What’s Up Cav Fanatics!!
Being a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team is nothing short of a dream come true. There's nothing like the adrenaline that pumps through your veins seconds before it's time to fly on to the court and move, shake, and flip through the dance routines that we've spent days practicing. This is my fourth season as a Scream Team member, and the butterflies still do the hokey pokey inside me when I hear the roar of 20,562 fans as the Scream Team is welcomed to the court!
“Phenomenal” is the one word that comes to mind as I reflect upon how far the Cavs have come since I’ve been a part of the Cavaliers organization. Why, in last year’s basketball season, it was amazing to see the Cavaliers incredible performance on the court as they delivered more victories and winning streaks than the city has ever known! Now that we’re in the middle of the 2009-2010 season, and that big Shaq is on the team, the Cavs are simply unstoppable! Never before have I witnessed such passion, undying support and adoration from the entire city supporting our boys in the wine and gold. As Nike eloquently states, "We are all truly witnesses."
Only four months have gone by since the beginning of the season, and I already have a multitude of wonderful memories to share! One of the greatest experiences that I’ve ever had with all of my friends on the Scream Team was our three day, overnight training session at Sandusky’s Kalahari Water Park. Along with the Cavalier Girls, we drove out to Sandusky, and for three days straight, we were placed on a strict training regime equipped with a demanding diet, rigorous exercises, and even an early bedtime! Despite all the arduous training requirements, the bonds that were formed between the team members, made the entire trip worthwhile. No longer are we just coworkers who have the same job. We’re now a family who dance and have fun together. There’s nothing like it.
Another enjoyable moment as a Scream Team member happens for me, every game. Taking place at gate 108 on the Main Concourse level, right when the doors open, you can find the Scream Team doing what we do best: dancing! We have a big music system and the dance moves to go with it! What makes this so much fun for me is the fact that you guys can come and dance with us! We’re there dancing for an entire hour, and our eager to show any and all fans what we do, up close and personal! Ever see someone flip over ten people? How about someone balance their entire body on only their fingertips? Come to the Scream Team’s main concourse performance, and you’ll leave with your jaw dragging the ground!
As a member of the Scream Team, we have to always push ourselves to be better. In the inspirational words of our coach and mentor, Jami Taylor, "No matter how good you are, you can always be better. Never settle for just 'good'. Make yourself undeniable." I've internalized these words of wisdom, and try to apply them every day, at every ST practice, and every game. With this being so, I am currently working on mastering head spins. There’s something rather amazing about seeing someone spin on their head, and something even more exhilarating in doing it. Every day I practice, and every day I spin just a little bit longer than I did, the day before. Furthermore, I'm working on hand hops, a break dancing move where you hop up and down only on one hand. Also, I'm working on making my gymnastics tumbling stronger and more diverse. I consistently practice chaining different types of flips together into one impressive aerial tumble pass. My list of new moves that I wish to amalgamate within my current talents continues to grow and change. As I accomplish one move, two more new aspirations take its place. It's a never ending journey, and one that I enjoy so much.
Working with the Scream Team and being a part of the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, constitutes a life of many fun thrills, challenges, and hard work. At the end of the day, there's nothing like it in the entire world. Let's Go Cavs!