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Fun in the Sun: Cheerleaders Recount Experience on 2007 Calendar Photo Shoot
Broncos Editor's Note: Two Broncos Cheerleaders wrote about their time in Mexico while photos were being taken for the 2007 Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Calendar. Laura Sobon, a rookie on the squad in 2006, and Katy Kainer, a four-year veteran, wrote journals for Broncos Magazine and DenverBroncos.
Laura Sobon's Calendar Shoot Journal
-- July 6 --
As a rookie on the squad, I was very excited to get on the plane to Cancun, Mexico. I was boarding the flight that would take me and the other cheerleaders into a mini-paradise of tropical beaches, fruity drinks, endless pools and -- more importantly -- the destination of our 2007 swimsuit calendar shoot.
Of course I had a few nervous moments but I was ready.
Mexico, here I come!
When we landed four hours later, we were quickly whisked away to our hotel -- Iberostar. It was gigantic. There were seven restaurants, a wave pool, a lazy river, six regular pools, a cigar bar, an ice cream bar and a performance stage. You name it, this place had it.
It took several of us about an hour just to find the dinner buffet.
-- July 7 --
While the bulk of my second day at the resort was spent relaxing at the beach, I had to attend an important press conference in the evening. Several officials, the mayor of Playa de Carmen and reporters met us to discuss our team, the calendar and football.
Considering my extensive Spanish background (I studied the language for 12 years and spent four months living in Alicante, Spain) I was asked to speak to the press. Spanish is one of my passions -- I love it and wish I had more opportunities to use it in the United States. So, I jumped at the chance to talk to a reporter named Sixto Horacio López and told him all about our talented team.
Catherine McEachern and I sat down with him for several minutes and he asked us numerous questions about our backgrounds, why we chose to be cheerleaders, the audition process and the calendar shoot.
-- July 8 --
Our coach, Teresa Shear, told us we could tag along to the next calendar location at Xcaret. But there was a catch.
We had to board the bus at 6 a.m.
Luckily, the early morning was worth it. Xcaret is a natural water park -- acres of waterfalls, beautiful green pools, lush flowers and plants and local wildlife. It's serene, exotic and was the perfect place for several photos for the calendar.
The first group to go was McEachern, Serita Archuleta and Jesse Adams. Their scene was set up near an inlet and the view overlooked several tiki huts and the royal blue horizon.
While the girls were getting set up, our photographer Rob Hawthorne called out for some help.
Rob handed me a large reflector used to illuminate the girls and had me get into the water so it was positioned properly for the shot. This wouldn't have been a problem except for the slimy, slippery rocks and the scary black fish hiding in the water. Choreographer Shelly Trujillo, cheerleader alum Renee Herlocker, assistant director Shawna Peters, Shear and I were all wading in the water as we helped with the shot. We were carful not to slip on the rocks as the little fish would bite our legs and toes. As we were screaming and laughing about these less-than-stellar conditions, Rob would snap pictures of the girls.
By the time this photo shoot was wrapping up, the water park was opening to the public. April Glaser, Jenn Kelly, Stephanie Ellsworth, Adams and I set out to find some breakfast and explore the rest of the park. But, we made sure to meet up with the rest of the group to catch part of the next two calendar shoots.
Romi Bean's turn was next.
This photo turned out gorgeous -- one of my favorites. Several hours later, the last two girls of the day had their turn in front of the camera. Holly Flaherty and Whitney Evered posed among some green, tropical leaves in a butterfly pavilion. They both looked stunning.
We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on some sleep by the pool and took it easy the rest of the night.
-- July 9 --
The day of the rookie photo shoot finally arrived. There are eight new girls on the team and we were told that our shot was going be on the beach in front of the hotel.
That morning, rookie Laura Freeman and I jumped out of bed at 7 a.m. and headed to the gym to get a workout in before the big moment. We followed it with a healthy, relaxing breakfast.
We arrived in groups to get our hair and makeup done by Sedrique and Jeremy. I feel pretty lucky to work with these guys as they have plenty of photo-shoot experience. Sedrique was telling us about all the super models he's put make up on in the past and Jeremy always styles my hair in some new fashion that I end up loving. They got all eight of us ready in a few quick hours and we were ready to go.
We got to the beach where Rob was setting up. He had us pose individually, in groups of two and then in one, big group of eight.
The photo shoot went smoothly and I am very happy with the results. Since I am fairly new at all of this, I asked the veterans on the team for some helpful pointers. I appreciated all the suggestions because I knew they would help me do my best.
What I like most about this team is that we have such a great fan base.
No matter where we are, we find Broncos fans. It's great to see so many enthusiastic Broncos supporters. One fan came up off the beach and wanted a picture with us during the shoot and, of course, we obliged. What makes this team special is that we interact with fans.
We hold cheerleader clinics for girls who are interested in dancing. We travel to cities all over Colorado, as well as places in Wyoming, Texas and New Mexico to attend different Broncos events. As a team, we volunteer our time at local hospitals.
-- July 10 --
Our final day in Mexico came.
As I boarded the plane, I thought about my wonderful experiences during this trip. With the football season quickly approaching and our season getting busier and busier, I realized how lucky I am to participate in this organization. When I first made the team, it felt like a dream. But with every promotion, practice, charity event and calendar shoot, it is becoming more of a reality.
Fresh back from a quick 2-day visit to Denver, Colo. (where they've got a testy Governor's race)to see friends . . . and whammo, did I miss a lot!
Before we get down to business though, a quick prediction: The Democrats will select Denver to have their 2008 National convention. The southwest is becoming battleground territory, and Colorado is a state that voted for President Bush, but is now trending Democratic. You heard it here first.
Now, here's a recap:
*First, I've received several calls and e-mails from viewers complaining about our decision to do a live interview with Senator John Edwards on Labor Day. Here's a sample of one:
"I have one question; will you give equal free advertising time to the Republican Party? The interview with Senator Edwards sounded more like a rehearsed commercial than a real news story. Seriously Claire McCaskill will be able to use this interview in her commercials, as will Senator Edwards. I am highly disappointed." We stand by our decision to interview Edwards live, and for the record, we would/will give the same opportunity to a big-name Republican stumping for Sen. Talent in Springfield if they were to agree to do it.
*The Missouri Republican Party used our interview with Claire McCaskill to lambaste her for calling for immediate withdrawal from Iraq. The McCaskill camp has said she doesn't mean immediate withdrawal, but rather a gradual redeployment of troops.
*The Missouri Democratic Party fired right back by jumping on Senator Talent for an off-the-cuff comment about amnesty. Watch it here on that oh-so-influential You Tube.
*Democratic State Senate candidate Doug Harpool called lawmakers decision to not meet for a special session to deal with Medicaid "a moral embarrassment."
*A "progressive hillbilly" took Claire McCaskill to task for "dodging the war issue" at the Labor Day parade in this Greene County Democrats blog entry.
*The G.O.P fired out another release against McCaskill for casting a "phantom vote" two years after leaving the legislature.
*Both McCaskill and Talent appeared on MSNBC. Say what you want about the troubled cable channel, they sure know how to cover politics.
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