DCC Making the Team 2011: Episode 1 Season Six - with Kalli Fullerton

I was much less anxious watching DCC Making the Team this time. Instead of hiding in my dorm room to watch it secretly, hoping for the best, I could watch it surrounded by friends this time. Being on a reality show is nerve-racking for one prominent reason… You never know what angle the producers will lean to for your “character.”  We were filmed for three months, and your struggles and triumphs changed during that time. Your attitude changes, your goals change, your energy level changes. Until the show airs, there is no way to know which parts of your story will be shown. The first season focused on my emotional breakdowns but never showed the story behind my weak moments. This is reality TV, after all!



After the first few moments of seeing what parts of my story would be the focus for the rest of the season, I could relax. The most anticipated moment for all contestants watching the show is to see what is said about you behind closed doors. The best moment for me during the first episode was to see that Charlotte (surprisingly), Kelli, and Judy remembered me. Even more heartwarming was to hear that they were supportive and glad (from my interpretation) to see me back after a six-year hiatus (I wasn’t sure how that would be interpreted).

What was different from my first audition (2006) regarding the actual audition process is a frequent question.  There are several major differences, and I will mention them as the show progresses. The first surprising moment was arriving at Cowboys Stadium for preliminaries. The number of women in line to audition was comparatively small to my first experience. The first time I made the lonely walk from my car to the audition line (at Texas Stadium), there were already 500 girls in line. I would be surprised if 500 girls came to take that first step and just showed up this year. However, the caliber of talent, beauty, and, most of all, experience with a professional dance team was, without a doubt, double that of 2006. The competition left me rattled.


To be honest, almost everyone choreographs a small, easily manipulated routine for the “freestyle” first round of auditions. I had created what I thought was going to be a fantastic ensemble. I had perfected it by dancing it to everything on the radio for a month, maybe more ; ). As I stood there ready to hit those moves I had painstakingly memorized, the music finally came on, and ….  My mind went blank. Acting statuesque as the panel of judges writes first impression notes about you before the music comes on is enough to distract you in the first place. I have no idea what song was playing or what awkward moves finally started moving my feet from their glued spots on the floor, but I do know that not a single move from my perfect list of choreography was displayed during those disappointing two minutes.  I am thankful I didn’t stand stone cold like a few awestruck/paralyzed ladies. Who can blame them?

Pin It

Remembering Dog Beach {Long Beach}

Waking up to the sunshine flowing through my open window, I know the day will be the same as the one before; after all, it is Southern California. Washing my face and pulling on a swimsuit, I finished my ensemble with a beach bag filled with a towel, dog bowl, water bottle, an apple, tennis balls, and a Traveler magazine. The contents speak to my destination: Dog Beach.


Izzi, my fifty-pound blue heeler- Australian shepherd mix, pulls me up Ocean Blvd, over the stairs, and through the parking lot in three minutes flat (think of a sled dog pulling a water skier). I try to convey my sincere apology to the cars Izzi continues to ignore as she pulls me towards the sand with all her might.  Once her paws hit the sand, the game was over; she had won this round of tug of war. I get her to sit long enough to unleash her while there are no bikers within ten feet so she can cross the bike path safely (for her, but mostly the bikers). She barrels towards the waves.  A few minutes later, I reached the coned area where we were supposed to unleash. I find Izzi chest-deep in the water, chasing the splashes of a three-year-old girl in a blue and white swimsuit. I set up my towel and Izzi's water bowl and let the sun soak in. 


I sit up, hearing something happening at the water's edge. I pull my hand out from under my wet hair; my fingernails are sand-filled. Covered in the scent of a wet dog, I push myself up from the warmth of my towel and step into the breeze coming off the hazy blue water of Long Beach Bay.  People are grabbing boogie boards and rushing into the water to get close to a pod of approaching dolphins. They had gone uncensored until they were fifteen feet from the shoreline. Seven deep, gray fins rise and fall out of the waves while the dogs bark. A few brave dogs paddle out with their owners to see the new beach residents up close.  One man, returning to the squealing crowd on the beach, shouts, “I touched one!” 

I make the short distance from my familiar nomadic home consisting of a towel, dog bowl, extra tennis balls, and geography articles to the group of "dog beaches" I’ve come to know as friends over the last few months.  Everyone is ecstatic to see the dolphins back. A fisherman once told me dolphins used to be a common presence in the Long Beach waters, yet the last ten years have been barren, absent of all signs of the graceful creatures.  The fishermen, like the "dog beachers," have been bragging and spreading the word of the multiple dolphin sightings this summer in front of Granada Beach.  After thirty minutes of interacting with the dolphins, they start to leave. The dolphins either grew tired of the constant flashing of cameras, reaches of hopeful swimmers, and buggy boarders, or the fish had moved on. 

The crowd and I slowly retract back to our towels. We sink back into our chairs, or even better, let the sand curve to our bodies, and everyone eases back down. I close my eyes to take in the moment.  

Of course, there are the "not so glamorous" moments at Dog Beach. Everyone at one time or another witnesses, experiences, or shamefully has to claim their dog’s bad behavior.  Unexpectedly, being trampled by a herd of bulldogs, having your PB&J snatched away by a Saint Bernard, or suddenly feeling a warm spot form on the back of your chair as a suspicious wiener dog trots away looking distinguished is bound to happen to you at some point when you claim a patch of sand at the dog beach.

Pin It

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders auditions 2006

Six years ago, when I was a freshman in college I auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Never have I faced challenges like those during that long three month period of auditions and training camp in 2006. Let’s start with the beginning. Living in a small town two hours west of Dallas I have always lived in the Cowboys Nation and looked up to the DCC. As long as I can remember, people have told me “you should be a DCC!” Even during a swing dancing competition in 2011 I had a judge tell me “you know, you look like a DCC, you should audition …" I just smiled and said “you are right, maybe I’ll do that! (again)." My love for the DCC was not from afar; my grandmother took me and my sister all over DFW to DCC appearances to meet them and get signed photos. I have a stack of signed squad photos starting from 1989 (I was three).


But back to the story... second semester, freshman year, I started to “get ready” for the 2006 auditions. I was so excited to be at TCU and close to the Cowboys, finally able to audition. Unfortunately  I had never taken dance seriously. I only started in 8th grade and throughout high school only dance one night a week. On the other hand, cheer leading was my number one priority and love. During my freshman year it would have been beneficial to take a dance class but instead I took a few kick boxing  classes at the gym and thought I was in pretty good shape. Oh, how naive! I was truly shocked to find myself making it through the audition rounds at Texas Stadium. 

Everyone was beautiful and the dancing was so far out of my league I was trembling with embarrassment as I thought to myself, "what am I doing here." After the first round of auditions, I actually didn't see my number on the white board. If it were not for the girl next to me randomly yelling, “you made it” and hugging me I would have walked away. 

With shock on my face I made my way back to my mom at the gate and we celebrated with tears and hugs. I was happy to make it to the second round and had very low expectations on the second day of auditions. We were down on the field and the dance moves they were teaching us didn't seem to be the type of dancing I associated with the DCC and I was utterly lost. As we made it back up to our seats and the judges came out for us to start I started crying. I was so disappointed in myself that I couldn't learn the material and went back and forth for several minuets trying to decide if I should leave or not. 

The first of the famous "Kalli Breakdowns" started to happen; I patted my cheeks to try and pull it together. Ironically, I thought "I made it so far," had I only known I would make it to the very end of training camp twice, six years apart I might have been a little bit less weepy. Thankfully, I was at the very beginning of the large group of women or else I may have never got out on the dance floor. I did what they tell you to do, "just smile and keep moving." Even in 2011, I auditioned with a girl who got out on the floor and barley moved, forgetting all the moves she knew so well moments before. She did not make it to the next round but is now on the 2012 squad after a second audition. 

Somehow, that tactic of "keep your feet moving" worked and Kelli called my name! Watching the show after I am still so honored that Judy said my solo was one of her favorites! If you can just make it past the second round finals is so much fun, because its your change to do what you do best. Even though I had a blast and felt confident, I again was completely taken aback when I made it to training camp. After almost missing my name on the board and barely able to say my name without choking up during the second round it was nothing less than a miracle. 

Morning of my 1st DCC audition, 2006

I had met Erika a few weeks before auditions and we became quick friends. She was there to help me through the entire journey.

When I made it into Training Camp my best friend Logan had secretly decorated my dorm door

After making it to training camp, the last weeks of my freshman year became the hardest of my life. The first week of training camp happened to be the week of school finals. So, I would wake up at 5 am study for that day’s exam, take it, and run back to my dorm, shower and get “DCC ready.” Then, I would drive an hour to Valley Ranch. Upon arrival we would run a couple of miles, work out with Jay, and then head into the studio to learn a new dance. I would get home about 1 am, practice until I fell asleep in my sweaty clothes, then wake up again at 5 am and do the exact same routine for a week. Obviously, this was not my most shining moment as a student. Not to mention, the boy I had been ogling and googling over had finally decided to be my official boyfriend and for the first two months of our relationship (after 5 months of admiration from afar) he only saw me once or twice a week just to say hi (he is now my wonderful husband ). Also, I was not able to say goodbye to all my new friends as they left for the summer. These may seem small, but at the time it was devastating. And, that was just the tip of the iceberg that made Kelli Finglass ask me… “are you emotional?” 

Training camp was beyond what I had ever imagined. Tobie and I had become good friends and lived together for that summer. She was an incredible dancer and it seemed so easy for her. I would practice, practice, practice and she would "review" and then get out there like a pro the next night; no wonder she went on to be a five year vet! The running before practice and then dancing for hours was grueling, but the most intensive part was having Kelli and Judy watch almost every practice. My feedback was consistent  "nice smile... sweet smile... big smile..."  followed by "lacking power... forgetful... forgetful..."   I was called in to the office almost every week but felt like Kelli and Judy really wanted me to do well but they looked at me like a poor wounded puppy. By the last week of camp I was feeling much more confident and started to whisper to myself, "you are almost there." 


The last week of training camp was coming to an end. I had the DCC squad photo day starred in my planner… I could see the end in sight! The last practice before squad photos we headed out the bubble on the Cowboys practice field at Valley Ranch. After quickly showing us the DCC stadium entrance they do before the games we were all spread out across the in-zone and made our attempts at the new choreography. Of course there are those that just "get it," and those Judy calls "take homers," I fall into that second group. I knew I was failing miserably and not "hitting my lines," but I kept on smiling. At the end of the night they had four girls stand up. We were surely the "maybe's" who's fate had yet to be decided. We turned away to Kelli and Judy and the rest of the girls and stud out on the field knowing this was it. The song they choose was one that we had learned recently and had a quick intro. I was the only one to start at the right time and was proudly beaming at that until I missed a change in the choreography as a result of messing two dances. The song ended and Kelli asked the girls, "who looks game ready?" My name was not called out. 

We went back to the locker rooms and everyone hugged myself, Natalie, and two others. After Natalie went in and came out saying "I am going to go eat a hamburger," I hugged her and went back to telling myself not to cry. I went into Kelli's office and I knew immediately it was my "last night." I was still very heartbroken and it was very difficult to let go of all that comes with making it to the end of training camp, most importantly your friends. I was devastated at the time and knew that no matter how we tried, the friends I had made would go on and we would loose touch. 

However, God knew what was best for me, and I believe, He had a hand in helping Kelli and Judy let me go.  I adored college. I was a leader in my sorority, Pi Beta Phi, found my passion for geography, and most importantly was able to spend my college experience with the love of my life.  If I had made DCC in 2006, I would have never been able to continue to be a crucial part in my sorority, which I loved. My education would not have been as important, and as a result, I might have never found my niche leading me to be a Geography Professor and do what I love everyday. And, I know without a doubt, I would never have been able to give as much time to the Lord, or my love; trying to juggle all of that would have been an impossible feat and I know something I loved would have dropped.


That audition lead me to find out who I really was, and even more importantly, what I really wanted.

Training Camp 2006

Pin It

Go Cheap {equals} Go Green

Regardless of how much I want a new dress I simply cannot justify buying anything not on sale. I will walk around a store with a product in hand, until I talk myself out of needing it, and put said product back on the shelf or hanger and walk away. To put it nicely, I am the cheapest person I know (my friends and family frequently remind me). As a result, I am one of the “greenest” people I know without “going green” being my main objective (even though it’s a nice bonus).


Halloween is around the corner and while my beautiful friends are gearing up to wear the most adorable, and wonderfully crafted costumes, I am sifting through the racks at my local thrift stores. What am I looking for? “Anything hot pink and a small plastic char.” I am going to be gum (hot pink) under a chair (worn as a hat). I walk away spending a total of $7.86. Not to mention, the best costume of the night.  But, the point is… my costume was “green.” I was reusing clothes and an old chair, giving it a second use, and doubling the worth of the energy that was used to produce them.


“Senior Hall of Fame” was the honored list of titles that the entire school voted for to distinguish a dozen seniors. Which title did I win? Most school spirited? No (but, I should have). Class clown? Definitely not. Most likely to succeed? Not even in the lineup. No, I was given the desirable honor of “Worst Driver.” And I have lived up to it in all aspects. This year alone I have rear-ended a motorcycle, knocked a side mirror off, dented the side of my car (garage’s fault), and knocked out a taillight.  The auto recycling business has me to thank for the majority of their business. Instead of buying new parts to replace my damaged goods I choose to use recycled auto parts. This of course is because I saved anywhere between 20% to 90% buying used parts. It was difficult to find the majority of the long list of parts I needed, but I was able to find two of the hardest by searching on PartingOut.com and by creating a Parts Wanted Listing for the one rare part. Now I have saved tons of money, and helped the environment by buying used parts. “It’s good for the earth, good for your wallet, and good for your vehicle.”


I have recently moved back to Texas from California. After selling all of my furniture (that I predominantly found in the alleys or were giveaways) on craigslist, I am now searching for new furniture. I got lucky. While at home two weekends ago, my mom and I were driving along the lake road. We stopped at a cabin for sale to take a look. We called the number and the owner said “take a look and take anything inside you want, I’m bulldozing it down tomorrow morning.” Thankfully, dad was only a phone call away with a truck. I came away with an awesome desk, small sofa, a great old chest, one dresser, two chairs, a stack of NatGeo’s, a mirror, bookshelf, and much, much, more. If we will only take the time to look in the unusual places for products and needs of all kinds we can help our wallets, our home, and beautiful earth.


Found this table in the alley.... then nailed it together and painted it ... now it is my favorite thing!


Try it out… “think cheap” and in the process “go green!”

Pin It