With the NFL audition season winding down and the 2013 squad announced, I thought it would be nice to recognize those 2012 Charger Girls who retired from the squad. A girl’s time in the uniform is short, so we should enjoy them while we can. Let’s take one final look at those girls who are no longer with the squad.
We begin with two Captains, Lauren O. and Marissa.

Lauren was a four year member of the Charger Girls, the last two as Captain. For two years, she had the good fortune to dance with her sister Jennifer, who is currently a 49ers Gold Rush cheerleader.

Marissa was a three year veteran Charger Girl and her story remains one of the most inspirational that I’ve come across. She tried out nine times before making the squad and I guess perseverance pays off because she eventually became a Captain and then the Charger’s Pro Bowl representative.

Lauren P. was a member of the Clippers Spirit Dance Team before becoming a Charger Girl and she was a pleasure to shoot because she was very photogenic. She was a three year member of the Charger Girls.

Starkesha, another three year member of the Charger Girls, was a former Detroit Automotion Dancer who made the move from Michigan to sunny California. Michigan’s loss and our gain.

Amanda was a two year member of the Charger Girls and she had the distinction of being a top 30 finalist on the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance”. And those of us who watched her on Sundays, knows she can!

Alexis Ann was on the squad for two years, but in 2012 she did not perform during the regular season. She only was on the sidelines for the two preseason games then suddenly disappeared. Our loss because she was very striking.
And know we turn our attention to some one year wonders, whom I hope may make a return appearance in the future.

This is Rachel and she was a Charger Girl for only one season. And this is unfortunate because I was looking forward to shooting her again this season. She was on the end of her line and as such I didn’t get to photograph her as much as I wanted, but fret not. Rachel auditioned for and made the 2013 New England Patriots Cheerleaders.
Good for her, bad for us. And while it will be below freezing in December in Boston, it’ll be a sunny 70 degrees in San Diego. Perhaps those cold New England winters will induce her to move back to sunny San Diego.

Another one year wonder was Nicole. She was another girl that I didn’t get enough photos of her because she was also near the end of the line. We sometimes think we have more time with these girls, but unfortunately, they are only on the team for a relatively brief time.

Katie was another one who was only on the squad for the one year. Tall, leggy and blonde. Everything you could want in a Charger Girl.
I don’t think she tried out again this year, but hopefully she will do so again in the future because I would love to photograph her again.

Allizon, another one year wonder, is working on her PhD in history and hopes one day to teach on the university level. What a coincidence, I was a history major in college…European history. Care to discuss the impact of Napoleon Bonaparte on modern Europe? Oui, oui?

Erin was a former member of the Washington Wizard Girls and I first met her a couple of years ago at the PRO Convention in Atlanta. When I saw that she made the 2012 Charger Girls, I was pleasantly surprised because the PRO Convention attracts the very best professional cheerleaders each year. Erin was a great addition to the Charger Girls.
I think its really neat that girls like Erin, Starkesha, and Lauren P., who have cheered professionally for other teams, auditioned and then joined the Charger Girls. It’s really quite refreshing to see them in a Charger Girl uniform.
Well that’s concludes our look back at the “retiring” 2012 Charger Girls. I hope some of them make it back to the squad in the future, but if not, I want to wish them well in their future endeavors. The girls have a saying, “once a Charger Girl, always a Charger Girl”. Let’s hope their time in the uniform was enjoyable and provided them with memories that will last a lifetime.