Swampscott Native Flying High After First Patriots Cheerleader Experience

By Joshua Boyd
Swampscott Reporter

Sure, a plasma screen TV gives a great view of a New England Patriots football game. With dozens of camera angles, on-field interviews and hours of pre-and post-game coverage, you can really feel like you’re there.

After all, there is nothing comparable to being at a Patriots game, and for longtime fan-turned-cheerleader Michelle Nigro, each home Patriots game will be an experience she’ll remember for decades.

Nigro, who was a guest host on episodes of the “Totally Patriots” TV show on WSBK-TV 38 last year, still holds dreams of being a sideline reporter for Patriots games. For now, however, she’ll be the one doing the talking — er, shouting — as a rookie Patriots cheerleader.

Wicked Local Swampscott caught up with Nigro before and after the Patriots’ 38-24 victory over Cincinnati on Sept. 12 to get her thoughts on her new job, her future and her philanthropic pursuits.

Q: How did it go in your first appearance in a regular season game as a Patriots cheerleader during Game 1?

A: It was indescribable. Between the energy of the fans, a full stadium, great weather and the game itself … winning was just a plus! It felt great to dance and showcase what we’ve worked towards since March. Pumping up the crowd and cheering on the team was a lot of fun, too. I left feeling like I wanted to do it all over again. We got out first “W” on the road to the Super Bowl.

Q: What was the schedule for the day?

A: I left for Gillette at 6:30 a.m., and our call time was 8 a.m. We had a meeting and full practice of all the dances we did on the field. Then we all got ready and had lunch and the game started at 1 p.m. After the games, we all like to go and get some food together instead of waiting in traffic. I got home at 8 p.m.

Q: What made you decide to take a break from your goals of broadcast journalism to join the cheerleading squad, or will you be able to do a little bit of both?

A: I’m actually not taking a break towards my goal to be a broadcast journalist. I’m still going to school full time at Emerson College for my Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism while on the team. I just won’t be able to do an internship this semester — hopefully next semester or this summer I will have another one.

Q: What were your impressions of your time on “Totally Patriots”? What did you learn about the world of broadcast journalism and also what did you learn about yourself in that role?

A: When I did “Totally Patriots,” I thought that was about as close to the Patriots organization I was ever going to get and one of the coolest things I was ever going to do. The entire experience of filming the episodes and watching myself on TV on Sunday mornings with my family made me realize that I definitely picked the right major and career path.

I loved filming the episodes, even memorizing the lines for my stand-ups was exciting to me! I couldn’t believe I was actually getting paid to do what seemed like an amazing opportunity. Getting a taste of what sports anchors do every day was a big motivation to keep trying towards my goal to be either a reporter or anchor.

Out in front of the crowd

Q: How did you hear about auditions, and what (or who) made you decide to try out as a cheerleader?

A: I found out details about the auditions through the cheerleader section of the Patriots website. One of my Swampscott High School Dance Team coaches, Danielle Lannon, was a Patriots Cheerleader when I was in high school and had told us a little bit about her experience with the Patriots and it seemed really fun. Ultimately, I decided on my own to try out.

Q: What was it like during the exhibition games? Were you nervous for Sunday, and what do you do to calm nerves before facing a big crowd?

A: I’ve never actually had stage fright. Since I was 3, I’ve performed in dance recitals in front of hundreds of people, but that doesn’t mean I never get nervous. It’s rewarding to work hard and be nervous for things whether it’s dancing or talking in front of a camera and then see the end result and realize it’s not as bad as you expected.

The first time on the field in the exhibition games was a feeling I can’t even describe. I [was] nervous about Sunday, but I’m more grateful and happy that I get to experience being on the field cheering for the Patriots in one of the most exciting games of the season.

The only thing I can do to calm my nerves is practice … a lot, and make sure I feel confident and ready for the game.

Q: You’ve had 17 years of dance, a good portion of your life — what draws you to dancing, and what are your favorite aspects of dance?

A: I’ve always had a lot of fun dancing. I’ve never let it get to the point that it becomes a chore to get up and practice or perform. When I was little, performing everything I had learned in recitals at the end of the year was so rewarding and exciting I already couldn’t wait for the next year to start.

I guess I asked my mom when I was 2 to be a cheerleader and obviously I was too young, so she signed me up for dance and ever since then I’ve loved it.

I’ve definitely found the styles of dance I like more than others. At first I did it all, but then as I got older I realized I liked hip-hop and jazz more than tap and ballet and stuck with those.

Helping out off the field

Q: Your bio on the Patriots cheerleaders website lists the following community service involvement: Alpha Epsilon Phi Philanthrophy Chair, Young Survival Coalition and Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraising. Can you elaborate on what you’ve done for these organizations and pursuits?

A: Growing up, I always did breast cancer walks with my family, because my grandmother and aunt are survivors. When I got into pageants, I took on the platform of Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraising and started trying to do things on my own — anything from getting my field hockey team to raise money and walk to having a bake sale for Susan G. Komen.

In college, Alpha Epsilon Phi gave me an outlet to do even more. As philanthropy chair for a year, I was able to organize more events. I contacted the Boston Chapter of the women’s group Hadassah and helped them bring back their HPV and Breast Cancer awareness programs to schools after six years, by working with my sorority and offering the programs to Emerson College students. We also did things like holiday can drives and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

Last year, a friend in the sorority and I got involved in the Young Survival Coalition, an organization dedicated to the issues unique to young women with breast cancer that tries to raise awareness that women under 40 can and do get breast cancer.

We realized this organization was closer to home for our age group and became sort of College Ambassadors for YSC’s Manchester, N.H., branch because they don’t have a Boston chapter yet. We set up fun nights around the city at places like Limelight Karaoke Studios, where college age kids could come out and support the charity as well as learn about it while enjoying themselves. The response to these types of events compared to straightforward awareness programs and fundraisers was a lot higher.

We hear YSC is now in the works of trying to create a Boston location. It’s sadly ironic that around the time we started our efforts with YSC, my aunt, who is only 36, developed breast cancer. The personal connections to breast cancer have definitely been a motivating drive in my efforts to raise awareness.

Q: How did you discover your favorite quote, “Create a life you’ll love”?

A: I actually got that quote from Miss Massachusetts USA 2005, Christina Nardozzi. She won the Miss title when I competed in the Teen pageant. She was an inspiration for me because she also wanted to do broadcast journalism.

I think the quote is really true to what I’ve always strived to live my life by. My parents have always told me to go for what I want no matter what and to have no regrets, so I feel like I’m always working towards creating a life that I love what I’m doing in.

Q: Your bio also mentions that your most prized possession is your family. Who is in your family, and how often will you see them during the season?

A: My immediate family is my mom Maria Freni-Nigro, my dad Joe Nigro and my younger brother Joey Nigro, who is a senior football player at Swampscott High School.

They have never stopped supporting me in all the crazy things I’ve done or tried to do. They have never told me I can’t do anything or shouldn’t try for something and I can’t thank them enough. Even my little brother has always come to all my recitals and pageants, he doesn’t know how much that’s meant to me. I also have a huge extended family filled with dozens of aunts, uncles and cousins who have always encouraged me in everything I’ve done.

Q: What are your hopes and goals for this season?

A: This semester, my goal is to work really hard in cheering as well as in school, but to not forget to have fun and enjoy this amazing opportunity. I want to take in every moment and experience that I’m grateful to have through being on the team.