Ever wondered what happened to some of your favorite Alouettes cheerleaders? In our “Once a Cheer, Always a Cheer” series, we catch up with former members of our cheer squad to see what they’re up to now!
This week, the spotlight is on Lili-Pierre, who was part of the team from 2002 to 2013!
What have you been up to since your time with the Alouettes and where are you now?
After being a part of the Alouettes’ cheerleading team for 12 years, I decided to stop so I could spend more time with my baby, who is now a beautiful 7-year-old girl. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in psychology and worked as a preschool teacher for one year, and then opened a dance studio called Studio Innova Danse. I embarked on this great adventure with former Alouettes cheerleaders Joëlle Bourdeau et Noëlle-Émilie Desbiens. We had gone for breakfast together one day in 2014 and talked about starting a business, and we made it happen the following year. In addition to teaching dance classes and taking care of administrative tasks, I manage the dance/study program and the competitive dance teams.
What’s your best memory as a cheerleader for the Alouettes?
My best memory of my journey as an Alouettes cheerleader is without hesitation my first year with the team, which was in 2002. The moment I heard my number called at the end of my very first audition is a memory that will stay with me forever. I had the opportunity to be in the Cheers’ calendar, to travel down South with my teammates, to be a part of championships wins, and to participate in Grey Cup festivities. I’ll always remember the parade in Montreal, which was sensational; It felt unreal. Choosing one favorite memory is impossible, I could write a whole book!
What’s your funniest anecdote?
I have MANY anecdotes because my teammates really enjoyed giving me challenges. I’ll always remember a funny request we received during a promotional event. Four of us had been invited to spend the day at a festival in the countryside, and we had been asked to participate in a greased pig contest. Imagine seeing four cheerleaders wearing blue velour uniforms chasing pigs in the mud. Of course, we asked if we could do something a little less messy! We ended up dancing in the mud, far away from the pigs. We still got covered in dirt, but we laughed so much!
What’s a lesson you learned during your time with the Alouettes?
The Alouettes’ cheerleading team is a big family that lead me to develop and strengthen a slew of human values, such as teamwork, solidarity, and respect, just to name a few. Believing in myself, staying strong and optimistic no matter what happens, constantly pushing my limits, and being proud of everything I accomplish are values and skills that I gained with the team and still continue to work on. My journey as a cheerleader changed my life and allowed me to get to know amazing women with different life stories. The sense of belonging and community is undeniable. Once a cheer, always a cheer…there’s no better way to say it!
