By Ben Crandell
Sun-Sentinel.com
Ariana Aubert, a 23-year-old Pembroke Pines native, recently spent a couple of hours a day for two weeks staring at photos of Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders in swimsuits.
“Every guy’s dream, right?” she says.
But helping to choose the final lineup for the 2013 Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders Calendar was a serious undertaking for Aubert, who crowned her six-year career as a Fins cheerleader by being on the cover of last year’s calendar (which she introduced at the 2011 party, right). Aubert has moved off the field this season to serve as an assistant to the team’s director of cheerleaders, and the calendar is a key promotional tool for the squad.
First, she had to make sure the calendar had the diversity that a South Florida audience demands. Says the half-Colombian, half-Costa Rican Aubert: “I had to make sure it was well-rounded.” Insert your own punch line here.
She also had to choose from among her friends, some of whom she’d cheered with since 2007: “I just had to put that aside, and put business first.”
The final selection is secret even from Aubert, who will see the new calendar with the rest of us at Saturday night’s unveiling party at Liv nightclub in the Fontainebleau hotel (4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach). The evening includes a swimsuit runway show, autograph sessions with each cheerleader in the 16-month calendar, and a special performance by Run-DMC’s Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.
Aubert also had a hand in the event-planning, using her background studying communications and public relations at Florida Atlantic University.
These were not the only pressures facing the Flanagan High grad. Her boyfriend, former Flanagan baseball player J.D. Martinez, is having a rough year with the Houston Astros, where he began the year as one of the team’s budding young stars.
“He just got sent down to the minor leagues,” she says, gloomily. “Triple AAA. Oklahoma City.” A long way from Miami Beach.
Tickets to the calendar party at Liv cost $25 (including a calendar) at MiamiDolphinsCheerleaders.net. You also can order a calendar for $14.99 at the website. Proceeds from the party and the calendar will fund charitable work of the Miami Dolphins Foundation. Here’s a taste of last year’s party:
From 2007 – A Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader
The Philadelphia Soulmates made their last 2012 game apperances during the AFL playoffs.
In the Divisional play off round the Soul made short work of the New Orleans VooDoo:
And the following week was time to celebrate when the Soul defeated the Jacksonville Sharks earning a berth in Arena Bowl XXV:
[Soulmates Divisional Playoff Game Gallery]
[Soulmates Conference Championship Game Gallery]
Remaining Prep Classes
*Sunday August 26 at 7p.m. and 8p.m.
*Sunday September 2 at 7p.m. and 8p.m.
Each one-hour class is $15 Cash or Check ONLY. Please make checks payable to Texas Tornado.
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 5p.m. September 7, 2012.
AUDITIONS:
WHEN: September 8, 2012
WHERE: Dr Pepper Arena
TIME: 7:00am Registration and 7:30am Audition. You will be done no later than noon.
ATTIRE: Half top (any style, any color) or form fitting all black tank top, Short Shorts (any style, any color) Nude hose (any brand) White socks, White shoes –dancer sneakers or athletic brands
You will not have to perform your own routine at any time. You will learn three different routines and you will also have a very short interview.
AFTER AUDITIONS:
Our first MANDATORY team meeting will be held at the Centre for Dance on September 9, 2012 at 7pm. At this time you will receive your schedule for, sign your season contract and be fitted for the uniform, practice wear, promotional wear, and warm-ups.
You will be very busy. If you feel you are unable to meet the above guidelines please do not risk taking an opportunity from someone else by auditioning
Questions? Email Ashley@tornadohockey.com
A Hartford Colonials Cheerleader
Reader Kevin was at the Detroit-Baltimore game and in between all the rain, he was able to grab a few photos of the Ravens Cheerleaders
Anna Leibenko and her three friends planned their European summer vacation months in advance. Two of the women had travel insurance. Leibenko did not.
The month-long trip started off well. The former Toronto Argonaut Cheerleader celebrated her 24th birthday in Florence at the end of July, toured around Greece, and then hit up Yacht Week in Croatia. Yacht Week is billed as an adventure in which people from all over the world rent yachts, and the regatta takes a week to explore the caves, lagoons and islands of the Adriatic Sea. The Yacht Week website promises a memorable time — partying, night swimming, socializing.
As the sun was beginning to rise on the Adriatic Sea last Friday, Leibenko slipped on a catamaran, turning her summer vacation into a costly tragedy.
It was 6 a.m. and she was with a group of new friends. Everyone started jumping off the boat — a 3-metre drop into the water. Before she had a chance to jump, she slipped and fell, hitting her head on the stairs and landing in the water, her friend Karina Vottchal said from Croatia.
“They were screaming out for help because she was unconscious, and they started to pass on the word they needed a doctor,” says Vottchal, who was asleep three boats away. “There was a doctor from Brazil, ten boats down — she ran out in her pyjamas and saved Anna’s life.”
Leibenko was transported to hospital by a helicopter. She stopped breathing in the hospital and was put on life support, Vottchal said.
Now, Leibenko is in a coma in Split, Croatia, with mounting bills. According to a translated hospital record, she fractured various facial bones and has contusions on her brain and lungs, as well as “shortage of breath.” Her mother flew over to be by her side. Every day, her friends and mom wait until 2 p.m., when they are allowed to visit her for one hour in the ICU.
The foreign affairs department would not release personal details, but in an emailed statement said, “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of a Canadian Citizen who was injured in Croatia. Canadian consular officials in Croatia and in Canada are providing consular assistance to the family as required.”
As soon as her condition is stable, Leibenko will need to be flown to Toronto by air ambulance. Because she had no travel insurance, Leibenko’s friends have started a campaign to raise the tens of thousands of dollars that will be needed for her Croatian medical bills and the medical evacuation.
On Tuesday afternoon, her brother Artem Leibenko, 26, had already raised $23,000 by sharing a website with a Paypal link on Facebook.
“Everybody loves being around her; she’s a fighter, who always tries to help people,” he said. “At the end of day, we just gotta start helping my sister. The longer she stays, the bigger the hospital bill.”
The Leibenko family came to Canada from Russia when Anna was 9. She studied corporate and media production at Seneca College. In 2010, she was a Cheerleader for the Toronto Argonauts.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. We’re doing everything we can to promote that Anna’s family needs a helping hand,” said a Toronto Argonauts spokesman.
Lisa Wermelin, a product manager with Yacht Week, said the incident happened on an “external boat” but was not able to clarify further details before press time because she was busy helping the family.
“Our priority is to be with Anna and her friends and family,” she said. “We’re doing everything we can to help her. It’s tricky when you’re in Croatia, with the language barrier.”
Frank Fotia, the chief operating officer with CAA’s national office, says no Canadian should ever leave the country without travel insurance because of the grave potential consequences. For a few hundred dollars, Fotia says, travelers can be covered for everything, including air ambulance.
“My experience has been young people who perceive themselves to be invincible just don’t think about it,” he said. “I have an 18-year-old and a 24-year-old myself, and insurance is not on their mind. They’re thinking about a trip,” he said.
Vlada Namestnikova, a friend of Leibenko, just got back from a similar vacation in Europe.
“We all decline insurance, thinking that nothing is going to happen to us,” she said.
An account is being set up at TD Bank in trust for Anna Leibenko. For updates on account information, or to donate online through Paypal, visit: help-anna-leibenko.org.
All profits from a fundraiser starting at 9 p.m. Thursday at the TIME nightclub, 81 Peter St., will go to the Anna Leibenko fund. A $20 donation is requested at the door.
[Meet the 2012-13 Denver Nuggets Dancers]
Casey of the Tri-State BullDolls
