Buffalo Jill of The Week Kaitlin

This week, we take a look at dancer Kaitlin as our Buffalo Jill of The Week. 2009 was Kaitlin’s 2nd with the squad after spending 2007 on the Ambassador Squad and then taking 2008 off. In 2009, Kaitlin moved over to the dance squad, spending her gamedays on Nicole and Christina’s line next to Jennifer and Nicole (and Loren when Nicole departed). After 12 years of cheering, including 2 on an all-star squad, it only made sense for her to become a dancer. If I could find one word to describe Kaitlin it would be sweetheart. That’s the biggest thing I can take from knowing her the last few years…she’s like the kid sister that doesn’t annoy you and everyone loves. Family is a very big deal to Kaitlin and every member of her family couldn’t be more proud of her. Unfortunately, after making the 2010 final squad, she recently retired from the squad due to work, disappointing fans and squadmates alike. That’s just the way things work out sometimes, though. We obviously will miss her sweet smile and demeanor but wish her the best in all her future endeavors just the same. You can read more about Kaitlin in the webgroup’s files section where a copy of her 2007 bio will be while she’s the Buffalo Jill of The Week.

The Jills at the Buffalo Auto Show

Buffalo is a city well-known for its tailgating prowess, annually ranked in the top 3 in the NFL with Green Bay and Kansas City. Besides their devotion to tailgating, the foods that are served at Buffalo tailgate parties are spoken of around the league. In honor of this, the Buffalo Auto Show, with the aid of radio station 103.3 The Edge, hosted a contest in which 5 contestants put their recipes up for judging. The winner got a large group of prizes including Bills tickets, a new grill, an autographed football, and many more. No contest like this works without judges and Amanda and Kaitlin of the Buffalo Jills put aside Valentine's Day afternoons with their boyfriends to help judge the contest along with a pair of NYS's finest.

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2009/Auto%20Show/

Coming up next, the Jills have a pair of events scheduled for February 27th as a number of them will be at Eastern Hills Mall from 11-noon for Kaleida Health's Day of Dance event. They'll be there to perform, sign autographs, pose for photos, and hand out info on becoming a Jill or a Jr Jill.

That evening, Club Paradise in Blasdell is the place to be as the Jills hold their annual adult comedy show. Tickets are $20 in advance through the Jills or $25 at the door with doors opening at 7pm with raffles, food, and drink available.

Stanz Benefit at Shawbucks

Frequently, the Jills are asked to appear at various charitable events in which they greet the attendees, sell raffle tickets, and sign autographs. Today in Jamestown, NY was one of those such events. Shawbucks bar was the scene where a benefit is being held today for Staff Sgt John J Stanz of the US Marine Corps. Last month, the young man was critically injured by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan and is currently surviving in a coma in the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD. A number of live bands are performing throughout the course of the day at the event with a $10 cover charge that goes to the family and the recovery of the injured Marine. His parents, owners of their own business, are at his bedside currently to be there for when he awakes by the medically induced coma. On hand for this event were not only 3 current Jills, but 3 more Jills alumni lending their support. Joining the pretty full barload of patrons were Murissa, Kaitlin, and Ruby (who helped organize the whole event) and former Jills twins Jill R and Joy (2007) and Dominica (2005). http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2009/Stanz%20Benefit/

If you're in the Jamestown area, the event is still going on until 10 but if not, there are still plenty of fundraisers planned that you can find out about by going to http://www.rdido.com/Home/Events_and_Fund_Raisers.html and read more about Staff Sgt Stanz at http://www.truehero.us/

The Jills are still keeping very busy with the Bills opening up the season on the road with a pep rally at Fountain Plaza Monday at noon and an appearance in Fort Erie for MNF. Also, don't forget about the Edge Away Game parties being held this season at the Aud Sports Bar in Depew. I can tell you from first hand experience that last year's Away game parties are worth attending and the new location this year should only improve the experience.

The Jills next return to the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium one week from today as the Bills host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first ever regular season appearance at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The only time that the Buccaneers have played in Western NY prior to this was a preseason matchup in 1977! Besides seeing the dancers onfield just prior to and during the game, you can meet the Jills Ambassador Squad in the Fieldhouse and at the 97Rock and 103.3 The Edge Tailgate parties prior to the game where you can pick up your Buffalo Jills Swimsuit Calendars if you haven't already. And if you have, you can still get it signed by Buffalo's Beauties.

Buffalo Pro Cheer Photos of The Week

While we wait for September to begin so we can start on the new Jill of The Week series, we'll take a look at some of the pics from earlier this year, from the 2009-2010 Buffalo Jills and the 2009 Buffalo Bandettes.

From the Jills, we show off a photo from the 1st round of cuts held at the Town Ballroom. Pictured here are Kaitlin and Gabrielle. Kaitlin comes back to the Jills after a year off (she was actually the only 2007 rookie to finish that season without choosing to come back in 2008). She was an Ambassador her rookie year and will be dancing on the sidelines in 2009. Gabrielle is a friend of hers who came with her to try out this year and also made the squad. Back in June, some of the Jills were involved with an appearance at Merritt Estate Winery and Gabby was in the dunking booth...the weather was only in the 60s so she had goosebumps on her goosebumps when she got out...but she kept smiling throughout the experience. Major props to her on that!

From the Bandettes, we have a photo from the Round 1 playoff win against Boston. After all the home Bandits games, Pearl Street Grill and Brewery hosts a postgame party and in addition to most of the players being there, a lot of the Bandettes are there as well. Shown smiling for a photo we see Justina, Erin J, and Amanda. Justina was in her 2nd year on the squad and spent it as a captain after showing some strong leadership in her rookie season. Erin is a former Pro Bowler with the Buffalo Jills who took charge of the Bandettes a few years ago and while she expects a lot of her squad, she can also be "one of the girls" after a long gameday. Amanda was in her 2nd year with the Bandettes and is studying for her Master's degree in physical education and health and may go for another Master's degree in Athletic Administration. She's also a recent NLL Girl of The Week. http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=4019

Dreams meet reality for Jills hopefuls

Think American Idol, without the snarky Simon Cowell. And instead of singing, it's cheerleading that's being judged.

In this reality show, the grand prize isn't a recording contract, but rather a chance to cheer in front of 70,000 raucous fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium. More than 100 young women filled the Town Ballroom recently, auditioning to become the next team of Buffalo Jills.

more at http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/667520.html

http://video.buffalonews.com/player/index.php?id=207

Buffalo Jill of The Week Kaitlin V

This week, we take a look at another one of our rookies on the squad. Kaitlin V spends her gamedays as a part of the Jills Ambassador Squad and the fact that she's not a dancer has nothing to do with her dance ability. She cheered for 12 years prior to the Jills, including 2 years on an all-star squad. Despite the fact that she's a busy young lady, she's rarely seen without a smile. Even suffering some serious exposure from the sun on Kids Day didn't phase her. Considering she says one of her main attributes is her strength, I guess that makes sense. And no, that doesn't mean she's some sort of body builder...she's definitely very feminine. You can read more about Kaitlin at http://buffalojills.net/bios/kaitlinv.html