA.   I had chills being on the field as they sang the National Anthem and the ENTIRE stadium held up American flags.  It was incredible.  I remember we cheered with red, white, and blue poms, and did a special patriotic themed half time show.  It felt wonderful to be part of such an uplifting performance.  I will never forget it.

Most memorable “off field” MDC experience:
Traveling to Monaco to perform at the Laureus World Sports Awards was amazing.  I had just made the team a few weeks earlier and suddenly I was expediting a passport, and then on a plane going to Monaco to perform at an international sports awards show! It was amazing that my very first performance as an MDC was in France and nationally televised!

Most valuable lesson learned as a MDC:
I learned that giving back to the community can be such a wonderful and rewarding experience.  During my time as an MDC I got the chance to be part of many charitable events, and I realized how important it is to give back to your community.  Seeing the smile on others’ faces is the most wonderful reward!  Long after I finished cheering I still volunteer, for organizations like Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale, and a committee member for A Prom to Remember.

Current occupation:  Interior Designer, owner of Alena Capra Designs

Accomplishments:
I have my own interior design business, Alena Capra Designs (www.alenacapradesigns.com ) where I do residential and commercial interior design. One of my projects was recently featured on the cover of the November issue of South Florida Decor. A few months ago I got an opportunity to work on a new series for HGTV called “Weekends with Luis.”  The host, Luis Bosch is a luxury homebuilder here in Miami. Luis helps weekend warrior homeowners transform rooms in their homes over the course of a weekend, right here in South Florida.  A large part of my role as a designer is behind the scenes, assisting Luis with the designs. I’ve worked on four episodes for the series. Though, you will catch a glimpse of me on camera from time to time, I’m usually at work behind the scenes – painting, hanging curtains, accessorizing the room. The show debuts Sunday, November 20th at 11 am on HGTV.

Player Intro Line – 1974

Player Intro Line – 2011

Dancing on the Field – 1975

Dancing on the Field – 2011

On May 1, I started my journey by winning the title of Mrs. Florida in Daytona Beach. This provided me the opportunity to represent my home state in the 25th Anniversary Mrs. United States Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. I joined 53 beautiful, married women representing each of the states, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, The U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. After a week of various pageant activities, rehearsals and preliminary competition, the finals took place on Thursday, August 4. The top 12 semi-finalists competed again in and onstage question, swimsuit and evening gown from which the winner was chosen.

Being crowned Mrs. United States 2011 gives me a unique opportunity to bring awareness to causes that are close to my heart. My main focus this year will be bringing awareness to Celiac Disease, an illness I was diagnosed with two years ago, and advocate for Gluten Free Labeling Standards.

- Shannon

Click for Alumni Halftime Show Gallery

Check out our photos from the 2009 Alumni Halftime Show.  MDC from the 70s all the way up to 2009!

Ireivy at Auditions

My favorite audition memories are all the little victories I experienced along the way.  Going to each prep class and wondering if I would get the free pass that week, then on to the preliminary auditions hoping to make an impression and have Kenny Walker read your name aloud that you’ve made it to the next round.  Next up was making sure I got through boot camp successfully, and then to be able to make it onto that stage at Aventura Mall as a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader Finalist.   Finally, after all the months of sweat, hard work and anxiety, the biggest victory of all is hearing your name called out that you’ve made the squad.  The tears of joy cannot be contained.  Hugging my family and knowing that I had accomplished something that only few are able to, was an indescribable feeling and one that only my fellow alumni cheerleaders can truly understand.  Enjoy the little moments during this process because they are what makes the whole thing worthwhile!

Ireivy, back row, fourth from left

Good luck!  You will all be great!
Ireivy

Darlayna at Auditions

I will never forget the first year auditioning under the direction of Dorie, it was the first time we had to do individual dances as part of the audition process.  As we arrived everyone was terrified and then I realized everyone was looking at me as they shouted, “Darlayna you are number one.”  The first one to ever have to perform for two minutes in front of a panel of judges and all of the 200 other ladies trying out! Talk about pressure (and mind you I was already a 4 yr veteran at that time).  I took a deep breath and thought that going first is not such a bad thing – they won’t have anything to compare me to! 

So I smiled as much as I could to camouflage any mistakes that I may have made.  As I sat back down it was time for the second contestant to go.  She was a rookie and she was amazing, then I thought to myself, “Thank God I didn’t have to follow her!”  So, if you happen to be the first up at auditions, don’t stress, just remember that you are the best they have seen so far!  Oh and by the way, the following year I was the last to go and that’s a whole other story!

Darlayna, bottom row, fourth from right

Good luck ladies!
Darlayna

LauRen at Auditions

The Miami Dolphins Cheerleader Auditions was an amazing time in my life.  In just two short months, the amount of personal growth that I had experienced was incomparable.  My stage presence, my public speaking and my confidence soared!  It sounds like a scary thing to perform and be judged in front of a crowd but it was the most exciting and liberating feeling I have ever experienced.  Some people like extreme sports … I like extreme feelings!  This adventure married together everything I was seeking, the thrill of performing, my love of dance and making friendships that have lasted a lifetime! 

Best of luck to all the beautiful ladies auditioning this Saturday.  I will be there to cheer you on!
LauRen

LauRen, top row, center

Suzy at Auditions

Looking back at my years as a MDC, I can still remember my very first audition. It was April, 1997 when I decided to audition for the MDC.  I really didn’t know what to expect or what I was getting myself into.  I remember looking around and checking out the competition, beautiful girls all over the place, stretching, prepping and getting ready, all in their unique outfits ready to hit the floor and fight for a spot to be a MDC. It is at that point when I thought to myself, “Now what?”

I clearly didn’t have all the dance experience that a lot of these girls had, in fact I had zero dance experience! I hadn’t dance in front of people since my middle school drama performance and now I was getting ready to audition in front of a panel of judges to show them what I had (which in reality, wasn’t much).  I was wearing a neon teal leotard, my signature red lipstick and my curly long red hair, which made me stand out from the rest of the group.  Mainly, though, it was my dancing that set me apart from the group.  Even do I had no clue of what I was doing, I never stopped smiling and looked like I was having the time of my life!

“I’m in it to win it, I have this in the bag, I can do this…OMG what am I doing? I just missed a step! I wonder if they notice it. Gosh I feel fat, I shouldn’t have eaten that pizza last night!”  All these thoughts were going through my head and finally the music stopped.  What a relief that it was over.  I went back to my seat and waited to hear the results.  I was so nervous, my heart was beating a million miles an hour, I couldn’t stop shaking and moving around. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. They started to call out names and girls would jump off their seat with excitement cheering, screaming, and crying.  For a minute, I forgot that I was there for tryouts and was cheering them on, when finally, they called my name.

I was like “Me? No way I made it!!!  I can’t believe I made it…OMG I made it! I’m  going to be a MDC!!!”  It was the best feeling in the world! I felt like I had just won the lottery. It was incredible, a new beginning to a my long MDC career, five years to be exact, spanning a period of 10 years since I took four years to have my kids.

Trying out for the MDC was one of the BEST things that had ever happened to me. The experiences, trips, appearances, practices, gamedays, fans, signing autographs, posing for pictures, calendar shoots, stressing, nervousness, happiness, dancing, friendships, making a difference and enjoying every moment of it! If I could, I would do it forever!

I LOVED being an MDC, I miss it so much.  I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of such an exquisite team.  It taught me a lot and it made me the woman that I am today. I always think to myself, “Once an MDC, always an MDC!”

I will treasure my MDC memories forever.
Good luck at auditions, ladies!
Suzy