Prepping for the playoffs

By Michelle Nigro
Swampscott Reporter
Wicked Local: Swampscott
January 18, 2013

Swampscott — As the Patriots head further into the playoffs, memories of the excitement of the Super Bowl last January fill my head. The cheerleaders are already starting to prepare, to ensure we’re ready if our team is lucky enough to advance into February.

The past year was a fantastic time to be a Patriots cheerleader. It started at the Super Bowl and continued to provide members of the squad with endless opportunities to travel and be a part of exciting promotional appearances.

Since cheerleading tryouts in March, everything has been labeled with a “last” for me: last calendar trip, last six-hour Saturday practice, last season home opener, last Halloween game, and the list goes on. But about a month ago, the idea of my last season with the Patriots was questioned.

Traditionally, cheerleaders were only allowed to spend three years on the team. But new policies now permit Patriots cheerleaders to stay on for an additional year. The current “third years” —including myself — are grandfathered into the former rules, and we will be able to receive a retirement ring if we choose to retire. But now, we have the ability to tryout…again.

When I heard the news, I was in shock. After a year of counting my blessings during what I thought was my last chance to be a part of such a wonderful organization, I had to once again decide whether or not I wanted to tryout. I weighed the pros and cons of each decision thoughtfully.

I reflected on one of the most memorable experiences I had this year. It didn’t happen on the sidelines of Gillette or even of Lucas Oil Stadium. It didn’t happen in Jamaica or even in Shanghai. It happened at a little restaurant in Gardner, Mass.

Before an appearance at a liquor store, the owner asked me to have lunch with a local Pop Warner cheerleader who had recently lost her mother after having lost her father last year. I met Mariah, an 11-year-old girl who, despite going through a difficult time, was the sweetest girl I have ever met. We were able to eat lunch in a private dinning room, and within five minutes she was showing me her cartwheels and cheering moves, barely able to contain her excitement.

As we ate buffalo chicken pizza — a favorite food for both of us — she told me her dream was to be just like me when she got older. It’s moments like those I realize the true significance the title of a Patriots cheerleader holds, and how very lucky I am to have been given that honor. I’ll miss meeting incredible young ladies like Mariah, and the rest of the people that have touched my heart over the past three years.

One might think it would be crazy not to try out for another year of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and experiences as a Patriots cheerleader. But the truth is, I have to move on to the next stage of my life; my college degree needs to be dusted off and put to work.

There are also a few little things that I’ve been doing for the past three years that I could live without. For instance, I don’t remember what it’s like to not have to sit in hours of Boston traffic every Tuesday and Thursday on my way to Foxboro. I have a bad habit of always feeling like I’m going to fall asleep during that ride, regardless of how many iced coffees I drink!

I can’t remember how it feels to have a free Saturday in the summer to catch up with friends or catch up on sleep. And because we’re only allowed to miss one practice a year, taking a vacation has been off-limits for me for quite some time.

I’ve also worked my body hard since I made the team. Sometimes I feel as if my legs are going to pop off if I do another kick. I wouldn’t mind being able to take a week off from the gym without feeling guilty, or not having to second-guess eating a cheeseburger the day before a game.

Despite the little annoyances, if I had to go back to sophomore year in college and decide if I wanted to tryout, I would do it all over again. I would probably try even harder, knowing what was in store for the next three years!

I’m overjoyed my last game at Gillette Stadium will be the AFC Championship, and can’t wait to cheer our team to victory!

I have nothing but excitement for the new ladies who make the team this year, and I hope they are all lucky enough to have the experiences I did, especially meeting amazing people like Mariah.

Michelle Nigro is a Swampscott native, a Patriots cheerleader and a freelance reporter for the Swampscott Reporter.