11/3/2009

The Dallas Baptist University Patriot Cheerleading Team partnered with Kinkeade Early Childhood School in Irving, Texas, on Monday, October 26 to provide encouragement for the students at the school.  The week of October 26-30 was Drug Awareness week across the nation for many schools, so the cheerleaders were able to speak with the students at Kinkeade about making smart and healthy choices for their life.  Respected role models, like the Patriot Cheerleaders, is what Kinkeade wanted to give their students during Drug Awareness week to give a positive influence that would help bless their future.   

Alek Verea, a junior on the cheerleading squad, was able to speak to the entire group of students about their future.  She shared that making smart choices now in your life will lead to a brighter future.  Many other cheerleaders were able to carry on conversations with students about drug awareness and smart choices.  To end the program, the students joined the cheerleaders in a few chants before hearing the DBU fight song performed by the cheerleaders.

“This was a great opportunity to give back to the community, and our cheerleaders did a wonderful job expressing excitement to these children.  They represented a brighter tomorrow for these students,” explained Head Cheer Coach, Skyla Alvarado.   

6/19/2009

The 2008-2009 DBU Patriot Cheerleading team experienced great success in its third year as a NCAA spirit program.  The team has seen many new faces this year, and has made great strides forward under the leadership of Head Cheer Coach Skyla Alvarado.  

In early summer 2008, the Cheerleaders began training to prepare for the Universal Cheerleaders Association Collegiate Camp at Texas State University as our Patriot Cheer Team received expert instruction from some of the nation's leading cheer professionals.  At the UCA Camp, the DBU Cheerleaders competed against the country's best all-female college cheerleading squad.  

The fall semester of 2008 ushered in a host of on-campus and off-campus activities, as the Cheerleaders served as University Ambassadors, while maintaining a rigorous daily practice and conditioning schedule.  With the start of basketball season in October, the Patriot Cheerleaders kicked-off the 2008-09 NCAA Patriot Basketball season with Midnight Madness, as over 1,000 students packed the Burg Center to root for their Patriot Basketball players in the annual Red-Blue Game.  The Cheer team was a part of the Patriots Basketball success as they were the spirit leaders for the fans throughout the season performing cheers, chants, fight songs, partner stunting, tumbling, and pyramids.  

The Cheer team has not only helped in enhancing school spirit, but has been able to partner with many organizations throughout the local community to engage in community service.  

The team participated in an opportunity called “Greet the Troops.”  For this event, the team partnered with several groups from around the DFW area to welcome home men and women that had served our country in the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Cheerleading team partnered with the Women’s Ministry of First Baptist Church in Canton, Texas, for Legacy of Love, providing childcare for single mothers in the area.  The team also hosted a T.A.K.S. pep rally for Hyman Elementary third and fourth grade students.

In April, a new Cheerleading team was selected during our annual spring tryouts for the 2009-2010 year.  Representing DBU as Patriot Cheerleaders this year are: Alexia Antoine, Taran Bowman, Cami Duke, Michelle Gross (Co-Captain), Nichole Harris, Ashley Horodnyckye, Kayli Jackson, Kayla Marshall, Cierra Mills, Brittany Radney, Kelsey Salmon, Lauren Smith, Alek Verea (Co-Captain), Lauren Wulff.  

“The leadership on this team is at its best from the years past.  I have seen these girls take initiative in every way on campus and it is great to see the girls be involved in more than just cheerleading!  I have really enjoyed getting to watch these girls grow spiritually, mentally, and physically this season,” Head Cheer Coach Skyla Alvarado said.

5/19/2009

On Friday, April 24, the 2009-2010 Patriot Cheerleaders hosted Hyman Elementary‘s T.A.K.S. pep rally.   The ladies were greeted by 3rd and 4th graders who planned to take the state test the very next week. 

The students cheered with the team as the DBU Cheerleaders led the students in three separate chants.  These chants were encouraging and uplifting to help pump up the students to do get excited about the test.  The DBU Cheerleaders also performed a dance/cheer routine for the students. 

“I think it was a great event to be a part of, as this test is such an important step in the lives of these students.  They spend all year preparing for these standardized tests and having a pep rally to give them confidence to do well is such a great encouragement these students!  We were so grateful to be a part of an event such as this, and hope to return next year,” Head Coach Skyla Alvarado said.

4/5/2009

The DBU Cheerleading squad is set for the 2009-2010 year, after tryouts were held this past weekend on the DBU Campus. The 2009-2010 squad consists of 14 young women, four of which will be new to the squad.

1.  Alexia Antoine 

2.  Taran Bowman

3.  Cami Duke

4.  Michelle Grose, Co-Captain

5.  Nichole Harris

6.  Ashley Horodnyckye

7. Kayli Jackson

8.  Kayla Marshall

9.  Ciera Mills

10.  Brittany Radney

11.  Kelsey Salmon

12.  Lauren Smith

13.  Alek Verea, Co-Captain

14.  Lauren Wulff

3/17/2009

The last day to submit your Tryout Application for the upcoming 2009-2010 Patriot Cheerleading Season is Friday, March 20.

Please check Patriot Cheerleading News for Tryout Application.

Contact Head Cheer Coach Skyla Alvarado with further questions at 214-333-6821.

3/16/2009

The purpose of the Dallas Baptist University Patriot Cheerleading Program is to:

• Represent the University in a Christ-like manner.

• Unify the student body, faculty, staff, alumni, and athletic teams.

• Promote school spirit.

Being a DBU Patriot Cheerleader is considered a role of leadership on the University campus. It is essential for a Patriot Cheerleader to portray a Christ-like image on the court, through academic studies, through personal responsibilities to the team and/or coach, and through character.

Patriot Cheerleading is a commitment from the selection of the team until the next team is selected. We begin training in June with at least two 3-4 day clinics in preparation for cheer camp, which usually takes place in mid-July.

The fall semester is our busiest semester. The Patriot Cheerleaders participate in many fall athletic events, such as Basketball Banquet, Midnight Madness, and DBU's Homecoming activities. Although we cheer only for the Patriot Basketball Team, we support other athletic teams as well. The Patriot Cheerleaders are known as the official ambassadors of the University and may be asked to make a physical appearance at certain DBU events, often times serve as greeters.

The cheerleading practice schedule is on a regular daily basis from stunting, tumbling, cheer and chant review, and daily workouts.

Please note that the Patriot Cheerleading Program requires a high level of passion and commitment for the sport. You will be looked upon as leaders and must admit yourself to the University as a prominent leader.

Cheerleading Team Application

Print the online application and mail to:

Dallas Baptist University - Attn: Skyla Alvarado, DBU Patriot Cheerleading Coach - 3000 Mountain Creek Parkway - Dallas, Texas 75211

Please include:

• A non-refundable application fee of $30

• A photograph

• Patriot Cheerleader Candidate Participation Liability Release Form

• Photo copy of health insurance card

• 1 letter of recommendation

Tryout applications and other required material are due on Friday, March 20, 2009 by 5:00 p.m.

Dallas Baptist University Patriot Cheerleading Tryouts are to be held:

Friday April 3, 2009 - Sunday, April 5, 2009

Location: Burg Center

Times:

Friday: 5:00 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Sunday 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Requirements:

Chant series - You will be required to perform a series of 3 chants. You must incorporate the Dallas Baptist University name and mascot (Patriots).

Tumbling - You are strongly recommended to perform a tumbling pass and a standing back handspring. Please note that this is not required, but strongly recommended.

Dance - You will learn an 8-eight count dance and will be judged on memorization, motions, sharpness, and enthusiasm/charisma.

Consecutive series of jumps  - The required jumps for tryouts are toe-touch, front hurdler, and double whip toe-touch.

Stunting - You will be asked to take part in a specified position, such as base, backspot, and flier, and stunt with the returning Patriot Cheerleaders, as well as other candidates.

Attire - You must wear red top and navy shorts with hair out of your face.

Interview Session - You will be required to interview with the Head Cheerleading Coach.

Adhere to the Patriot Cheerleading Manual 

Please note: The manual states the Patriot Cheerleading Mission Statement, Team Vision, Member's Expectations, DBU Patriot Cheer Captain Responsibilities, and the Cheerleader Accountability System. To be a part of this team, you must fully understand it is the cheerleader's responsibility to hold to the DBU Patriot Cheer Manual.

For additional information, please feel free to contact Skyla Alvarado at 214.333.6821 or by email at cheer@dbu.edu

3/15/2009

The Patriot Cheerleading team partnered with the Women's Ministry at First Baptist Church of Canton, Texas, on February 20-22 to help with a conference weekend just for local single women/mothers, called Legacy of Love.  Many single women attended the conference with their children.  These women were from Canton and other surrounding towns.  Genesis Center in Kaufman, Texas, was also able to bring a large group of women for the weekend. 

The cheerleaders were asked to take over the childcare for the weekend.  They were able to create an atmosphere of love, comfort, happiness, and security for each one of the children, as their mothers were able to enjoy the weekend.  The mothers attended a conference that included many different speakers.  The speakers included the Journey of Sisters, and many others.

"The team did a great job interacting with each child and loving on them during the weekend.  It was definitely a humbling experience to see the girls commit the entire weekend to spend time with these children.  I hope to continue this partnership with FBC and Canton's women's ministry to reach out to the single mothers not only in the East Texas area but to expand to other single women in Texas,” Head Cheer Coach Skyla Alvarado said.

2/9/2009

The DBU Patriot Cheerleaders partnered with several local groups as they had the opportunity to participate in “Greet the Troops,” which welcomed home men and women that had been serving their country as members of the armed forces in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The soldiers landed at DFW Airport to be greeted by over 200 people including family and friends as well as many individuals and local groups, including Girl Scouts, many veterans from around the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex, and the Patriot Cheerleaders. 

“This was a great opportunity for the girls to see how much these individuals have given their time and years to serve our country.  It was a great feeling to see the smiles on these soldiers’ faces when they realized that everybody was there to personally greet them upon their return, and the smiles on their families’ faces as they were there to welcome home their soldier.   I am proud of the way the girls showed great respect to these very deserving individuals,” Head Cheer Coach Skyla Alvarado said.   

12/31/2008

Patriot Cheerleading