From the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog our good friend Phil recaps how former Buffalo Jill Katie and her husband Max did on the latest season of The Amazing Race:
For the 1st time, the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog followed a reality show pretty closely thanks to the fact that Buffalo Jills alum Katherine (2007-08) was one of the contestants along with her new husband. After a rough start to the race, Max and Katie had 1st place finishes the last two weeks going into last night’s 2-hour finale. The 1st part of the finale, which took place in Scotland and Ireland, was promising as Max and Katie again finished 1st, setting themselves up nicely for their trip back to the States.
Had they finished the race in Europe, Max and Katie would be $1,000,000 richer but luck wasn’t with them in the challenge at the Tidal Basin. After receiving a briefcase with their clue upon arrival, Max had to exchange the briefcase for another containing the next set of instructions. Unfiortunately, he had to almost circle the entire Tidal Basin to find the man with their next instructions. Whereas most of the challenges along the entire race were dependent on skills, this one seemed to be all luck. The rest of the leg was spent trying to catch up and had they had another challenge or two, they likely would’ve won as they did seem to gain on the leaders and eventual winners, the Hockey brothers Bates and Anthony Battaglia.
Max and Katie’s “amazing” journey
They called into Winging It! Monday morning after the finale aired and the audio of the call is up online.
Max and Katie learned a lot about themselves and each other through this. Katie said during the Race that if they got through it without killing each other, they could get through anything. Even though they didn’t win the million dollars, they won a lot more. These days, more than 50% of all marriages end in divorce. With everything this race put them through, I’d say they’ll be one of the long-lasting marriages that won’t end that way. That’s probably worth more than any amount of money.
By Jordan Raanan
NJ.com
As if anyone needed another reason to buy the Eagles cheerleaders calendar besides the riveting content, all net proceeds from this year’s edition will be donated to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
The Eagles cheerleaders began shooting the calendar Monday at various shore spots. They were at Lucy the Elephant in Margate and Congress Hall in Cape May on Tuesday. They will be stopping by other iconic shore venues through Thursday, including several of the harder hit towns. It’s all for a good cause.
“We are looking forward to helping contribute to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, which has been doing great work in providing relief through grants as well as action,” said Christina Weiss Lurie, president of the Eagles Youth Partnership and Eagles Social Responsibility and ex-wife of majority owner Jeffrey Lurie. “We also hope that our calendar shoot will help to illustrate the hard work that has already been accomplished in revitalizing the areas that were devastated by the disaster.”
All of the Eagles cheerleaders will be featured in the calendar. They will share some of their favorite shore memories.
For many of the crew, this will be special. Some, like Tiffany Monroe, have deep roots at the shore. Monroe is a resident of Absecon and teaches in the Somers Point School District.
“It was heartbreaking to see the vast damage from Hurricane Sandy in my own hometown but I am so proud that we all united, as neighbors, and were determined to rebound,” said Monroe, an eight-year member of the Eagles cheerleading squad. “I’m passionate about shooting our 2013 calendar right here in N.J. and sharing with NFL fans worldwide why the Jersey Shore is such a special place.”
The Jersey Shore took a beating from Hurricane Sandy in October, leaving behind billions of dollars in damage. Some towns just reopened. But the rebuilding continues, and the Eagles and their cheerleaders are doing their part to contribute by donating all the net proceeds from their annual calendar to the relief fund. The Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund has already raised a total of over $32 million.
[Eagles Cheerleaders at the Shore Gallery]
Kings Vision was on hand for the 12-13 Ice Crew calendar photo shoot! Check out this profile featuring Ms. October, Alexis.
Nadia of the USA Sevens Sweethearts
By Theresa De Lay
Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald
On the morning of Sunday, April 28, many Sumner High School seniors were soundly sleeping — recovering from late night prom festivities. Christian Fernandez, however, cut the evening short so she could wake up early and practice for the 2013 Sea Gal finals audition.
According to Fernandez, about 20 returning women and 40 fresh faces were given the finals routine on Friday. At the end of the weekend, they competed for their spot on the Sea Gals. As an 18 year old — only weeks away from her high school graduation — Fernandez was the youngest one chosen.
Her number was the fifth to be called and for a moment, she said reality didn’t quite register. She looked down at her tag in disbelief as she realized they were calling her forward to join the team. Tears began to swell as she was handed her poms but composure needed to remain a bit longer. The new squad then performed the routine again but this time around the sense of competition was lifted; they were all on the same team.
Fernandez cheered for the high school her sophomore and junior year but took some time off to focus on dance, which she said was a well-made decision. There was a lot of competition but it was clear which girls didn’t have as much dance technique in their background, she said.
“There was so much talent that it was definitely scary and intimidating,” said Fernandez.
The prospect of the competing talent wasn’t enough to shake her. She has been dancing since the age of three and though she’s versed in many styles, her favorites are tap, contemporary and hip hop.
Besides dancing, she loves wakeboarding, skiing and spending time with her family and dogs in Bonney Lake.
Fernandez said the Seahawks are more than just a sports team; they are part of her family, who are long-time season ticket holders. Her sister was proposed to at a Hawk’s game and even the coming generation is part of the family’s devotion. Fernandez has a nephew with the middle name Hawk.
Fernandez knows she has her own hard work and dedication to thank for becoming an NFL cheerleader but she also recognizes that the road was paved with help from others. She was able to connect with a former Sea Gal who gave her audition tips and advice. She also took advantage of all four pre-audition workshops, which are designed to help the girls prepare for what lays ahead.
In the fall, Fernandez will be found at Hawk’s games and at the University of Washington Tacoma campus, where she will begin her freshman year of college. Her plans for the future could follow a couple road. She hopes to someday own a dance studio, but she is also interested in broadcast journalism.
Like countless other high school seniors, Fernandez doesn’t know what the future will hold but she said it will be fun to watch it unravel. What she can count on is a lot of practices and an unforgettable year.
Dr. Talmesha Richards, PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Final Auditions for the 2013-14 Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders took place at the Kimmel Center on April 22nd.
Outside the theatre, fans lined up with signs in hand.
Backstage Cheerleaders were getting ready.
And former Cheerleaders Lauren, Amy and Jennifer stopped by to watch the next generation of cheerleaders.
Jennifer is now coaching the cheerleading teams at her alma mater LaSalle University. One of her cheerleaders made the Baltimore Ravens squad earlier this year and two of her cheerleaders were in the Eagles finals.
Kind of a meta thing going on here: posting a photo of Jessica’s mom holding up a poster of a photo I took of Jessica.
A Baltimore Blast Cheerleader
If you have a passion for dance, the community, and sports…then this is the perfect job for you! The Orlando Magic Dancers are consistently one of the hottest dance teams in the NBA! Entering their 25th Anniversary season in 2013-2014, team members perform at all home Orlando Magic Games and appear at a combined total of over 250 events in and outside of Central Florida such as entertaining our U.S. Troops overseas, corporate trade shows, community events and so much more!
SAVE THE DATES AND BECOME A PART OF HISTORY BY AUDITIONING TO BE A MEMBER OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY TEAM!
PRE-AUDITION CLASSES:
June 24, June 26, July 1, July 3, July 8 and July 10 from 7:45p-10p.
PRE-AUDITION TRAINING CAMP:
Saturday, June 29 from 12:30p-5:30p.
ROUND 1:
Saturday, July 13 from 9a-5p
FINALIST INTERVIEWS:
Monday, July 15 and Tuesday, July 16 by Appointment
FINALIST BOOT CAMP:
Sunday, July 14 through Tuesday, July 16
AUDITION FINALS:
Thursday, July 18 from 7p-9p in the Disney Atrium at Amway Center
[Orlando Magic Dancers Auditions]
By Eboni Graham
Amarillo.com
Neither rain nor cold kept Amarilloans from attending the 9th annual Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo Fajita Festival on Thursday evening.
The annual festival, held downtown on Polk Street between Seventh and 10th avenues, brought out crowds in record numbers.
“Rain sleet, or shine” the event will not be canceled, said Dora Chavarria, executive director of the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, preparing for the worst of weather conditions.
The festival featured musical acts such as Smooth Condition, Trio Cortez, and Michael Salgado along with special guests, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
“We get local bands and have all genres of music for everyone to enjoy to make it cross-cultural,” Chavarria said. “Trio Cortez and Smooth Condition are local bands and they play all genres of music … and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are a neutral group since they reach all genres. I mean who doesn’t love America’s Sweethearts.”
Jackie Bob, a member of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, said this was her first time being in Amarillo and outside of Dallas fans, Amarillo had probably the best fans she’s met.
“Since I’ve been a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, I pretty much stay kind of in that area, so events like this are really special to me because I feel like I get to reach out to fans all over Texas,” Bob said.
