Milwaukee’s Arena Bowl nominee Angela dances on the Fillies stage, but also builds her own platform about hearing loss

Since way before books had covers, people have jumped to conclusions based on outward appearances. For instance, take Angela, one of the nominees for the Arena Bowl Net 10 Dream Team of dancers from each AFL team. Angela is a rookie on the Fillies Dance Team, which entertain at the Milwaukee Mustangs games. A college student, Angela has an infectious joyous smile and engaging personality, and upon meeting her, one might assume that this pageant winner who has been dancing, training in gymnastics, and playing ice hockey since she was young is simply skating effortlessly through a charmed life. But when one learns about Angela’s very personal pageant platform, you realize that Angela’s life experience, even at her young age, has included dealing with and overcoming some monumental challenges.

When Angela was in third grade, her parents and teachers began to notice struggles, including in school not being able to repeat what someone said, and at home having the TV volume at its maximum and still complaining that she could not hear it. Angela’s shyness and struggles in school were caused by a deterioration of her ability to hear, and she was near complete hearing loss. Years of treatment and procedures eventually returned Angela to full hearing, but those impactful years inspired Angela to use her experience as a platform to help others, including a website that describes her tumultuous journey (located at this link). Angela shared with UltimateCheerleaders her story, and her future goals to make children’s lives better.

Angela is a native of Wisconsin, and she describes her favorite childhood memories as, “I grew up in the suburbs of the Milwaukee County with my parents and older brother. I have a lot of memorable moments in my life but my favorite would have to be when I was six and my cousin would come over to watch me. I would pretend I was a hairstylist and do her hair and make-up. Let’s just say I chose a different career path when I grew up!”

Angela performs during the May 19th Milwaukee Mustangs-Georgia Force game

Angela began dance and gymnastics when she was very young. “I started dancing at the age of four in a studio for many years,” Angela recounts. “I (also) started gymnastics at the age of four and continued it for twelve years. My favorite event is floor because I enjoyed learning daring tricks as in back tucks. I had no fear in trying any new dangerous flips. Gymnastics helped me in dance with the concentration, technique, and form of every move.”

A childhood of dance, gymnastics, and hockey progressed, and when she began experiencing hearing loss in elementary school, adaptable Angela continued her dance development. “I started dancing at the age of four and my loss of hearing was not detected until I was in third grade,” Angela explains. “Since I was so young, I was fortunate to adapt to the beats of the music to be able to dance equally as every other dancer. I also always stood in the front row while learning a routine to be able to watch the choreographer and reflect each movement.”

Four years of treatment were required for Angela to regain her hearing. “I was deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other ear, so I had plenty of obstacles that I had to face in school, dance, and communicating with friends and family,” Angela describes. “I had what are called ‘tubes’ inserted into my eardrum that drained the fluid that helped me regain my hearing back. Unfortunately, it did not work and my hearing loss came back until I had to have three more procedures, and I was told if it did not work the fourth time, I would lose my hearing permanently. Those four years later, it finally worked and I now have my full hearing back.”

Fillies Amanda and Angela

It seems that during this middle school time in her life, Angela transformed, acquiring a determination to try anything and everything that she put her mind to. “As a little girl I was very shy and apprehensive about everything, I never stuck out in the crowd,” recounts Angela. “When entered I middle school, I realized I wanted to try new experiences and be able to be a well-rounded individual. I was pushed by my parents to do anything I wanted, so I created goals for myself and I had the support to accomplish them.”

And part of this development was continuing to participate in dance, and dance provided additional life skills for Angela. “I was on my middle school pom pon squad along with being at the studio, and going into high school, I made the varsity pom pon squad,” Angela says. “ I stayed with that until my senior year. After graduating, I eventually made it to the Milwaukee Mustangs-Fillies Dance Team. From all the years of dance I gained confidence in myself. I grew up a performer and that has helped me step into a spotlight and be my own person.”

Some of the spotlight that Angela has stepped into includes pageants, in which she was in top five at the Miss Wisconsin Teen USA pageant, and then was crowned Miss St. Francis which advanced Angela to the Miss Wisconsin pageant within the Miss America system. Plus, she is now in the AFL spotlight, as a Fillie rookie. Angela explained her reasons to trying-out for the Fillies as, “I was on my varsity high school pom pon squad and when my senior year approached, I was not satisfied with being done as a dancer. I took a few classes at different studios and eventually I came across the chance to try out for the Fillies Dance Team. I had no idea what to expect, but it has been the most amazing journey. I love to perform for an audience and be able to represent Milwaukee. When I was a little girl I idolized professional dancers and always wanted to be one myself!”

And now, Angela is one of the elite pro dancers in the AFL. On her Fillies Facebook page, Angela posted a photo of her first time riding as a passenger on a Harley-Davidson, part of the Fillies pre-game entrance. Had Angela ridden on a motorcycle before? Angela responds, “That was my first experience on a motorcycle and it was so thrilling! I am definitely a person who likes daring experiences. My whole life I have taken advantage of every opportunity to try new things even if it includes taking a risk.”

Angela enjoys representing the Mustangs and Milwaukee. Asked her favorite things to do with visitors during the winter and summer, Angela says, “My older brother and I played ice hockey growing up, so that was the time to bond with my family. I take visitors to downtown Milwaukee at Red Arrow Park which is an outdoor ice rink, to let them experience a part of my life. In the summer my favorite place is Bradford Beach, which is also downtown Milwaukee. It is a great place to tan and play volleyball!”

Angela attends the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and majors in psychology with a minor in human development, with the goal to receive a doctorate in psychology. Never one to stand still, Angela also is a gymnastics coach for girls and boys ranging from four to fourteen, and loves this job and watching the children develop. What motivates her goals of helping kids? “I always had a passion for working with children and being a role model for them,” explains Angela. “I am a past local title holder for the Miss America Organization and I have many memories of speaking to elementary schools about creating a strong future for them. Also I currently am going to school to be a child’s psychologist to be able to improve their well-being.” Asked what is missing from the lives of too many children in 2012, that if added would improve their well-being, Angela answers, “Many children today are missing that strong role model that can lead them to a promising future.”

Angela and Alexiss

And being part of the Fillies allows Angela to interact with young fans. “The first autograph I signed was to a little girl who ran up to me with such enthusiasm,” remembers Angela. “She smiled and handed me my personal photo that was in our team calendar. I was excited that I could make her day by simply giving her a few seconds of my time to acknowledge that she was a fan of our team!” Well, I think Angela has a lot of her own fans, too.

Those seeing Angela with the Fillies might not suspect the notable challenges in her young life, particularly for a dancer. Do people see pageant winners and pro cheerleaders and assume they have had “charmed” lives, and overlook the challenges and hard work? Angela replies, “Absolutely, pro cheerleaders and pageants girls all have a stereotype, and going into both of these, I knew I had to have an open mind knowing that there are people who will judge and assume that we have it all. I will not deny that I am one lucky girl, but it took hard work to get where I am today. I have won a local title and to prep for Miss Wisconsin was an unbelievable journey. The audience views the onstage presence and a minimal time of our interview with only the judges on stage. To be Miss America or Miss USA, the beauty on the outside has to be just as beautiful on the inside. Every contestant has amazing scholastic backgrounds and volunteer work. And from being there myself, it is not easy; it takes a lot of time commitment and being strong-willed. I have proceeded with pageants due to getting more involved with the community and my own personal platform on hearing loss. Being a Fillies Cheerleader is not all about the looks and dancing. As pro cheerleaders, we’re also role models to the youth. During the appearances that we do, I get to interact with the community and they get to know me on more of a personal level. Every dancer on my team and I have an ambitious future and we arrived there with hard work and dedication.”

Angela's lead a winning team in half-time tug o' war

And Angela’s hard work and dedication may take her to the Arena Bowl in New Orleans. Angela says, “I have never been to New Orleans before so I am hoping to get the chance to go!” So, Friday is the voting deadline, so don’t forget to VOTE for Angela and the other candidates for the AFL’s Net 10 Dream Team at this link, and Angela’s Facebook page for the Arena Bowl is at his link. No matter what the final vote tabulations determine, all of the candidates are all winning young women, in every way!

Thanks again to Nicole LeBlanc, the Director of Media and Public Relations for Milwaukee Mustangs Arena Football, and also to Fillies Director Danielle (last year’s Arena Bowl rep) and Captain Carlie (the other nominee for this year’s Arena Bowl) for all of their help.

And more photos of Angela are here at this link!