COLLEGE & DEGREE:  Texas A&M University

B.S. Environmental Studies, Minor in Geography

OCCUPATION: Environmental Consultant

FAVORITES:

Former Dallas Cowboys: Troy Aikman

Movie: Monsters Inc.

Quote: "You live one time on Earth. Live each day with a thankful heart. " Lailah Gifty Akita

DFW Area Restaurant: Gloria's

Article of Clothing: Sundress

Phone App: Spotify

Cartoon Character: Minions

TV Show:  Life and New Girl

Holiday: Christmas

Charity: SPCA

Ice Cream: Phish Food

WHAT IS YOUR JUNK FOOD WEAKNESS?  Baked Goods!

WHO IS YOUR “CELEBRITY CRUSH”? Justin Timberlake

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM LUNCH DATE? Spend the day outside, live music, tex-mex and maybe some dancing….That may be too good to be true.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?  Have a show on the travel channel similar to Anthony Bourdain. Claire Explores the World: travel, meet locals, experience new cultures and eat!

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? Looking back on life and wishing I had tried something different or done more.

WHAT IS AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT? Almost missing a flight, then being stared down by everyone waiting in their seats.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS (IF SO LIST NAMES)? I have a weenie dog named Moose.

WHO IS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE?  My parents

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM VACATION DESTINATION? I would like to visit Croatia and Greece.

IF YOU HAD TO PICK TWO CELEBRITIES TO BE YOUR PARENTS WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? I think I would pick Lena Dunham and Iron Man.

LIST 5 WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU: Adventurous, Kind, Humorous, Outgoing and Loyal

WHAT IS ONE THING MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I love to read. Also, I have a chapstick addiction.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES? CBreezy, ClaireBear

WHAT FAMOUS PERSON (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH? WHY? Oprah, that woman would give me the pep talk of the century.

WHAT IS THE MOST EMBARRASING SONG ON YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW? Thriller - listen to it year round.

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? Watching dog videos on youtube.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SUPER POWER? Teleportation

FINISH THIS STATEMENT: I am most proud of… Moving to a new country for a year alone.

WHAT IS YOUR DANCING BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE? I grew up in a dance studio from age three (mostly ballet and jazz), and once I reached high school I became a cheerleader. I picked up dancing and preforming again in college.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO AUDITION FOR DCC? Im from Dallas, so I grew up a Cowboys fan and had dance teachers that were DCC. It wasn't until later in life that I realized could become one of the women that I had looked up to.

IF YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING TO COWBOYS FANS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? Cowboys fans are the best in the world! Thank you for letting us be a part of the Cowboys Nation!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO DREAMS OF BECOMING A DCC? Go for it! Take all the classes you can and stretch everyday.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A PART OF DCC? Having such talented and amazing women as teammates.

OCCUPATION: Student and Administrative Assistant

FAVORITES:

Former Dallas Cowboys: Emmitt Smith
Movie: Tangled, Forrest Gump, and Friday Night Lights (TEXAS FOREVER)
Quote: “Satisfaction Leads To Failure” –Tyler Relph & “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future” –Proverbs 31:25

DFW Area Restaurant: Mi Cocina
Article of Clothing: DCC Uniform of course!
Phone App: Snapchat and Instagram
Cartoon Character: Rapunzel because she is just like me;)
TV Show: Duck Dynasty, Chrisley Knows Best, and I watch a lot of ESPN!
Holiday: Thanksgiving or Christmas because being around family is VERY important to me!
Charity: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Ice Cream: Vanilla Frozen Yogurt with Oreos!

WHAT IS YOUR JUNK FOOD WEAKNESS?  I LOVE BAKING, so any kind of cookie, cupcake, or pastry!

WHO IS YOUR “CELEBRITY CRUSH”? Luke Bryan

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM DATE? Take me out to the country for a whole day! Let’s cook out, ride four wheelers and ATV’s, horseback riding, fish, and maybe even do some skeet shooting! Being out in the middle of nowhere is actually really peaceful to me and there is never phone service so it’s easy to make a lot of fun memories!

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? I’m blessed to be living it now! :)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? I have a deadly fear of Crickets! Especially flying ones! I have many reasons I promise…

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? I have a Golden Retriever named Pixie and a Chihuahua named Roxie!

WHO IS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE?  The most inspirational person in my life would have to be my great great grandmother (My Granny) because she was such a strong woman! She has been through many sicknesses/operations and somehow managed to keep a smile on her sweet face through it all. She has taught me that through any type of situation, no matter the outcome, always keep your faith and all you can do is keep moving forward.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM VACATION DESTINATION? I have always wanted to go somewhere like South Africa because I love animals and would like to experience a Safari or maybe even jump in the ocean to cage dive with some Great White Sharks!

IF YOU HAD TO PICK TWO CELEBRITIES TO BE YOUR PARENTS WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson

LIST 5 WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU: Competitive, Faithful, Driven, Creative, and Loving

WHAT IS ONE THING MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’m legally blind in my left eye only! It’s caused by a condition I was born with called Amblyopia causing me to be partially blind in my eye. I actually had to wear an eye patch on my glasses when I was younger over my right eye to try and correct it. Funny thing about my glasses though was the lens! The lens over my left eye was so thick that it would magnify my eye, so my left eye always looked bigger than my right! I’m still doing therapy for my eye to this day and only have to wear one contact in my left eye and nothing in my right.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES? Cai, Taya, Punkin, and Caila Bug

WHAT FAMOUS PERSON (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH? Walt Disney, because I would just like to thank him for making a magical world for everyone, where dreams really do come true!

WHAT IS THE MOST EMBARRASING SONG ON YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW? I actually have the whole movie Tangled soundtrack on my phone. I am too obsessed with that movie!

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? SWEETS! Especially cookies and cupcakes!

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SUPER POWER? To be able to read peoples minds!

FINISH THIS STATEMENT: I am most proud of…. Having the chance to be a member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders because I have overcome so many different mental and physical challenges over the past years to get where I am today. Basically it goes to show that determination, perseverance, and hard work pays off!

WHAT IS YOUR DANCING BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE? I have danced since I was three years old, training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, pom, hip hop and contemporary. I danced competitively for 14 years and was a varsity cheerleader in high school. I also had the honor of being a Jr. DCC for 3 years and performed in numerous halftime performances. I have also taught dance classes and choreographed many competition routines.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO AUDITION FOR DCC? When I was a little girl I was taught dance by several former DCC. I always looked up to the DCC Organization and all of the beautiful women that were a part of it. They were role models to me growing up and inspired me to become a DCC over the years.

IF YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING TO COWBOYS FANS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

I would say thank you to all the die hard Cowboys fans out there like me! We have the best fans across the globe! Thanks for all the support and love you give to this organization! You probably don’t understand how much it actually means to us! Together we are COWBOYS NATON!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO DREAMS OF BECOMING A DCC?

I would first say never give up on your dreams! I always remind myself of a quote my basketball trainer used to say, “Satisfaction leads to failure”. Basically it reminds me that you can always push harder, become stronger, and be more confident in yourself! Therefore always think you can become better at something. You have to decide how important and how much time and hard work you are willing to put into accomplishing that dream or goal! No one is perfect I can tell you that, but it is all up to you in the end!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A PART OF DCC?

I love that we get to interact with so many people from around the world! Visiting Children’s and Veteran hospitals are some of my favorite appearances we get to do! They are by far the most rewarding! I love being able to put smiles on peoples faces and making their day. I also love getting to make so many amazing and fun memories with teammates. I have made so many close friends on this team I know I will have forever! The fact that I get to experience being a DCC with women that had the same dream as me makes me happy. Performing always gives me a rush because it’s a passion I have had since I was a little girl. Now being able to cheer on the sidelines for my favorite NFL team makes everything even better!

www.dallascowboys.com

COLLEGE & DEGREE: Austin College (Sherman, TX) Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in English, Emphasis in Education

DATE OF GRADUATION: Austin College 2008

OCCUPATION: Middle School Teacher

FAVORITES:

Former Dallas Cowboys: Troy Aikman
Movie: Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken
Quote: “A day I don’t dance is a day I don’t live.”
DFW Area Restaurant: Nick and Sam’s Steakhouse
Article of Clothing: Yoga pants
Phone App: Shazam
Cartoon Character: Wonder Woman
TV Show: Game of Thrones
Holiday: Christmas
Charity: Salvation Army, Lost Orphans International
Ice Cream: Coffee & Cinnamon

WHAT IS YOUR JUNK FOOD WEAKNESS? Ice Cream

WHO IS YOUR “CELEBRITY CRUSH”? Brad Pitt

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM LUNCH DATE?

April 25th, because it’s not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light sweater (shout-out to Miss Congeniality J)

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? My dream job is running an organization abroad that helps underprivileged kids achieve their dreams.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? Snakes

WHAT IS AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT? In middle school I played basketball and shot a basket for the wrong team… and I made it!

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? 2 Pomeranians “Saki” & “Sassy”

WHO IS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE? My parents

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM VACATION DESTINATION? Ibiza

IF YOU HAD TO PICK TWO CELEBRITIES TO BE YOUR PARENTS WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Prince Charles and Princess Diana

LIST 5 WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU: Dynamic, Tenacious, Compassionate, Energetic, Positive

WHAT IS ONE THING MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I graduated high school a year early.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES? Lo

WHAT FAMOUS PERSON (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH? WHY? Joan Rivers, because I wouldn’t be able to stop laughing!

WHAT IS THE MOST EMBARRASING SONG ON YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW? Hanson- Mmm Bop

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? Eating pizza and ice cream

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SUPER POWER? Super human speed

FINISH THIS STATEMENT: I am most proud of…. My students and their amazing accomplishments!

WHAT IS YOUR DANCING BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE? Studio trained since age 3 in all forms of dance, including ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, drill team, tap, lyrical and cheer. Former Dallas Mavericks Dancer, Captain of Austin College Dance Team, 1st Lieutenant & Lieutenant of McKinney High School Marquettes. Currently, I serve as a judge and choreographer for Crowd Pleasers National Contests.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO AUDITION FOR DCC? DCC has been one of my dreams since I was a kid and I wanted to prove to my students that you can accomplish your dreams at any age!

IF YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING TO COWBOYS FANS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? THAT WAS TOTALLY A CATCH!!!!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO DREAMS OF BECOMING A DCC? Never, ever give up! Believe in yourself and be dedicated to what you want to achieve. Read the DCC promises and commit to them.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A PART OF DCC? The best part of this experience has been the friendships I’ve made and being part of such an incredible legacy of women.  Other highlights include my rookie season when I won the Fan Favorite Vote, changed from blonde to brunette during makeovers, and stepped on the field to cheer for the first time!

www.dallascowboys.com

COLLEGE & DEGREE: Eastern Kentucky University; B.S. in Physical Education 

DATE OF GRADUATION: December 2013

OCCUPATION: Receptionist; Gymnastics and Cheer Instructor; Teacher

FAVORITES:

Former Dallas Cowboys: Bill Bates
Movie: Sweet Home Alabama & Forrest Gump
Quote: Pray more, worry less
DFW Area Restaurant: Rise n⁰1
Article of Clothing: Shoes
Phone App: Pinterest
Cartoon Character: Mickey and Minnie Mouse
TV Show: Friday Night Lights, Gossip Girl, & Scandal
Holiday: 4th of July & Thanksgiving
Charity: Ronald McDonald House
Ice Cream: The Comfy Cow’s “Secretariat”

WHAT IS YOUR JUNK FOOD WEAKNESS?  Oreo’s and Starbursts, especially the pink ones!

WHO IS YOUR “CELEBRITY CRUSH”? Chris Pratt

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM LUNCH DATE? Hiking at the Red River Gorge and Miguel’s Pizza!

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? I would love to be a television travel host like Samantha Brown!

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? Being stuck in a large crowd of people

WHAT IS AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT? My life is a continuum of embarrassing moments but I just go with it. Life is too short to be embarrassed!

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? 2 Cats, Betty and Black

WHO IS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE?  My mom and dad, they always support me in whatever direction life takes me.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM VACATION DESTINATION? Venice, Italy

IF YOU HAD TO PICK TWO CELEBRITIES TO BE YOUR PARENTS WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Jimmy Fallon and Kristen Wiig

LIST 5 WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU: Forgiven, Happy, Southern, Optimistic, and Loyal

WHAT IS ONE THING MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’m an only child

DO YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES? Kash

WHAT FAMOUS PERSON (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH? WHY? Elvis…the man can dance

WHAT IS THE MOST EMBARRASING SONG ON YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW? There’s an excessive amount of Disney Movie Soundtracks in my iTunes

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? No shame in my Pumpkin Spice Latte game

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SUPER POWER? Lightning Speed for sure!

FINISH THIS STATEMENT: I am most proud of…. My family and where I come from.

WHAT IS YOUR DANCING BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE? 16 Years of Allstar Cheerleading with Cheer Cats Allstars in Irvine, KY; 6 Years of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, & Lyrical at Laura’s School of Dance in Richmond, KY; 4 Year member and Captain of the Eastern Kentucky University Dance Team 2009-2013

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO AUDITION FOR DCC? I try to push myself to be the best I can be and I didn’t want to go through life thinking I might have missed an opportunity to be a part of the best and become one of America’s Sweethearts.

IF YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING TO COWBOYS FANS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? Loyalty is a huge thing for me and I love how loyal Cowboys Fans are to their team. I would let them know how much respect I have for that.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO DREAMS OF BECOMING A DCC? Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try. No matter the outcome of becoming a DCC, it is one of the most rewarding processes I have ever been involved in and to let your faith be bigger than your fear!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A PART OF DCC? Being a part of a tradition that has such high standards and respect. I love the sisterhood the team has and all the great friendships I have made through this journey. 

Education: Degree in Sociology

Hobbies: Cooking and playing with my french bulldog, Lulu!

Dance Background & Experience: 16 years of competitive dance in a studio, 4 years competitive varsity highschool dance team, 3 years in the NFL with the NY Jets, and now my 3rd year with DCC! :)

Words to live by/favorite quote: "In a world where you can be anything, be yourself."

Five words that describe you: Genuine, Passionate, Silly, Loyal, Determined

Favorites:

Former Player: Emmitt Smith.  We had the honor of meeting Emmitt my rookie year as we were rehearsing one night.  He was just so down to earth and gave us great advice.  He is a class act.
Movie: Dirty Dancing, it's just a classic!
DFW Area Restaurant: Gotta love Nick & Sam's for Sunday brunch!
Article of Clothing: A great pair of pumps!
Phone App: Shazaam!  For a music lover like me, its the BEST app.
Cartoon Character: Ariel from The Little Mermaid (I wanted to be her when I was little)
TV Show: Anything on ID (Investigation Discovery)
Holiday: I LOVE Christmas time, especially in NYC.
Charity: Salvation Army-Doing the most good!
Ice Cream: Cookie Dough all the way
Junk Food Weakness: Taco Bell...not ashamed.

One thing most people would be surprised to learn is... Well if you know me you wouldnt be surprised, but some might be surprised to know that I am very clumsey.  I trip all the time!  I can somehow get through an entire Cowboys game dancing and running around, but walking and using stairs in my day to day life seems to be a struggle for me.  I just laugh at myself. :)

Biggest Fear: Besides spiders, it would be being kidnapped!  Maybe it's all the shows I watch on TV...

What would be your superpower? Teleportation! I wish I could just snap my fingers and be somewhere else in the world.  It would make living so far from home a lot easier!

Most Embarrassing Moment: I don't get embarressed anymore, if I mess up at something I just laugh it off!

Dream Job: Already living it! :)

Dream Vacation Destination: Hawaii

Why did you decide to audition for the DCC? They are the most iconic and recgonized cheerleaders in the world!  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try and become one of America's Sweethearts!

What are some of your DCC highlights? I would say my biggest highlight thus far, would be auditioning for my second season with a HORRIFIC foot injury.  I still to this day can't believe I actually did that!  But the strength, courage and perseverance it took for me to get out there and dance through the pain and actually make it though, was amazing.  Not to mention the incredible support from my teammates who cheered me on the whole time.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Advice for someone who dreams of becoming a DCC: The only person standing in your way, is you!!  If you truly want to become a DCC just go for it.  If it doesnt go your way the first time around, keep going!  True failure is when you stop trying.  If you believe in it, dont give up!

COLLEGE & DEGREE: Indiana State University; B.S. in Finance

DATE OF GRADUATION: 2011

OCCUPATION: Accountant

FAVORITES:

Former Dallas Cowboys: Emmitt Smith
Movie: Avatar
Quote: “Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”
DFW Area Restaurant: Gloria’s
Article of Clothing: Scarves
Phone App: Snapchat
Cartoon Character: Princess Jasmine
TV Show: Friday Night Lights
Holiday: Christmas
Charity: Make a Wish Foundation
Ice Cream: Coffee

WHAT IS YOUR JUNK FOOD WEAKNESS?  Anything covered in chocolate.

WHO IS YOUR “CELEBRITY CRUSH”? Theo James

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM LUNCH DATE? Something simple! Lunch outside at Katy Trail Ice House.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?  Director/choreographer of a pro dance team.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? Spiders. I just can’t.

WHAT IS AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT? Back when I cheered in the NBA for the Indiana Pacers, a loose ball accidently hit me right in the face. In front of thousands of fans. Ow.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? We have a yellow lab that lives with my family back in Iowa! Her name is Daisy Mae J

WHO IS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE?  My mom! She was the one who inspired me to chase my dreams. She took a risk of starting her own business over 10 years ago, and after seeing all of her success, I knew that anything was possible!

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM VACATION DESTINATION? Bora Bora

IF YOU HAD TO PICK TWO CELEBRITIES TO BE YOUR PARENTS WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Brangelina

LIST 5 WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU: I’ll give you 3 words: Resting Happy Face. (Ha! My friends say that I always have a smile on my face!)

WHAT IS ONE THING MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’m a huge nerd! I almost majored in Math in college… I like numbers.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES? Jess, Jessie, JP

WHAT FAMOUS PERSON (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH? WHY? Michael Jackson

WHAT IS THE MOST EMBARRASING SONG ON YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW? Probably some really old Disney music back from when I used to teach dance.

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? See “junk food weakness” listed above. (Chocolate)

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SUPER POWER? To be able to relive moments in time.

FINISH THIS STATEMENT: I am most proud of…. Graduating college with honors! And also staying true to myself.

WHAT IS YOUR DANCING BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE? I have been dancing in the studio since I was 3 years old. I was captain of my nationally-ranked high school Poms team, and an NBA dancer (Indiana Pacers – “Pacemates”) while in college. I have also taught dance classes and choreographed numerous routines over the years.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO AUDITION FOR DCC? I feel like this is what I was made for; this was God’s chosen plan for me! I am so thankful for the blessings I have been given. It truly is an honor to be a part of such a well-respected organization, and that I get to live my dream every single day!

IF YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING TO COWBOYS FANS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? It WAS a catch!!!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO DREAMS OF BECOMING A DCC? Don’t ever give up on your dreams! Take as many dance classes as you can, but also make sure you are doing your best in school. DCC is not only about dancing; they look for well-rounded ladies who are intelligent, well-spoken, and can represent the world famous Cowboys brand!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A PART OF DCC? The friendships and memories I have made!! This sisterhood is something that is SO special to be a part of, there really is nothing like it! Once you are a DCC, you are ALWAYS a DCC!