Hey there Redskins Fans!

My name is Ashley W. and I couldn’t be more excited for my rookie year as a Washington Redskins Cheerleader.  Growing up in the area, I have been wearing Burgundy and Gold on Sundays for almost 25 years and am now so proud to be a part of such a diverse group of gorgeous, talented, and intelligent women representing the Washington Redskins.

I have been dancing since my mom laced up my first pair of dance shoes shortly after my third birthday.  In high school, dance and cheerleading became my life—being a member of both the Varsity Cheerleading (VA State Champs- Go North!) and Dance Teams, on top of dancing competitively with my dance studio and attending summer intensives in New York City, on scholarship.  All of the hard work paid off though; I attended the University of Tennessee on a dance scholarship where I graduated summa cum laude with a double major in Political Science and Spanish.  While at UT, I was a member of the dance team, finishing 2nd in the nation in 2006 and since then the reigning three time UDA National Champs- Go Vols!

After graduating, I spent time studying abroad in Alicante, Spain before returning home to the DC area.  Since I have graduated, I have managed media for a Member of Congress, a child advocacy non-profit, and even moved to Nevada for a few months in 2008 to work on President Obama’s campaign.  I currently teach dance classes at Joy of Motion Dance Center and am a member of Capitol Movement, Inc., a non-profit dance company that serves as an outlet for the DC dance community to train with and perform as elite dancers while providing outreach to disadvantaged DC youth.   Yes, that is three jobs and a dance company!!

So when my life is NOT consumed with all things dance and cheer, I enjoy listening to live music, dining out or cooking, working out, and reading.  I like almost all types of music—from Beyoncé to Bruce Springsteen (who might I add are both amazing live!).  I am a wannabe foodie and fashionista at the same time—which requires the foodie part to only be indulged upon sporadically (so that I can fit into my skinny jeans, of course). I love dining at all of the great restaurants that DC has to offer, or staying in and cooking new recipes.  The crazier the better when it comes to food for me!   I enjoy working out and running—last year I completed a marathon (26.2 miles!) in just around four hours!  I love reading all different types of books, my favorites of all time being Lolita and Pride and Prejudice.  If you have any suggestions for my book club- email me!

My life has been more then blessed and I have an amazing family, who I credit with instilling within me the values that have brought me where I am today.  I have an amazing mother who is the most self-less and giving woman I have ever met, a father who is as intelligent as he is hard working, and a younger sister studying theatre who astonishes me daily with her creativity and uniqueness.  I could not have asked for a better environment to have grown up in.

Since becoming a Washington Redskins Cheerleader we have traveled to the beautiful Marco Island, Florida to shoot the super hot 2009-2010 WRC Calendar. Spending time away with the “First Ladies of Football” was an amazing bonding experience and I cannot wait to travel again.

So that’s all about Ashley W.!  Thanks for visiting; I look forward to an amazing season and to seeing you all out in the stands!

Cheers,

Ashley W.