Thanks to Mike and Dave for some more photos of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders trip to Aruba.
Krystle, Stephanie and Tiffany with some local fauna.
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Every year the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders head to the mountains of Western Maryland to conduct training camp. It’s a chance to work on new stunts and routines, bond as a team and make a few public appearances.
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Good friend of the Blog Sharica Brown is a former Ravens, Texans, Redskins. Last year she went to India to cheer for the Royal Challengers and loved the country so much she decided to stay. She dropped us this note:
“Bollywood here she comes….Sharica Brown is back in India! Look out for her 2009 Portfolio coming soon!”
By Amy Steele
Herald de Paris
Hi Nets Fans!Dr. David Livingstone set out into the “Dark Continent” or central part of Africa in 1865 with a goal to locate the Nile River’s source. The celebrated explorer never returned. In 1871, as rumors of his demise or capture spread, The New York Herald sent reporter Henry Stanley to find Dr. Livingstone. Nine months later, Stanley found Dr. Livingstone in Ujiji, a small village on a lake in Tanzania, on November 10, 1871. [Dr. Livingstone, I presume?]
Expedition Africa, executive produced by Survivor’s Mark Burnett and Maria Baltazzi [“It’s like Survivor on the road,” said Mireya Mayor], brings together four explorers to follow Stanley’s route. They use only basic maps and simple compasses. The foursome face similar elements as Stanley and Livingstone did over a century ago, despite some modernization of Africa. The terrain in Tanzania includes swamps, barren deserts, and treacherous mountains. Along the route they will be in danger from dehydration, potential injuries, poisonous snakes, fierce animals, infections, and deadly diseases.
The explorers include: navigator Pasquale Scaturro, survivalist Benedict Allen, reporter Kevin Sites, and wildlife expert Mireya Mayor, PhD.
Mireya Mayor holds a PhD in anthropology from Stony Brook University. She is a Fulbright scholar, National Science Foundation Fellow and former NFL cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins. She reported on wildlife and habitat issues for the Ultimate Explorer series on National Geographic Television and has appeared on the Today show, MSNBC and CNN. Additionally she has been profiled in People, Elle, Marie Claire, Latina, and National Geographic Adventure. Currently, Mayor stays quite busy with her work as an anthropologist: she lectures at schools and universities; researches in the rain forests of Madagascar [she discovered a new species of mouse lemur—the smallest primate in the world– in Madagascar]; and travels the world as a wildlife correspondent.
I spoke by phone with the sweet and enthusiastic Dr. Mireya Mayor a few days ago.
Amy Steele:[AS] How did you get involved with Expedition Africa?
Mireya Mayor: [MM] I’ve been leading scientific expeditions and doing my scientific research for more than 10 years when they were looking for people for this show. Mark Burnett and Maria Baltazzi were basically looking for people who were the real deal. They wanted people who had a significant amount of exploration under their belt and could handle these situations and fend for themselves because at no point at all were we to have any contact with the crew. They couldn’t talk to us. We couldn’t talk to them. So they needed to know that in life-threatening situations, we would know what to do.
They’d seen some of my work from previous documentaries that I’d done. I was the first female wildlife correspondent on National Geographic, on a show called Ultimate Explorer and I went through a pretty heavy interview process. I think they had the hardest time selecting the right female because I think it’s a tricky situation with these three extremely tough guys and after that they just said are you interested and I jumped at it.
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Back for the First Time (Bonnie)
From Nets.com
Hi Nets Fans! I can’t believe that a couple months ago I finished my first season with the Nets Dancers. This past year was filled with excitement, hard work, and many new experiences for me. Some of my favorites included performing in front of thousands of Nets fans, working with world renowned choreographers, the Nets Dancers photo shoot, and even being interviewed live on Fox 5 NY Morning Wake Up. Needless to say, I truly want to be a Nets Dancer again next season! But first, I need to make it through the audition process.
Last year was my first year auditioning for the team, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been chosen as one of the five rookie members. As a returning dancer, I think that I have a big name to live up to.
I remember when the veteran Nets Dancers walked into the final auditions last year. Not only did they exude beauty and confidence, but they also were friendly and welcoming to all the other dancers. When we learned the combination we’d be performing, the style and power of the Nets Dancers’ movements helped them to stand out from the crowd. I immediately respected and admired all of the girls who had been on the team.
I hope to leave the same impact on the new girls auditioning this year, and I know that the experiences I had this past year have helped me to prepare to do just that. My dancing has become stronger as a result of all our practices and performances, and I’m more poised and confident due to all the public appearances and media interaction I’ve done.
To top things off, this year’s final auditions are being held on June 22, my birthday! I can’t image a better way to celebrate than becoming a veteran Nets Dancer.
[Nets Dancers Auditions are June 20th]
Readers Mike and Dave made the trip to Aruba where the Eagles Cheerleaders were shooting their 2010 Swimsuit Calendar. Here are a few photos they sent us.
The 2008-09 Lady Cat Hot Shot Tournament is down to four with Natasha taking on Kelli to see who earns a spot in the final matchup.
[2008-09 Lady Cats Hot Shots Tournament]
By Darrah Le Montre
LA2DAY.COM
Actress Brooke Newton is on the up-and-up. The Florida native (and one-time NFL cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) proves that while blondes may have more fun, this one should not be underestimated. In little over two years in L.A., she’s snagged roles alongside Antonio Banderas and Meg Ryan, along with guest spots on shows like CSI and Fox’s new sure-to-be hit Glee. But what makes Newton all the more intriguing is that this leggy blonde has a heart of gold and a fist of steel.
Congratulations on CSI! (Editor’s note: The recent episode of CSI, where Brooke played Sabrina, a girl swayed by her boyfriend to rob houses while pregnant, was the most watched episode in the show’s history.)
Brooke: Thank you!
You’ve worked with some fabulous people! And so early. Did you have a connection with anyone in particular – an A-lister – where you felt like they taught you something?
Brooke: I believe working with Antonio and Meg Ryan, because they were both my favorite actors before going into it. And their energy on set was just phenomenal. I think the #1 thing they taught me was to not take it too serious. To go on set and bring the energy on set, because when you bring the energy everybody’s happy. That’s what I noticed with Antonio. The energy he brought to the set. And the moment he left, it dropped. It was interesting to watch. Because he’s always dancing and singing. I remember one point on My Mom’s New Boyfriend, we were all doing our scene…and all the sudden we all hear music and Antonio was playing the guitar, the director came and started playing the piano, everybody was playing music, and Meg Ryan was dancing.
By Jill Harmacinski
The Eagle-Tribune
Deeply in love, hometown sweethearts Alyssa Manzi and Gary Ritter are definitely getting married. But where and when is a question the nation will now answer for them.
Finalists in the “Today Show Throws a Wedding” competition, the North Andover High School graduates just might be the lucky winners of an all expenses paid wedding and honeymoon. If they win, that means their wedding date moves from October to sometime during the week of July 15.
While wedding planning is often considered time-consuming and stressful, the public would do all the heavy lifting for them, voting on everything from their wedding attire, attendants’ clothes, venue and flowers to the cake and honeymoon destination.
“Everything is really up in the air right now,” said the jubilant mother of the groom, Roseann Ritter, a retired Lawrence school teacher who now lives at Salisbury Beach. “America has to vote.”
Manzi, 30, a public relations executive, and Ritter, 27, an energy sales analyst, were originally among 100 couples selected for the 10th annual “Today Show” wedding contest. Hurdling a series of fun challenges, the couple made it to the final four and voting starts tomorrow morning on www.TodayShow.com for the winning bride and groom.
Already its been quite a journey for a man and woman who grew up similarly but were strangers for decades. Manzi and Ritter both attended the same high school; she graduated in 1997 and Gary got his diploma in 2000. They also both attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst but had never met until three years ago when they were introduced by Alyssa’s cousin. The rest is history, Roseann Ritter said.
Manzi, a former New England Patriots Cheerleader, is “just as nice as she is pretty. They are really a handsome couple together,” she said.
She is the daughter of state police Trooper Albert Manzi and his wife, Kathy, who live in North Andover.
Alyssa and Gary got engaged during a visit to St. Thomas. After shopping for the perfect ring, Gary previously had his mother hide the three-diamond sparkler in her attic until their trip.
“He shopped for weeks for the ring. He really got into it,” Roseann said.
After arriving at the Marriott resort on the Caribbean island, Gary asked Alyssa to marry him.
“He proposed right on the beach in St. Thomas,” his mom said. “It’s a cute little story.”
The lovebirds entered the “Today Show” contest by submitting a homemade video, which included a song they composed together. When they made the top 10, a “Today Show” crew came to Boston and filmed the couple on a date at the Boston Common with the swan boats, Roseann said.
Now Boston residents, the couple this week traveled to the “Today Show” studio at Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, to meet the other finalists.
“I think it’s been a very nice experience for them, even if it doesn’t materialize. It’s been a great adventure. And I suppose they’ll develop some nice friendships, too,” Roseann said.
If they don’t make the final cut, Manzi and Ritter will be married on Oct. 15, at St. Michael Church in North Andover. A reception of family and friends will follow at the Lanam Club in Andover.
Update: A reader informs us that Alyssa also cheered for the Miami Dolphins during the 2002-03 season.
By Lois Evezich
Orange County Register
They’re not cheerleaders, they’re dancers. That’s what members of the Goddesses are, young women who love to dance and enjoy leading fans as they root for the local semi-pro basketball team, the Orange County Gladiators.
The dance team boasts years of experience in competitive dance, but there’s more to each girl than being in the limelight. Each is currently in college or has a degree, or is working already in business. There’s no real paycheck, but there are perks, said Jessica Decille.
“We get free tanning and hair,” she said. “The Tribeca Salon does our makeup, unless we do it ourselves, and the team pays for our uniforms.
“We’re not cheerleaders,” she adds. “Cheerleaders tumble. We’re dancers.”
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