By Barbie Porter
The Frazee Forum
August 19, 2010

Miss Frazee Emily Kallis has a new title to add to her name – Timberwolves dancer.

The Frazee High School graduate was recently informed she was one of 16 dancers for Minnesota’s professional basketball team.

In addition to performing at Timberwolves home games she will also make promotional appearances at various venues like the state fair.

While Kallis is starting her first professional job she is also preparing to attend the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul where she will work towards a degree in communication and journalism and health promotion.

While juggling studies and a job, Kallis is also looking forward to fulfilling her duties as Miss Frazee.

“I want to encourage people to stay active and healthy,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to work with the Frazee schools, and do some fundraising for the Children’s Miracle Network.”

Kallis stumbled into dancing when she was nine.

“I tried dancing after a friend asked me to join her for a class at the Center Stage Dance Academy in Detroit Lakes,” she recalled. “I just love it. I’ve learned all types of dancing from ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and lyrical.”

Attending the dance academy from fourth grade through her senior year, Kallis decided to give professional dancing a chance.

“I first auditioned last year,” Kallis said. “I wasn’t old enough, but I did it for the experience.”

Kallis noted since she was a young girl she looked up to the Timberwolves dancers and was delighted when the organization contacted her after the audition.

“They asked if I wanted to join a master-class program,” Kallis said, likening it to a training camp for dancers.

She gladly accepted the offer, even though it meant driving to the cities every Sunday, practicing from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., then returning home.

Kallis noted her parents Kathy and Scott were very supportive and even drove her back and forth for practice.

After a year of training she was ready for the grueling audition this year, which had 170 girls vying for 16 spots.

“I definitely felt more prepared this year,” Kallis said. “But there were a lot of great dancers.”

The auditions started in the evening and lasted about six hours.

“There were four cuts the first night,” Kallis said. “We did a freestyle dance, girls were cut; then we learned a combo and more girls were cut … it was a pretty intense, long night.”

Forty-five girls were cut to 33 during the training camp, which included an interview and four hours of dancing over a course of four days.

“The Wednesday after the training camp ended we had our final auditions,” Kallis said. “It included a dance, workout, rehearsal and a final show.”

Kallis worked hard to earn her spot on the team and is looking forward to reaping a few perks.

“We get a one-on-one with a personal trainer once a week, which we don’t have to pay for,” Kallis said. “I’m sure I’ll learn a lot and it will help keep me in shape for Miss Frazee.”

Individual photos of the 2010-11 TopCats have been posted on the Carolina Panthers website. Click here to go there now!

Rookies Eiesha, Myra, and Brooke

(Myra was a four-time Washington Wizard Dancer/Girl – James)

Amanda Amato is proof that you can have it all.

By day, the 24-year-old is a second-grade public school teacher and by night, a dancer for the New Jersey Devils.

“People are kind of shocked when I tell them,” Amato said. “Sometimes I run into people at games that I know and they are taken aback by it. Some don’t even recognize me.”

But for her, balancing the two passions comes naturally.

Read the rest here.

The New England Patriots Cheerleaders have two versions of their team photo. [Version 1] [Version 2]

The Baltimore Sun has new photos of the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders doing their thang on game day. God bless them, they got caught in the rain and were still out their stunting like a bunch of maniacs. Click here to see the action!

Wow, the DCC are really on the ball this year! They’ve already posted the new profiles, cameo and full length photos. Geez, it was almost October before they had this stuff done last year. Well done! [Click here]

(Ahem…except for a few who haven’t gotten around to posting their photos yet *cough*MeaganS*KaitlinI*JordanC*Joannah*Alyssa*cough*)

Carey, Melissa, Tobey, Stephanie, and Nicole

the Atlanta Journal Constitution
August 18, 2010

It’s 5:30 a.m. and it’s already dripping hot in Cancun.

The only relief is a wind whipping off the Caribbean Sea and through the hair of Devon, who has already been up for more than two hours, going through a carousel of makeup artists, including one with a tricked-out blow dryer. For what seems like forever, and each time the camera shutter clicks, Devon’s long blond hair bounces in the wrong direction. Sitting a few feet away waiting her turn, one of the Falcons cheerleaders yells, “Don’t you quit, girl … don’t you quit,’’ and seconds later the breeze dies and the photographer gets the shot he wants. But for these ladies, the day wouldn’t end for another 14 hours.

Meet the new Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders.

Behind owner Arthur Blank, who built his fortune by developing a highly recognized consumer name and ensuring strong customer service, the Falcons are working on building their cheerleaders into their own stand-alone brand. Could they be the new Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders? Why not, says the club, which has been waiting for this town’s embrace; during a tiring and sand-filled, three-day calendar shoot to help promote their look, one cheerleader was heard saying, “If this doesn’t get them in this town to like us, then I don’t know what will.’’

The Falcons are quickly becoming known as one of the most aggressively marketed teams in the NFL — with a boss not shy of putting his money where his mouth is — and the Falcons’ front office has made the cheerleading program a priority, accelerating to Michael Turner-like overdrive and getting the expanded 40-member squad new uniforms and their own website (atlantafalconscheerleaders.com), while also making an even bigger commitment in the community. And, of course, there is the upcoming calendar, the team’s first since 2002, a full 32 pages of bikini-clad Falcons ladies, which will hit the streets the first week of the regular season.

“I think the calendar is just the icing on the cake,’’ said Chato Waters, a former Falcons cheerleader who now coaches the team. “I think the foundation has always been there … talented women, articulate, educated, active in the community. And yes, we wanted to add a different aspect to the program (the calendar) and to really show how glamorous these ladies are.’’

And quickly added Chato, “I cannot wait until our fans see the new uniforms — they are glamorous, they are hot, they are sexy.”

In an age where the NFL, and really professional sports teams in general, have placed more importance on their franchise off the field, the Falcons are all about extending their brand. Their current marketing program, called Rise Up, features a slick television commercial starring Samuel L. Jackson, who is backed by a gospel choir. The spot can be seen all over the internet and has been viewed more than 78,000 times in one YouTube posting. In it, Jackson cries out, “This is our time, Atlanta!’’ The cheerleaders feel the same way.

Said Jim Smith, the team’s chief marketing officer, “We want our fans to know the cheerleaders are an important part of the Falcons organization. We looked at what other high profile NFL squads were doing and our cheerleaders were doing a lot more for our community. Our number-one goal is to raise awareness for the squad and to incorporate them more into the game-day experience, where they have greater interaction with fans. They are going to be out front greeting the fans during the games and integrated more into the overall game experience. The calendar will be great, but it is only one facet of raising the profile of the Falcons cheerleaders.”

And the ladies are ready. During the Cancun trip, Natalie finished her session by saying, “This has been a long time coming for Falcons fans.’’

Still, no matter how the story is told, cheerleaders are graded by their looks and attitude and Stephanie Blank, who is the wife of the owner and who works closely with the cheerleading squad, has been very careful to keep everything about the ladies tasteful. And after seeing the best of the more than 10,000 photographs taken, she was thrilled, saying, “I think the calendar highlights in a classy way the beauty and fitness of our cheerleaders.”

Simply put, Blank and Company are doing all they can to put the team’s squad on display. It’s now the city’s turn to take notice.

By Peter Mucha, Staff Writer
Philadelphia Inquirer
August 10, 2010

Not players. Not coaches. Not fans.

Under “NFL KICKOFF!” the cover of Maxim magazine gives top billing to “CHEERLEADERS ON TRAMPOLINES.”

Featured in photos are only four airborne dancers – and one is from the Eagles.

She’s Ivelisse Rivera, 22, dental assistant, Hammonton High grad, Atlantic County resident, and three-year veteran of the Bird’s sideline squad.

Two years ago, another Eagles enthusiaser, Janelle Stangl, appeared in Maxim, sporting little more than an Eagles towel.

In the September issue, officially on newsstands today, a pom-pom-waving Rivera leaps in a green and black bikini.

There was a trampoline, she said, but it didn’t make the layout, which also features the Miami Dolphins’ Ashton, the Washington Redskins’ Tracey with a megaphone, and an upside-down Nina of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Maxim also poses leading questions to the cheerleaders.

“You must have a pretty strong stomach to be able to dig in people’s mouths,” the mag mentions to Rivera.

“Nothing skeeves me out,” she responds. “I see a lot of gross stuff in oral surgery, like a cyst being cut out of someone’s mouth. The weirdest thing, though, is seeing dentures. Old people just take them out and hand them to you.”

Ivelisse (pronounced EE-vel-ees) was born in North Jersey to parents from Puerto Rico – her favorite vacation spot. “There is nothing better than being in a tropical island with all of your family,” she said on the Eagles website.

She told Maxim she likes guys in uniforms, that being “really perky” helps her calm nervous patients down, and that “I’m not really a girly girl. I never wear makeup – just ChapStick and eyeliner.”

“How can a guy get a girl to don a cheerleader uniform in the sack?” Maxim asks.

“Compliment her body,” she says. “Tell her she’s beautiful. All that positive stuff will make her feel comfortable and good about herself. And then pick out the uniform you want to see her in.”

She told us she’s dating a senior running back from Southern Illinois University, but hopes he doesn’t get drafted by the Eagles, because cheerleaders can’t date home-team players.

“I definitely want to come back for a couple more years,” she said.

She had no problem when fellow squad member Krystle Campbell skipped practice to spend time with her injured beau, Phillies slugger Ryan Howard.

“She’s a great girl, and she works very hard,” Rivera said.

As for the Maxim shoot, she said, “It was a huge deal. I was so excited to be in it. Never in a million years did I think I would get picked. It was a lot of fun. Something I’ll never forget.”

Two actual Eagles players – receiver DeSean Jackson and punter Saverio “Sav” Rocca – are briefly spotlighted in a football feature. Their pictures are smaller than Rivera’s pom-poms. Another article, “The Ultimate Bracket Battle,” has the 1978 Steelers eclipsing the 1985 Chicago Bears as the best NFL team ever.

Philadephia Eagles
8/13/10

The latest honor for the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders came when Ivelisse was selected for Maxim’s 2010 September issue which includes a four page pictorial showcasing some of the most beautiful cheerleaders in the NFL. It features a cheerleader from the Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Philadelphia Eagles. The issue is currently on newsstands and will be seen by millions of people around the world.

Maria Fontoura, Senior Editor of Maxim stated, “Maxim loves to cover everything that excites our readers about football season. That means not just their favorite players and great tailgating tips, but-what else?–the lovely cheerleaders of the NFL. Year after year, the Eagles squad is full of beautiful, talented girls for us to feature. Ivelisse was not only gorgeous but a ton of fun to shoot.”

The full page photograph shows Ivelisse leaping in mid-air wearing a black and silver bikini top and green bikini bottoms. The image was captured by renown photographer Ture Lillegraven during a photo shoot in New York City where the cheerleaders were asked to jump on a trampoline to achieve the airborne images. The feature also includes exclusive cheerleader interviews.

To see and read more about Maxim’s September issue, visit http://www.maxim.com/

When seeing her photo for the first time, Ivelisse exclaimed, “I love it! Never would I have imagined myself in such an elite magazine like Maxim. This is something I will never forget.”

Barbara Zaun, Eagles Director of Cheerleading said, “It is an honor to have Ivelisse featured in Maxim. It illustrates the beauty and model caliber that Ivelisse possesses and the celebrity appeal of the Eagles Cheerleaders by being selected for their worldwide popular publication.”

Ivelisse is also featured on the cover of the 2010 Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders eco-friendly calendar. The Eagles Cheerleaders were the first to produce an eco-friendly calendar. This year’s calendar focuses on the importance of preserving the world’s oceans. 10% of calendar sales are being donated to the Gulf Restoration Network, www.healthygulf.org

Take a look at some of Ivelisse’s behind the scene photos during her Maxim photo shoot below:
Ivelisse’s Maxim Photo Shoot Gallery

Redskins.com
August 2010

Hey everyone, it’s Tracey here! I just got home from an awesome trip to New York City for my photo shoot for MAXIM magazine! I was incredibly flattered to be one of only four women selected from the NFL to be featured in this year’s cheerleading addition of MAXIM. To be honest, I was beyond honored and completely shocked to have even been selected amongst the 39 stunningly beautiful women that make up our Redskins cheerleading squad. It made me very proud to represent this group of women! I had such an amazing time so I want to share my experience with our Redskins Nation.

My trip to the Big Apple started on Monday, June 21st. I took the train in from D.C. and spent the day walking around New York and taking in the sites…a.k.a. shopping. I had an early dinner and went straight to bed in preparation of my big shoot in the A.M. However, my nerves/anxiousness got the best of me and I woke up every 30 mins after 2 a.m.! Finally, by 7:15 a.m., I gave up and it was time for me to shower and get ready for my 9:30 a.m. call time!

My cheerleading coach Stephanie, her baby boy Max, her mom and I all jumped in a cab and headed over to the famous Chelsea Pier’s Studio 59 for my shoot! It was great to have my little entourage for support – Max even rocked his Redskins gear for me!

I was the first girl to shoot, so the second I got there I felt like a rockstar! We went over wardrobe with the MAXIM stylist, then I sat down for hair and make-up in front of the big “Hollywood” light mirrors. My make-up artist and hair stylists rocked! We were talking and laughing the whole time and they took good care of me. They gave me big bouncy curls, and a soft smokey-eyed look – very hot, very MAXIM! Once it was wardrobe time, they selected our very own jersey uniform top, paired with sexy, little, burgundy bathing suit bottoms, provided by the MAXIM stylist. Now I was ready to jump in front of the camera, literally!

The MAXIM set was different than the normal calendar shoot scenes I was used to. For this photo shoot I was to be jumping on a trampoline and they were catching my poses in mid air while I switched between holding pom pons and a megaphone! It was WILD! It was by far the most challenging shoot I have done to date, but I love a challenge – I had so much fun! I had to concentrate on switching up my poses, holding them in the air, keeping up my energy, having steady bounces, trying not to bounce right off the thing – all while relaxing my face and changing up my expressions. It was a workout and I broke a sweat! I don’t know how I jumped on a trampoline for as long as I did when I was a kid!

Following me was the Miami Dolphins Cheerleader Ashton, Ivelisse from the Philadelphia Eagles, and last but not least, Nina from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I think I can speak on behalf of all of us and say that we were all so honored to have been selected to represent the women in the NFL.

My shoot was unbelievable. I was so happy with how my photos turned out! I can’t wait until the magazine is out this September! I want to thank The Washington Redskins, MAXIM magazine, and all of the crew! It was an experience of a lifetime. So EVERYONE check me out in the September issue of MAXIM!

Click here for video coverage of NFL Cheerleaders on Trampolines on Maxim.com.
Click here to view the 2010 NFL Cheerleaders Preview photos on Maxim.com.