Penn State student thankful for Eagles cheerleader audition

By Rebecca Zemencik
Republican Herald
April 19, 2015

[[Click here to read the previous article on Amanda Gerber]]

VALLEY VIEW — Although she wasn’t chosen to become a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader, Amanda Gerber, Valley View, is thankful to have had the opportunity to audition, made new friends, met important people and, most importantly, gained a whole new confidence in herself.

Gerber, a Penn State Berks student made it through to the second round of competition for the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleading squad.

“The entire ride to Philadelphia on Wednesday, April 1, I was so excited,” said Gerber. “When I arrived at the Nova Care Center with my mother and uncle, I could hardly sit still. I was just so excited to do my audition.”

She was let into the building with approximately 116 other girls who were also vying for a spot on the squad. Once inside, she was given a number and had about an hour to rehearse her dance. There were two different audition dances and four songs. The songs were continuously played so everyone could practice.

Gerber said they began taking groups of 20 girls and walking them to the other building at the Nova Care Center, where the auditions were being held.

“Groups of three girls auditioned at a time, however, I ended up in a group with just one other girl,” Gerber said. “We were called onto the stage, and we each had a turn to tell the audience our name, what school we attend and what our major is. As soon as we finished, the music immediately started and we did the dance one time and then left the stage. The audition only lasted three minutes, but it was the most exciting three minutes of my life.”

The room was filled with 10 judges and season ticket holders, who each had a sheet with every girls’ number on it. They were to circle the number of the girls they liked.

“The whole time during my audition, all I could remember was seeing so many people snapping photos and cheering us on,” Gerber said. “It was incredible. I didn’t want to leave, but we were told to go home right after the audition. I was so happy I was shaking the whole way home. I could have cried.”

Even though her name wasn’t on the list of those who made it to the next round of competition, she plans to do it again next year.

“I plan on taking dance classes for the entire year until auditions again next year, so I have more knowledge on the type of dance the squad does,” Gerber said. “I hope this betters my chance. I am so beyond excited to audition all over again next year, and hopefully I do well enough to make the squad. This has been one of the most amazing things I have experienced so far in my life, and I couldn’t be more thankful for all of the support I received along the way.”