Q&A with the Eagles Pro Bowl Cheerleader
So the Pro Bowl is tonight in sunny South Florida, don’t forget to tune in. On the sidelines representing the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders is three-year veteran Lauren. About this time last year Lauren was in Japan as part of an NFL Cheerleader good will tour. Before she left for the Pro Bowl, she took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few of our questions.
How long have you been dancing?
I started cheering when I was three. My neighbor was a coach and
brought me to all of her practices to give my mom a break. I usually
just cried to go home, but by the time I was 5 I loved it! At Philly
cheerleading competitions there are usually 2 categories: All Around
Cheer and Halftime (all dance). As for technical dance, I didn’t start
dancing until college.
Were you on any squads/teams in HS or College?
I cheered for Cardinal Dougherty High School and was on Gwynedd- Mercy College’s Dance Team.
Why did you decide to try out for the Eagles Cheerleaders in the first
place?
I have always been a HUGE Eagles fan and loved the Cheerleaders. I
guess being on the team is something I have wanted since I was a l
little kid. My family has the Thanksgiving tradition of going to the
Parade every year and the cheerleaders were always the highlight for
me. Also in high school my team won a competition and the prize was to perform with the Eagles Cheerleaders during pre-game. I am pretty shy though so it took a lot for me to actually have the confidence to
audition.
How were you selected to be the Eagles Cheerleader Pro Bowl Rep?
The veterans on the cheerleading squad display interest in being
selected for the Pro Bowl. Then a panel from the Eagles Organization
selects a representative.
What kind of preparations have you been making for the trip to the Pro
Bowl?
I have been doing P90X to work on strength and stamina. There is a
Battle of The Beauties competition, which is a beach competition
between AFC and NFC cheerleader reps. My brothers and fiance have also been helping me practice my volleyball and football skills. It will be a lot more fun in Sunny Florida, it’s very cold here in Philly right
now! And of course, I have been learning and perfecting the
choreography that we will be performing at Pro Bowl.
What was your trip to Japan like?
Japan was an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to visit a US
Military Base, promote the NFL and the Eagles through various media
interviews, judge a NFL Cheer Challenge, shop on Harashuku Street, and eat lots of sushi. I didn’t want to miss the NFC Championship game, so I watched it in Tokyo at 4:00 AM! It was an intense tour and we had so much to do. The eight cheerleaders who we had never met prior to this became a strong team so quickly.
What kind of reaction did NFL Cheerleaders get from folks in Japan?
A very positive and enthusiastic reaction. We were treated so well.
After a Japanese woman cheers for the NFL and returns to Japan she has so many opportunities through various media channels and career options. The Japanese have a great respect for NFL cheerleaders. Their reaction and turnout to events helped me to realize how internationally loved and respected the NFL is.
What’s been the most memorable part your time as an Eagles Cheerleader?
The most memorable part are the women I have worked with and friends that I have made. I love everything that it entails, from the games to the variety of appearances we are involved in. I especially enjoy the Junior Cheer Clinic, this is such a special day for the girls. The calendar trips to beautiful and exotic places are also a highlight.
What’s one thing you’d like fans to know about you, that would probably surprise them?
I am an autism treatment therapist and special education teacher. I absolutely love my career. The children I have worked with have taught me more than I could ever teach them.
