Bandette of The Week Lonna

This year, we're going to go totally random on the Bandette of The Week feature and will start it off with rookie Lonna. The reason we're starting with a rookie is because she was an early departure from the squad unfortunately because of so much else going on for her at the moment. Among those things going on are beauty pageants and even won the most stylish award in last year's Miss NY USA pageant. It's sad that she couldn't stick it out for a few reasons. One is the fact that the Bandits faithful won't get to see her perform anymore and another is because of how much she was looking forward to joining the squad, having started watching for news for tryouts last spring. Even though she was a rookie to the Bandettes, she's no rookie in the eyes of the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog as she was a member of the 2008 Buffalo Jills as well. For the future, she hopes to continue in modeling and pageants, as well as work in law enforcement, either as a NY state trooper or in Homeland Security. If it's state trooper, it's highly unlikely any guy would try to argue his way out of a ticket with this beauty pulling him over. You can read more about Lonna at http://www.bandits.com/profileB.asp?bandetteID=201004

Buffalo Jill of The Week Laura

This week, we take a look at 3rd year vet Laura as our Jill of The Week. If you're into archery very much, you really need no introduction to the Martin Archery girl. This happily married (sorry guys) woman has been working with Martin Archery for the past several years but she isn't just a model. She's also a 3-time National Archery Champion, an avid hunter, and also into fishing, cooking, working out, and spending time with her husband and their pets when she gets the chance to relax at home. She's constantly on the go and probably spends more time on airplanes than anywhere else with the many hunting shows she attends. She even had to meet up with the squad in Canton for the HOF game as she had been at a hunting show until the day before in the Midwest. While the squad arrived via limobus a few hours before the game, Laura made sure she'd be there to meet them, getting to town the night before and showing up where the bus arrived before it got there. She describes herself as trustworthy, thoughtful, driven, and honest. Her dedication is probably one of her strongest qualities, though. Only thing about her self-description is...she's not always that honest. But I'm certainly not saying that in a bad way by any means. On occasion, she will call herself chunky or something but I think I can guarantee that if you took a poll of all the girls on the squad, they'd all say she's one of the most physically fit women they know. Take a look at some of her pics on 97Rock at http://97rock.com/Article.asp?id=1374487&spid=21993 and read more about her at http://buffalojills.net/roster/Laura.php

The Bandettes at the Buffalo Auto Show

Even though we're only about halfway into February 2010, car companies are already starting to unveil some of their 2011 models at various auto shows across the nation. To bring in car enthusiasts and potential customers, the Buffalo Auto Show has special features at the Buffalo Convention Center each year. This year, just one of those features was a Sports Star day with appearances by former Bill Ruben Brown, former Sabres Rob Ray and Gilbert Perreault, and current Bandits superstar Johnny Tavares. With the Bandits star in attendance, it's only fitting if some of the Bandits dancers, the Bandettes, were in attendance as well. On hand for this event on Wednesday evening were Meghan, Amanda, Alexis, and Lauren B. They spent some time checking out some of the cars and posed in a few as well. After posing with some fans, they joined Tavares as he signed autographs and posed for pictures with the fans.

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b87/bandettes/2010/Auto%20Show/

If you missed seeing the Bandettes at Wednesday night's appearance, you can still see the Jills at the Buffalo Auto Show on Sunday as they help judge The Edge Tailgate Contest as 5 finalists compete to show off their best tailgate meal. Go to http://www.buffaloautoshow.com/ for all the info on the Buffalo Auto Show.

The Bandettes are next in action as they return to HSBC Arena on February 27 as the Bandits host the Philadelphia Wings, the same team the Bandits are visiting this Saturday night.

The Bandettes at the Bandits-Rock game

The Bandits' season isn't getting off to a good start this year as the Bandits dropped a heart breaker to the visiting Toronto Rock at HSBC Arena last night. Some questionable officiating and a porous defense were keys in a game that still lacked the great John Tavares.

Like the Bandits, the Bandettes have had to adjust to a teammate not being able to perform. However, unlike the Bandits, the dance team has performed outstandingly. Head choreographer Erin Y has stepped in on select performances and captains Meghan and Justina have helped the squad adjust to routines and performances with 1 fewer dancer.

Prior to the game, the Bandettes greeted fans, posed for photos, signed autographs, and handed out information on their Jr Bandettes program. If you missed this info, you can fill out a form online at https://www.formspring.com/forms/?822830-NMAlnArOar . During the game, the Bandettes unveiled something special, some hot new uniforms and performed a pair of performances in them as well as a performance that 3rd year captain Justina put together in her free time. After the game, most of the squad spent some time at Pearl Street Grill and Brewery with fans and players alike as everyone wound down from a tough evening.

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b87/bandettes/2010/Rock1/

Coming up next for the Bandettes, a number of them will be putting in an appearance at the Buffalo Auto Show on Feb 10, Wednesday evening from 6-8 but they won't be alone as even though he hasn't been able to play yet this season, superstar John Tavares can still put in appearances and will be on hand for photos and autographs. Get the details at http://buffaloautoshow.com/ 

The Bandettes next take the floor at HSBC Arena on February 27 as the Bandits play host to the visiting Philadelphia Wings, in a game which the Bandits hope to have Tavares back in the lineup

Buffalo Jill of The Week Caity

This week, we take a look at rookie dancer Caity as our Jill of The Week. This Rochester native was found dancing on Eileen's line next to Stefanie this season and actually caught our eyes at 1st cuts when she and her friend Riley came in matching outfits. While that's not exactly new as 7 pairs of vets did the same thing this year, it is notable that two aspiring rookies did it. Unfortunately, unlike the vets, Riley and Caity weren't able to reserve their numbers and ended up dancing separately which didn't hurt their chances as they both made the final squad. Riley left the squad early during the summer while Caity stuck it out and was one of only 2 rookies, along with Joya, on Eileen's vet-heavy line. Some Jills, once they leave the squad, aspire to leave the area. In fact, a pair of this year's rookie ambassadors have already made their plans for leaving. Thankfully, Caity won't be one of them. She places a high importance on her family and enjoys the winter sports like skiing she can get involved with here.