Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders facts for kids

The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders are the official cheerleading team for the Miami Dolphins. This is a professional American football team that plays in the National Football League (NFL). The cheerleaders perform exciting dance routines at the Hard Rock Stadium. This is the home stadium for the Dolphins.

The Dolphins Cheerleaders also release an annual swimsuit calendar. They hold auditions every May for new team members. Like many other cheerleading teams in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders have a youth cheer squad. They help teach and guide young girls in the Miami area. The squad also travels to visit and entertain U.S. troops overseas. This is part of special USO tours. Every year, one cheerleader from the team is chosen to go to the Pro Bowl. This is a special game featuring the best players from the NFL.

History of the Cheerleaders

The professional cheerleading group officially started in 1978. However, a cheerleading squad had been around since the team began in 1966. The first group was called the Dolphins Dolls. It had 125 girls, aged 8 to 18. This group performed at the Miami Orange Bowl until 1977.

In 1978, the professional group was formed with 30 women. This happened under team owner Joe Robbie. The group was first known as the Starbrites. This name came from a sponsorship with Starbrite Car Polish. This sponsorship ended in 1983.

After that, the Dolphins teamed up with Burger King. They held a contest called "Name the Cheerleaders." The name "Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders" was chosen. In 1990, the founder, June Taylor, retired. She was replaced by Kathy Morton Shashaty. Kathy had been a Dolphins cheerleader herself from 1981 to 1985.

Later, when Wayne Huizenga bought the Dolphins, new leaders were brought in. Heather Phillips became the Director of Cheerleaders. Emily Newton was hired as the squad's coordinator. Trisia Brown became the choreographer.

Famous Members

Many members of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders have gone on to do other interesting things. Here are some of them:

• Nadia Turner (1996) was a contestant on Season 4 of American Idol.
• Suzy Tavarez (1998–2000) became an on-air personality for Miami radio station Y100-FM.
• Shannon Ford (2001) was Miss Florida USA in 2002. She was also a contestant on The Bachelor Season 3. Later, she won Mrs. United States in 2011.
• Hennely Jimenez (2003–2004) is an actress, known for the movie 200 mph.
• Bibiana Julian (2006–2009) was also a contestant on The Bachelor.
• Brenda Lowe (2004–2005) was a contestant on the TV show Survivor: Nicaragua and Survivor: Caramoan. She later appeared as a model on Deal or No Deal.
• Jaime Faith Edmondson (2004–2009) was a contestant on The Amazing Race in 2009 and 2011. She competed with Cara Rosenthal, who was also a Dolphins cheerleader.
• Ashley White (2007–2008) became a reporter for WYFF.
• Pamela Silva Conde is a reporter and news anchor for the Univision Network.
• Jeanette Dousdebes is the wife of United States Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio.
• Brittany Freeman was Miss New Hampshire Teen USA in 2004.
• Mireya Mayor is a National Geographic Wildlife Correspondent. She is also a wildlife expert and explorer for the History Channel's "Expedition:Africa."
• LauRen Merola was Miss Pennsylvania USA in 2008.
• Fabiola Romero was an original member of the FSU Cowgirls.
• Lilly Robbins is a Maxim Model.
• Cara Rosenthal was a contestant on The Amazing Race.
• Natalie Vickers is a news anchor for the MountainWest Sports Network.
• MJ Acosta- Ruiz is an NFL Network Anchor.