Lady Raiders Roster

I am from Petersburg, VA and graduated from Virginia State University. This is my first year as a Lady Raider captain, and I am so excited about the season.  I have been dancing since I was 14 years old.  My guilty pleasure in life is the TV show Scandal!!! Any gladiators out there?

I am from Chester, Virginia and an alumni of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. I currently work as a dental assistant. I have been a Lady Raider since the team began and I have the pleasure of being one of the captains this year! Outside of work and dance I LOVE to sing. Music has always been a huge part of my life. Maybe you’ll see me on The Voice one day!

I am a native of Petersburg, VA and joined the Lady Raiders in its very first season. By my second year I became a team captain. I am a graduate of Virginia State University and am now a dance instructor and choreographer for the University’s Jazz and Contemporary Dance Company. I am quite the book worm and love writing, the color red, traveling and court TV.

I am a 6th year veteran I have the best job ever for almost 7 years! I teach elementary school! Little people say the silliest things and  I get snow days, holidays and summers off.  Originally, from Martinsville, VA, I am the perfect mix of everything country and a little bit city.. I love spending time with my niece, new nephew and my little Yorkie, Money.

I am thrilled to be in a fourth season as a Lady Raider and Co-Captain. I graduated with a B.F.A in Dance and Choreography at VCU, where I was also a 3 year member of the VCU Gold Rush Dance Team. One of my favorite quotes is that “true discipline is remembering what you want most, vs. what you want now.”

I am a 24 year old Richmond, VA native! I am a lover of all things girly and my favorite thing to do is shop! Dancing has been a passion of mine since a young age and my ultimate goal is to teach dance full time to under privileged children. Dancing gives me an opportunity to express myself creatively, relieves stress, and helps me stay fit.

I recently graduated from Virginia State University with my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.  Since then, I have been working as an after school counselor for Henrico PAL (Police Athletic League).  While working there I have had the opportunity to start a dance program for girls ages 6-16.  This is my fourth season as a member of the Lady Raiders.

This is my third season as a Lady Raider and my 1st season as a co-captain. When I’m not cheering, you can find me on an ice rink teaching my wonderful students. I graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Psychology. In my spare time, I like to take my Shih-Tzu puppy, Moose, for walks.

I will graduate in May from J Sargeant Reynolds with an Associates degree in science.  My plan is to continue at Virginia Tech in the fall majoring in Food, Exercise, Nutrition, and Wellness with the final goal of becoming a Physician Assistant.  I currently work as an assistant instructor/counselor in the after school program at Martial Arts World of West End. I am a 2nd degree black belt who also enjoys dancing and exercise. I hope to spend my free time traveling and experiencing different cultures.

I am 23 years old from Mechanicsville, VA.  I’m currently in the respiratory therapy program at J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College and have been dancing and cheering for 13 years. A fun fact about me is that  I have two dogs and 9 chickensMy hobbies are traveling, working out, going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends My favorite quote is “Sometimes there is no next time, no time-outs, no second chances, sometimes it’s now or never.”

My name is O’Keira and I’m 20 years old. I’m from Richmond, VA. I’m also a hairstylist at Precious Place Salon. My dream is to become a celebrity hairstylist. I also would love to be apart of a professional cheerleading team. On my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Family time is the best time for me.

I am 24 years old born and raised  right here in Richmond Virginia. I work at American Family Fitness and my hobbies consist of working out/fitness and dancing. I have been dancing almost my whole life. My dream is to become a NBA and NFL cheerleader in the next two years.

This is my 2nd year as a Lady Raider. I graduated from VCU with degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish. I work for a Non-profit called Access Now helping low-income individuals get free access to specialty care. I love my job because I feel like I’m constantly giving back to my community on a daily basis. I’m also a professional actress and aspiring fashion model. My motto is to live the life you love, and love the life you live. I hope to one day make a huge and positive impact on the world to change it for the better.

Hey fans! I am delighted to be returning for my second season with the Lady Raiders! My hometown is Varina, VA. I grew up as a tom-boy playing softball and somehow along the way I endured cheerleading/dancing and fell in love with it! I am always trying to make people smile and laugh! “When you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.” – Eric Thomas

I am a Petersburg, VA native who holds a BS from VSU in Family & Consumer Science. No stranger to performing, I have been a member of several dance organizations, dancing since the age of 12. Aside from dancing, cheering and  music, I am currently working towards my MBA. I aspire to become a professional song writer and performer.

I am 21 years old and have been dancing since middle school.  I will be going to VCU for Fashion Illustration. M y hobbies include writing, reading and drawing. I do not have a favorite quote but I do have a favorite scripture and that is Hebrews11:1″Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

I began cheerleading at the age of six and since then I have loved to perform. When I’m not dancing with the Lady Raiders I am working at a dental office and currently studying to become a Dental Hygienist or either spending quality time with my family.

I was born and raised in Richmond, VA and was enthralled when chosen to cheer for the city she’s always loved so dearly. I am a graduate of Longwood University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in Mass Media. I currently works for NBC12 as a News Content Specialist. When my studio days and show choir life was over, I made sure to continue my passion at Longwood by auditioning for Blue Heat Dance Team. I am looking forward to the 2015 football season and meeting all the great fans!

I am currently a student at VCU majoring in Biology. I aspire to be an Orthodontist. Dancing is my get away from life and I love putting on a show. Go Raiders!

This 2013-2014 season will be Kelly’s second as Director of the Lady Raiders. She has studied all forms of dance for 29 years. She graduated from the Freehold Fine & Performing Arts Program in New Jersey as a dance major and studied at the NJ Governor’s School of the Arts at Trenton State University. She then continued her music and dance training at Howard University.

Kelly was a dancer and Dance Team Captain with the Washington Wizards for 3 years and choreographed many of their dance routines. She provided choreography for the Washington Wizard Junior Dancers and assisted in helping to develop and mentor these young teenage children on behalf of the Wizard Organization. In addition, she was a Washington Redskins Cheerleader for 7 years and held the position of captain. As a Wizard Dancer and Redskins Cheerleader, Kelly made several trips to the Middle East, Europe, the Balkans, Central America and Greenland to entertain and boost the morale of our troops before and after the 9/11 tragedy, serenading the troops vocally as well as dancing.

Whenever time permits, Kelly donates her time to perform as a dancer, singer, actress and choreographer for musical productions presented by Cabaret for Life, Inc. (CFL). She has been involved with CFL for the past 15 years. Cabaret, as a non-profit organization, donates its show proceeds to organizations that provide support to groups or organizations whose mission is to ease the lives of those suffering from debilitating diseases.

Kelly is currently a member of The Capitol Movement Project (a dance company). With The Capitol Movement Project, Kelly had the honor of performing (both dancing and singing) in 6 Capitol Movements Concerts at the Historic Lincoln Theater, as well as the Kennedy Center under some of the country’s top choreographers including Tony Powell, Luam, Laura Edwards and Chris Hale, as well as the at the 25th Anniversary Radio One Gala. This year, Kelly had the honor of choreographing for the 7th Annual Capitol Movement Project Concert. The organization’s mission is to build better lives through dance by partnering with community organizations to provide disadvantaged youth and underserved citizens the chance to participate in and patronize the arts in Washington, DC. The group also creates opportunities for underprivileged DC area dancers to train and perform at a professional level.

Musically, Kelly is a singer with Kaleidoscope, a 10-piece band, based in Maryland, providing entertainment on a multi-state basis. She has been a feature singer with the band for 9 years. With Kaleidoscope, Kelly has done all types of performances ranging from NFL Football games to the Inaugural Balls for Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama.

For seven years Kelly was the organizer, manager and producer of a major benefit event titled “Kelly and Friends” which featured a band, Kelly as the lead singer, along with other talented musicians. Proceeds from “Kelly and Friends,” which benefited Prince George’s County charities, exceeded $300,000 over the past seven years.