San Jose’s Beautiful Champion
Tim Ball
Friday February 27, 2004
Beautiful young women and heroes seem a strange combination in today’s world of MTV and swimsuit editions. But it’s what lies beneath the skin that drives the heart of a winner. As the father of a pretty little girl, role models are something I truly search for. In San Jose, good examples are as close as the end zones in the HP Pavilion.
San Jose’s beloved dance team has a member with a new title and a reputation worth reporting.
Miss 2004 San Francisco Bay Area: Tasha Trujillo
Crowned on October 12th at the Del Valle theatre in Walnut Creek, California, Trujillo, will represent the bay area in the statewide contest.
While AFL teams during the off-season were searching for franchises and players to fill rosters, Trujillo was fulfilling her own goals.
Just another pretty face? Well that didn’t hurt, but as her name was being called out it wasn’t winning that got her to this spot, it was overcoming losses. Failing in back to back years, and having the courage in one more try, the Bay Area championship was hers at last.
 SaberKitten Tasha Trujillo Image courtesy of Ken LaRue |
“I don’t like to fail,” says Trujillo. “I lost the previous two years of the pageant, and I failed to make the San Jose dance team the first two times I tried out, so maybe three is the charm.”
“This was her third attempt at the title,” said pageant director Frankie Simmons. “Determination in this field is mandatory. Those individuals who want to win have to deal with losing. If they can’t they’ll never be winners. This shows that determination never fails. Tasha now goes on to state and national competitions if she continues to win.”
Trujillo’s charm is natural and enlightening in today’s world of rap videos and Budweiser commercials. It is clear that Trujillo is not sitting and waiting for things to come to her and is not deterred by setbacks.
 Miss 2004 San Francisco Bay Area: Tasha Trujillo Image courtesy of unknown |
“I have interviewed celebrities and have had the opportunity to see how others handle questions posed to them on many issues,” said Trujillo. “I’m lucky, because this has helped me handle how I deal with being in front of crowds and judges.”
“Tasha takes criticism like advice rather than an insult,” said Teri Schafer, director of the SaberKittens (now legendary) dance team. “There are hundreds of dancers who try out year after year and come up short for one reason or another. This isn’t a high school popularity contest. There are many factors to being selected for a spot.”
With tenacity as a character trait, Schafer proved her reputation for excellence is no myth.
“Women have to earn their positions on this team and many cannot take the pressure of doing so,” continued Schafer. “Tahsa came back year after year. Many don’t even say goodbye when they leave.”
The beautiful AFL?
We all know now that looks only get you in the door. “American Idol” has done at least the service of showing the world a little of the ruthlessness to talent and beauty. They don’t always go hand in hand.
Trujillo knows pressure, up close and personal. While pageant judges sit out in the darkness, Arena Football fans are an arms length away.
“I gained a lot of confidence from Arena Football games,” Trujillo said. “The fans are so close and if you make a mistake in a routine you get to hear about right away.”
Is that a bad thing?
“I haven’t had anyone be too rude at the games,” says Trujillo. “There seems to be a lot of respect for the SaberKittens in our arena.”
Having made the team one more year, Trujillo is looking forward to a season with the San Jose fans.
“Teri, has us in assigned spots from game to game. By the end of the year you become familiar with fans,” continued Trujillo. “And I just love the atmosphere of Arena Football and the San Jose fans.”
Just win
San Jose is a franchise that knows something about winning. Not only is the team known for excellence, but the very mention of the San Jose SaberCats is tagged onto “wait ‘til you see the SaberKittens.”
Now before your mind races off to the inevitable quest for a calendar, my daughter wants to be a SaberKitten someday. Which, though I’d probably have some sleepless nights, I would know she was in good company.
SaberKittens not only are lovely young women, but are required to be college graduates or working on their degrees.
With their list of graduate studies and goals from woman to woman, this is a group of professionals I would love to see my daughter follow. Luckily for me she’s just seven, so I have some time to save up and prepare.
So, as the San Jose SaberCats franchise searches for its second championship, it only follows that Ms. Trujillo and her fellow SaberKittens are also a successful bunch.
When the SaberCats host the Grand Rapids Rampage Saturday, February 28th at 7:30 p.m. at the HP Pavilion, say hello to Miss 2004 San Francisco Bay Tasha Trujillo when you see her.
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
