FULLERTON, Calif. – Former Cal State Fullerton dance team member Alanna Tarango recently fulfilled a childhood dream when she was named to the 2014-15 Laker Girl squad after a lengthy tryout process.

Tarango spent the 2013-14 season on the Titan dance team winning a national championship, and she is currently a sophomore at Cal State Fullerton, pursuing a degree in dance.

FullertonTitans.com caught up with Alanna to ask her about her time as a Titan and her new role as a Laker Girl.

FullertonTitans.com: What is your best memory from when you were a member of the Cal State Fullerton Dance Team?
AT: Being on the Cal State Fullerton dance team was an awesome experience. I have so many great memories from being on the team, and I now have lifelong best friends. Picking one favorite memory is difficult because we did so much in one year. From performing at different events, dancing at basketball games, doing work in our community, or just being with my team at practice, I have memories that will last a lifetime. If I had to choose one, winning Nationals in Florida and sharing that moment with my teammates will forever put a smile on my face when I think about it.

FullertonTitans.com: How did your experience with the Cal State Fullerton Dance Team prepare you for your new opportunity as a Laker Girl?
AT: Being on dance team definitely helped me prepare for my Laker Girl audition. Dancing at the collegiate level is very similar to dancing on a professional team. I auditioned for Cal State Fullerton’s dance team specifically because I knew of the team’s reputation as a hard working, driven group with great coaches that push their athletes to the fullest.

FullertonTitans.com: Many Titan fans only get to see the dance team at games, but can you tell Titan fans the hours of practice, etc., that go into being a part of the dance program?
AT: What most people don’t know about the CSUF Dance team is that the program has won nationals 13 times! Most people just see us when we perform at games and different school events, but they don’t see how hard we work and practice to get ready for Nationals.
Being part of a team that is so well known for its amazing choreography and ability to execute precisely sets high standards for all members of the team. We would practice three times a week, preparing for games, practicing technique and learning our competition routines. About a month before Nationals, during the holiday break, we would practice every day for hours, cleaning and perfecting our dances. Having 6 a.m. and late night practices could get grueling at times, but once we won Nationals, having that gold metal around my neck, I knew that all the hard work and dedication paid off. Those countless hours spent practicing was worth it. Having such amazing coaches definitely helps. Jennie and Kenndra know exactly what it takes to win, and they constantly challenge us to be our best and stay focused on our goal.

FullertonTitans.com: Can you tell Titan fans what the tryout process like to become a Laker Girl?
AT: The Laker Girl audition is very tough. For the 37 girls that made it to finals, they had a week-long audition process. The first day is where most people get cut, and this year about 350 dancers showed up to try out. A 10-hour day of dancing consists of four different rounds. The first round is the across the floor combination, where the judges can see who are trained dancers by their ability to execute the technique. Next is the first dance routine where we learn a jazz routine and then perform it for the judges to then make a cut.
Next we learn another dance, perform it, and the judges make another cut. These rounds are very tough because all the choreography was thrown at the dancers very fast, seeing how quick we can pick up the routines and then perform them.
During the last round of the day about 50 dancers are left to go in front of the judges one by one to introduce ourselves and explain why we want to be a Laker Girl. This is a very important round because it is the first time the judges get to hear you speak. Because the Laker Girls are seen so much in the community, they have to be able to speak well and have knowledge of the Laker organization.
This is the last cut of the day as the judges deliberate on who will be the finalists. After that long day, we then have to get ready for our private interview with the director of the team, which takes place over the next three days.
Then we all come back to have the final round where we get to show the judges one last time why we deserve to be on the team. We perform both dances we learned and then get to speak in front of the judges one last time to make a last impression before they choose the final team. After that day of finals we have to wait three days to receive the phone call saying whether or not we made the team. 

FullertonTitans.com: Have you always been a Lakers fan?
AT: Growing up, my family and I have always been Lakers fans. Ever since I went to my first Laker game at six years old, I saw the dancers run out to perform and instantly knew that one day I wanted to be apart of that team. They were so classy, all amazing dancers, and they knew exactly how to entertain that huge arena.

FullertonTitans.com: The season has just started, but what have you already learned during your first season?

AT: Even though this season has just started, I have already learned so much! One of the most important things I have learned was time management. As Laker Girls, we always have games, appearances, and charity events to go to which keeps us all very busy. It is so important to know where we have to be and when we have to be there. Being a full-time college student, I have also had to learn how to get my school work done in advance because my work schedule can vary with times and some locations of events are farther than other.

		Cal State Fullerton has teamed up with the KIND Movement, an initiative committed to social entrepreneurship with the intention to surprise others with unexpected acts of kindness. The movement is based on the acts of holistic kindness, with the foundational belief that there's more to business than just profit.