DCC Alumni Spotlight – Emma Dawson Hollis

As a member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for four years, Emma made her mark on the organization. She was born in England but grew up in Richardson, TX and started dancing at the age of 6. She loved every aspect of the dance world and continued with drill team during her middle and high school years. After landing a spot on the Kilgore College Rangerettes for two years in college, she knew she wanted to continue her dance career. What better path for aTexas girl in the dance world than to audition for the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. She knew she had a big tryout ahead but was up for the challenge.

After talking with Emma about her audition experience, she had two words come to mind that most women today still use when reflecting on training camp summers, nerve-racking and exciting. Coming from Rangerettes, she felt comfortable with the dancing, but the interview aspect was very stressful. After a summer of endless choreography and hair flips, Emma recalls the first time putting on the uniform making all of the hard work SO worth it. There is something about training camp that brings the sisterhood of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders together. Working day in and day out to achieve your dreams and knowing that every woman who has worn the uniform before you truly earned their spot on the dream team.

Emma’s favorite memories from her time cheerleading include game day performances, Thanksgiving halftimes, long nightly rehearsals, calendar shoots, and Family & Friends shows. Two of her most special memories are the proud feeling of coming out on the field for player intro lines during her first game and her experiences with USO tours. She had the chance to travel to Europe, Korea, and Cuba. She forever holds the people she met and shows she performed in for our troops close to her heart. After retiring from the team, Emma was an All Star for the following three years. Her seven years being a part of the organization brought her many special friendships and taught her professional skills that she would continue to use later in life as an elementary school teacher!

In her years following DCC, Emma got married and became a 4th grade teacher for 7 years. She now has two beautiful children and is a stay at home mom, which she refers to as the “best job I’ve ever had!”. Her advice to current girls on the team is to enjoy all of the moments, big and small, and to take lots of pictures. It was a pleasure to interview Emma and I am thankful to be apart of such an incredible sisterhood. These years go by quickly, but the memories last forever.

DCC Caroline