Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders facts for kids

The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders is the professional cheerleading squad of the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. The squad performs a variety of dance moves at the Hard Rock Stadium, the home stadium of the Dolphins. The Dolphins Cheerleaders released an annual swimsuit calendar every year. The squad hosts auditions every May. Like most other squads in the league, the MDC also has a youth cheer squad and help mentor young girls in the Miami area. The squad also makes USO trips. Every year, the MDC sends a cheerleader to the Pro Bowl. The MDC also sends a number of alumni to the Indian Premier League every year.

History

The group's inaugural season was in 1978, but the cheerleading squad was around since the team's inception since 1966. The original squad was known as the Dolphins Dolls, consisting in 125 girls ranging from 8 to 18 years of age. The group performed in the Miami Orange Bowl until 1977. The professional group came around in 1978 under owner Joe Robbie, consisting of 30 ladies. The group was known as the Starbrites under a sponsorship with Starbrite Car Polish until 1983, when the sponsorship ended. The Dolphins made a deal with Burger King to hold a "Name the Cheerleaders" contest, and the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders was ultimately selected. In 1990, founder June Taylor retired and was replaced by Kathy Morton Shashaty, who was a Dolphins cheerleader from 1981–1985. After the Dolphins was purchased by Wayne Huizenga, Heather Phillips was brought in to be the Director of Cheerleaders, while Emily Newton and Trisia Brown were hired to be the squad's coordinator and choreographer, respectively.

Notable members

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