Q&A with the BPT - Captain Wendy Kraus

This is your third year on the squad. What brings you back year after year?
The wonderful ladies that I get to spend so much quality time with. I love volunteering and performing in the community, but being able to do those things with incredible women makes it that much more exciting.

What is the best part about being a Belle?
The best part of being a Belle is the wide variety of performance opportunities. In one season we performed at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Opening Ceremony and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox AA baseball league. Having the opportunity to perform at these different venues gives us the ability to use a wide variety of dance styles, which keeps me challenged as a dancer.



What is your current career and what are your career goals?
I am currently a Program Specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado and have really enjoyed the privilege of working with so many incredible families and volunteers in the Denver Community. My future goal is to become a non-profit event coordinator working with corporate sponsors for fund development to support programs that benefit today's youth.

What is your most memorable moment as a Belle?
My most memorable moment as a Belle was at the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas. We were trying to take a picture on the infamous Purple dragon in the front entrance when one of our members dropped her I.D. at the dragon's paw. Little did we know that under the Dragon's paw was a large hole about 2 ft deep. When asking the hotel for assistance we never imagined that they would come out with crow bars and yellow caution tape, but that is exactly what they did. They tore the purple dragon apart while we stood in uniform watching in horror as a crowd formed 5 people deep. By the end of the ordeal we got the I.D. back as well as many others objects including the original sealant tubes that were supposed to cover the hole more than 20 years ago. That day will forever be known as the day that the Belles slayed the Purple Dragon.

If someone wants to be a professional dancer/cheerleader, what advice would you give to them to achieve their goal?
I would tell them that they need a big heart and an even bigger backbone. A professional dancer/cheerleader is no stranger to disappointment, hard work, criticism, and is not afraid of failure. We put ourselves through intense physical and emotional challenges on a regular basis to satisfy a passion that really only has a self fulfilling reward. It takes twice as many rejections as it does acceptions and those who can get torn down and build themselves back up are the elite. We are a breed all our own and it is worth every second if it is what you really want. Learn from all your experiences and hold your head high every time you walk away from an audition and a performance knowing that you really did gain something.



What does it mean to you to be on this dance squad?
Dancing is my passion and it has been a huge part of my life, so for me it fulfills a personal need. It has also helped me to make some life long friendships that I will always be grateful for.

What is the one interesting fact most people don't know about you?
I have always wanted to be an Olympic Diver.