By Paul Turse aka Samurai Raider

“This above all: Make thy own self happy, for it shall follow as the summer the winter, thou canst not then make others happy.” William Shakespeare? No. But had The Bard met Raiderette Maria Wintermute, he might have been inspired to write some of his greatest poetry. Of course, when it comes to poetry, Maria gives the old cliché “poetry in motion” a new definition of art, especially when she is on the field cheering and dancing. While winter is in her name, there is warmth in her dance and in her heart. And Sonnet 18, “Shall I compare thee to a summer's day,” could very well be a fitting tribute to Maria.

But the weather was not always so bright in the life of Maria. She went through a stormy period during her first year as a cheerleader. The general public has no clue as to what an obligation it is to be a Raiderette and, at the same time, to be able to carry out the demands that daily life imposes. Many of the girls, and Maria is no exception, have a lot riding on their slender but sturdy shoulders. Aside from the rigorous Raiderette life (strenuous workouts, cheering at home games, and numerous public appearances), the Loyola Marymount (in LA) graduate has a full-time accounting job, which entails responsibility, not just to her employer but to her family as well.

While all members of her family are hard working, she is the only one to have had the opportunity to go college. She knows that her family is so proud of her; thus, she has resolved "not to let them down." Because of the pressures of her work schedule and because she wanted to be as conscientious as possible on her job, so much of her energy was dissipated. Thus, Maria did not feel that she got the most out of her rookie year as a Raiderette. Although no one could surely tell from the stands, Maria feels that her intensity just was not there. "I didn't get to put my heart and soul into the Raiderettes," she explained.

The tragic attack on the Trade Center on 9/11 had a profound effect on our country, both on the national and personal level. Many sanctions have been activated, which, although designed to protect our way of life, have worked to make us more apprehensive and have curtailed to some degree our freedom and our happiness. While the government has reacted on an external level, many individuals have responded internally and have resolved to make that act of terrorism the catalyst for their personal happiness by altering their lifestyles and developing a new outlook on life. Maria is one of these individuals who have tried to make the tragic day a turning point in their lives.

“There are a couple of things, especially after September 11th, that I am trying to live my personal life by, and one is 'do whatever makes you happy.'" There was a slight touch of emotion in her voice, and she started to choke up, but she maintained control as she explained: "It's just I really think people should do what really makes them happy, because you never know when you're going to have to leave this world."

Maria seems to feel that many individuals departed this life with their goals left unaccomplished. She feels lucky to have been able to see many of her goals realized. Aside from graduating from college, being part of the Raiderettes is one of the accomplishments that make her especially proud. Because there are so many people whose dreams went up in smoke that day, Maria began to change her way of thinking and felt obligated to alter the way she lives for the rest of her life. She came to the realization that “you have to do what makes you happy.” She went on to explain her personal philosophy:

“If you do that, then you've won the game of life. And how you win the game of life is if you die happy. You won it! I mean, no one knows the secret of life. I think, honestly, if you die happy, you’ve won. And that's so hard to do because so many people out there in this world are not doing what they love to do or what makes them happy. And so, this time, I put my whole heart and soul into the Raiderettes…. I almost start crying because I am so lucky to be a part of…this organization and to have so many amazing opportunities that so many women will never get to have. And I'm just never going to take it for granted. I'm going to keep doing it as long as I possibly can, because I love it so much. So, I guess the motto I live by is this: ‘Do whatever makes you happy.’"

Most mottoes, however, are easier said than done. Especially when the pressure of modern day living builds up with its concomitant obligations, trying to do what makes one happy is not always so easy and can be stressful. So how does Maria cope with stress? By dancing and—through that dancing—enabling others to be happy. "I have been dancing my whole life, and I think that has really kept me sane because I enjoy it so much." A dancer like Maria understands the natural high that can be achieved through such physical activity, especially when cheerleading. It is as though a magical transformation takes place. Depression disappears, and the dancer feels emotionally regenerated. That feeling of elation is transferred to the fans. Maria further clarified the experience:

"When I'm dancing…something definitely comes alive in me…. I really feel confident and really feel comfortable, and I can just exude all that energy out...hopefully make an impact on someone, whether they like a certain thing I did with my arms—or a wink. When I'm out there on the field, I try to grab the audience's attention because I know I'm entertaining, and that's our whole job—to be entertainment out there on the field. And as long as I can accomplish that, then I'm happy."

Maria also believes that if she feels alive and happy at that moment on the field, she can transmit that energy and, in a sense, get the audience to empathize with her, to come alive, and be happy with her—even if only a for few minutes.

“I might not ever be on Broadway, and that's fine with me," she said, pausing to laugh for a moment, “but it's for thirty seconds, or two minutes, or however long the dance is that you get to perform and be a star, when...you're just a normal person!" She exclaimed with a matter-of-fact tone.

However, Maria is far from the norm; in many ways, she is the exception, especially when it comes to the impact she has on all she meets, whether young girls or burly fans in the Black Hole. She is a role model, a fact that took awhile to sink in. "One thing, when you become a Raiderette, you don't realize is that you are looked up to as a role model,” Maria said. But to be thought of as one and not really be in the celebrity realm or actually play for the NFL is quite astonishing, Maria noted. “We're not movie stars," she humbly added.

The concept of being a role model or being looked up to by youngsters never actually hit home for Maria until she took part in one of her Raiderette functions: the Junior Raiderettes.

At the home games, Maria always saw the same little girl of about 8 yrs old sitting with her family. The little girl would always wave and say “hi” to Maria from the stands; and she would also wait in the parking lot, where, clad in her Raiders T-shirt, she would wave and yell to the Raiderettes and especially to Maria. Maria would always exclaim, “What a cute little girl!” Maria could not have known then that one day they would meet in another scenario and a meaningful experience for both would ensue.

When Maria was helping to organize the Junior Raiderettes on the practice field at the Raiders’ facility, a little girl ran up to her, and Maria stared down into a familiar pixie face as an excited voice rang out: "I don't know if you remember me, but I'm always at the games.” How could she forget this pint-sized fan? It must have been a thrill for the little girl to discover that Maria remembered her little fan from the stands. It was also a revelation for Maria when she saw the effect that she had on this “Little Raiderette.”

"These girls do look up to us as role models,” Maria explained. “A lot of them don't have older sisters or maybe come from not the greatest family life." And so it is not only a chance for the girls to meet their “big sisters,” but it is also a chance for the Raiderettes to help them with their cheering. Most important, however, it is an opportunity for the Raiderettes to "be in their [Junior Raiderettes] lives for... a whole day," Maria noted.

But even more significant than the acquiring of cheerleading skill is the bonding that occurs between the Junior Raiderettes and their mentors. Because the little girl was assigned to a group other than the one that Maria was teaching, Maria did not get a chance to work with her little protégé. However, during every break, she would come over and sit with Maria's group. Maria was amazed to see not only what an impact this bonding had on the little girl but also on herself, as she came to understand the significant part she played in the lives of these youngsters.

"It was just so cute seeing what a difference we really make in these little girls lives.... And when you see them, you're so proud you become--I don't know--kinda like a big sister when you see them out there performing. And I will never forget her name...and I always look forward to seeing her at the games, and she always has her little pom-poms that she got from being a Junior Raiderette. And, hopefully, some how and in some small way, we just feel we can make an impact on these girls’ lives, and they can be what they want to be."

However, the true influence that Raiderettes, like Maria, have on little girls is, perhaps, not really the inspiration to become cheerleaders. On the contrary, it may be the desire to emulate their idols in all areas of endeavor, whether as successful professional women or just good mothers

Maria believes that the Raiderette experience is perhaps symbolic in that it tells little girls that success is within the grasp of their tiny hands. The most significant thing about cheering, especially when representing the Raiders, is that such an activity breaks the stereotype concerning success. Because all ethnic backgrounds are represented on the Raiderettes, the experience vividly presents to the world the concept that success is not the prerogative of any one ethnic origin.

"They [little girls] get to talk to us throughout the day and throughout all the events that we do, and hopefully one day...maybe that will inspire them to achieve whatever dream or goal that they want to accomplish in life. So, it's pretty amazing," Maria notes.

The effect that the Raiderettes have on all that they meet is just as amazing for the adult fans as it is for the little girls, as Maria explains:

“Whether there be a little girl or someone who is a huge Raider fan and finally gets a chance to meet you, or someone who may be ill, and you just sign their calendar for them, I don't know--I just think our fans are the best. And they really are part of this family, and they really are part of who we are. And it's just great to be part of that."

Maria acknowledged that the Raider fans do get a bad rap from the press. "I think our fans get a bad rap," she says with a discerning laugh, "because people maybe don't understand them or can't relate to them...or maybe the Black Hole scares a lot of people off." However, she also noted that when you get to know the fans, you are sure to change your perception, especially when you see their attitude toward the Raiderettes, whom they hold in high esteem. They do not make any degrading catcalls or gestures to the girls, according to Maria:

"I just think they put anything that has something to do with the Raiders on a pedestal, and they do treat us [Raiderettes] with a lot of respect. And they're just happy to meet you, so they would never say anything [impolite]. I've never heard anything derogatory at all. I think they just hold us up in a great light, and that makes us love them all the more."

To truly understand the impact the Raider fans have during a game, Maria recalled an incident that occurred in a local nightspot. A week after the overtime loss against SF, Maria had a chance encounter with QB Jeff Garcia. She was disturbed by his attitude on the field at the close of the game. Maria recounted the incident:

“I said, 'You know, I think you're a great guy, Jeff, and that you're very talented, but I have a bone to pick with you because I really didn't like the way you walked off the field. You walked off...screaming like you had won the lottery.’"

When Maria told him she did not understand why he did that, he explained that he let his emotions get to him because our fans were harping on him for three hours straight, and he could not handle it.

“I told him, ‘Don’t take it personal, Jeff, San Diego could come in, and we would do the same,’” Maria concluded. Garcia’s confession was truly amazing to Maria "because he is supposed to be a professional and block that out.” Maria continued:

“But we really got to this guy; we really got to the quarterback of the other team. I don't think our fans realize what an effect they have…. Our fans are the best. They are so intense and they give our players and us so much energy and motivation out there, they have no idea. So whether they get a bad rap or not...without them, I mean, we wouldn't be who we are."

In return for the adulation of the fans, however, there comes a certain responsibility, as Maria explained: “Well, I definitely try to act very professional and intelligent when I am doing every promotion. I think that's very important because being an NFL cheerleader, in general, there comes a lot of stereotypes that I feel like I am constantly fighting.”

Not all cheerleaders have had cosmetic surgery, nor are they all trying to date the players. Not all lack education. Many have lives outside the world of pro sports, have supportive husbands, and loving children; and many hold down professional positions. But cheering is “just something that we choose to do because we love it,” Maria declared. “We put a lot of time and energy into it—a lot, a lot of practice just to look good out there and represent the Raiders in the best light possible.”

Maria went on to explain the profound experience: "We get the opportunity to touch so many lives, to meet so many people throughout the year, with all the promotions and activities that we do, including the games. We meet thousands of people a year, so I love just going out there; and I try to just absorb what I can from everybody and try to touch everyone's lives as only I could in that situation."

While her promise to do what makes her happy has been an important result of 9/11, the most profound change in her attitude toward life is in the reconfirmation of her faith. While she has always believed in God, the friends she has met, the children and the fans—the total Raiderette experience—have given her even more reason to appreciate her lot in life. "I really, really take the time out every day to thank Him for what I'm doing," Maria said with conviction. "Maybe it's something you notice when you get older; and that is, that life is precious and that the opportunities that are given to us are so invaluable…. I just thank God. I thank him every day, more times than just once a day for the life I have. It's not perfect. I'm not a millionaire. But to me, it's the best darn life I could ever have, so I'm very thankful for that."

While all who know Maria Wintermute will not be poets, like Shakespeare, they will be inclined to parody in their own words these sentiments to her:

But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st…. – William Shakespeare, “Sonnet XVIII”

Wherever Maria goes and whomever she meets—regardless of the weather, the seasons, or the coldness of life—summer will always be in her heart. And she will continue to do what makes her happy; and, therefore, her eternal warmth will surely make all who meet her very, very happy, too.

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