Meagan McDaniel, LHHS Class of '05
When the New Orleans Saints take the field in Miami for the big game this Sunday, Meagan and the members of the official cheerleading team known as the Saintsations will be center stage during halftime.
Look for her in that signature black and gold costume, doing what she does best: entertaining and delighting fans with a wide variety of high energy dance routines.
Before graduating from LHHS in 2005, Meagan performed with the ‘Dettes in the capacity of Jr. Lieutenant in 2004 and First Lieutenant in 2005. She's currently majoring in Communications at Louisiana State University.
Last April Meagan tried out - and won - a coveted position on the prestigious dance team. It wasn’t just her dancing skills, which she started honing at age three, that got her the gig. Competitors were also judged on their football fundamentals and public speaking skills. Meagan scored high all the way around.
Meagan is no stranger to competition and performance. Along with her history as a hard-working Highlandette, she was also a member of the LSU Basketball Tiger Girls dance team. During her tenure with both organizations, she traveled and competed all over the country.
The team, which has varied in size over the years from anywhere between 30 and 40 members, participates in many media events, as well. Some have included performances on Comic Relief, the Dr. Phil show, and several national commercials, as well as a variety of magazine shoots including Sports Illustrated.
It's been an exciting adventure for this Lake Highlands alum. "It's really cool," says Meagan’s mom Kim, a teacher at Lake Highlands Elementary, "from the Boneyard to the Super Bowl!”
As a Saintsation, Meagan and her teammates also participate in the Saintsations Inspiration Program, which promotes positive initiatives geared toward women and children.
They work with a non-profit organization in New Orleans called Angel’s Place, providing care and comfort for terminally ill children.
In between community service projects, they work with over 700 young girls in the Junior Saintsation program.
Says Team Manager Lesslee Fitzmorris, “We’re proud to have Meagan as a member of our team. She is a true representative of the youth and talent in the New Orleans area.”
The adventure is only beginning for Meagan. She’s been working with LSU's recruiting program in the Football Operations Facility in Baton Rouge, and upon graduating from LSU this year, Meagan will pursue a job in Sports Event Planning.
To see former LHHS Highlandette Meagan McDaniel perform with her world class dance team, tune in to Sunday’s Super Bowl Game!
For more information about the New Orleans Saintsations, visit their official website at http://saintsations.net.
