1. Amber Rehman – 1st year
2. Ashlee Figg – 2nd year
3. Ashley Jarocki – 5th year
4. Britney Craine – 5th year
5. Cassie Kilcoyne – 1st year
6. Courtney Russ – 3rd year
7. Cynthia Bastos – 3rd year
8. Darla Nolan – 1st year
9. Elisa Eichbauer – 1st year
10. Faith Decker – 2nd year
11. Holly Sellers – 5th year
12. Jacqueline Waldron – 1st year
13. Jaime Hanna – 5th year
14. Jessica Barsch – 2nd year
15. Jessica Jordan – 1st year
16. Kara Partin – 2nd year
17. Karen Bittinger – 1st year
18. Kasey Harrington – 1st year
19. Kelli Jones – 5th year
20. Kendell Schwabe – 1st year
21. Lauren Rasys – 2nd year
22. Lauren Spires – 5th year (Welcome back Lauren Rudolph!)
23. Maegan Berry – 1st year
24. Maria Cartagena – 5th year
25. Meagan Pravden – 3rd year
26. Milly Figuereo – 5th year
27. LaMeitra Dupree – 1st year
28. Nikki Fraser – 2nd year
29. Monica Arrington – 1st year
30. Norie Miyata – 1st year
31. Paige Smith – 1st year
32. Rebecca Shedden – 1st year
33. Sarah Nelson – 2nd year
34. Taylor Mock – 1st year
Individual profiles have been posted for this seasons Devils Dancers squad! Click here to learn more about the team.
Ashley, Nicole, and Victoria
Patch recently spoke with Waltham’s Jessica Aiello, who was recently chosen to be one of 31 cheerleaders for the New England Patriots.
By Catherine Groux
Waltham Patch
May 20, 2011
Waltham resident Jessica Aiello is proud to be part of the New England Patriots’s cheerleading team, and Patch has a great q + a with her. See below.
Name: Jessica Aiello
Age: 22
When did Aiello start cheerleading and why does she enjoy it?: Wanting to be just like her older cousins, Aiello said she started cheerleading for Waltham’s Pop Warner team when she was 8 years old. She continued cheering throughout high school and was the captain of Waltham High School’s team.
Aiello said she loves everything about cheering, from the relationships she builds with team members to the annual trip to shoot the Patriots’ swimsuit calendar.
“We get to perform in one of the greatest venues with the world’s best fans, travel the world and build great memories and life-long friendships along the way,” she said.
Is this her first season on the Patriots’ squad?: Aiello said that this will be her third season cheering for the Patriots, but it will also be her last because of rule that allows cheerleaders to stay for a maximum of three years. Still, Aiello believes the three-year system has a positive effect on the team and gives others a a chance to join the squad.
“It’s probably good that they do it this way or we would all keep trying out,” she said. “It’s such an amazing experience you never want to stop.”
Describe your experience auditioning for the team?: Aiello said that the audition process takes about five weeks, including a preliminary round where about 500 hopefuls audition. After several rounds of cuts, 70 girls make it to the selection stage.
Girls who have previously been on the the squad enter the process at the final round, where they are required to audition with cheerleaders who have never been on the team. Then, the group travels to a cheerleading camp for two weeks where they hone their dancing and media relations skills. After that, the final team is picked.
Is cheerleading a part-time gig? What is the time commitment like?
Aiello said that while cheering for the Patriots is technically part-time, it involves an extensive time commitment. The squad practices twice per week and each cheerleader must also complete 50 team promotions throughout the year.
The pace is so grueling, Aiello said, that the team never really has an off-season. During the summer months, they preparing for the next season. When the season ends in February, the girls start prepping for next year’s tryouts.
What does Aiello do besides cheerleading?
Aiello is a full-time student at Middlesex Community College where she is studying to become a dental hygienist. She will graduate in a few weeks and plans to spend her free time studying for the board exams schedule for June.
When she is not cheering or studying, Aiello said she frequents the gym or sleeps late.
What is the dynamic among the cheerleading team?
Aiello said that the 31 girls on the squad come from diverse backgrounds and from various parts of New England. They have various jobs outside of cheerleading, but nevertheless, they are all passionate about dancing and performing.
“We all get along great and many of them have become my best friends,” she said
Does the cheer squad socialize with the football players?
Aiello said that the cheerleaders have almost no interaction with any of the Patriots football players.
“The cheerleaders and the players have completely opposite practice schedules, so we virtually never see them except during the games,” she said.
The Cincinnati Bengals have selected their 2011-12 cheerleaders. Congrats to the 32 ladies on the team!
[Click image below to view full size]
I can’t believe I didn’t know about this. The Sea Gals asked fans to vote on whether they like the current blue uniform, or the NEW blue uniform with lots more green on it.
It hurts me that I missed out on this because, to be honest, I can’t take those ectoplasm-colored boots. I really…I just can’t. They make me cry.
The Phunk is in the Final Four
The Everett Independent
May 18, 2011
The Phunk Phenomenon hip hop dance team based out of the Phunk Phenomenon Dance Studio of Everett owned by Reia Briggs-Connor and her husband, Rick Connor, has advanced to the round of four on the MTV show, “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew.”
The Phunk will try to advance one step closer toward the $100,000 first prize on the next show that airs Thursday at 10 p.m. The show has been attracting three million viewers per week so the dancers and their coach Reia Briggs-Connor have begun to experience the glow of national fame.
Briggs-Connor and her husband have been traveling to California to be with their team in person but they’re in town this week for the studio’s recital that will be held Sunday at the Lynn City Hall Auditorium.
The followers of Phunk will be watching the show with Briggs-Connor and her husband Thursday night at Pizzeria Regina in Medford.
“It feels great to be in the final four and I’m proud of our dancers,” said Briggs-Connor. “I knew their talent would get them there, but I wasn’t sure how America would vote. It’s been good that they’re getting the support from the Boston community and from people all over the country.”
Every week the Phunk Dancers have been performing a new routine each week to a new song.
“The producers give the teams a different song and a different challenge, trying to make them step out of their comfort zone and to do something they’ve never tried before,” said Briggs-Connor.
The former New England Patriots cheerleader has been receiving well wishes from parents of dancers at the studio, Everett residents, and friends.
“There’s been so much excitement,” said Briggs-Connor. “Every Thursday everybody looks forward to going over to Pizzeria Regina and watching the show. The show has pulled everybody together and it’s been a nice bonding experience.”
Reia Briggs-Connor and Rick Connor and their son, Jared, have been featured in a segment on the show. Jared is afflicted with Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare disease, and Phunk’s popularity has brought more awareness for the disease, which was one of Briggs-Connor’s goals.
Those who watched Reia Briggs-Connor grow up in Chelsea knew she was a great academic student and a talented dancer/performer herself. They followed her career as a professional cheerleader and a business owner.
But will the Reia Briggs-Connor-coached Phunk Phenomenon group become the best hip hop dance team in the world?
Tune in Thursday night on MTV and find out.
Titansonline
May 18, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More than 135 candidates were narrowed down to 48 finalists during two rounds of preliminary tryouts for the 2011 Tennessee Titans cheerleading squad Sunday at Baptist Sports Park.
The 48 finalists will compete for 26 spots for the 2011 season at the Final Auditions – presented by Sun Tan City – on Tuesday, May 31 (7 p.m.) at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville.
“This is an in-depth selection process to select the squad of women that will represent the team on game day and in the community for the 2011 season,” said Titans Cheerleader Director Stacie Kinder. “It’s not an easy process to make it to the finals, but we pride ourselves on selecting the best 26 women each year.”
Tickets for the May 31 Final Auditions are on sale now at the Titans ticket office at LP Field. Tickets can also be purchased at the door the night of the event.
For additional information, please call 615-565-4172.
Our pal Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders alum Sissy gave us the scoop and sent us some fantastic photos to share with you all:
The Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders had the preliminary and semi final auditions this past Sunday at Baptist Sports Park. Over 150 ladies came out to compete for a spot on the 26 roster squad. First, second and third year veterans joined the ladies for the semi final round. Veterans in their 4th year and beyond are given a pass straight to finals. Finals will be held May 31st and Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville.
Alumni Andi, Shannon and Denise
Stacie prepping the judges for preliminaries.
Returning veterans showin their MoJo
Director Stacie Kinder and her ‘right hand gal’ and Titans Alum, Jennifer
TTC with Titans photographer, Erick Anderson
TTC hopefuls preparing to learn the routine
TTC hopefuls practicing the routine
Titans Alumni assisted at the tryout
Titans Performance Group, DLS – Bri, Jessi and Claire (4th year veteran Chocez is smiling in the background)
Headed straight to finals! Stefanie, Brooke, Stephanie and Chocez
Returning veterans Tanzye, Stephanie, Tiffany and Jena
Alumni and judge Sissy with 4th year veteran, Chocez
Craig Clough
North Hollywood Patch
May 16, 2011
The touring NBA Nation arrived in Universal City this past weekend to the delight of local basketball fans, who got to have up-close encounters with current and former NBA stars and members of the Laker Girls and L.A. CLippers Spirit teams. Click through the photos [here] to check out the action.
