The Westside Gazette
By Tamara G

One of South Florida’s very own is coming back home and in a BIG way! Actress Syndee Winters, who graduated from Miami Palmetto Senior High School and attended Miami Dade College, Kendall campus, is now called Nala (at least when she’s in the touring production of The Lion King, which is coming to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami May 15-June 10. That’s because she has the starring role as the adult Nala, the future wife of Simba, the big cat in the production.

It’s a role that Winters, 25, says she was born to play. “When The Lion King movie first came out, I knew then that I wanted to play Nala because I was born to sing the song ‘Shadowland’. When I moved to New York, my agent got me a tryout for the Broadway version of TLK back in 2007, but I never got a callback. I thought it wasn’t my time. Three years later, I got another call to tryout again and I’ve been on tour with TLK for two years now.”

Before moving to New York, she taught at several South Florida dance studios and also lent her talents to teaching dance to inner-city youth. She also was a background dancer in several Reggaeton videos that were shot here. Says Winters, “I started my formal dance training when I was 15, in high school, when it was still free and available in high school.” She laments the fact that schools are taking the arts out of the curriculum.

After her move up north, she became a Knicks City dancer for The New York Knicks, performing during halftime shows. Though dancing, singing and acting came naturally to her, Winters says after she didn’t get that first callback, she hired a vocal coach and took up more acting classes to hone her skills so that she would really be ready when the call came again—and it did.

And that brings us back to why she’s returned home to South Florida—her starring role in TLK. So has life changed for her and those around her in how they treat her now that she’s a Broadway star? Winters replies, “Friends from school find me on Facebook and congratulate me and that’s fantastic, but the folks who’ve known me for my entire life, like my best, best friend-she stays with a needle in her hand—ready to pop that bubble whenever my head gets too big.” She adds, “But when I come home, there are some people that I have to see, no matter what.”

So what’s in store for Winters after TLK finally wraps up after years of touring from city to city? She says, “You know how when you’re younger, you always say ‘I want to be a famous singer’ or ‘I want every-one to know me and I want to be rich.’ Now what I want is to do more TV and film work, another Broadway show, and continue working on my own solo music project…. I want to do whatever comes my way.”

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Cheerleader captain Victoria Vodar is continuing to find success in her acting career. Vicki is in the latest Steven Soderbergh film — Magic Mike, staring Channing Tatum– scheduled for theatrical release on June 29. Follow Vicki at her web site link below.

[VictoriaVodar.com]

By Kelly A. Mello
Norton Patch
5/16/2012

Norton residents Angela Vernaglia and her sister Kayla have quite a few accomplishments under their pompoms. Not only do they have a legacy as New England Patriots cheerleaders, but they are also celebrating their one year anniversary of opening Mind Body Barre, a fitness and healing studio located at 227 Plain St., Rehoboth, suite 300.

On May 26, they are holding an open house to raise money for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.

To learn about the business and their fundraising efforts read the Q & A with Angela Vernaglia below:

How long have you been living in Norton?
I’ve lived in Norton since the age of 6!

What got you into running this type of business?
I always knew we would set out to do something that would inspire and uplift the community, I can literally remember dreaming of performing in front of a crowd, interacting and speaking with groups from the time I was a very young. I grew up in a very spiritual household, my mother taught us to use our intuition and to practice living life for our highest and best intentions, she taught us that we are always connected and to use our talents for healing the world. I would say that it was my passion for holistic health and my own ability to achieve things I never thought were possible (such as making the Patriots Cheerleaders with absolutely no dance experience) that brought me to idea of Mind Body Barre Fitness & Healing Studio, I wanted to show people that if you believe in your dreams they can become your wishes fulfilled.

In 2006, I auditioned for the New England Patriots Cheerleaders and made the team. During my three years with the team, I traveled to Arizona to perform during Super Bowl XLII. I was also chosen for Operation Seasons Greetings 2007 with the United States Air Force Reserve and traveled to Iraq, Turkey, Germany and England to perform for the U.S. troops. During the summer of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, I was lucky enough to travel among five other ladies to China to promote the NFL and train aspiring dancers for the Opening Ceremonies.

Following shortly thereafter in 2009, my sister, Kayla (co-owner of Mind Body Barre) set out to audition for the same team, and made it. Six years later (and 2 Giants vs. Patriots Super Bowls later) We will be celebrating the One Year Anniversary of our local Fitness & Healing Studio which offers a new innovative way to workout.

What is your specialty/most popular program?
Our most popular class at the studio is Mind Body Barre (our signature barre class) This full body workout is composed of resistance training exercises that focus on the alignment & strengthening of the body using free weights, ballet barre work and finishing on the mats for core work and seat exercises. Every one of the classes at MBB is followed by a 10 minute meditation, infused with Lavender Oil aromas and Reiki Healing from the instructor, a great way to end your effective workout.

“Our most frequently asked question: I’m not a dancer, and I have never taken ballet or yoga classes, do I need to have this type of training to take a “barre” class? The answer is, No, No and No! This is NOT a dance class. In our regular MBB classes, you will get the look of a long & lean dancer’s body without having to dance. The method focuses on the principle movements of ballet, but there is not “dancing”. Barre classes are becoming more and more popular. I think you will start to see them pop up at other studios as well, but what makes MBB so different is the genuine intent to build an empowering community of people looking to get to know themselves, asking themselves…what do I really want and how can I help to make the world a better place? We do however offer and separate Cardio Hip Hop Dance class called STRIDE. Two of our instructors were STRIDE certified last year with Shaun T, the maker of Insanity. People are entering into a great shift in the world we live in, they want to become more connected to their mind, body and spirit together and we are here to help them with that. You can’t compartmentalize those things in your life, they are always working together. We want our workouts to be effective and healing at the same time”

The studio offers an array of fitness classes ranging from our signature fitness class, dance & yoga inspired workouts, to our personalized workouts for people of all ages and body types. You can also book massage therapy, Reiki & Reflexology treatments.

What will your open house entail?
We will be accepting donations at our Open House on 5/26 for Gloria Gemma as well as raffling off prizes such as local business donations to autographed New England Patriots Merchandise. 100% of those proceeds will go to Gloria Gemma. We will be holding a free barre fitness class that day, from 10:30-11:15am for New Clients. Donations to Gloria Gemma are recommended. Please email to attend as space is limited.info@mindbodybarre.com. More information can be found on the website, mindbodybarre.com. We will also have complimentary reflexology, reiki and massage therapy that day.

We have been fortunate to have received a great amount of donations to help us sponsor this event. Anyone making a donation will receive something great from one of these sponsors: Pop Chips, Yogi Tea, TRIBE Hummus, Whole Foods, KIND Bars and more.

Is there a reason you chose to donate to the Gloria Gemma Foundation as opposed to others?
We are doing a lot of work to help raise money for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation in Rhode Island, the community they have built is very dear to our hearts. We met Gary Calvino, the Director of Development and Maria Gemma, Executive Director last year and it was as if we had known them all of our lives. We feel a very special connection with them and that they are connecting the community in a very spiritual way, in a manner that teaches people about HOPE and LOVE.

East Boston Times-Free Press
May 10, 2012

The New England Patriots Cheerleaders Alumni Association (NEPCAA) convened for a meeting at the East Boston dance studio owned by Beverly Richards Buckley.

Buckley is a former Patriots’ cheerleader and has fond memories of her days in uniform. She said she was happy to be a part of the newly formed group, serving as its membership chair.

“It’s great to see everyone and be involved in a group that has some exciting things planned,” said Buckley, who has coached cheerleading teams at St. Mary’s High School in Lynn in addition to running a very successful dance studio for many years. “There are a lot of brilliant and talented young women who have served as Patriots’ cheerleaders through the years.”

Susan Shannon, director of the Patriots Cheerleaders from 1979 to 1985, is the president of the NEPCAA. Shannon is a former cheerleader at Attleboro High School and coached high school and Pop Warner cheerleading squads.

Shannon said the Patriots’ cheerleaders have gathered at reunions over the past ten years. Those reunions were so successful that the cheerleaders made a decision to form an alumni group.

“A lot of us have grown children and it’s time to give back,” said Shannon. “I just thought it was a shame not to utilize this group of intelligent, professional women. They’re smart, savvy, and talented and they have a lot to offer.”

According to the mission statement on its Web site, the NEPCAA will reconnect former New England Patriots Cheerleaders and associates and provide support to charitable organizations through the promotion of mentorship, leadership, and wellness.

Shannon said the NEPCAA currently has 35 members. Approximately 20 NFL teams have alumni cheerleading groups. “The Washington Redskins have had an alumni association since 1984,” said Shannon. “Their director has started the first NFL Cheerleaders Alumni Reunion and it will be held this July in Washington, D.C. A group of us will be attending the reunion and will be meeting all the other teams.” Shannon said the NEPCAA is affiliated with the New England Chapter of the NFL Alumni Association. The group is not affiliated with the New England Patriots football organization.

“`I have met with New England Patriots officials and hopefully in the future we’ve left the door open that we would be able to work with the Patriots,” said Shannon.

Shannon said that Beverly Richards Buckley was “an amazing cheerleader” during her career with the New England Patriots.

“Whenever you needed someone to go to an event and volunteer for a charity, she was always front and center ready to help out,” said Shannon. “Beverly was a beautiful talent, an incredible dancer, and always a bright sunshine. And her family was phenomenal, too.”

From KUAthletics.com

Raquel Thomas, a national champion dance coach and former captain of the Kansas City ChiefsCcheerleaders, has been selected as the new leader of the Rock Chalk Dance Team as announced by spirit squad coordinator Cat Jarzemkoski Wednesday.

Thomas, a Shawnee Mission, Kan. native, has been involved with dance since the age of three. Most of her dance training was obtained from The Miller Marley Dance Studio. She is an alumna of Shawnee Mission West High School, where she was a member of the cheer and drill team for four years.

Thomas graduated from Avila University with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in teaching and learning. She served as the assistant dance coach for the Avila University Glitter Girls for 10 years and continued to devote time and support toward the program for two more years by helping the team prepare for UDA Nationals competitions. During her tenure with Avila, the squad won the 2005 National Championship in Orlando, Fla. In that same year, the Avila spirit squad became NAIA Conference Champions.

While coaching the Avila dance team, Thomas was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders for five years. She was a squad captain and represented the team at the 2001 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 2003 and 2004, as a Chiefs Cheerleader, Thomas was selected to be a part of the USO Variety Show Tours and traveled all over the world to entertain American troops. On tour, Thomas danced in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Italy, Fort Worth, Texas, Pensacola, Fla., and Fort Riley, Kan., among others.

During the 2011 season, Thomas was the Director for the AFL KC Command Dancers. Thomas currently teaches fifth grade in the Blue Valley School District. She resides in Overland Park with her husband, former Jayhawk basketball player, Billy Thomas, and their two children, Zion and Leyland.

“Dancing and cheering is the essence of a true performer,” Thomas said. “I am so grateful to be working with such a talented and dedicated group of women. Not only are they passionate about dancing, but they enjoy supporting the passion of their fellow athletes.”

[Redskins Cheerleaders Alumni]

After three seasons cheering for Falcons, Sara is hanging up her poms. But fans of Sara should not despair. The Freelance Sports Writer and Correspondent was recently hired by the team as their on-camera talent for the 2012 season. On of her assignments is covering the AFC Auditions. You can watch Round 1 here. And the finals are streaming at AtlantaFalcons.com this evening.

[First Round Video]

[SaraDavine.com]

From KOMU.com

The new cheer and dance coach at Central Methodist University comes with most impressive credentials. And Terin Fuemmeler has the enthusiasm to match it.

Fuemmeler, who began work at CMU this past Monday, has most recently been the cheer coach for the Glasgow High School Yellowjackets. But not long ago, she was on the sidelines as a cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs.

And before that, the Olathe, Kansas native was a Kansas University Crimson Girl and Spirit Squad member. She is a KU graduate.

“Cheer and dance have been my life, from high school through college and at the professional level,” Fuemmler said. “I love it. The students here will gain so many different skills they can use, no matter what they choose to do in life.”

Fuemmeler will coach and supervise both CMU’s cheerleaders and its dance team. Yet the job involves much more than choreography and technique, though those are certainly important parts of it.

She will also be expected to actively recruit new members to the two squads, and monitor the academic performance of members of both groups. Fundraising and budget management are important elements, too.

“I like the way the position is structured,” Fuemmler said. “It’s an enormous load, but I will give it everything I have in me – it’s going to be great.” Fuemmeler will also teach classes for CMU.

It’s a good thing Fuemmeler has an abundance of energy, because in addition to her new opportunity at Central Methodist, she and husband Josh have other demands for their time. Three in particular: daughter Tenley (2½) and seven-month-old twins Tyley and Trey.