There’s nothing like the sound of 17,000 roaring Sacramento Kings fans, who have often been called the best fans in the league. Once you experience the energy inside Power Balance Pavilion during a close game, you know why.

I was a Kings Dancer from 2005-2010 when the organization made a rule that limited a dancer to 5 consecutive seasons. I had been given an impressive list of exciting memories - dancing for the troops in Iraq, entertaining sick children at Shriners hospital, teaching underprivileged kids how to dance; and of course, the sound of the Pavilion when we played against the Lakers!

Since 2010 I’ve been working hard to find my passion and niche outside of the dancing world. I’ve put my creativity to use in other professions and found that the years with the Kings made me a better team player and leader. But, I couldn’t shake the idea of getting back into the dancing world- going back to the roar of the Pavilion, the excitement of the crowd and the camaraderie of being a Kings Dancer.

The fleeting thought of returning to the team became an achievable goal. I saw the Kings Dancers audition commercial on t.v. and started getting some pressure from former teammates to give it a shot. At that point it didn’t take much convincing- I was in. But, I knew that 2 years removed from the team had given me some ground to cover in terms of dancing ability and overall fitness. I put my heart and soul into preparing for this exciting new challenge! Could I actually make it back?

The weeks leading up to auditions were grueling. It didn’t take long for me to realize I am not a flexible 20-year-old anymore. It took hard work to get into “audition shape”- daily yoga, dance class and runs. I dedicated myself to being the best returning dancer I could be. After all, I am the first dancer to return to the team after leaving due to the 5 year rule. I’m still feeling the pressure!

Many people have the idea that NBA dancers simply run around in little outfits and kick their feet in the air; but, the truth is we contend with long practices, tough routines, injuries and sore muscles just like any other athlete. Dancers at this level have spent years getting to where they are today and are some of the most talented athletes I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Not only have I found myself back in dancing competition with these ladies but also in competition for votes from our fans.

In a surprising twist, the SKD finalists went to a public vote last year and again this year. All 18 of our faces have been posted on the Kings website for the world to see. As my journey back to the dance team is almost complete, I find myself reaching out to the best fans in the league to place me in a "Top 3" spot, which will secure my return. To be a part of the process, please join other Kings fans and cast your vote for your favorite Sacramento Kings Dancer at www.kings.com. The voting ends Sunday June 24th at midnight.