In 2009, for the 1st time in several years, the 1st round of Jills tryouts were open to the public. I had been able to attend since 2006 but chose not to after that first year because I admit to being a bit of a softie when it comes to the girls on the squad and hate seeing them disappointed upon missing the cut. Nine years later, there's still one reaction that haunts me from that year because I haven't seen her since. With tryouts being open to the public however, it would've been irresponsible to skip it that year. Held at the Town Ballroom, I rolled in about the same time the captains started showing up. Some of the sponsors were already there setting up and after the captains were all there, they got started warming up to demonstrate the routine that the hopefuls were to perform.
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| Jennifer, Loren, and Katy waiting to come in |
It wasn't long before hopefuls and veterans alike were lining up waiting to come in along with members of the public on hand to watch the start of the tryout process. Among the first in line were about-to-be 2nd year vet Jennifer as well as Loren and Katy, both of whom made significant contributions to the Jills after they made the squad. Unlike the workshop, I recognized Katy right away this time around. In addition to the hopefuls and veterans showing up, the judges for this round of tryouts made their appearance. Included among the judges were Bills players Chris Kelsey, James Hardy, and Terrence McGee.
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| Kaitlin and Gabrielle |
After the doors opened, the bar area of the Town Ballroom filled up fast and we got to meet another prospective rookie who wound up having a solid few years on the Jills in the form of Kaitlin's friend Gabrielle. In addition to Val and Lisa having matching outfits, many others did as well like Jennifer and Ayeshia, Jess and Stephanie, and even rookies Caity and Riley. Unfortunately, they didn't end up dancing together so it didn't have the same effect they desired...but they made the squad so it was all good.
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| matching Lisa and Val |
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| Stephanie B and Jess |
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| rookie hopeful Kristen E |
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| Lydia interviewing Vincenza |
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| Eileen and her guy Jeff |
Kaitlin V wasn't the only alum making a return to the squad as 2003-04 alum Kelly Ann decided to come back to the squad as an ambassador. During the second portion of tryouts that day, the ambassadors were asked questions about the Bills and Kelly Ann got stumped on one, even though I was mouthing the answer in front of her until Lydia asked the crowd for some help. Another familiar face trying out was Heather, a friend of Lydia's, who I met a month before at the birthday party of a couple of the Jills.
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| Lydia with Kelly Ann |
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| Jickster and his former intern Katy |
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| Group shot! |
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| Lydia with her pal Heather |
Since it was my 1st time photographing tryouts, I was kind of working on the fly. I started out taking photos of everyone but eventually added in video of the vets and selected rookie hopefuls. There was one negative to that as Val and Lisa were the first pair up to perform and Val, in particular, was rather disappointed they didn't get video. She forgave me quickly though but didn't forget the next year when it came tryout time again and I ensured everyone got video. After tryouts were over for the day, we all waited around for the results to be posted while vets and aspiring rookies alike posed for photos and interviewed with Lydia. You can see all the pics at
https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/3919
From the Bandettes comes a photo from the Bandits Home Opener against the Edmonton Rush. The Bandettes were greeting fans as they came in the gates as well as when they went up the escalators. Shown posing for this picture just inside the gates are Janelle, Stephanie, and Abby.
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| Janelle, Stephanie, and Abby |
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