By Rhett Workman
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Valley residents can cheer on one of their own at Seattle Seahawks games this season.
The local in question isn’t on the field, though. She’s on the sidelines, doing some cheering of her own
Heather Livingston of Snoqualmie is one of the newest members of the Sea Gals cheer squad. The daughter of Jim and Colleen Frazier of Snoqualmie, she was named to the squad after passing a competitive application process.
Livingston is no stranger to the world of cheerleading. She cheered at both her high school, W.F. West in Chehalis, and while attending college at the University of Washington.
Livingston, 23, is a substitute teacher within the Snoqualmie Valley School District, and is one of three educators on the SeaGals team. Her father, Jim Frazier, is the principal of North Bend Elementary.
Livingston beat out 200 other applicants for one of the 28 coveted spots. She went into the process with an open mind.
“The process was fun, but first of all, I went into it with a positive attitude,” she said.
SeaGals coach Sherri Thompson has been associated with the squad in different capacities over nearly 30 years. She expects that Livingston to contribute just like her teammates.
Working on routines and reaching out to fans, Thompson wants to see “the same thing I expect of everybody else” of the new Sea Gal.
“She has a long way to go as a rookie,” Thompson said, adding, “There’s so much to learn.”
Livingston’s mother, Colleen, said this was probably the toughest competition her daughter has faced in cheerleading.
“It was definitely a lot different than anything she’d done before. The level of competition was very impressive,” Colleen Frazier said.
“It’s a great accomplishment and we’re extremely proud,” she added.
Being a Sea Gal requires plenty of exercise and a lot of practice. Each session runs from three to five hours.
“You really need to be in really good cardiovascular shape,” Livingston said.
How does she stay fit?
“I do a lot of walking the dog or jogging, (and) eating healthy, of course,” Livingston said.
Her performance on the sidelines has earned her a number of accolades. She was featured as part of the EA Sports’ video game company’s “NCAA Football 07” and “NCAA Football 09” games, which are available on all major game consoles. She also was part of the 2006 Pac-10 football preview magazine put out by Athlon Sports.
However, those accomplishments don’t come close to what she will be part of this fall: a chance to perform in front of nearly 70,000 fans a game and millions more on national TV each Sunday afternoon.
Is she intimidated by that?
“I don’t think so. Because when you’re out on the field, you don’t think about that kind of thing,” Livingston said.
Mount Si High School’s cheer squad had a successful season, and that program is growing into one of the top programs at the high school level in Washington. Livingston has advice for those cheerleaders and others who want to give this a try.
“Always follow your dream and never give up, and always be a strong role model and be active in your community,” she said.
“We really want ladies that are respectable, smart and humble,” Thompson added.
Tandi Ball hired as cheer coach
The University of Idaho Athletics Department, in partnership with the Dean of Students office, has hired Tandi Ball as head coach of the Idaho Spirit Squad.
“Tandi will be a great addition to the Vandal family. She is an energetic, diligent and charismatic individual who has the skills and talents to make the Idaho Spirit Squad excel,” Marketing Director for University of Idaho Athletics Nick Popplewell said.
Ball’s coaching experience includes stints at Washington State University, Western Oregon University and Coffeyville Community College. She also was a diver and cheerleader at the University of Missouri and a cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Tandi’s husband, Chris Ball, is the defensive coordinator for the Washington State football team.
“Tandi has been around college athletics most of her life, first as a student-athlete and then as a coach and coach’s wife,” Popplewell said. “This background is critical when working in the university setting; she clearly understands the collegiate atmosphere and environment.
“She has high expectations and shares my vision of a nationally acclaimed program. We are lucky to have a person of Tandi’s caliber running the Idaho Spirit Squad and we expect great things from her in the near future.”
Former New Orleans Saintsation Lynn O’Brien runs her own Cheer and Dance Camps. But the most important thing Lynn wishes the girls would take away from the camps is not cheer and dance technique. She wants each girl to walk away from her clinics and classes with a smile, pride, and knowledge that they can use in the future. Lynn says, “It is a rough world out there, especially for girls.”
Lynn with a dance camp class
Before we get back to the camps, here’s a little about Lynn. She danced on her high school dance team, the Goldenettes at Turner High School in Kansas City, Kansas. She was also a UDA All-Star Dancer. Lynn had always wanted to cheer for the NFL growing up. After high school she met her then boyfriend (now husband) David and moved to New Orleans after dating long distance for two years.
She started college at the University of New Orleans and worked as a waitress. One of the girls she met waitressing was on a dance team, the “Dominators of Dance”, that performed at Mardi Gras Parades. Lynn tried out and made that team. Unfortunately her friend that had introduced her to was kicked off the team for not perfecting a signature move. Lynn consoled her friend by saying, “Don’t worry, we’ll try out for the Saints”. Two months later they both tried out and made the team.
Since she had always loved pro football, Lynn says have that one of the most exciting parts of being a NFL Cheerleader was being so close to action. During one of the very first games she cheered at two players tackled with terrific force and impact just two feet from her. Lynn says that most of her teammates moved away, but she was too busy watching to see if the Saints still had the ball.
Her proudest moments as a Saintsation would come while visiting small towns outside of New Orleans. The people, the kids and the entire town were so grateful for the Sainsations appearances. Lynn says she felt such a great sense of pride when she stood under the hotel’s marquee that read “Welcome Saints Cheerleaders”. She says, “I know it’s a small thing, but you can’t take small things for granted.
Lynn on the set of Kansas City LIVE
Today Lynn runs Lynn O’Brien Cheer and Dance Camps. There are five-to-eight week long camps over the summer, as well as two day clinics and weekly classes. Lynn decided to start the camps just after she had her fist child, David. She was not ready to leave him for a long period of time and really wanted to dance again. She had an idea to hold a cheer camp where she would utilize her talents both as a dancer and as a teacher.
During the first camps the girls seem to really open up to her and talk about pretty important things. Lynn had 5 year-olds telling her they think they need to go on a diet! She realized the impact she could have on their lives. These girls really looked up to her, really listened to her and she had to take advantage of that.
A typical class begins with stretches, dance and cheer technique. Then they move on to free dance, where Lynn talks to the girls about moving to the music, if the music goes fast, dance fast, if the music moves slow, dance slow. Most importantly, Lynn tells them dance in a way that makes you feel good. She encourages the girls to use dance as a release of feelings. She advises, if you are happy, sad, mad, scared, just put on music in their room and dance and soon you will feel better.
Then they have “girl talk”. Lynn explains to the girls that now that they are on a dance team (cheer team) together they are best friends. They can rely on each other to learn and lean on. She brings up a topic and let the girls comment on their experiences and their thoughts. Some “girl talk” topics include: body image, giving to our community and those in need, standing up for yourself, healthy eating, smoking prevention, taking care of yourself, a positive body image and role models and much more.
Lynn gives all the girls her e-mail address and phone number in case they want to talk or just let her know how school is. She says she gets great e-mail updates and questions about issues the girls are facing at school.
Lynn says she is especially pleased when parents tell her stories of how their daughters came home and taught the family a lesson that Lynn taught them. One example Lynn cites is a mom who told her 6 year-old daughter had another girl that was being mean to her and mom asked her how she dealt with it. The girl said “I put on my best cheerleader smile and said, I am sorry you are having a bad day, but I care about you.” Her mom said, “You sound just like Ms. Lynn.”
Lynn says that each girl at each camp, class, and clinic holds a special place in her heart. She has had over 350 girls participate in her camps in the past five years and she can tell you something about each of those girls.
Lynn’s three-year old daughter Maddie is now participating in the camps and classes, and they have a great time making up the dances and learning from each other.
Lynn also has a clinic for the winter that is held one week before Christmas. The girls learn a fun Christmas dance, rockin’ around the Christmas tree, two cheers and we will talk about the importance of giving. And there are more clinics coming during Spring Break. And between camp, classes, teaching pre-school and raising her own children Lynn spends an astounding amount of time with kids, so how do she do it all and keep her sanity? Lynn says she adores children, her own and others. “Kids are amazing and have nothing but love to give. I have never loved a job so much. I love how excited the girls are, the way they look up to me, the impact I have on them. I also appreciate the parents. I think I would go insane without kids. I have a very goofy personality. I need to be crazy and silly and I just don’t think adults would get that.”
Lynn speaking about her Cheer and Dance Camp from Kansas City LIVE! Learn more about Lynn’s camps at LynnObrienCheer.com.
This past Monday night Chickie’s & Pete’s in South Philadelphia was once again the site of the Philadelphia Sixers Dancers Finals.
Twenty-nine young ladies (Sixers Dancers Captain Dana was exempt from the auditions) from across the Delaware Valley and beyond danced their hearts out in an attempt to make the team.
Hopefuls were asked an interview question by Sixers PA Announcer Matt Cord.
New Sixers Dance Team Head Coach Dayna Nadler Hafetz
The night featured performances by the Junior Sixers Dancers….
and the Sixers Alumni Dancers.
Lauren and Dominique from the Philadelphia Wings Angels were on hand. They’re inviting everyone to come on down for the Third Annual Summer Softball Challenge this Saturday in Stone Harbor. It’s Flyers Ice Girls and Wings Angels against the Phillies Ball Girls and KiXX Dance Team.
If you can’t make it to shore, then come on out and watch Lauren and Dom perform as part of the Philadelphia Fight Vixens Dance Team in Conshohocken Saturday afternoon.
The evening ended with the Sixers Dancers in their summer dresses. Here’s Jessica a veteran of both the Sixers and the Memphis Grizzlies Dance Teams.
And here are the new Sixers Dancers:
2009-10 Sixers Dancers:
Annie – Cherry Hill, N.J.
Ashley – Atlanta, GA
Chenelle – Bensalem, PA
Dana – Peoria, IL
Danielle- Sewell, NJ
Elizabeth – East Windsor, NJ
Erica – Sewell, NJ
Janeen – Mt. Ephraim, NJ
Jessica – Alhambra, IL
Kate – Havertown, PA
Kerri – Bethlehem, PA
Lauren – Erial, NJ
Melinda – Auburn, PA
Tiffany – Paterson, NJ
The Philadelphia 76ers will introduce the 2009-2010 Sixers Dancers during the 10th annual Summer Beach Bash at Jack’s Place (36th and Ocean Drive, Avalon, N.J.) on Saturday, July 25 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. This event is open to the public and will feature the first full-team appearance of the season for the Sixers Dancers.
Sixers Dancers Finals Auditions Gallery are here.
More photos at Sixers.com
The website goac.com is hosting the Bally’s Bikini Beach Bar Server Contest and Former Phialdelphia Soulmate, and good friend of the Blog, Courtney is one of the competitors.
The Bally’s Bikini Beach Bar Server with the most votes at the end of the summer will receive a $1000 gift card to The Walk!
Cast your vote for Courtney here.
FC Dallas Dancer Mary has a degree in BS in Biology from UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington (not Austin!). She works as a microbiologist in a laboratory that tests and certifies disinfectants and cleaners.
The driving force behind the FC Dallas Dancers is Director/Choreographer Tamara Jenkins. Before coming to FC Dallas, she directed the PBL Dallas Defenders Dance Team and the NBDL Fort Worth Fly Girls.
Tamara holds a B.A. Degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and is certified by Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She also heads up her own marketing consulting business, NRG Communications.
Congratulations to the 2009-10 Knicks City Dancers who were announced earlier this week.
I recognize a couple of new faces on the squad. Dana (standing, second from left) was captain of the Lehigh University Dance Team. Amanda Eve (sitting, far right) is a former NY Dragons FireDancer, Arena Bowl XXII Dream Team Member and Philadelphia Sixers Dancer.
Actually the whole squad hasn’t been chosen yet. The Knicks are leaving it up to the fans to pick the final dancer: Paula or Melissa R.
It’s all at the Knicks City Dancer’s new website NYKnicksCityDancers.com
Auditions for the NISL Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders took place last Saturday at Bally’s Total Fitness in Glenn Burnie, MD.
Hopefuls were taught a short dance routine and a kick-line by Blast Cheerleader Director Elizabeth “Liz” Guaraldo. Liz is a former Washington Redskins Cheerleaders and is entering her third season with the Blast.
Liz is a graduate of UMBC, and earned her Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins. She’s now a 7th grade Social Studies teacher.
Former Blast Cheerleaders Erica and Joy served as two of the judges. Erica is taking the season off, because she is getting married. Congratulations! Joy is taking the time to concentrate on her studies.
Results of the auditions were posted online and the team held their first meeting Sunday night.
So what’s next for the Blast Cheerleaders?
There are two rehearsals this week and then on Thursday Liz will be taking eight of the Cheerleaders to Bermuda. The ladies will perform at the ISL-NISL. (Sort of like the NFL Pro Bowl) In addition to the performance, the Cheerleaders will be making a ton of appearances around the island. Then in August the squad is off to Cambridge, Maryland to shoot their 2009-2010 Swimsuit Calendar.
[Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders]
[Blast Cheerleaders Auditions Photos]
The arenafootball2 league (af2) announced today that Tiffany Campbell has been named the director and choreographer for the Aaron’s af2 Dream Team which will be performing at a number of events leading up to and including the 2009 ArenaCup in Las Vegas (Saturday, Aug. 22). Campbell, who has a vast amount of dance experience and training, is the current dance team coordinator and choreographer for the Milwaukee Iron’s Platinum Dance Team.
“We’re excited to be able to choose someone from within the arenafootball2 family to contribute to the exciting spectacle that is the ArenaCup,” said af2 President Jerry Kurz. “Our fans won’t be disappointed as their favorite dancers are sure to put on a great performance with Tiffany at the helm.”
Campbell brings a host of experience to this exciting new opportunity. She is a professional dancer, actress, host, choreographer and model. Campbell started performing at the age of five and has spent the last 21 years furthering her experience in many different areas of dance. She has been featured as principle dancer and actress in numerous national industrials, commercials, and films. Campbell specializes in performance team training, jazz, ballet, lyrical dance, and hip-hop. She has performed with such regional dance companies as the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble and Dance Wisconsin.
While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Electronic Communication at Belhaven College, she continued her dance training, founding the school’s first dance team. While at Belhaven, she also studied with renowned ballet company Ballet Magnificat. In 2004, she accepted the role as lead performer for the Disney Cruise Line during which time she also volunteered with Disney’s VoluntEARS program. Campbell’s resume also includes performances in the halftime show for the Citrus Bowl (featured on ESPN) and in the Very Merry Christmas Parade (featured on ABC).
Campbell also has additional experience in the af2 working with several teams such as the Spokane Shock, Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings, Amarillo Dusters and Quad City Steamwheelers.
The 2009 Aaron’s af2 Dream Team will be a special 12-member group comprised of dance team standouts from around the af2. A special online promotion is currently ongoing at af2.com where fans have can vote for their favorite af2 dance team member.
[Milwaukee Iron Platinum Dance Team]
The 3rd Annual Charity Summer Softball Showdown involving the Philadelphia Wings’ Angels Dance Team, Flyers Delta Dental Ice Girls, Phillies Ball Girls, and the Kixx Dancers is this Saturday. This year’s softball game will see the Angels and Ice Girls do battle with the Phillies Ball Girls and Kixx Dancers. Admission to the game is free, there will be a charity 50/50 raffle, a special appearance by the Phillie Phanatic, and more! One addition to this year’s event will be a post-game after party to be held at the Golden Inn from 4-6 p.m. Admission to the after party is $25 if purchased at the softball game and $30 at the door. Admission includes open bar on all drink specials, live band, meet and greets, and special team auctions. All proceeds will benefit the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation, Phillies Charities, and Kixx Charities.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2009
Time: 12 noon
Place: 80th Street Baseball Field in Stone Harbor, NJ
Game Admission: Free to attend
After Party: Golden Inn on 78th and Dune from 4-6 p.m.
