Former prom queen featured as Dallas Cowboys cheerleader
Confidence that s a key to reaching goals says St. Johns County native Mackenzie Weeks.
And it was confidence, says the Pedro Menendez High School graduate that resulted in her recent selection as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. She was one of 17 rookies named to the 34-member squad, chosen from a initial field of 500 hopefuls.
Mackenzie, who uses the name Mackenzie Lee professionally, is among the newly selected Cowboys cheerleaders featured in the CMT (Country Music Television) realty show Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders : Making the Team 6. The show airs at 10 p.m. Fridays.
Becoming not just a cheerleader, but a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader was a dream from childhood.
I know that I speak for the entire squad when I say that becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader was a dream come true for each and every one of us, Mackenzie wrote in her Cowboys blog. But competing against beautiful and talented young women for a spot on the DCC is a really easy way to realize your self doubt. There were a few moments where I even regretted coming all the way to Dallas from Florida.
But a pep talk on confidence from Cowboys personnel changed the candidates thinking, and my confidence grew and helped me to perform to the best of my ability.
Mackenzie survived two dance auditions, a personal interview, a written test, a talent presentation and choreographed dance and kickline before she could make it into cheerleading camp, she told Segel.
A 2006 graduate of Pedro Menendez High School, Mackenzie, 23, held the titles of both Miss Menendez and Prom Queen at the school, and she was a member of the Menendez Dance Team. At Florida State University, where she majored in business administration and hospitality, she was a member of the FSU Golden Girls dance team.
We were thrilled, Mackenzie s mother Mary Lee Weeks said Wednesday morning of her daughter s selection. Mary Lee is in Dallas visiting with her daughter.
Mary Lee and her husband, John, own the Seafood Shop on A1A South. Residents of St. Augustine for 20 years, they lived in Palm Valley prior to moving to the Ancient City, residing in Palm Valley when Mackenzie was born in a Jacksonville hospital.
Mackenzie s attended R.B. Hunt Elementary and Murray Middle School, as well as Douglas Anderson in Jacksonville, for two years, where she also served on the dance team.
In addition she was a student at The Dance Company of St. Augustine.
Mackenzie told Segel that the transition to her life as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader has been a definite adjustment, but thanks to the support of family and friends she is handling the change.
And she told Segel, her childhood dream is what continues to keep her motivated.
That support has come from many sources including Mackenzie s grandmother, who, in Mackenzie s blog, admitted to being a Cowboys fan since the 1970s, and offered this advice: Always keep your head high and God bless you everyday. Always know that you made it. You worked hard to be confident.
Requirements:
The requirements of serving as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader are demanding. Mackenzie Weeks, who cheers under the name Mackenzie Lee, works as an insurance agent. In addition to her work, duties as a Cowboys Cheerleader include:
n 15 hours a week rehearsals with her team
n Attendance at all Dallas Cowboys home games.
n Readily available for personal appearances, photo shoots, charity work and media interviews.
Source: Jennafer Segel, The Florida Times-Union
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