Everyone Has a Story: Second Try Lands Woman on Eagles Cheer Squad
By Scott Cromick
Atlantic City Press
Since the Philadelphia Eagles already clinched a playoff berth, take your eyes off today’s home game against the Denver Broncos for a couple of minutes and check out Ivelisse Rivera, a 21-year-old Hammonton resident who is an Eagles cheerleader.
Rivera, a student at Technical Institute of Camden County studying to be a dental assistant, is in her second year of dancing and cheering for the Eagles, joining another local, Hamilton Township’s Tiffany Monroe.
After taking dance in high school and cheering for the Hammonton High School basketball team, Rivera decided to audition for the Eagles three years ago. She did not make it the first time but used the experience to figure out what the team managers were looking for. The second tryout was the charm.
Since becoming an Eagles Cheerleader, Rivera has enjoyed some nice benefits, including weeklong trips to Aruba and the Dominican Republic to shoot the Eagles Cheerleaders Calendar. Rivera is Miss November 2010.
“When I found out I made the team, I cried,” said Rivera, who hopes to remain an Eagles cheerleader for a few more years. “The job definitely has some great perks. I have the best seat in the house for the games, and I get my hair and makeup done every week by professionals. When I have kids, I really look forward to telling them about the whole experience and if they have passion to do something, they should pursue it like I did.”
