By Kasey Phillips
Coming all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada to try out for the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dance Team was something that was spontaneous and exciting. My family and I have always been Cowboys fans, but I was not aware of them having a co-ed hip hop team. One night a family friend called my mom and told her that while driving home, she heard on the radio that the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue were having their 2016-2017 auditions coming up in two weeks. I remember being so confused, because I had never known about this team, but I was extremely interested. I immediately got online, looked up DCRB, and read all about them. To say I was pleased is an understatement. I booked my plane ticket to Dallas that very night.
With my college dance team career coming to a finish, I was having a hard time figuring out what I would do next. I knew that I wanted to continue dancing and I have always wanted to be a part of a professional dance team at some point, but I was not sure of my next move. To have my mom's friend call during this time in my life almost felt like fate. The information she gave us came at the perfect time and it was almost scary at how fitting it was. I have always said that I wanted to live in Dallas at some point in my life, the Cowboys are my favorite team in the NFL, and I wanted to continue doing what I loved. It was the perfect package in my eyes and that is why I made such an impulsive decision because I did not want it to pass me by; it was too good not to try.
After going through the whole audition process, and having the spectacular, most exciting opportunity to perform in the AT&T Stadium, I was lucky enough to be chosen for the 2016-2017 DCRB season. From that point on, everything moved at the speed of lightening. I had to look for an apartment right away and set up how I would continue taking my college classes, since I still have one more year of school at UNLV. Back at the beginning of April, I would have never guessed that within 2-3 months I would be living in a completely different city, dancing professionally for my favorite football team. To go back and think about it all, and how fast everything changed, is mind blowing to me. I have never lived anywhere else besides Vegas, so the idea of having my first apartment somewhere other than home was something that I had to grasp and get used to real fast.
Although I absolutely love my home in Vegas, and get the occasional case of being homesick, I have had a blast in Dallas so far. I love the environment, the friendliness of the people, and most of all the relationship I have built with my teammates already. I can truly say that going to practice, and interacting with them, has helped me get adjusted to my new lifestyle a lot easier than I would have expected and I am so grateful for that. It makes me excited to be doing something new and it keeps my mind open to dealing with new situations and circumstances. They have kept me company and have already made me feel like Dallas is my second home away from home, which is awesome. The things I have had the opportunity to experience with the team, so far, have been so much fun and football season has not even started yet! I cannot wait for the rest of the season and to see just how wonderful this year turns out. Cheers to new beginnings, adventures, and blessings!
