Hi Broncos Country! My name is Sam and this is my second season as a Denver Broncos Cheerleader. More importantly, it is my first year as a Junior Denver Broncos Cheerleader instructor, also known as a JDBC instructor.
In the JDBC program, I have the privilege of working with a group of young girls ages 6 to 8. For some of them, they have been taking dance classes or cheer lessons since they were toddlers, but for others, they are just being introduced to cheering and dancing for the first time through JDBC. And what better way to do that than through the instruction of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders themselves!
About once per month, all the JDBC instructors and their cheer squads get together for a cheer clinic held at Invesco Field (my squad is Squad 2…Go Squad 2!). Not only do we practice cheering and dancing, but each clinic there is a fun theme. So far, we’ve had a Crazy Sock Day and an 80′s Rock Day. It’s so fun for me and my JDBC girls to get dressed up in wacky themed outfits like it’s a costume party! For the 80′s Rock theme, my squad wore neon colored clip-in hair extensions and rock star sunglasses!
Speaking of rock stars, the theme of our routines this season is Rock and Roll. When our JDBC program kicks off their first Broncos performance on August 20 at the preseason game at Invesco Field, they’ll be rocking the field like U2 did back in May!
It won’t be the first time that my squad has been on Invesco Field though. Back in July, we did a performance at an Outlaws game. In the JDBC program, the girls have the opportunity to perform at Broncos games, Outlaws game, Rockies game, and Rapids gams, as well as other venues. Two weeks ago, a group of about 40 JDBC girls and 4 JDBC instructors, including myself, had the privilege of walking in the Boulder County Fair Parade in Longmont. It was the first time I’ve ever walked in a parade and all the JDBC girls did a great job cheering loudly, shaking their poms, and smiling for the crowds.
In our JDBC clinics, there is always a contest or game of some sort. We play limbo, hula hoop and play freeze dance. These are so fun for everyone and the contests allow each girl to show off her individual secret talents! It also helps teach them about team work and good sportsmanship. A big part of the JDBC program is teaching the girls important values or what we call JDBC virtues. We spend a significant amount of time during each clinic discussing what good virtues are and how we can apply them to everyday life. Values such as, integrity and respect are the most important things we hope they take away from the program.
I am very thankful to have been chosen to participate in the JDBC program this season. As much as our JDBC girls are showing off their rock star moves, I’m hoping to be a “rock star” instructor! It would be an honor for me to know that I have been a good role model and have made a positive impact on these young girls’ lives. I can’t wait to see all of Broncos Country out on the field this season! Football is back! Go Broncos!
I know you don’t do it for praise but much respect for what you do in the community. Good role models are hard to find. And such things like integrity and respect for self and others need to be instilled at a young age. Hopefully you got through to them and they had a fun while doing it. Rock on. Go Broncos.