By Sydney Greene
The State Press
Boasting over 250 team members, the Science Cheerleaders have been dominating the world of professional cheerleaders all across the nation. The team is composed of girls who are pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.
Darlene Cavalier, ASU professor and Science Cheerleaders founder, started the team after her blog, the “Science Cheerleader,” received attention for her efforts promoting public engagement in science.
It wasn’t long after that when she formed the actual Science Cheerleader team, recruiting STEM cheerleaders across the NFL and NBA teams.
“Each Science Cheerleader brings something unique to the team, and each has her own personal story of how she came to connect with science,” said Cavalier. “It’s always inspiring to hear their stories and watch them combine their passions to empower others.”
ASU alumna and Science Cheerleader Samantha Sanders said she enjoys how she gets to combine her passion for cheerleading and science into her everyday life.
“I really enjoy being able to playfully challenge the different stereotypes,” Sanders said. “I love our (Science Cheerleaders) message.”
While at ASU, Sanders cheered for the Arizona Cardinals while juggling her work as a student at Barrett, The Honors College and her engineering management coursework. Williams now works as an engineering project manager and oversees complex engineering projects.
“As a woman, you’re a minority in this field, which is why I like being involved with the Science Cheerleaders,” Sanders said. “It’s important to show the kids that you can still pursue a STEM career and do sports at the same time.”
Recently, the Science Cheerleaders participated in a Super Bowl event at the Arizona Science Center that included scientists working on cutting-edge helmet technology along with mouth guard concussion sensors. The cheerleaders spent the day at the event sharing their experience in the STEM and cheerleading fields, giving tours of the Arizona Science Center and speaking at a health and fitness talk.
Sanders said she enjoyed participating in the Arizona Science Center events and spreading the Science Cheerleader message.
“Seeing the reaction of over 100 kids when we showed up was just really rewarding,” Sanders said.
Science Cheerleader Summer Wagner, a former Houston Texans cheerleader, currently works as an engineer at NASA – Johnson Space Center in Houston. Wagner said the events she gets to participate in are fun, but it’s the connections she makes with the people at the events that make it all worthwhile.
“There are many youth cheerleaders who may not feel that they can have a STEM-related career one day,” Wagner said. “So we use our pompoms and cheers to bridge the gap and give them a connection to girls just like them — cheerleaders — who are also scientists and engineers.”
The Science Cheerleaders have had much success with getting their message out to youth all across America. The Science Cheerleaders have been featured in many publications, which laud their efforts.
Despite all of their recognition, appearances and awards, Cavalier said she finds the most joy when others see the Science Cheerleaders and hear their important message.
“Watching the youth cheerleaders connect with the Science Cheerleaders and helping to get the Science Cheerleaders involved, as researchers, is great,” Cavalier said.
Patriots Cheerleaders participate in Science Cheerleader Pep Rally to encourage young girls to pursue their passions in both education and sports.
The Patriots Cheerleaders weren’t only performing on the sidelines during their trip to Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX. On Friday, January 31, Kelly, Melanie and Brittany B. visited the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix to participate in the Science Cheerleader Pep Rally. The pep rally included performances from local youth cheerleading squads as well as science cheers and chants and photo opportunities with the Patriots Cheerleaders. Current and former cheerleaders from several other NFL squads participated as well.
Science Cheerleader is an organization consisting of professional cheerleaders who have pursued careers in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). The organization aims to inspire young girls to defy stereotypes and pursue a STEM career. Kelly, Melanie and Brittany B. love encouraging young girls to explore their interests. Having a career and dancing is both possible and manageable. While in Arizona, Kelly, Melanie and Brittany interviewed with NBC Nightly News to discuss their careers in science and dance.
A San Diego Charger Girl
Come be part of the team!
Date: Sunday, Mar. 1
Time: Check-in: 12:30-1 p.m., Preliminaries: 1-3:30 p.m., Semifinal: 3:30-5 p.m.
Location: Red & White Club, located at the north end of McMahon Stadium (1833 Crowchild Trail NW)
Registration: Register for auditions by filling out the online form
Cost: $10 online registration fee, $20 walk-in registation fee
Attire: Dance or athletic bra top, fitted dance shorts, dance shoes or runners. Wear hair and make-up as you envision wearing it on game day. Hair must be worn down.
Criteria: You must be 19 years of age by July 1, 2015. You must be able to attend all rehearsals and other related activities. The auditions are also closed to the public for viewing.
Additional information: Please arrive with enough time to warm up on your own before the audition. We will start with some across the floor exercises, including but not limited to: walks, high kicks, jete and pirouettes.
You will have one hour to learn a one-minute routine similar to what we do on the field during home games. You will perform this routine for the judges in small groups, after which the first cut will be made.
If you are invited to stay for the semifinals, you will be performing the routine in smaller groups for the judges. Those being invited to our 2015 training camp will be notified by noon the following day.
Training Camp (by invite only)
Dates: Wednesday, Mar. 4, Sunday, Mar. 8 and Wednesday, Mar. 11
Interviews (by invite only)
Date: TBD
[Outrider Audition Information]
By Sean Keeler
FoxSports.com
If you want your shot, ladies, Rachel Wray is ready. Or pretty darn close, at the least.
“Now that I’ve achieved the one goal I have been focusing so hard on for so long, I feel like I can finally turn my attention back to MMA,” Wray, the former NFL-cheerleader-turned-mixed-martial-arts fighter, tells FOXSportsKansasCity.com.
“I may compete in one more tournament in March, but I told my coach I’m ready to fight. He said he may have a fight readily available.”
That “goal” above is a blue belt in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, granted to Wray after she won gold Jan. 31 at the 2015 Arkansas Open tourney in Conway, Arkansas.
“This (was) literally the moment I (had) been waiting for the entire time I have been training for MMA,” says Wray, a Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader from 2010-11.
“I think the reason he decided to promote me at the tournament was because of one of the matches I won. One of the girls there who is a purple belt, a pro and an MMA fighter with a 5-1 record, her opponent was a no-show. So they asked me to fight her. I figured I would probably lose but I wanted to get the experience of rolling with such a high-level grappler. So I said, ‘Yes.’
“She dominated me from top position for the entire first four minutes of the match, but then she decided to expose her back for a split second, so I got up and jumped on her back like a little monkey and sank in a rear naked choke. As I squeezed with all my might, I started to get tears in my eyes because I couldn’t believe it was happening. I was going to not only beat this pro, but I was going to submit her.”
Wray says she has taken home at least 10 golds in BJJ tournaments over the past 18 months, having fought competition ranging from 130 through 180 pounds.
Chiefs-cheerleader-turned-MMA-fighter Rachel Wray.Now that the blue belt — the second adult rank (after white) in BJJ — is in hand, her focus now is dropping 10 to 15 pounds and “sharpening my boxing.”
The former Chiefs cheer squad member, who sports a 2-2 MMA record as an amateur, hasn’t fought since last July 12, when she fell by submission to Jamie “The Pretty Assassin” Clinton after 44 seconds at Attitude MMA Fights II in Lakeland, Tennessee. Wray says she took the date while still battling the effects of a recent concussion, and that Clinton’s choke hold caused her to black out — a sensation she described later as “the same feeling as dying.”
“Once I can lose lots of weight and my hands are back to where they were two years ago, I will definitely be ready to fight again,” Wray says. “I’m also praying I don’t reinjure my ankle or get any more concussions, because those are always major setbacks.”
By MVC Rhea
Vikings.com
Hi Vikings Fans! Can you believe we have wrapped up yet another MVC season? Time sure does fly when you are having fun! With the end of the season begins the season of tryouts for the MVC. We are always so excited during this time of preparation and are always looking forward to seeing the amazing talent that comes to auditions beginning in April. If you are an interested candidate for the MVC, take a look below for important dates and information.
How can I learn more about auditions and the MVC in general?
Come join us for audition prep classes! These classes are held every Thursday beginning in March and end the Thursday before open auditions in April.
What to expect at a prep class?
Prep classes are once a week and are held at Winter Park in Eden Prairie. They are led by MVC alum and encompass various aspects of what life is like as an MVC. Each night you stretch, learn a short routine and have a question and answer session with alum, returning MVC and Training Program members. The atmosphere is fun and inviting! We encourage anyone that is interested in auditioning to check a prep class out. One night is also dedicated to health and fitness in which you can experience what an MVC workout is like, with our wonderful Life Time Fitness trainers. And of course, the main goal is to have fun and meet amazing woman that are also interested in the tryout process!
Where can I go to learn more information?
Like us on Facebook and Tweet us on Twitter. The dates for the prep classes are now posted on the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders Facebook page.
Audition prep class dates:
3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9
Come on out for a great night of fun and dancing! As well as learn about the MVC and what the audition process is like.
Skol Vikes and Best of Wishes!
Are you a model? An actress? Broadcaster? Do you have experience on a collegiate, semi-professional or professional cheer or dance team?
ARE YOU READY TO BE DISCOVERED BY OUR CELEBRITY JUDGES?
Apply for the 2015 AKD Model Search!
Be seen by sports and entertainment heavy-hitters including Sunday Night Football, Iron Man Magazine Cover Model, International ESPN, Los Angeles Laker Girls and more.
Receive great prizes and opportunities of a life-time!
[AKD Model Search Application]
Back on January 24th, the Ladies of the Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders had a very long day.
Blast Cheerleaders at the Sideline Prep Workshop (Where are the Blondes?)
It began in Oxon Hill, Maryland at 9am for the Sideline Prep Workshop.
And ended in the evening with a game at Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore.
[Blast Cheerleaders at Facebook]
Eagles cheerleader Alicia Marie Parks was selected to represent her team at the prestigious game in Arizona
By Chris Sholly
Lebanon Daily News
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If you watched the NFL Pro Bowl on Jan. 25, you probably saw a local woman among the cheerleaders.
Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader Alicia Marie Parks of Palmyra was selected to represent her team at the prestigious game in Glendale, Ariz. — considered the highest accolade for a NFL cheerleader.
Parks, the daughter of Janet and Robert Parks, started dancing lessons when she was 3 years old and continued dancing through college. She began cheerleading in elementary school and continued through middle school in Palmyra.
However, when she started high school at Lancaster Catholic, she focused on her dancing. Parks said it was her dance teacher — a former Eagles cheerleader — who sparked her interest in trying out for the Eagles team.
“She would always talk about how she had this incredible experience. She met all these cool women, and she got to dance after college,” Parks recalled.
After college, Parks moved to Philadelphia and decided to try out for a cheerleading position on the Eagles team.
“I thought, I love football; I love to dance, and it will at least get me back into shape even if I don’t make it,” she said.
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Parks had some stiff competition when she tried out in 2012. About 500 people auditioned for one of eight spots on the squad. She said she had no expectations going into the competition except “the love of dance.”
“This was one of my very first auditions, and sometimes it’s hard to stand out when you’re standing there with 500 other very talented and beautiful women,” she said. “You just have to learn to be yourself, and it’ll shine through.”
She was at home with her parents when she heard the news that she had been selected.
“We started jumping up and down when we heard,” she recalled. “It was such an exciting moment, and to be able to experience it with my family as well.”
To go to the Pro Bowl this year, Parks, 26, said she had to go through a formal application process in which such things as leadership abilities and accolades received are considered by the selection panel.
The experience was an exciting one, she said.
Parks said she had the opportunity to meet cheerleaders from 25 other NFL teams. But the experience exceeded her expectations.
“It was a little overwhelming, a little bit terrifying, but overall exciting,” Parks said of the experience. “We got to do so much in the community. We hosted mini cheer clinics for the local cheerleaders and also for special needs children. It was such a fantastic experience just to meet all the other very talented and accomplished women, but also to make an impact on the community around me.”
All around, Parks is an accomplished woman. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2011 with a bachelor of science degree in education and also graduated magna cum laude from Villanova University with a master’s in history. Parks has been inducted into several honor societies, most notably Phi Alpha Theta and Rho Gamma. As a graduate student, she received a scholarship from Villanova University to work as a graduate recruitment adviser and teaching assistant.
She was named the Wells Fargo Education Manager for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. In this role, she is the lead educator for its new program “HEAD for the future,” which promotes document-based learning in K-12 classrooms. She was recently published in the journal “Pennsylvania Legacies” and hosts presentations at various schools and educational conferences both regionally and nationally.
Parks said she loves her job and hopes to continue both her job and cheerleading.
“It’s the best part-time job I could ask for,” she said of the cheerleading. “And I still get to dance. It makes you a happier person if you get to do something you really love.”
Parks is also active in the community, promoting breast cancer awareness. She recently appeared on NFL AM’s segment “Behind the Pom Poms” on NFL Network, where she discussed preventive health care.
A fan favorite, Parks is featured in the Eagles Cheerleaders Eco-Friendly Swimsuit Calendar and Calendar App and has appeared at numerous high profile events including the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall.
A Philadelphia Soulmate
