For some, cheerleading is a passing high school activity. For others, it's a pursuit that spills into adulthood.

Cheered on by family, friends and fans at Tysons Corner Center, 59 women competed last month at the final audition for the Washington Redskins cheerleaders, vying for 40 spots on the 2006-2007 squad. It was the last round of what had been a tough week of competition, featuring hundreds of women from a variety of backgrounds, from dance instructor to engineer, from nurse to makeup artist.

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