Living a Dream: Local Resident Chosen To Be Atlanta Falcons’ Cheerleader

By Drew Brent
River Valley Leader
March 25, 2011

Every kid has a dream of being on the big stage. Whether it’s to be a movie star, quarterback, or music artist, every child grows up hoping one day to be in the spotlight. For one River Valley resident, that dream will now be a reality. Naiz Bolin, a student at Arkansas Tech, will be an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader next year.

“I was so shocked,” said Bolin. “It was almost like an out of body experience. I feel so blessed to have made the team my first year to try out.”

Bolin was a member of the Arkansas Tech dance team and cheer squad at Arkansas Tech. She says her experience was a definite help in her selection. “I would say it has helped. I’m horrible with technique and that’s one thing being on the Golden Girls has helped me with.” Bolin also said that this job was a part of a long history of dance for her. “I started taking dance when I was three and began cheering on a squad in 7th grade and have continued both in college and now professionally. It’s my passion,” she said.

Bolin’s duties far exceed just cheering at football games. “Obviously cheering for the Falcons and crowd leadership is our primary purpose, but we are also ambassadors for the team and city of Atlanta. We have our calendar shoot in just a couple of weeks, some have the privilege of going overseas to visit troops, we also make frequent appearances for different organizations,” she said.

Bolin, who is from Hamburg originally, says the transition from small town Arkansas to Atlanta will be a big change, but one she’s looking forward to. ” Atlanta is 8.5 hours from Hamburg so it’s within a driving day’s reach to get there. Hopefully it won’t be that bad, but it’s definitely going to be a culture shock moving from small town Hamburg, Arkansas to Atlanta but I’m so ready.”