Congratulations to the 2012 San Antonio Talons Sky Dancers who were chosen earlier this week. You can see photos from the finals at the Talons Facebook page.

Good friend of the blog, former CFL Cheerleader and hostess for the NLL Toronto Rock, Shannon Kelly, spotlights the Toronto Rock Cheerleaders

Host of the 2011 NLL Champions, the Toronto Rock! Social Media Manager, former CFL Cheerleader

[Toronto Rock Cheerleaders]

[Shannon on Twitter]

Click here for a look back in time at recent, and not-so-recent Super Bowls.

Philadelphia Eagles Liberty Belles at SuperBowl XV

By Jay Oza
North Andover Patch
January 31, 2012

[Photos]

Two amazing journeys started in the football season of 2001.

A young quarterback by the name of Tom Brady buttoned up his chinstrap after hometown favorite Drew Bledsoe went down with a severe injury.

The same season, a young dancer named Melissa Amershek moved to North Andover and joined the Patriots cheerleading squad.

The adventure that ensued will forever live on in the hearts of New Englanders, and it would also help Amershek open up a dance studio in North Andover that was recently voted the number 1 dance school in Andover and North Andover in each of the last two years.

For Amershek, the owner of Just Dance in North Andover, that journey began with a test.

Amershek joined the cheering squad in 2001 with only a basic understanding of the game. “They make you take this five page test,” Amershek told Patch. “You’re not allowed to be on the field until you pass the test and you know your stuff,” she continued.

And with that, a seed of passion for football was planted. “By the second or third game we were so into it we could make calls ourselves,” she recalled.

As Brady gained confidence and wins, Amershek and her cheerleading teammates had a phenomenal view from the field.

“It’s intense being on those sidelines,” she said. As the playoffs approached, the intensity increased.

In the divisional round of the 2001 playoffs, the Patriots hosted the Oakland Raiders in what is unanimously known as one of the most dramatic, picturesque, and exciting football games of all time.

The “Tuck Rule” game was played in almost blizzard conditions and it was the last game played at the old Foxborough Stadium. In the waning minutes, the game was almost lost when Brady appeared to have fumbled the ball.

Amershek and her teammates held their breath on the sidelines until the final ruling declared that the Patriots would retain the ball.

“Thank God for that call, it’s made history,” Amershek recalled.

After winning the AFC Championship in Pittsburgh, Amershek, Brady, and the Patriots moved on to Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans.

“To be there for the Super Bowl, it was unbelievable,” Amershek said.

When asked which experience was more memorable, Amershek replied “It was the first successful Super Bowl so that would have to take the cake.”

“The Snow Bowl was a close second; that was the last game in the old stadium,” she continued.

Amershek now runs one of the Merrimack Valley’s most successful dance studios, Just Dance.

“This is my passion; it’s what I love to do,” she said.

“I had over 100 customers on day one of opening my doors, and it’s grown every year,” she continued. “Right now we’re at about 300 students and it’s still growing.”

Amershek also credits the town of North Andover for fostering a good attitude toward businesses. “When you’re trying to open a new business in this area, the town works with you so much,” she said. “It’s business friendly, its family friendly, and it’s just a nice, safe area.”

Just Dance offers competition and recreational programs as well as a popular boutique. “We have something for everyone,” Amershek said.

As for her beloved Patriots, there is a big game on Sunday, in case you needed a reminder.

In Super Bowl XLVI, Amershek, like many of us, is hoping for another Patriots victory. “I don’t want to jinx us, but I’m thinking Welker as MVP,” she said.

The adventure continues this Sunday as Brady and the Patriots hope for a fourth Super Bowl win and Amershek and her students continue to dance their hearts out.

Here they are, the 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th edition of the Pussycat Dolls. (I have completely lost track by now.) The new line up includes Laker Girl alum Vanessa Curry, and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader alum Erica Jenkins.

Back: Chrystina Sayers, Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Erica Jenkins
Front: Paula Van Oppen

FYI: the other three PCDs might look a little familiar to you too.

Chrystina was a member of “Girlicious,” the girl group created as a result of the reality show “Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious.” Girlicious was a sort of spin-off of “Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll,” which has its own pro-cheer connection. The winner, the one selected as “the next doll” was New York Knicks City Dancer Asia Nitollano. (She won, but never actually joined the group. The whole thing seemed kind of shady, but I digress.)

Lauren was a member of the “Paradiso Girls,” the first PCD spinoff group created by Robin Antin, with one or two of the also-rans from “Search for the Next Doll.”

Paula was a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance, season 6. She auditioned for season 5, but got cut. She auditioned for season 6, and made it to the top 20, but then dropped out to be in a movie (“Burlesque, ” according to the grapevine.)

ou of which was “PussycatThe new PCD will make their big debut during the Super Bowl, in a commercial for GoDaddy.com. Watch it here:

Join the world famous Science Cheerleaders! Are you an NFL & NBA current or alumni cheerleader working in or studying science, engineering, math and technology? The ladies have been featured by NASA, on CNN, in Discover Magazine and in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Now the Science Cheerleaders will perform the Big Cheer and entertain at the national Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, DC on Friday, April 27-Sunday, April 29, 2012.

Hotel, uniforms, poms, autograph cards are provided. Cheerleaders must fund transportation, meals, and white boots. Cheerleaders must learn four short routines and cheers by video. Current cheerleaders should acquire permission from directors to participate.

Going Pro Entertainment is proud to serve as the choreography and creative production team for the Science Cheerleaders. Costuming is provided by Go Wild! Wear by Angela King Designs.

If you qualify to be named a Science Cheerleader but are not interested in wearing the uniform or performing, there are other opportunities for you! “The Big Cheer” will be led across the United States in various cities on April 27. This is just one way you can serve in the Science Cheerleader role without leaving your hometown.

All qualified cheerleaders should contact THE Science Cheerleader Darlene Cavalier at darlene@sciencecheerleader.com. Learn more about the Science Cheerleaders programs at www.sciencecheerleader.com. Learn more about Going Pro Entertainment at www.goingproentertainment.com.

[Science Cheerleaders at GPE]

The Dark Angels Dance Team is proud to introduce  Courtney G. Holland as their new choreographer.

Courtney is a native of Miami, FL and a senior accounting major at Howard University. Courtney’s love and passion for dance is innate: her parents are both dance teachers (certified by Florida Dance Masters) and have owned a dance studio in Miami for the past 23 years. Beginning at the age of two, she progressively trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and pointe. As her technique developed, Courtney began entering in state competitions. Her first introduction to the competition circuit was through Florida Dance Masters, at the age of 13, in the Rising Stars division. From there, she moved on to compete in the Jr. Miss Dance and Miss Dance divisions as well as competing in the Royal Festival group division. In 2004 and 2005, Courtney was a regional winner in NAACP’s ACT-SO competition — this triumph in the dance division allowed her participate in a showcase with fellow Floridian winners and compete at the national level in Philadelphia (2004) and Milwaukee (2005). In late 2005, Courtney was offered a partial scholarship with the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Summer Intensive program, at the pre-professional level.

Upon entering college, Courtney joined the Howard University Bisonette Dance Ensemble in 2007 and was named captain for the 2009-2010 season. During her tenure as captain, the team performed at various venues throughout the District — some of which include Gallaudet University, several performances for Howard University’s homecoming week, and the YMCA in Bowie, MD. During the same year, Courtney choreographed their jazz routine for UDA’s Collegiate National Championships; Howard University was the only Historically Black College/University in attendance. With the help of other members of the team, Courtney helped construct the Howard University Junior Bisonette Mentorship Program — a weekly program dedicated to educating underprivileged girls, in the Howard community, about dance.
Courtney is excited to be a part of the Dark Angels team, and is looking forward to an amazing season!

The Dark Angels cheer for the  Maryland Reapers, who are  new members of the American Indoor Football league.