They're Cousins. But Are They Iendical?

Rebeca

They’re Cousins. But Are They Identical?

Lupita

Do you remember the Patty Duke Show of the early 60’s? The story of two teenaged girls—identical cousins, who “laugh alike…walk alike” and sometimes “even talk alike...”? But this crazy pair of “identical bookends” was, in the final analysis, “as different as night and day.” Of course the cousins, Patty and Cathy, looked alike! The versatile Patty Duke played both roles.

When you look at this pair of Raiderette cousins, Rebeca Guerrero and Lupita "Pita" Romero, you will notice that, decked out in their uniforms, they are identical when it comes to their striking beauty, talented dancing, and artistic poise. There is also a family resemblance. Score one for genetics! They are also identical when it comes to perseverance, dedication, and values. But when it comes to temperament and to goals, each plays her own unique role in life and, like the Patty Duke Show theme song goes, you can certainly “lose your mind when cousins are two of a kind.”

Just as it was a big surprise for Kathy and Patty when they discovered that they were identical cousins, it was not too much different for the Raiderette “twins.” Ironically enough, Rebeca and Lupita had met and hung out while in junior high and had started a friendship, all the while not knowing that they were related. Coming from large families, it was difficult to keep track of all the relatives. Not having sisters in their respective families, it seemed natural that each would search for that often-elusive surrogate to be friend, confidante, and soul mate. When Rebeca visited her great-aunt one day and was browsing through the family album, she was shocked when she saw a photo of a beautiful and striking girl who looked quite familiar. In fact, she looked just like Lupita. It was then that she learned that her schoolgirl chum was also her cousin. Rebeca could hardly wait to deliver the good news to her newly found cousin. “ ‘No, you can’t be my cousin! I said,’ ” Lupita recalls with a laugh. As Lupita explains that the young Rebeca was loud, crazy, and an obnoxious child, Rebeca echoes her cousin’s sentiments as if in a duet. Rebeca laughs and puts special emphasis on “obnoxious child.” But “try as Lupita might,” she could not disown her captivating cousin, and the two soon became inseparable, doing everything together and copying each other—learning to drive a stick shift, dressing in similar leopard jackets, and wearing friendship rings. Even now, they not only dress alike with Raiderette uniforms and rings but also often wear matching outfits to practice.

As teens, Rebeca (L) and Lupita (R) wore their Jaguar jackets. But they did not cheer for Jacksonville.

Frizzy hair, crazy pair!

Now, is this a good hair day, or what?

Not only was it predictable that they would be friends based upon blood ties, but in terms of their astrological signs. After last month’s meteor shower, the experts said that another astronomical miracle would not occur for another 30 years or so, but they are wrong. Rebeca is an Aries; Lupita is Aquarius, a combo of fire and air. Aries is ruled by Mars and Aquarius by Saturn and Uranus. According to Astrology.com,* this is a classic mutual admiration society, filled with high regard for each other’s attributes. Together there is no limit to their vision and creativity as they approach life with a positive commitment to excellence. It is in the stars

Growing up together, Rebeca and Lupita enjoyed many of the same activities, especially dancing. In one episode of the Patty Duke Show, the cousins dated the same boy. Well, our Raiderette cousins are no exception. When asked if they ever had a similar experience, there is a silence and then laughter. Coming from extremely strict families, the girls were not allowed to go out much or to date. Thus, it was not until high school that Lupita had a boyfriend that she dated for about a month. Even when Lupita went on her dates, Rebeca went along, playing both chaperone and chauffer, driving the couple around on their dates. After Lupita and her boyfriend broke up, Rebeca ended up dating Lupita’s ex for several years. Was Lupita miffed or jealous that Rebeca was dating her old flame? Not really. But just in case there were some ruffled feathers, Rebeca made amends by being the matchmaker between Lupita and husband Dennis. “So that made up for her going out with my boyfriend,” says Lupita with a chuckle. Rebeca agrees and joins in the laughter.

Patty and Kathy were a crazy pair, at least as far as the 60’s were concerned. Our cousins, growing up in the 70’s and coming from strong family backgrounds that precluded any outrageous activities, were not too much crazier than Patty and Kathy Lane. The only thing wild about the girls was there penchant for dancing; thus, dressed alike, they would travel from Oakland to Pebble Beach or to San Francisco every weekend to go dancing, a hobby and a skill that would one day lead them to the Raiderettes. They did, however, pull some of the usual childhood pranks, and once they even danced their way out of “trouble.”

One day, they were pulled over in a routine check by an overly ambitious young patrolman. Obviously, the first documented case of “facial profiling.” Oh, that’s when a young cop sees two beautiful young women and pulls them over for a “routine” check. However, after our resourceful cousins improvised and showed him a few impromptu dance steps (just one of the rewards of having a badge), the officer let them go on their way.

Their talent and looks were enough to also make them the “stars” in a Great America video that played throughout one memorable summer.

Patty always found a way to create havoc, a bothersome trait for Kathy. Perhaps attributed to the impulsive nature of the Aries, Rebeca is often the “problem child.” “I am very outspoken,” says Rebeca, pointing out the basic difference between her and Lupita, whom she considers more reserved. Lupita agrees: “I very definitely watch what I say, where Rebeca will just come out and say it.”

Five-year veteran Raiderette, Patty Herrera, offers her assessment of the cousins: “Rebeca was a Raiderette first; then Lupita came on board. A lot of our first reactions were that they are sort of night and day,” she laughs. "And I mean that in a good way. People that know them know that Rebeca is more out spoken, more out going, but what’s nice is that they are so different."

Four-year veteran Raiderette, Tania Velazquez, notes that the difference is certainly a plus: “When they are together, they both complement each other!”

“I was always the crazy one; Lupita was more, not conservative…the proper one. I have a temper,” Rebeca readily admits. “Lupita doesn’t.” The cousins readily agree that Rebeca is the aggressive one and Lupita the subtle one. “And that is where we are definitely opposites,” Rebeca concludes.

Patty Herrera agrees that Lupita is a little more reserved than Rebeca. Patty believes that because Lupita is a mother of two,

she handles things a little differently than people who don't have children: "When you’re a mother (like Lupita), I think that sort of compliments you in many different ways and you sort of mature in a different way. She may not get as excited or as sad or as emotional; she kind of tends to lead her life in a different manner."

But long before she became a mom, Lupita was constantly trying to get her cousin to speak correctly. “I always try to school her,” says Lupita, "especially when we were teenagers.”

Rebeca tells how when they were younger, in a certain song they would sing and dance to, she had difficulty with the word separate and would say something like “sepwit,” to the consternation of the “perfect” Lupita, who would have to constantly be correcting her. Yet, when you speak to Rebeca and you see what an intelligent and articulate young women she is, you will find it difficult to believe that she would make that mistake too often. Although she probably won’t admit to it and there is no proof, you might wonder if she didn’t do it sometimes on purpose just to annoy the perfectionist, Lupita.

Despite the strict effort to maintain that wholesome all-American girl image, Rebeca does admit that she and her cousin do exude sex appeal, but that is only when it is “show time” and they are forced to “glamorize” for games and for public appearances. Pita usually wears overalls and a baseball hat; Rebeca is in sweats most of time, and neither wears make up during the week.

The Superwoman “phone booth” type shift from mom to Raiderette is what appeals to Lupita and makes individuals like her feel good about themselves. “With motherhood, there is no …glamour,” she says with a laugh. Rebeca explains that they are not like Hollywood stars. Even though some fans might react to the Raiderette pair as if they were super models, Rebeca maintains that she and her cousin are human. “We have problems like everybody else, but we still like to give back…in reality, we are real people,” she says with sincerity.

Eventually, as the girls matured into womanhood, they somewhat drifted apart. Lupita married Dennis and took on the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood, all the while maintaining her proficiency as an ultrasound technician. Rebeca became involved in helping others and, utilizing her fluency in Spanish, went to work for an organization that aids the homeless.

Although they were apart physically, they still were in each other’s hearts spiritually. When one of Lupita’s children was in the hospital and Lupita was required to spend time at the hospital, Rebeca was there at her side. This close association at the hospital in a time of need rekindled memories of other times they had banded together to combat adversity. It also sparked a determination to renew their stand together for the rest of their lives.

It was fitting that Lupita would attempt to follow her 2-year veteran cousin to the Raiderettes. Always the Aries initiator of action, Rebeca talked the mother of two into coming to the tryouts and putting her best dance foot forward. Lupita soon found that the younger women did not have a step on her. Before the announcement of the finalists, the cousins recalled sitting on the floor in the gymnasium, waiting for the verdict. Although on opposite sides of the gym, they could make eye contact as they waited in anticipation. Even though Rebeca was already a veteran Raiderette, there was no sure thing that she would still be chosen. In fact, she could even find herself upstaged by her upstart cousin. When the moment of truth came, they made eye contact and in that moment of silent communication, there seemed to be an affirmation of their commitment—that regardless of the outcome, they were resolved not to let anything disrupt their friendship, that nothing would break the bond between them.

At first, Lupita was not sure she was up for the challenge, but that is when Rebeca gave her cousin the push that she needed and cheered her on to victory. Not only did Lupita make the squad but went on to become the 2002 Raiderette Calendar Cover Girl, quite an accomplishment for a rookie.

Lupita ("Pita") stands by her Cover Girl Photo

This Rookie Raiderette poses like a seasoned pro.

(Photo by Area Chica (Samurai)

During the tryouts, the veteran Raiderettes were assigned the higher identification numbers, whereas the new candidates were given the lower numbers. Thus, Lupita knew that she had made the squad before her cousin knew her own fate, and now there was nothing to do but to wait….

Things were not so easy for Rebeca. Unlike Lupita, she did not have a cousin who was experienced in the ways of the Raiderettes and who could guide her. Despite her outgoing personality, distinctive style, good looks, and talented voice, it was not until her 4th tryout that Rebeca made the squad. Losing out in her third year by what was termed “a hair,” Rebeca could have been discouraged and dissuaded from further pursuing a Raiderette slot, especially when each year the competition kept getting younger and younger, and more talented. But Rebeca stayed with it, showing the determination and dedication of an Aries. The fact that it took four years for Rebeca to be chosen is overwhelming evidence that the competition is of the highest caliber.

When the 2001 tryouts were completed, Rebeca was chosen for her third season to proudly represent the Silver and Black. There may even have been something lucky about the numbers they wore—Lupita was number 49 and Rebeca was 128. Who knows? Put these numbers together and you might have a lucky combo: 1-2-4-8-9. Whether it will win the Pick-5 jackpot is not a sure thing, but what is certain is that when you put these two cousins together, you will have a winning combo.

While Lupita has the honor of being the Cover Girl, Rebeca is not without her own accomplishments. She has been chosen to be a member of the Raiderette Cabaret Performance group and has inspired players and fans alike with her rendition of the National Anthem at various games in the Coliseum.

If there is any jealousy between the two, it has not been noticed by either Patty Herrera or Tania Velazquez, both of whom work very closely with the cousins and see them under stress conditions. “You know, they are family and sometimes it’s hard when its family," says Tania. "I guess you can say that when they (family) work together it gets in the way, but not with those two, not at all. They try to help each other out pretty much. Rebeca sort of has taken her (Lupita) under her wing. And Lupita is so independent that they both complement each other very well.” Patty concurs: “Not only has Rebeca taken Lupita under her wing, but she manages to let Lupita fly off on her own wings."

In many ways, values are exponential. Starting with the family, values branch out just as a family does from generation to generation, leaving their mark. Rebeca admits that at first she was attracted to the glamour that most people perceive goes with the Raiderette territory. But later the challenge became something more. It was not about her anymore but about something much larger. Perhaps having to fight so hard to attain the spot made her want to prove to herself that she could do it, and through the Raiderettes, she could make a difference in the world.

One of Rebeca’s most significant experiences was when she represented the Raiders and the United Way in Mexico for the Raiders-Cowboys pre-season game. She recalls visiting some sick children. It was a great thrill for her not just because she is of Mexican descent but also because she got a chance to utilize her Spanish skill to communicate with the children. But what impressed her the most was the ability of the other Raiderettes, who could not speak the language but were able to communicate by a simple touch, creating a bond that goes beyond the spoken word. “It was a delightful experience to see and share, and when we danced for them, their faces lit up like lights on a Christmas tree,” Rebeca explains with excitement.

Both young women work to destroy the stereotype of the cheerleader as a tall young blonde bimbo with no education. Rebeca explains they are not really cheerleaders in the sense that the word is used today. They are actually NFL dancers, who under the watchful eye of Director Mary Barnes, have made a commitment to represent the Raider organization as role models and “good will ambassadors.”

Dark-haired educated Latina beauties, Lupita (l.) and Rebeca (r.), break the cheerleader stereotype.

One would think that the most exciting and significant moments for a Raiderette come when she gets to put all of her training together and perform on the field, but not so for our cousins. For Lupita, her most important moment came when she went to visit an ill Raider fan. This was to be a surprise birthday for the gentleman. In order to spring the surprise on him, Lupita pretended to be his 18-year-old grandson’s homecoming date and was introduced as such. Although somewhat older than the young man, her youthful appearance was quite convincing until the old man was perceptive enough to notice the wedding ring on Lupita’s finger—one oversight to mar her otherwise Academy Award performance. While he might have been disappointed to learn that his grandson did not have this lovely young lady as his date, he was elated when he learned that she was the Cover Girl and she presented him with his birthday present, a Calendar with all 50 autographs of Football's Fabulous Females. Lupita admits that the Calendar was a little worse for wear after being passed around for all the signatures. However, as the brown-haired beauty recalls, “He was so excited, and he was so happy, and that—like just touched me, and he was excited to meet me. It was overwhelming, it was just an overwhelming…a very touching experience.” In fact, he did not even know that it was his birthday. But this one was surely a birthday for the old gentleman to remember. And when he blew out the candles on his cake, you might wonder if at least one of his wishes had already come true.

Today, there are too many pop icons, whether entertainers or athletes, who refuse to acknowledge—in fact they outright reject—the notion that, whether they like it or not, want it or not, they are role models. But all adults are role models, whether in the animal world or in the human world. The mother tiger is emulated by her cubs, who learn the ways of jungle. She does not shirk from her responsibility. And neither does Lupita, who willingly accepts her role. “I’m very honored to be a role model. I feel like I want to be a role model for young girls and for mothers.” Not just for her own children but for the many youngsters who aspire to be just like her. She stands as a unique individual, wife, mother, educated professional woman, and Raiderette. But most important, she demonstrates unequivocally that age, marriage, and family need not be barriers to human achievement for any woman. As Patty Herrera says, "Pita is a great girl, and it’s amazing to know that she has two children, especially because of her figure!"

As far as her balancing Raiderette practice with marriage, Lupita says, “So, when I go to practice, the way I see it, the way we (she and Dennis) see it, it’s like my workout, like I’m going to the gym…it’s my outing from home. The Raiderette mom practices three times a week. These rigorous sessions not only give her some space, they keep her physically, mentally, and spiritually fit. The elements of success in every field.

As blissful as Dennis and Lupita's marital relationship is, there is one point of contention when it comes to their respective football teams. Lupita gets much support from husband Dennis, except when it comes to the Raiders. Dennis, a Rams fan, maintains a friendly rivalry with Lupita. Sometimes, Dennis, with mock sincerity, threatens to burn her Raiderette uniform. Now, as the 2001 season progresses and as the Ram and the Raiders seem destined for greatness, if not the Super Bowl, things could get interesting, and the real game may not be on the field but in the Romero household. Are you ready for some football?

Rebeca adds that her brother-in-law also teases her (Rebeca) when she talks the talk about football with him. That's when he makes fun of her, saying that she thinks she is a Raiders analyst—that she knows all about football. Perhaps this could be the start of a new career for Rebeca: doing Monday Night Football. Does the dark-haired beauty know more about football than Dennis Miller? While it wouldn't be saying much if she did, who cares? Even if she doesn't, whom would you rather see in the booth? Dennis Miller--or Rebeca? No poll necessary to answer that one!

If she never makes it to the booth or never fulfills her lifetime dream of lending her singing talents to a Disney animation, Rebeca, like her cousin, for now is excited by the chance to just be a role model. The saying, “You’ve come a long way, baby!” is true in many ways. However, as Rebeca points out, all women still have a ways to go, especially Latina women . “Being a Latin woman is hard—being a woman is hard, but being a Latin woman is doubly hard is the way I look at.” That is why it is an important achievement to try to be a Raiderette. Because if a woman can make it on the football field, (even “senior citizens” as the cousins refer to themselves), it is a start to make it on other fields of endeavor. Rebeca credits Raiderette Patty Herrera with being the first Latina to become a Raiderette and paving the way for others like her and her cousin, Lupita. Although the Raider organization has been in the vanguard when it comes to diversity, Latina women might not have believed that they filled the cheerleader stereotypical image. Rebeca sends a message, not just to Latinas but to all women, that with perseverance there is no limit to achievement. What makes Rebeca's message so powerful is her conviction and commitment to her mission. Patty Herrera sums it up nicely, “Rebeca is very passionate.”

Ironically enough, although they are in the Bay area, they know that there is a bigger body of water out there. What does it take to be that one courageous ship not fearful to sail the uncharted waters of success? Rebeca explains the driving force behind her and her cousin: “What makes us unique is that we come from a very large family…and our family morals are very important to us. I can honestly say, we are two giving individuals; we will give the last dime in our pockets and, of course, the shirt off our backs….” Most of all they like to give back to the community not just through their many charitable personal appearances but simply by giving a handout to a homeless person, Rebeca concludes. Lupita agrees wholeheartedly, “It makes you feel good to give back.”

Whenever the Raiderette cousins talk about their charitable appearances, one theme appears to constantly come through and rings loud and clear, and that is that they believe that it is always a tremendous honor to be selected and to be able to reach out to people. In a time when most superstars give the impression that they are doing the world and their fans a favor by gracing them with their presence, it is refreshing to know that there are still a few selfless young women like Rebeca and Lupita in this all too “me first” world we live in.

Although the cousins have often stood on their own, it is nice to know that they can always lean on Director Mary Barnes "She Maverick of Raiderettes" for support. When their Raiderette days are over, Mary will still be in their hearts. (Photo courtesy of Rebeca)

It is inevitable that, when they grow older and when other obligations take precedence, their lives as Raiderettes will one day come to an end. However, in spirit they will go on as loving and giving individuals, carrying on the tradition that they learned from their respective families and their adoptive family, the Raiderettes. They will continue to be positive role models, setting the standard for future generations, although not on a football field. Even though, as they mature, their lifetime commitments and responsibilities may cause them to drift apart physically, spiritually they will always be bound by a sacred trust. After all, they are cousins and much more, they are soul mates, bound by blood and by the stars. They are identical, yet in their own special way--uniquely and totally--identifiable.

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