By Jillian Kestler-D'Amours,
MontrealAlouettes.com

Montréal - Organization is the key to success, according to newly-recruited Alouettes cheerleader Andrée-Anne B.

First, Andrée-Anne manages her time as a dance instructor at Louise-Lapierre dance studio near Mont-Royal in Montreal. She leads dancers between the ages of five and 15 during weekend classes.

On top of that, as a rookie cheerleader, she practices with the squad twice a week in the evenings. A dancer since the age of eight, the 23-year-old describes herself as a busybody who needs to be active.

"It was born in me. I was always a kid who was moving around. I really liked doing exercise," she said.

But above all else, Andrée-Anne said organization is crucial because she has two young children (aged two years and five months, respectively) to take care of. Her sons are her main priority, she said over the phone, with the sound of a child's cries in the background.

"My boyfriend and my family really help me out," she said. “Plus the team practices are at night so I can put [the kids] to bed first."

Her children, she said, don't fully understand that their mother is a cheerleader. But her eldest often says that "mommy is going to the pom-poms" when she leaves the house for practice, she said with a laugh.

Andrée-Anne was chosen as an Alouettes cheerleader four years ago, but had to quit when she became pregnant.

"I had to stop just, just before the team performed on the field. I didn't get the chance to complete the adventure," she said.

Now, she says that she's ready and able to handle her many responsibilities and looks forward to getting “out on the field and do it for real."

Andrée-Anne said already had friends on the squad when she tried out, but still felt intimidated by the other cheerleading hopefuls.

"I tried not to look at the others. The more you look, the more you think they're so much better than you," she says.

Andrée-Anne hopes to be on the squad for a few years, but explained that she must take things one year at a time with her children.

Still, she knows she has what it takes to make a good cheerleader. "I smile all the time. I love people and I have enough energy and endurance. Plus, I'm super active.

"I really need this in my life," she added. And judging by her enthusiasm and work ethic, it's safe to say that everyone will benefit from this "mommy going to the pom-poms."