Allen High School Graduate Gets a Rare Honor

James, East Coast Correspondent | Jul 17, 2009

After a year on the squad, Devan West is chosen for the front of the Eagles cheerleaders calendar.

Standing on a stage in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, Devan West had just finished performing with her fellow Eagles cheerleaders when this year’s cover girl for the new Eagles cheerleaders calendar was revealed.

The 2006 Allen High School graduate couldn’t believe her eyes when her image popped up on the screen.

After all, she’s only been on the 38-member squad for one year. The cover usually goes to a cheerleader who’s been part of the team longer.

”I truly never would have expected it ever. It hasn’t sunk in,” said West, of Allentown, who spent Thursday making appearances as part of the honor.

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Janelle Stangl of Bethlehem Township, will grace the back cover of the 16-month calendar that goes on sale next week.

As the cover girl, West is the unofficial face of the Eagles’ cheerleading squad, said Barbara Zaun, Eagles’ director of cheerleading.

Zaun said the Eagles want a particular look for the cover.

”The image itself has to be spectacular.ÂIt’s a combination of a wow factor, the look that we believe our fans will enjoy and one that will be a big seller.”

For the cover photo, West sports an eco-friendly bikini and wears bracelets made out of telephone wire and a necklace made from recycled material that says ”Save the Earth.”

This is the second year of the Eagles’ ”Eco-Friendly” shoot, which incorporates accessories from recyclable items, part of the Eagles’ ”Go Green” campaign to raise awareness on bettering the environment.

Being on the Lincoln Financial Field sidelines for just one year makes West’s cover selection unusual. Zaun said it’s rare the cover nod goes to someone so new to the team.

Last year’s cover girl, Amy Mecca, was on the squad for five years at the time.

Zaun said just making the squad is a lot, let alone landing on the cover of the popular calendar that features photos of all 38 members.

”When they’re a rookie, they can’t believe they’re an Eagles cheerleader,” Zaun said. ”They have to beat out over 500 contestants. That’s a lot to absorb. To see yourself on the cover, you can’t believe that it’s you.”

West, 21, is a Temple University student who is majoring in advertising. She danced at Allen and for the Temple Owls. Trying out for the Eagles cheerleading squad seemed like a no-brainer.

”I was kind of doing the amount of work for it as much as the professionals would require,” West said. ”I thought, ‘Why not take it to the next level?”’

At tryouts, West met Stangl, a 2005 graduate of Freedom High School. Stangl just returned from a 12-day trip to Iraq and Kuwait to visit U.S. troops. She went with five other Eagles’ cheerleaders.

Stangl said the trip was life-changing.

”This is the biggest time for sandstorms over there, and a bunch of performances were canceled or rescheduled,” Stangl said. ”It kind of worked out. We got to have very personal conversations with people.”

Even with the new publicity, West said she doesn’t think the spotlight will become too overwhelming.

”I’m always OK with managing my time and everything,” West said.

Fans can pre-order the calendar on the Eagles’ Web site. Shipping orders will come in next week and will be sold at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Walden bookstores.