Gillan, Sea Gals Rock Top O’ the Mar
By Stephanie Godlewski
Pacific Daily News
Amid rustling pom-poms and 1,000-watt smiles Chamorrita Pia Gillan stands out.
The 22-year-old Seattle Sea Gals cheerleader and Nimitz Hill native got the chance to perform for military personnel yesterday.
During halftime of the Super Bowl at Top O’ the Mar, Gillan took the stage with her squad and had both Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints fans cheering.
In attendance was her 13-year-old sister Mylisa Gillan.
“I knew she danced but when she got this big I was like, ‘Wow, good job,'” Mylisa Gillan said. “My mom goes all out. She’s so excited. When she found out Pia made it, she went up to everyone and was like, ‘My daughter’s a Sea Gal!'”
Pia Gillan said the support of her family has been great, but being away from them is the hardest part of living in Seattle.
Being a Sea Gal makes it worth it.
“It’s been a crazy year. A few months before I graduated I made the team. I made the team in April then I graduated in June. As soon as we made the team, the next week it was practice, practice, practice. All throughout the summer every weekend, once throughout the week,” Pia Gillan said. “It was just hectic and the season didn’t actually start until August. We were practicing for that and games every Sunday. Appearances left and right, which I love. That’s probably my favorite part about being a Sea Gal — then this tour.”
Pia Gillan said she plans to go out for the squad again in April. All the girls must try out each year but Sea Gal veterans are automatically in the audition finals.
While she hopes to cheer on the Seahawks for another year, her long-term plans have her heading back to school.
“I’m trying to study for the LSATs this year. Taking a break, then trying to go to law school next year, 2011,” she said.
