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Show Page 8 Signpost February 1, 1980 .I llll II ! IIH HJl.lHPIIMIIUI.IPWIWJi V tit i Va x,VW5Lw 1 if M"" THE CHATONELLES are the featured performers at most Weber State College football and basketball games. The 20 members practice six days a week to delight WSC fans. Signpost photo by Dave Barrett. r-c rTt f Chatonelles show variety talents By Matt Cole The Chatonelles of Weber State is a group of 20 high-stepping, hip-svviveling, jazz-dancing and artistically coordinated gals boasting to he the best drill team in the history of WSC. The Chatonelles have not only displayed their talents at half time (luring WSC football and basketball games but have dazzled spectators in sports arenas of Hong Kong, Oklahoma, Las Vegas, Oregon and the Big Sky states. The process to become a Chatonelle is similar to that of a "Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader." At this year's try out 75-100 women auditioned said Chatonelle Director Marilyn Schiffman. The women are judged in five categories: How high they can kick, how well they can do the splits, their ability to jazz dance, their capabilities to military dance, their body weight, their looks and showmanship. Like team sports, the Chatonelles practice six days a week to develop a cohesive quality about their routines. "The hardest thing about a Chatonelle is getting up at 5 a.m. to make 6 o-clock practice," claimed Suzi JMiya. She continued, "It's important to be on time, so the group can begin practice, but for every minute you are late the charge is 5 cents. If the late minutes exceed a certain amount then you don't get to dance at the next performance." Being a Chatonelle is demanding and competitive. Of the squad normally only 16 perform. After each performance challenges are held. All 20 women go back to the dance floor and are evaluated by Schiffman, she picks the persons that are excelling in the dance skills it takes to perform the next routine. Schiffman says, "Judging the challenges is the most difficult part of my job. It is easy to coach and yell, but when you have to tell a few women they don't get to dance at the coming performance it can get emotional." Another way a Chatonelle may get bumped from the performing team is to miss her weigh-in. Each member is prescribed a weight that suits her physique and if she is over that weight she does not get to dance. The Chatonelles are financed by the athletic department, and awarded eight scholarships per year to cover tuition. However, costumes are expensive and road trips quickly deplete a budget. Members understand they must contribute to absorb expenses.Like anything else hard work reaps benefit and the Chatonelles experience self-satisfaction, reward and recognition. According to Miya, the most gratifying thing is performing in different areas of the country. She said, "Outside of the state it is not uncommon to receive standing ovations." She believes this to be, as general conscensus, because outside of Utah drill teams are rare; therefore spectators are overwhelmed with quality entertainment. Chatonelle Lezli Spainhower, finds most gratification when people say nice things about the group. She said, "Thanks to the fans and all I heir support, it keeps us going and feeling good." The group has experienced some exciting times over the years. When performing in Oklahoma, they were the only drill team, and staying in the same motel as the basketball teams, they received a lot of attention from the players. One Chatonelle said, "The controversy was which Chatonelle got to date which basketball player." While in Las Vegas, the group was forced to wait outside of a hotel due to transportation problems. While waiting they were asked questions such as "Where is the beauty contest? What Hotel are you (lancing? Because of the hard work, early morning practice hour, consistent dance performances, and the frustration of not making the performing team each week, the Chatonelles are a group to cheer about at WSC. Doug Spainhower WSC teacher summed up the Chatonelles when he said. "I was considering quitting my job as announcer at WSC varsity basketball games, but then I realized I had one of the few front row sea's to watch the Chatonelles." Sierra Club The February Program of the Sierra Club will be presented by John Kimbal, Regional Game Manager of the Utah State Division of Wildlife Resources. Kimbal has held this position for about 10 years and has extensive experience in game management. The lecture will include a film on moose transplants and slides of elk management at various Utah locations. This program would be of interest to all who are interested in preserving and enjoying these wild animals. The club meets Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepard, 24th and Grant. iiiiM'Miwinil In nina iiwrnTiiKTMiiMiifM'intii iwniTriitaaamiririiiiiiwn mil iiiwuiniii iMnrmmnHmiiniin 1 o Pi ; I if I x 1W n Fri. & Sat. 7 8, 9:30 p.m. $1.50vI.D. A CAB Event |