Cincinnati Bengals Cheerleaders Andrea, Brooke Lindsey H., Elizabeth, Lindsay, Sarah G, Sarah J, Teresha, and Tiffany are on the road, visiting the men and women stationed in Iraq. Here’s a video of one of the dances from their variety show.
By Claudia Vargas
January 25, 2011
Janis Hill, 52, of Woolwich Township, a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader and a breast cancer survivor and advocate, died Thursday, Jan. 20, at Pennsylvania Hospital following surgery to remove two brain tumors.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, Mrs. Hill became involved with the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Described by Komen Philadelphia chapter executive director Elaine Grobman as compassionate, kind, and bright, Mrs. Hill volunteered her time to various Komen for the Cure events, including the survivors march.
One of her most significant contributions was a recent video montage uploaded on YouTube of 136 former Eagles cheerleaders performing together at Central High School in Philadelphia.
Janis with the Philadelphia Eagles Liberty Belles, front and center
It looks like Julia from the Tennessee Titans is having a blast during the week leading up to Pro Bowl. Making friends, having good times, that’s what it’s all about, amigos!
Julia with her PBC banner
Nicole (Falcons), Brittany (Cowboys), Taryn (Cardinals), and Julia
Julia with Tiffany from the Bucs
Sports Illustrated has a new set of photos of the Thrashers Blue Crew clearing the ice on game day. Click here to go there now.
Ken Ryan
Mineola Patch
January 24, 2011
Food drives are common occurrences during holiday seasons, especially between Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, hunger on Long Island knows no off-season.
Alan Smith, manager of Roni Deutch Tax Center at 134 E. Jericho Turnpike in Mineola, understands this better than most people do. He is a member of the speaker’s bureau for the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) in Hempstead and his mission is to raise awareness of this issue.
The INN operates a growing network that includes 1,500 volunteers managing 19 soup kitchens. Together they serve more than 320,000 meals annually, according to the organization.
The INN, founded by volunteers in 1983, addresses the issues of hunger and homelessness on Long Island by providing shelter, long-term housing and supportive services in what Smith says is a “dignified and respectful manner.” Smith said the INN has a “don’t ask” policy when it comes to feeding the hungry.
“If you’re someone who has the guts to go there, you probably need a meal,” Smith said. “A lot of the people probably [who come for food] have jobs but don’t make a lot of money.” Instead, studies show, they make sacrifices like paying for utility bills and rent while cutting back on food.
TheRoni Deutch Tax Center collected non-perishable food items and clothes Saturday as part of its commitment to fight hunger and homelessness on Long Island.
In exchange for donating five non-perishable food items, customers received a 25 percent discount off their 2010 tax preparation fees. For every non-perishable can of food, the tax center takes off $10 on the bill, up to $50 (five cans).
“This is ongoing through the tax season,” Smith said. “We’re very community minded here.” The offer extends to unemployed workers who will receive a 50 percent discount off the price of their 2010 federal and state returns.
All food donations will go to benefit the INN.
The New York Islanders organization took part in the food drive by sending two members of the Islanders Ice girls’ team to Mineola to collect food and greet passersby. The Ice girls at the event were first-year member Victoria and third-year member Danielle. As per the organization’s policy, they do not give out their last names.
The 11-member New York Islanders Ice girls’ team, the first of its kind in the National Hockey League, takes part in many community efforts during the season. Each Ice girl goes to four events of her choosing.
“I chose this one because I thought it would be cool,” Danielle, who identified that she was a student at Adelphi University and a competitive skater and coach, said.
Victoria, a rookie on the team, had competed in Europe the previous 3 years. Her plans include attending C.W. Post. She is happy to be an Ice girl, which requires speed and precision skating. “I love it so much,” Victoria said, calling it, “My dream came true.”
Smith praised the Islanders organization for their service to the community. “The Islanders bend over backwards for their corporate sponsors,” he said.
The Allen Wranglers, professional indoor football team, has announced its new dance team, The L.A.W., Ladies of the Allen Wranglers.
Top row: Chelsea, Soundrea, Brittany, Naomi, Brooke, and Briana
Bottom row: Samantha, Raven, Brehn, Catherine, and Grace.
Not pictured:Kristen
The team will be headed up by Dance Team Director Kamwin Bryant. Bryant is from Antlers, OK. She has 5 National Championships in competitive cheer and dance. Bryant was a competitive gymnast for over 11 years. She has cheered for Eastern Oklahoma State College, University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma.
Bryant has danced for the AFL Oklahoma City YardDawgz and is currently a NHL Dallas Stars Ice Girl. She has coached gymnastics, cheer and dance and choreographed state cheer and dance routines.
“I am so excited to be working with such a great organization as the Wranglers and I am ready to introduce The L.A.W. Dance Team to Allen during the Wranglers inaugural season,” said Bryant.
Bryant will be joined by Assistant Director Christina Swanson. Originally from Bossier City, La, Swanson has been dancing since she was three. She is a trained in multiple dance styles. She was captain of her college danceline at Northwestern State University. She won the title of Miss High for the state of Louisiana. She also placed in the top ten and won a talent award at Miss Louisiana. She has choreographed for junior highs, high schools, college teams, competitive studio teams and solos. Swanson also started a dance program at her local boys and girls club while in college. While Swanson was the director of a studio she took several of the teams to national dance competitions. She is currently a Dallas Stars Ice Girl.
The L.A.W. Dancers
Naomi – Dallas, TX
Soundrea – North Richland Hills, TX
Raven – Allen, TX
Brooke – OKC, OK
Grace – Richardson, TX
Samantha – Irving, TX
Briana – McKinney, TX
Chelsea – Plano, TX
Kristen – Port Neches, TX
Catherine – McKinney, TX
Brittany – Flower Mound, TX
Brehn – Plano, TX
The L.A.W. Dancers will perform at Allen Wranglers home games at the Allen Event Center, in The Village at Allen. The Wranglers inaugural season begins Feb. 28, season tickets are on sale now and single game tickets will go on sale Feb. 7. For more information call 972-912-3111 or visit www.AllenWranglers.com.
Brooke and Briana
Grace
Raven
By Terry Nau
The Woonsocket Call
January 23, 2011
PAWTUCKET — Most pro football experts figured Kelsey Fournier and her New England Patriots cheerleader teammates would have spent a chilly Sunday evening outdoors at Gillette Stadium, coaxing freezing fans into making noise for the home team in the AFC championship game. Instead, the New York Jets ousted the favored Patriots last Sunday in the conference semifinals, ending the season for players, fans and cheerleaders alike.
Fournier, a 2007 graduate of St. Raphael Academy, has been a member of the Patriots cheerleading squad for the past two seasons and hopes to make the team one more time before moving on to other things in her life.
“It was always a dream of mine to become a Patriots cheerleader,” Fournier admitted last week. “My parents (Ron and Heather) and sister (Alicia) are all big Patriots fans. I can remember sitting around the television, watching the Patriots, ever since I was a little girl. That’s when I started to dream about becoming a Patriots cheerleader.”
That dream came true in 2009. Kelsey has spent the last two years balancing her studies at Rhode Island College with the many duties of a Patriots cheerleader.
“There is a three-year limit for Patriots cheerleaders,” Fournier said. “I am finishing my second year. We have to try out all over again every year. I am hoping to qualify for my third and final year with the Patriots.”
Fournier’s background is in dance, not cheerleading. She did not participate in cheerleading as a high school student.
“I began taking dance lessons when I was three years old,” she admitted. “I have trained at the Shannon O’Brien School of Dance in Seekonk for 18 years. I have danced competitively, both in national and international competitions. I went to Poland in 2008 with the United States Dance Team.”
Looking for a new challenge, Fournier tried out for the Patriots’ cheerleading squad in 2009 and made the team on her first try. Kelsey’s experience and training in dance gave her a strong foundation for the tryouts. However, once she made the team, Kelsey learned a whole new array of cheerleading skills under the direction of head coach Tracy Sormanti.
“I had to learn a lot of new things,” he said. “In cheerleading, you have to be able to toss people. You need great social skills because we do so many community and charity events. It is considered a part-time job but it’s more full-time when you take into account all the time we put in each week.”
Fournier is a senior at Rhode Island College majoring in community health. She spent Christmas and New Year’s entertaining troops in Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Qatar. Fournier was joined by coach Sormanti and five other Patriots cheerleaders. They blended into a group of entertainers who gave 10 shows while touring 12 forward operating bases and command outposts.
Fournier never realized that the dancing lessons she began taking as a three-year-old would take her 18 years later to Afghanistan where she would help entertain soldiers.
“I volunteered to go on an Armed Forces Entertainment Tour,” she said. “Six Patriots cheerleaders and our coach (Sormanti) went on the tour. We flew over on a plane that was called the Bob Hope Express.”
Bob Hope, of course, began the whole process of entertaining troops during World War II and followed through in Korea and Vietnam. This vital morale-building process has continued in Hope’s memory during recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Fournier and her teammates arrived in Kyrgyzstan on December 20. They reached Northern Afghanistan on Christmas Day and then spent celebrated New Year’s in Qatar.
“Kyrgyzstan was pretty cold,” Fournier said. “It is near northern China, up near the mountains. It was snowing all the time. Afghanistan is just very cold. We finished in Qatar, where the temperature was around 70 degrees.”
Fournier gained some insight into the hardships that soldiers experience during their tours.
“Our trip definitely gave me a greater appreciation of what our soldiers are doing over there. We got to experience some of the things they deal with, like the cold weather. One of the best things we did was eat every meal with the troops. We got to know some of the soldiers on a personal level.
“It was Christmas and New Year’s and that really put things in perspective for us, knowing the soldiers were away from home during the holidays. You realize that could be any one of us. I really appreciate what our soldiers are doing over there.”
Fournier said it was “a touching moment” when the troops presented the entertainment squad with coins that honored their visit.
“They give out coins to soldiers for special things they have done,” Fournier said. “It meant a lot to us to receive one from the troops.”
And the soldiers really appreciated the shows that the Patriots cheerleaders and other entertainers performed in front of large crowds.
“The shows were great for their morale,” Fournier said. “We did 10 full shows. We visited 12 forward bases and command outposts.”
Several bases featured crowds of around 3,000 soldiers. At a few remote forward command posts, the show played to perhaps a dozen soldiers. The entertainment squad traveled on a variety of military aircraft: Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters along with C130 and C17 airplanes.
Fournier and her teammates signed autographs, did photo sessions with the troops, and participated in several re-enlistment ceremonies.
“It is an experience I will never forget,” Kelsey Fournier said.
Every year, all of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders who have represented the team at Pro Bowl have a big send off party for the MVC going to the Pro Bowl. This year it was Kristina’s turn. The girls got together and Kristina showed off all the routines and new outfits provided by The Line Up for Pro Bowl week.
Showing off those Pro Bowl moves
A few pointers from MVC Director Tami Krause
Pro Bowl gifts
The whole gang
Kristina with 2008 Pro Bowler Laura
Back row: Theresa (2006), Stephanie (2007), Laura (2008), Sarah (2009), Pamela (2010), Kristina (2011)
Front Row: Sherry (1994), Lori (1996), Tiffany (2001), Kimberly (2002), Janae (2004), Erin (2005)
Back row: Theresa (2006), Stephanie (2007), Laura (2008), Sarah (2009), Pamela (2010), Kristina (2011)
Front Row: Sherry (1994), Lori (1996), Tiffany (2001), Kimberly (2002), Janae (2004), Erin (2005)
Presents!
Stephanie, Sarah, and Pamela
The folks from The Line Up came up with lots of new outfits. We don’t see the MVC in yellow very often. Very cute!
Good grief, the folks at the Line Up have been busy!
Pretty!
I call this one “Purple Rain” Ooh la la!
I might be wrong on this, but I think The Line Up made the swimsuit too.
Octavia recently turned her living room into a dance studio
This is the eighth post of a weekly LA Times series that helps you get to know the Laker Girls
Mark Medina
LA Times Lakers Blog
January 23, 2011
Laker Girl name: Octavia
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Years on the Laker Girls squad: 2
Area of Residence: Los Angeles, CA
College/High School: A current student at Central New Mexico – Majoring in Business Management
What prompted you to want to become a Laker Girl? I’ve always wanted to be a Laker Girl since I started dancing as a child. So, I moved to LA and auditioned. What do you think stood out to the judging panel, about you, regarding your audition? I can honestly say, I think they noticed my hair first……then, after that, the passion in my dancing.
What do you think makes a good Laker Girl? I think, what makes a good Laker Girl is a well rounded person that first loves to dance and perform. Also, an individual who can be an inspiration for others, someone the community can relate to and a person who loves/appreciates the game of basketball.
What is your dance experience?I’ve been training in Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip-hop for 12 years.
Favorite dance routine, while being a Laker Girl? It’s hard to pick one but I love performing one of our newest jazz routines to the song “Higher Ground”.
Favorite uniform? We have nicknames for all of our uniforms – so my favorite is our “black baby short” uniform. I think everyone looks great in it!
Favorite Lakers Player? Current: Derek Fisher- I admire how “down to earth” he is! Legend: Magic Johnson-he’s an inspiration to us all!
Favorite Laker Girl memory so far? Being a part of the whole 2009-10 championship! Dancing at the game, being able to participate in the parade, the Championship ring ceremony……all of it!
What do you like most about being involved, as a Laker Girl, at local charity/community events?I love doing any charity/commuity events that involve kids. I like to talk with them and hopefully be an inspiration.
What would you say is your beauty secret? Drink a lot of water! It will help keep your body and skin hydrated.
What diet/workout tips do you have? Try to eat 5 times a day and excercise for at least 30 minutes, to keep your metabolism up.
What are your hobbies? I like watching football and movies. Recently, I turned my living room into a dance studio, so it’s been fun going downstairs and dancing.
Career aspirations? I found a new passion for hosting, so becoming a sports broadcaster would be fun. I would also like to open my own dance studio in LA.
