Meet your neighbor: Waltham’s Jessica Aiello, Patriots cheerleader

By Joyce Kelly
Wicked Local Waltham
5/30/2011

WALTHAM —

Since before she was big enough for all the rides at Disney World, Waltham native and 2007 Waltham High grad Jessica Aiello has been a cheerleader. She got her start at age 8, on the Pop Warner team, and now, for the third consecutive year, she has been chosen to join the New England Patriots Cheerleaders.

When did you first begin cheerleading? Were you hooked from the start?

I began cheerleading when I was 8 years old on the Waltham Pop Warner E Team, and yes, I was hooked from the start!

What’s the best part of being a Patriots cheerleader?

I would have to say the best part is the relationships that are formed with the other cheerleaders. We are together so much that they have become my extended family.

What advice would you give to young women who dream of becoming a professional cheerleader?

Don’t give up your dream! It’s a lot of work but worth every minute.

Have you always wanted to be a professional cheerleader?

When I graduated from high school I knew I wasn’t ready to give up cheering, dancing, and gymnastics, so this was the next step and boy, it was a big one!

Do you like Tom Brady with long hair or short hair?

Long or short, curly or straight, what’s not to like?!

Do you have any heroes? Who most inspires you?

My cousin Kayla was diagnosed with cancer at three years old and fought with a smile on her face her final two years.

What is your favorite book? Your favorite movie?

“Summer Sisters,” by Judy Blume. “The Fighter,” “Shawshank Redemption,” and “Green Mile.”

Sierra grad shows she can dance

By Vince Rembulat
The Manteca Bulletin
vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com
May 27, 2011

Jonni Rogers kept her secret under wraps for months.

She auditioned for Season 8 of “So You Think You Can Dance” back in October. Tryouts were held at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre.

Back then, Rogers, who is a 2008 graduate of Sierra High, juggled her duties as Oakland Raiderette – she’s currently gearing up for her fourth season on the sidelines with the Silver and Black – while chasing her dreams of trying out for the hit FOX-TV show.

“It was tough trying to keep it a secret from my Raiderette sisters,” she said while watching the national airing of the two-hour audition show Thursday featuring judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy.

The third judge’s seat for this season will be conducted on a rotation of Robin Antin, Lil C, Tyce Diorio, Toni Redpath, and Jason Gilkison.

Rogers earned her way to finals in Las Vegas. But in order to reach that point, she had to undergo two 14-hour days that consisted of dance, interviews, and photo sessions.

“There was a lot of talent at the audition,” she said.

Rogers can be seen again in “So You Think You Can Dance” in the coming weeks.

Harmony Flores, owner and operator of Manteca’s Dance Stars studio – she’s also a friend and mentor – invited friends and Dance Star members to the airing of “So You Think You Can Dance” featuring Rogers and others at the Oakland audition.

“Since it was my birthday, we decided to combine the two together,” said Flores, who reserved Chez Shari inside the clubhouse of the Manteca Park Golf Course for the occasion.

She also helped Rogers prepare for the audition, and was in the audience during the airing of the show. Meanwhile, some of Rogers’ students – she teaches a group of youngsters at Dance Stars – along with her parents waited for the outcome of those auditions.

Behind the scenes, Rogers had to dance improv, undergo interviews with the producers, do slow-motion steps, and perform in an improv section.

She was seen in the group dance.

“If they liked you, you went to Vegas. Or else you went back to choreography. In my case, I went back to choreography before being picked,” Rogers revealed.

But, in her moment of excitement, Rogers was censored while receiving her congratulatory hugs from students, friends and family.

“It was one ‘bleep,’” she said. “I was kind of embarrassed (seeing that on TV).”

Rogers, who specializes in jazz dancing, was contractually prohibited from commenting further on her “So You Think You Can Dance” efforts in Las Vegas.

She did receive a dozen or so text messages during the airing of her show. “They came from people who I cheered with along with my friends and family,” Rogers said.

Rogers, 21, has been dancing since she was 6.

“Can’t Fight This Feeling” that the Pacemates were in the 500 Festival Parade…

…because they were! Just like last year’s parade, when they performed with and accompanied the Pointer Sisters during Indianapolis’ 500 Festival Parade, the Pacemates walked along with a float carrying classic rock group REO Speedwagen. REO was the feature performer at the Snakepit Ball, held later that night. In addition to the Pacemates, Pacer players Jeff Foster and Mike Dunleavy were in the parade.


Continue reading ““Can’t Fight This Feeling” that the Pacemates were in the 500 Festival Parade…”

Former Carolina TopCat is Newest Miss Sprint Cup

By Jon Busdeker
Orlando Sentinel

Former Carolina Panther TopCat Kim Coon in the middle
Former Carolina Panther TopCat Kim Coon in the middle

Kim Coon’s uniform is black, form-fitting and will keep her from igniting.

“This is definitely the only job I’ll ever have where I get to wear a fire suit,” said Coon, a 27-year-old Orlando native who is the newest Miss Sprint Cup.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Coon, who now resides in Charlotte, N.C.

Coon is one of three women who travel the U.S. and appear at every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, 36 in all, to promote Sprint products, interview drivers and interact with fans. They also offer a behind-the-scenes account of NASCAR to their more than 300,000 social-media followers.

“I just try to make race day that much better,” Coon said.

Since last week, Coon has been in Central Florida for the run-up to the Daytona 500, the opening race of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Fans can meet her and the other Miss Sprint Cup representatives at the Sprint Experience outside Turn 4 at the speedway or at the Sprint Fanzone next to the garage area.

“It’s a huge party,” Coon said about the Daytona race. “It’s like starting off our season with the Super Bowl.”

Growing up, Coon didn’t know the difference between Dover and Darlington (racetracks in Delaware and South Carolina, respectively).

A graduate of Lake Highland Preparatory School, Coon, whose parents and sibling still live in the area, played softball, track and danced. NASCAR just wasn’t her thing.

“I didn’t really give it the time of day,” Coon acknowledged.

In 2005, she went to her first race at the Daytona International Speedway and experienced the sight, the smell and the sound of cars zooming by at 180 mph.

“Once you go to a race, you’re hooked,” Coon said.

She’s not a fanatic, though — just an average fan who likes Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.

After high school, Coon studied broadcasting at the University of Miami, and later earned her master’s degree in public relations at the University of Alabama.

“I bleed orange and green, but I root for ‘Bama,” Coon said.

She moved to Charlotte to work in marketing and public relations, later joining the Carolina Panthers cheerleading squad. Earlier this year, Coon appeared on ABC’s “The Bachelor,” an opportunity that arose when her sisters sent in an application.

Coon made it to the third episode before being cut.

“That was just the right amount of time,” she said.

Kimberly (left) during the 2009 season
Kimberly (left) during the 2009 season

Before leaving to tape the show, Coon applied for the Miss Sprint Cup job. She figured her background in public relations, marketing and broadcasting made her a perfect candidate.

“They just don’t want a pretty face out there,” Coon said.

She went in for a few interviews, which combined the usual question-and-answer sessions with mock on-camera and radio interviews. She didn’t hear back until the same night she was kicked off “The Bachelor.” She quit her public-relations job and began training for Miss Sprint Cup.

Veteran Miss Sprint Cup Paige Duke, best known for her thick Southern accent, gave Coon a few insider tips. Duke told Coon that the fire suit is hot in the summer, so wear an ice pack underneath. And to keep her eyes closed when the drivers celebrate by popping open champagne because the bubbly “burns.”

But most of all, Duke told Coon that being a Miss Sprint Cup is a blast.

“She’s going to have the time of her life,” Duke said.

[Miss Sprint Cup Interview with Kim Coon]

Natalie Alvarado is the Timberwolves New Dance Team Director

The Timberwolves Dancers have always strived to be one of the elite performance teams in the NBA and this year they introduced their new coach Natalie Alvarado. Alvarado has over 15 years of professional dance experience, including seven years as a dancer and assistant coach with the NBA’s Houston Rockets where she also split time as a professional back-up dancer and choreographer. Additionally, Alvarado toured the nation as a music performer with Universal Records and her self-titled debut album (“Natalie”) premiered at No. 16 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. After all of these experiences, Alvarado was determined to return to her greatest passion: dance. With her vast experience and knowledge of the entertainment industry, Alvarado looks to take the Timberwolves Dancers to the next level with jaw-dropping performances and hard-hitting choreography.

Previous posts on Natalie’s recording career here, here and here.

[Timberwolves Dancers]

Seabirds Dressed to Kill

From The Manly Daily

For the first time, The Manly Daily presents the Manly Sea Eagles cheerleaders out of uniform and like you’ve never seen them before.

Tomorrow night marks the first time the girls will strut their stuff outside a Sydney venue when they perform in front of an estimated crowd of 35,000 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane for the Sea Eagles’ round 12 clash against the Broncos.

Monique Carroll, choreographer for The Seabirds, as they are known collectively, says tomorrow will be one of the most significant performance for the girls.

“I know Broncos fans are crazy and love their cheerleaders so I can only hope they embrace us,” Mrs Carroll said. “We’re taking one of our favourite routines and it’s a big thrill for the girls to travel to Suncorp.”

The glamorous girls are not relying on their good looks to set themselves up for life.

There are law students, a web designer and pharmacist within the squad. Kahlia Hill, a 26-year-old meteorologist with a PhD, is one of the three team leaders of the squad.

She said the trip would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “To dance at Suncorp is something that’s pretty insane,” she said.

[Sea Eagles Cheerleaders Gallery]

[Manly Sea Eagles Cheerleaders]

Megan Spreads Cheer

Chris Garry
The Queensland Times

Purga girl Megan McInally traded working beside straight-laced suits in a law firm to captaining the trend setting Gold Coast Titans cheerleader squad, the Titanettes.

Ms McInally, 26, leads one of few NRL cheerleading squads who actually perform American-style cheers, complete with double back flip throws and pyramids, a style referred to as “stunting”.

Ms McInally is far removed from a blonde bimbo stereotype.

She left her conveyancing job at a law firm to study at university and pursue her cheerleading career.

She said the days of cheerleaders who just shook their pom poms in skimpy outfits were fading.

“We are not just a group of girls wearing boots with short skirts and dancing,” Ms McInally said.

“We are athletic and perform hard routines filled with actual throws and pyramids.

“Cheerleading, the way it’s done in America, is a sport and that’s why I became interested in it.”

There has been endless debate in rugby league circles about whether cheerleaders should be involved in the game.

South Sydney Rabbitohs boss Russell Crowe famously sacked his cheerleaders four years ago, saying that short skirts did not foster a family atmosphere at home games.

Ms McInally, who fell in love with cheerleading while working in New Zealand, said the Titanettes were family orientated.

“Cheerleading is more advanced in New Zealand. They only do American style,” she said.

“Australia is catching up slowly and hopefully the attitudes will change.”

Ipswich is proving to be a fertile breeding ground for acrobatic cheerleaders.

Goodna teenager Stephen Holdsworth, 18, became the first male cheerleader for the Brisbane Broncos this year.

And Rosewood 22-year-old Kady Ahearn is a team-mate of Mr Holdsworth in the Broncos’ cheer squad.

Ms Ahearn said cheerleaders defied stereotypes and were far removed from the catty antics of characters from Bring It On.

[Gold Coast Titanettes]

2011-2012 Nets Dancer Auditions

nets027.jpgMANHATTAN OPEN AUDITION – SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 11:00 A.M.

The Ailey Studios, 405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue, New York, NY
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. & dancers must arrive by 11:30 a.m. to participate.
Directions at http://www.alvinailey.org/about/visit-us.

BROOKLYN OPEN AUDITION – SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1:00 P.M.

Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. & dancers must arrive by 1:30 p.m. to participate.
Directions at http://markmorrisdancegroup.org/contact/directions.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

– Dancers may attend either open audition.
– Dancers must be 18 or older & have at least 8 years of technical dance training.
– Tumbling skills are a plus, but not required.
– Wear fitted attire & non-marking sneakers or dance shoes.
– Arrive in performance ready hair & makeup.
– Select dancers from each open call will be invited to attend final auditions the evening of Monday, June 27.

WANT AN EDGE? SIGN UP FOR A PREP CLASS!

NETS DANCER AUDITION WORKSHOP

Tuesday, June 7, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
City Center Studios, 130 West 56th Street, New York, NY

– Learn two pieces of NETS Dancer choreography.
– Learn actual first round audition choreography.
– Receive audition tips from team captains & audition judges.
– Receive a gift bag with an exclusive NETS t-shirt & a NETS Dancer poster.
– Open to trained dancers ages 14 & older.
– $50 if pre-paid; $55 at the door.

NETS DANCER BOOT CAMP

Monday, June 13 through Friday, June 17, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
NETS Basketball Headquarters, 390 Murray Hill Parkway, East Rutherford, NJ

– Get the ultimate NETS Dancer experience!
– Spend five days training with the NETS Dancers.
– Learn two complete NETS Dancer routines straight from the court.
– Get an automatic pass through the first round of auditions!
– Receive one-on-one feedback & personalized tips from audition judges.
– Receive a gift bag with an exclusive NETS t-shirt & a NETS Dancer poster.
– Open to trained dancers ages 14 & older.
– $200 for the five-session package. Space is limited.

CALL 201-635-3147 TO SIGN UP TODAY!