Bucks County natives make Eagles cheerleading squad

By ANTHONY DIMATTIA Staff writer
Bucks County Courier Times
May 19, 2014

The dreams of cheering on their favorite team will soon come true for two Bucks County residents.

Renee Carelli, 25, of Bensalem, and Julie Warner, 22, of Bristol Township, have been chosen to join the 2014-2015 Philadelphia Eagles cheerleading squad. The two made it through a number of physical fitness, dancing and modeling tryouts before making the 38-member team.

“I’m born and raised in Philadelphia and have been cheerleading (since I was young), so I’ve always wanted to do this,” Carelli said.

The 2007 Nazareth Academy High School graduate cheered for Father Judge High School before spending four years cheering for the Penn State Nittany Lions. She holds a 2013 master’s degree from La Salle University and works as a speech pathologist.

“I have two brothers and a very big family that loves the Eagles,” she said. “I am really looking forward to cheering at all the home games.”

Warner said she remembers watching Eagles games as a child.

“All my family would come over for Sunday games,” she said. “Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a cheerleader.”

The 2010 Neshaminy High School graduate, who grew up in Middletown, is an assistant manager of a clothing retail store. She said her background in dance includes training in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary and musical theater. “I started dancing when I was 2 years old,” she added.

Warner said she made it through to semifinals last year before being cut in the interview round. To her surprise, she was cut early in this year’s tryouts before organizers sent her an email asking her to return, she said.

“I was heartbroken,” she said. “It was a rough ride for me, but getting that email was everything.”

Warner said she believes her professionalism during tryouts were a big reason she got the callback.

“It is just the best feeling … my whole life changed,” she said. “You always have to be on your best behavior and have a professional manner at all times.”

Carelli, who auditioned for the first time this year, said she wants to participate in the squad’s community outreach programs. The cheerleaders spend hundreds of hours volunteering for charities that include the Eagles Youth Partnership, Eagles Tackling Breast Cancer and Eagles Go Green initiative, according to philadelphiaeagles.com.

“Each girl has something (a cause) close to their heart,” she said “I’m really looking forward to being a part of this great opportunity.”

Warner said she’s excited about helping the National Football League’s Play 60 campaign, which encourages kids to eat well and play at least 60 minutes every day, according to fueluptoplay60.com.

“It’s fun to keep the kids active,” Warner said. “I knew it (Eagles team) was a great organization to be a part of … I consider myself lucky.”

“We have very passionate fans and I’m looking forward to experiencing that,” Carelli said.