As many know, the Jills are frequently involved in troop visits that take them all over the world. Recently, 8 of the Jills went over to Iraq to visit and perform for the troops and they'll be back within the next few days. Julie Dermansky, a photographer based out of New York, was also recently in Iraq and stayed just across the hall from the Jills. If anyone knows these girls, you know they love the camera and posed for some photos for Julie. Katie K, Valerie, Stefanie, Jill, Ayeshia, Stephanie Bu, Kristin B, and Lynn are featured in some of the photos on her blog and in her Flickr photo album. Check everything out at http://juliedermansky.blogspot.com/2009/02/jvb-hotel-luxury-left-over-in-baghdad.html
The Bandits updated the Buffalo Bandettes webpage today and you finally get a chance to get to know the 2009 Bandettes squad a little better. Click on the names of each girl or on the girls themselves to take you to their bios.
registration is required to view the Bandettes webpage and bios
Also, now that we have the group photo up, the Bandette of The Week schedule is now ready to be determined. Like with the Jill of The Week feature, this is a little thing we do to give each of the ladies a chance to shine on her own.
Coming off a championship season, expectations have been high for the 2009 Buffalo Bandits. A 5-0 start gave fans reason to believe before a loss in Philadelphia last week shattered hopes of an undefeated season. Back home for the first time in a month, the Bandits had to make a statement and were placed behind the 8-ball when the schedule-makers gave them a game against the Toronto Rock, a team that Buffalo has historically struggled to beat. However, fate, and a 17-point effort by fan favorite Mark Steenhuis as well as some stifling defense turned the 8-ball around as the Bandits jumped out to a 3-0 lead enroute to a 25-10 total domination of the visiting Rock.
The Bandits weren't all that was in dominating form as the NLL's premier dance squad, the Buffalo Bandettes put on a big show dancing to songs like Bon Jovi's "We Got It Going On" as well as a new routine that had guys in the stands close to fainting. The Bandettes put in a long day as they were at the Arena at midday to not only work on not only perfecting their own routines but to work with their Jr Bandettes to start getting them ready for their performance at the March 28th game against the New York Titans.
Coming up next, after the Bandits make a road trip to Toronto next week, the Bandits and Bandettes are back at HSBC Arena on February 28th to face off against the Swarm, a team they squeaked out a 10-9 win against in Minnesota last month. The Buffalo Bandettes will again be putting in a long day as they will again be working with their Jr Bandettes and then making it to the Arena for the game. Prior to the game, the 2009 Bandettes posters are expected to be available and if they are, we can expect to see the Bandettes at the top of the east bank of escalators ready to autograph them from shortly after 6pm until just before 7pm. Be sure to arrive early as the Bandettes will have to leave the autograph area by 7 so as to get ready for their pregame performance.
Jills fans should take special note. Besides former Pro Bowler Erin J leading the Bandettes and Karla and Denise in uniform, we had a visit from a member of the 2006 Buffalo Jills, who was selling 50-50 raffle tickets for the Sabres Foundation. The winner won over $3000!
This week, we take a look at one of the long-time vets on the squad as our Jill of The Week. Kelly has been with the Jills Ambassador Squad since 2002 and captain of that squad since 2004. Unfortunately, we didn't see her at many games this year but she was still present at practices helping the squad prepare for games, events, and appearances. She's a former Air Force recruiter who won an award for being tops in her squadron. That should be no surprise for any of us who know her. She's got an extremely outgoing personality and besides being extremely easy on the eyes, she's even easier to get along with. But a big thing that made her an excellent recruiter and makes her an outstanding captain is her ability to know when to be serious. While she loves to have fun and loves her life, she's also very meticulous about her work and a bit of a perfectionist. You can read more about Kelly at http://www.buffalojills.net/bios/kellyH.html and don't forget to check out her 97Rock Photo Album at http://www.97rock.com/Article.asp?id=1076170&spid=21993
Learn what it takes to make the squad! Experience the Jills dance & cheer styles along with hair, make up and interview tips to make your audition stand out from the rest! All prep classes will be held at Fusion Dance Studio on Kenmore Ave. in Buffalo. www.fusiondancestudio.org
Saturday, February 28th, 4pm-5:30 Saturday, March 21st, 4pm-5:30. Each class is $20 or $35 for both. (Checks should be written out to: Citadel Broadcasting) Must be a minimum of 10 per class. Classes are limited. Additional classes will be added if necessary. Register by emailing: Stephanie.mateczun@citcomm.com
Send your fee to: Buffalo Jills Prep Class 50 James E. Casey Dr. Buffalo, NY 14206
