Three area drill teams joined together for a VIP field trip to AT&T Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 15.

“I was happy because it was a bonding experience for all of the teams to get to know each other,” sophomore Lilly Capetillo said.

After an invitation from the director of the Lake Ridge Elites, both the Celebrities and the Mansfield High Gold Dusters were asked to attend.

“I have friends on the other drill teams so I was excited to spend the day with them,” Drill Team Co-Captain Sydney Jones said.

The teams received a tour of the facility.

“We got to go to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room,” Jones said. “They told us a lot about them and it kind of made me want to be one when I get older.”

Each team had practice time on the field.

“It was cool to see what they (the cheerleaders) do during the football games,” Capetillo said.

Drill Team Director Ekena Wilkins said that a lot of the Celebrities want to dance after high school.

“A lot of my girls want to dance at their college and want to be Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” she said.

Wilkins said that the trip was also educational.

“It’s good for them to get a chance to see the process and come out of the tunnel like the girls (cheerleaders) do,” she said.

Capetillo said she returned to campus with a deeper appreciation for her team.

“Seeing how the other teams acted with each other made me realize how we have more affection for each other,” she said. “It made me grateful for the team that I have.”