Something to cheer for A Wellesley Middle School teacher dreamed of becoming part of a professional dance team — and her tenacity paid off

By Je’Lesia M. Jones

July 11, 2014

In sports, and indeed life itself, we all try to adhere to the old adage, “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” Certainly this philosophy held true for Lauren Schneider. Her persistence paid off when, after numerous attempts, she became a New England Patriots Cheerleader.

“I wanted to be part of a professional dance team,” Schneider said. “I auditioned many times before, over the course of eight years. I went through seven auditions in eight years. In 2006 I made it to the finals and in 2014 made the team.”

“Always a finalist never a teammate,” she added with a chuckle.

Schneider, a fitness and health teacher at Wellesley Middle School, equipped with her skill and determination auditioned again this year in April. “It was a month-long process,” she said. “Hundreds of girls came out.”

The selection procedure is not an easy one. There are many rounds of competition, as a group and as an individual. Once the finalists are chosen the hopefuls attend Boot Camp.

“Boot Camp is a very intense training, very intense,” Schneider said. Training includes exercise and dance. Following a pause she continued. “After Boot Camp we were notified via the New England Patriots website of our selection,” she said.

Further cuts are made until 28 young women are chosen as New England Patriots Cheerleaders. “Eighteen are dance team members,” said Schneider, who is one of the lucky 18 herself now, “and the others promote the team and make appearances throughout New England. We all promote the Patriots.”

She added, “We all go to the games and the 18 who are dancers dance at the games while the others mingle with fans.” She also explained that no one travels with the team for games out of state. “We travel for appearances, but do not travel for games.”

“Each year it’s my goal to select a squad of women who embody the Patriots’ vision of teamwork and excellence,” said Tracy Sormanti, director of the New England Patriots Cheerleaders. “I look for ladies who are talented, spirited, community minded, health conscious, and as lovely on the inside as they are on the outside. Lauren, along with her 27 teammates, fit that criteria. I am certain she, and the rest of the Patriots Cheerleaders, will represent the Patriots organization with grace and enthusiasm, both on the sidelines and throughout the community. We’re looking forward to an amazing 2014 season,” she said.

A fitness and health enthusiast, Schneider, who holds a master’s in education from Boston University, has been a teacher for nine years. To participate as a Patriots Cheerleader she does not have to leave her teaching position. “It (the cheerleader position) is a part-time job,” she said.

The same tenacity and commitment Schneider showed in the auditions carries through in her educational role as a teacher. At the middle school she is also the director of the Junior Moving Company, the after-school dance program that gives students the opportunity to participate in a formal dance troupe, regardless of training or experience. She has directed the company for eight years. “I did not start the program,” Schneider commented. “I changed the program and made it my own.”

The Junior Moving Company, whose counterpart is the Moving Company at Wellesley High School, is made up of 50 dancers. “I do not turn anyone away, rather try and accommodate many young dancers. Membership is on a sign-up basis,” Schneider explained. “We have two performances a year, one around the holidays and a second, Footnotes, in conjunction with the high school.”

Schneider said she tries to create “an all-inclusive company, a place where students of all levels, from beginners to advanced, can enjoy the experience of a performance group.”

On the day before the July 4th holiday, Schneider was preparing to run in the Harvard Pilgrim 5K race as a member of the New England Patriots Cheerleaders. “This is one of the many appearances that help us promote the Patriots and get involved in community efforts,” she said. “It’s been so rewarding to work on personal fitness and do more community service through the Patriots. I hope to continue to serve as a positive role model for my students.”