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Heather, a 27-year-old from Stafford, Va., is a third-year veteran and one of the 30 returning cheerleaders. Judges selected 10 new cheerleaders to join the veterans.

In addition to performing with her high school's dance team, Heather was also on the George Mason University dance team for three years and the Washington Wizards dance team for two. She said she can't remember a time when she wasn't performing.

It's a challenge balancing her job as an engineer for the Navy with her role as a cheerleader, she said. But a love of performing -- especially for her hometown team  -- with women she calls her "best friends" makes the audition process and busy schedule worthwhile.

“This is my home,” Heather said. “The D.C. teams are everything."

Redskins cheerleader Heather meets with Redskins fans after the 2006 squad was announced.

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