By Jennifer Toland
TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
January 4, 2014

Since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, Leigha Marie Hervey sat with her family in its season seats in section 111, keeping an eye on the field and the scoreboard, but watching the New England Patriots cheerleaders a little more closely.

Hervey, who danced competitively for 15 years, tried out for the Patriots’ cheerleading squad the year after she graduated from Wachusett Regional High School. She didn’t make it past the preliminary round then, but last March — nine years after her initial tryout — Hervey gave it another go and, among a group of 300 other talented candidates, shined during the six-week audition to secure a spot on the 2013 Patriots cheerleading team.

“It’s always something I wanted to do,” said the 27-year-old Hervey, who grew up in Rutland and now lives in Holden. “I always have a goal I want to achieve, and that was my next goal. I said, ‘I’ll just try out one more time just to see if it will happen,’ and it happened.”

The Patriots, who host an AFC divisional playoff game Saturday night, have had a thrilling season, giving Hervey and her squad mates plenty to cheer about.

Hervey, a business owner, said the last few months have made for one of the best experiences of her life. Hannah LeBeau, 20, of Auburn, who is also a rookie Patriots cheerleader, couldn’t agree more.

“It’s so much fun,” LeBeau said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Like Hervey, LeBeau, an Auburn High graduate who attends Dean College, has a strong dance background. She was a longtime competitor and was a member of the Boston Tap Company for three years. Performing the Patriots cheerleaders’ dance routines and entertaining close to 70,000 people on Sundays comes pretty naturally.

“I don’t really think about being in front of that many people until I get on the field,” LeBeau said, “and I look up, and I see level after level of people cheering and having fun. It’s the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done.”

That was even true in last Sunday’s downpour, when the Patriots beat the Bills in the regular-season finale, and Hervey and LeBeau were drenched like everyone else in the stadium.

“It was really cold, and I know it sounds kind of crazy,” LeBeau said, “but those are the games we live for. It just makes it that much more exciting looking at everyone in their ponchos in the pouring rain. It’s like we’re all going through it together.”

The 24-member squad practices intensely for three hours every Tuesday and Thursday, LeBeau said, and the cheerleaders arrive at Gillette Stadium five hours before kickoff to practice and prepare their well-choreographed routines, which they perform at midfield pregame and on the sidelines and in the end zones during the game. From section 111, Hervey’s family members give her a special wave when she walks onto the field.

The squad also takes part in numerous charitable, community and promotional events throughout the season.

“Some of the little kids you meet, they’re so excited to see you, it’s almost like you’re Tom Brady,” Hervey said. “It’s nice to make someone happy just because I’m signing their T-shirt.”

In November, Hervey and three other cheerleaders traveled to China to visit schools and help promote the NFL and the Patriots. Also this year, she participated in an event for Special Olympics and an American Red Cross blood drive. Last week, as part of the Cheer for Dana-Farber fundraising program, the Wachusett Regional cheerleaders performed with the Patriots’ squad, which was also special for Hervey.

Hervey, who graduated from Mount Ida College in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design, owns Leigha Marie Designs, a line of custom-made swim and sportswear for fitness competitors. Three of her custom-designed bikinis are featured in the 2014 Patriots cheerleader calendar, which was shot in St. Lucia.

Hervey, herself a fitness competitor who was the 2011 Fitness America World Champion, Las Vegas, learned to sew from her mother and grandmother. During Hervey’s competitive dance days, she would help her mother design and make her solo costumes. Designing clothes became her passion.

LeBeau, who has helped choreograph a number of student-run shows at Dean, is studying psychology. She would like to pursue a career as a counselor. She loves working with kids and has really enjoyed the Patriots junior cheerleader program.

“It’s awesome getting to interact with the kids, and it’s nice to know they’re looking up to us and they might want to do what we do someday,” LeBeau said.

Patriots cheerleaders can be on the squad for four years. Both LeBeau and Hervey said they plan to try out again in April.

On their way to 12 victories this year, the Patriots had a number of come-from-behind wins. One of the most exciting for LeBeau and Hervey was the 30-27 win over the Saints when Brady threw a touchdown pass to Kenbrell Thompkins with 5 seconds left. The cheerleaders were standing right near the corner of the end zone where Thompkins caught the ball.

“It was awesome, and we were going crazy,” Hervey said. “We’re all huge football fans.”

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I’m Just Saying … With Paige Elaine
By Jeff Arnold
Northwest Herald
January 4, 2014

Paige Elaine fell in love with the Dallas Cowboys when she was 14. Part of the appeal of America’s Team was the team’s iconic cheerleading squad. The 2006 Jacobs graduate just completed her rookie season with the 39-member squad after appearing on the reality show, ‘Making The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’’. She also continues her full-time career as a personal banker. For personal security reasons, we are not printing her last name.

Everyone knows the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleadersand that kind of sets them apart from everyone else. The class that they bring to the organization and just the role models that they’ve been for little girls, I’ve never heard of another cheer team being talked up or talked about as much as The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. But there’s definitely a responsibility. You never know who’s looking at you, you never know what little girl is wanting to be you. I was that little girl at one point and so I know that they’re out there even though it’s kind of tough to think of yourself in that aspect.

Even now, even after a full season, there’s still the me that always wanted to be (a Cowboys cheerleader) and wanted to be on the show and that thinks ‘Be this’ and ‘Present yourself this way’. Then there’s the me that has lived it and who goes out every game and I do what I need to do and hit the routines I need to hit. I still get surreal moments and I almost want to cry when I see my family and friends in the stands because my worlds still haven’t combined that I’m actually living my dream that I have always watched (on TV). So that’s still kind of crazy to me.

I remember the exact moment when I found out I made it. Just sitting outside on our training field and it was unbelievable and surreal. I couldn’t believe it had just happened. I didn’t have words. The rookies either just teared up or kind of had blank stares just because for three months, you were on edge and stressed. Then, for it to just kind of wrap up and to be on the team and say, ‘Alright, that’s over and now we’ve got a game in a week’, there was no skipping a step. It’s just like, let’s get out there. It’s almost a tease to put on that uniform (before making the team) but when you put on that uniform in front of your locker with your photo above it knowing you’re going on that field as one of the 39 cheerleaders, I kept looking at my roommate saying, ‘We made it’. It’s the best feeling in the world.

I feel like I’m part of Texas. It’s kind of weird – being part of a tradition and being a big part of a Texas tradition, I’m learning the ropes a little bit. But I’m settled. It took me a season, but I feel like I was always meant to be here. It’s just a new life. It’s really exciting. There’s moments when people realize I’m a cheerleader and their eyes kind of get big and there’s a reaction. I’m still not used to it. Even when we’re making appearances and we’re in uniform and a little kid comes up and asks, ‘Are you the real Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’, you just want to tell them, ‘I’m real – I’m just like you’. But it’s different being in that light. But it just comes with the uniform and the territory just because it’s such a big tradition.

By Natalie Conrad
The Minnesota Sun
December 23, 2013

From the Jazzercise outfits of the late 1980s to the professional dance and cheer teams of the NFL and NBA to the local dance teams and synchronized skating clubs, The Line Up has outfitted and glitzed them all on its way to becoming a small business success story.

The Eden Prairie dance apparel business was born in 1989 at the home of Deb Erickson. Today, it provides costumes for half of the NFL and NBA’s cheerleading and dance teams, as well as the greater Midwest, nationally and internationally through its online store. This year, the company moved into a new 16,000-square-foot facility in Eden Prairie and was honored as a “Small Business Success Story” by Twin Cities Business Magazine.

It all started when Erickson, a former textiles major, begin making her own workout clothes. Her unique designs caught the attention of friends from Jazzercise and Northwest Fitness, a former gym in the southwest metro. Soon, a Northwest Fitness acquaintance, who was the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders’ coach, asked Deb to make practice uniforms for the cheerleaders. Before long, the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Timberwolves cheerleaders called, followed by countless other professional teams. As requests outpaced Deb’s own sewing capacity, she worked with The Courage Center Homecrafter Program to help with sewing. At the time, she was still working full-time as a hard-of-hearing counselor for the state. By 1992, her hobby became a full-time pursuit and she relocated the business from home.

Today, the company is a national leader in custom performance apparel, with a goal of $3 million in annual sales and a seasonally-flexible staff of 30-40 people. In addition to professional cheer and dance teams, the company’s client list includes cheer and dance teams for Division 1 universities, colleges, high schools, and competitive studios and clubs. The Line Up’s product line also includes figure skating apparel and fashion swimwear.

In 2007, the company opened an online store allowing them to reach more national and international clients. The website features 1,000 items that can be personalized to fit customer needs. Sizes offered range from a child size four to an adult 5X, in addition to custom sizes. The online store represents another facet of the company’s motto: “Your imagination. Our Creation.”

“We know who our customers are and what they’re looking for,” said Cheryl Ebersohl, director of product development.

The Line Up’s use of technology and online marketing has enhanced the company’s offerings and has set them apart as a leader in the industry, according to Erickson.

“The reason we’ve been so successful is our use of technology to streamline production,” Erickson said.

And the dedication to making everything onsite sets it apart from other companies that outsource for production. From the embroidery to the sequins and rhinestones, all The Line Up’s products are made in the USA and right within the new facility in Eden Prairie. The fabrics used are manufactured overseas, but everything is sewn and assembled in-house.

The business moved to the new design and manufacturing, facility in Eden Prairie in April. The new facility houses every part of the business, from design to prototyping to manufacturing and enables The Line Up to have all of its products made in the USA. The new location also includes new embroidery equipment and upgraded manufacturing tools. The Line Up was previously located in another building in Eden Prairie and originally located in a small office building in Edina.

Whether it be 30 costumes for a team or a warm-up outfit for an individual hoping to make a professional dance team, The Line Up is committed to getting the customer whatever they need to make a show-stopping performance. That dedication to quality products and customer service keeps customers coming back, according to Erickson.

“Most of the time, we find that it’s more about building relationships with customers and staff,” Erickson said. “The product is always changing, so it’s important to have that experienced staff and work with customers on an individual basis.”

Developing a custom design is typically a 12-week process, so building a compatible relationship with customers is key. This philosophy, paired with technological advancements, has put The Line Up ahead of the competition. Erickson hopes the philosophy will help the company continue to grow in the future without losing its small business roots.

“We want to continue growing, but remain small,” Erickson said. “We want to be able to double our size, but still stay committed to our customers. It’s about managing growth and intimate relationships. That’s what sets us apart.”

Recent developments for the company have included working with designer Vera Wang on costumes for the Philadelphia Eagles dance team and printing text and logos directly onto fabric for parent and fan apparel.

By GUY CLIFTON
Reno Gazette-Journal
January 3, 2014

The sportscaster, actress, model, NBA scout, wounded warrior advocate, animal rights advocate, entrepreneur, and former San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Golden State Warriors cheerleader keeps a whirlwind schedule.

“I’ve always been one of those people that likes to have a ton of irons in the fire,” Laflin said recently at the home of her parents, Ross and Bunnie Laflin, in Spanish Springs. “You only live once, right, so try to do as much as you can.”

She has fit quite a lot into her 37 years, much of it in support of two passions in her life — supporting the military and animal welfare.

“Coming from a military family, my love for the military started at a very young age,” Laflin said. “Both my grandfathers served in World War II. My grandfather on my mom’s side was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. He was in the Baatan Death March, a POW. My dad’s dad was in the Army Air Corps. I have an uncle who was a career Marine. My dad was a career law enforcement officer.”

Throughout her time as a cheerleader for the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, she participated USO tours, to entertain the troops overseas — assignments that took her to Bosnia, Germany, Korea, Japan and points around the world. She continued to go after her cheerleading days, often emceeing USO events, including nine trips to Iraq and Afghanistan.

She spent last Christmas in Kuwait and Iraq with the troops.

Her love of animals started in childhood as well. When she had a birthday party, she would ask for donations to animal shelters instead of presents. She rode horses and competed in barrel racing.

She was always rescuing animals and bringing them home — a practice she continued today. Her parents’ ranch home, overlooking the Spanish Springs Valley, is home to eight dogs, two cats, four goats and three chickens — all rescued by Bonnie-Jill.

In 2010, she was able to combine both her passions, starting a charitable organization called Hounds and Heroes. It is a national nonprofit dedicated to lift the spirits and morale of active, wounded, and veteran military troops, and to increase awareness about the cruelty to animals.

Using her connections with the Cowboys and 49ers and the Los Angeles Lakers, where she worked for five years as the only female scout in the NBA, Laflin arranges outings for wounded troops to NFL and NBA games.

She also visits wounded troops in hospitals and sends care packages overseas.

At the same time, Laflin includes her dedication to rescuing animals, in this case dogs.

“We’re rescuing dogs from the shelters, training them and then pairing them up with a service member who needs them, whether it’s as a therapy or a service dog,” she said. “There are different needs. Some are for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), some are because they’re an amputee. There are different things. The way we look at it is we’re saving two lives.”

The charity is Laflin’s unpaid part-time job. She also works full time as a sports broadcaster and also does some acting when time allows. (She appeared in the TV series “Baywatch” and “Ally McBeal” in music videos and, just recently, was on an episode of the Comedy Central show “Key and Peel,” portraying a news anchor.)

After graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in broadcast journalism, (working as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader at the time), she worked for ESPN as a correspondent on the morning program “Cold Pizza.” She also had a show called “Speed World” covering motor sports.

She’s now an independent broadcaster in Los Angeles, and also produces a sports show in China, traveling there ever two to three months. She’s big on social media in the United States with more than 100,000 followers on Twitter. She’s a virtual rock star in China, which has its own social media, with millions of followers.

She also has her own line of clothing, and other ventures, including a charitable calendar for her fans to raise money for her charities.

“If I could just do charity work, it’s all I would do,” she said. “That’s probably what really fulfills me the most is giving back. I have a lot of great support from the teams that I’ve worked with from the Lakers to the Niners to the Cowboys. Anytime I reach out and say, hey, I need to bring five wounded warriors to a game, they say, ‘Bonnie-Jill, whatever you need.'”

Her ultimate career goal: to be owner of the San Francisco Giants, her favorite team.

In the meantime, Laflin enjoys jumping off the fast track whenever possible and staying with her parents.

“For me to be able to come to my parents’ house and just relax, I just love it,” she said. “My parents have all kinds of animals, all rescues, so it’s nice to decompress. Living in L.A., it’s very fast-paced, very high-strung and stressful. It’s good to get away from the hustle and bustle.”

US soldiers receive an unexpected holiday gift
Story by Staff Sgt. Carlos Davis
2nd Infantry Division
Defense Video Imagery &Distribution System
January 2, 2014

[Photo Gallery]

CAMP CASEY, South Korea – Normally around this time of year, most people are trying to finish up their holiday shopping, but a few lucky fanatics received an early holiday gift at the Hansen Field House Gymnasium and the Community Activity Center on Camp Casey.

Twelve Dallas Cowboys’ cheerleaders visited with soldiers, family members, Department of Defense civilians, and Korean nationals Dec. 20, 2013.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Sgt. 1st Class Edward Smith, from Oklahoma City, a platoon sergeant assigned to 333rd Field Artillery Target Acquisition Battery, 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. “I think it is a great opportunity for the kids to interact with one of America’s favorite teams.”

As much as the troops and family members were happy to receive their holiday gift, the cheerleaders were honored to meet some of their heroes.

The United Service Organizations and the Dallas Cowboys’ cheerleaders have been teaming up to visit troops all over the world in a tradition that has been growing strong for 77 years.

“First of all, I am honored to be one of the 12 cheerleaders chosen to be a part of this opportunity,” said Olivia Rene, from Dallas, in her second year as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. “We have been doing this for a really long time and not a lot of people get to go and visit troops in their environment and to be able to tell them thank you face-to-face during the holidays.”

During the visit, the cheerleaders interacted with more than 60 boys and girls in a two-hour football and cheer youth clinic and signed more than 100 autographs.

According to Rene, their overall message to the kids during the clinic is teamwork, being a good leader, and health and nutrition.

For Maj. Michelle Myers, from New Orleans, a communications officer assigned to 2nd Infantry Division, having the cheerleaders here in Korea for the children is a wonderful opportunity.

“It is a great motivation for the girls,” said Myers. “They are able to learn the importance of everything that is incorporated in being a cheerleader, not just cheering.”

“They must have other skills associated with that,” Myers continued. “When the cheerleaders introduced themselves, a lot of them went to college and received their degrees. Just by them doing that it shows the girls it’s more to being a cheerleader than just the games.”

Having the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders here in Korea was a wonderful experience. Whether Cowboys fans or not, everyone involved made memories for lifetime.

“Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,” said Rene. “It really means a lot to us that you accommodate us and let us come visit you. We are so thankful for your service, and as much as we can give back to you we are willing to do that.”

By Mark Abrams
CBS Local
December 30, 2013

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A trio of Philadelphia Eagles and a group of cheerleaders descended on Magee Rehab Monday afternoon to light up the fans for playoff football at the Linc.

There were lots of smiles, handshakes and photos, too, as linebacker Najee Good, defensive tackle Bennie Logan, and linebacker Emmanuel Acho, walked into a second-floor gathering room decked out in Eagles green.

Pam Williams, of Wynnfield, is a Magee patient and big Eagles fan.

“I think it’s beautiful that they took out the time today of all days to come down here and spend with us. Even if it’s just an hour, two hours, whatever. I really appreciate it,” Williams said.

Amanda Littman is a Magee speech therapist.

“It’s fantastic. I think it brings a lot of morale to the hospital, especially at this time of year,” Littman said.

Eagles cheerleader Mandi Moffa says sharing the joy of the team’s success with Magee patients means a lot.

“We’re actually all still wrapping our heads the fact that we’re going to the playoffs this week. We’re here, we’re pumped up, we’re so excited and we’re just so happy to have this time right now,” Moffa said.