Two St. Thomas Students Make Texans Cheerleading Squad

From the Houston Chronicle:

Members of the University of St. Thomas community may recognize a couple of new faces among the Houston Texans cheerleaders.

Nicole Hickl, left, and Michelle Lewis will be entertaining crowds at Reliant Stadium this fall.

Two St. Thomas students — Nicole Hickl and Michelle Lewis — were named to the squad on April 27.

Hickl and Lewis were among 29 women selected from about 500 contestants. Hickl is a sophomore communications major and Lewis is a junior on the pre-med track, majoring in liberal arts with concentrations in philosophy and biology.

As a former Miss Black Teen Texas and former Houston Aeros Cheerleader, Hickl has experience performing in the public eye. She was also on the drill team at Dulles High School. Lewis has studied dance since she was in first grade and was a cheerleader at Bellaire High School. The two helped each other rehearse for the audition.

“It’s nice to have someone on campus to share the experience with,” Hickl said. “We will be balancing our studies and other commitments with practice three times a week, 10 home games and numerous appearances.”

Hickl and Lewis are taking their new roles in stride, focusing on their priorities, but for now, they can’t conceal their excitement.

“I couldn’t believe they called my number,” Hickl said. “I had to watch the video online again just to make sure it really happened. When we were performing on draft day, the energy of the crowd was incredible. I felt like I could do this for the rest of my life.”

Lewis was giddy about getting into her uniform for the first time.

“Dancing in front of a crowd of 70,000 fans will be such a rush,” Lewis said. “Everyone keeps telling me my life is going to change, but I am going to stay true to my values and just keep being Nicole,” Hickl said.