Kens5.com
August 27, 2013
PHOTOS: Super news for 16 Silver Dancers chosen
SAN ANTONIO — Six contestants remain with only three spots left to fill as the Silver Dancers hammer out their squad for the upcoming 2013-14 Spurs season.
Sixteen dancers were already selected last week. The three additional Silver Dancers will be determined by online votes. Spurs fans can visit the team’s website to watch video interviews and dance performances from all six candidates before voting for their favorite. Voting ends Thursday.
Meet the ladies below!
Brianna, is a 19-year-old UTSA student who loves working with kids. She said she loves dancing,and could bring personality and dedication, plus she loves volunteering.
Brittany, is a Houston native who loves San Antonio. She said she loves to entertain and perform and enjoys the camaraderie of the city.
Clarissa said she wants to be a role model for people to show them that hard work and dedication can help people achieve their dreams.
Halle is a 21-years-old who is close to her family and loves basketball. She said she can bring her positive attitude to the squad.
Mariyah, is a 21-year-old UTSA student majoring in psychology and minoring in biology. She said she’s wanted to be a Silver Dancer since she was 11 and can bring energy, excitement and positive energy to the squad.
Michelle, comes from a military family and has lived extensively oversees. She said she wants be to a Silver dancer because of her passion for dance and to interact with people but also be a part community service of the squad.
The judges have narrowed it down to 32 finalists. Now it’s your turn to weigh in. Who do you want to see on the team this year? Click here to choose your top 16!
Ok, I cannot be the only one who is SUPER excited about this. If ever a group deserved a second chance, it’s this one. It is my hope that after five years apart, the ladies have gained the maturity and perspective they need to make it work this time around. For those who don’t remember, two members of the original group were former NBA dancers: Shannon Bex (Trailblazers) and Dawn Richard (Hornets). Rounding out the group are Aubrey O’Day, and Aundrea Fimbress, who never danced for pro sports teams, but if you ask me, Aundrea bears a striking resemblance to New England Patriots Cheerleader Jodi Ricci.
From left: Dawn, Aubrey, Shannon, and Aundrea
Congratulations ladies! Now get (back) to work.
by Julia Biggs
The Intelligencer
August 22, 2013
Edwardsville High School 2006 graduate Chelsea LaBrie is about to make her dreams a reality. The St. Louis Rams Cheerleader is embarking on a career as an entrepreneur by opening Prima Dance and Tumbling in Edwardsville on Sept. 3.
LaBrie said that she has danced since the age of 3. Throughout her childhood she danced and competed at a local dance studio and as a teen taught as an assistant dance teacher at Jam Dance Academy. “I was on EHS dance team for three years,” LaBrie pointed out.
After graduating from EHS in 2006, LaBrie attended Arizona State University for a year where she pursued a double-major in dance and interior design.
She returned to the Midwest attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale where she spent the next three years as a member of the Saluki Shakers Dance Team while she studied business. She also served as the Shakers captain for a year.
A couple of months after graduating from SIUC in 2010 with a degree in business, LaBrie decided that she wasn’t quite ready to hang up her dancing shoes. She tried out and was selected to be a St. Louis Rams Cheerleader and is currently beginning her third year in that role.
On Sept. 3 LaBrie will fulfill her life’s dream when she opens Prima Dance and Tumbling which is located at 2771 Route 66 Business Park Drive in Edwardsville – just west of Route 157 on Chain of Rocks Road.
Prima Dance and Tumbling will offer ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling, cheer, and Nia Kidz for children age 3 to 18. There’s also a mommy-and-me class for mothers and toddlers. Adult class options include Nia, yoga, tap, jazz and ballet. “All the fitness classes are for adults, and we’ll possibly have ballroom,” LaBrie noted.
LaBrie hopes to create a positive environment for all her students giving them poise, confidence, agility as well as learning the importance of health and fitness to carry with them forever. She also noted that competitive teams will be formed as there is a demand.
Opening her own dance studio was always part of her grand plan. “I knew I always wanted to – that’s why I went for a business degree,” LaBrie said. “I just knew I wanted to, and I just needed the funds to do so. I waited a couple of years and then got it moving.”
While the location of Prima Dance and Tumbling isn’t located in the middle of Edwardsville or Glen Carbon, LaBrie felt the location was perfect since it’s right off the interstate and is easily accessible for neighboring towns.
The 6,000-square-foot facility features two large dance studios and a 1,600-square-foot tumbling gym which LaBrie felt was a unique feature. “Besides the YMCA, this is the only studio in town that has both ballet and tumbling so we wanted to combine both. You can cross train in both and I think they both help each other out in the long run. And it’s just convenient to be in the same building and be able to not have to drive all the way across town to take gymnastics,” LaBrie said. “We saw the demand for that in the area. Also, we have a lot more space than any other studio. We’ll offer a lot more classes than a lot of the other local places.”
While the final touches are currently being completed to Prima Dance and Tumbling, classes are scheduled to begin Sept. 3. A full class schedule can be found at www.primadanceandtumbling.com. Register for classes online or call 656-FAME.
LaBrie is hosting an open house from 3 p.m. To 7 p.m. on Aug. 28 at her new facility where those interested can visit for a tour and also meet the instructors. Anyone interested in seeing the facility who can’t make it to the open house is encouraged to call to schedule a time to stop by for a private tour.
Just days away from her 25th birthday, the young entrepreneur wasn’t the least bit daunted about the endeavor she was about to embark upon.
“I’ve danced since I was 3,” LaBrie said. “I just have always had a passion for it. And the best business venture you could do is something that you’re passionate about. I’ve just always wanted to share it with someone else.”
Visit Prima Dance and Tumbling’s website or Facebook page for additional information. Call 656-FAME or email LaBrie at primadanceandtumbling@gmail.com with any questions.
by Danny LoPriore
Greenburgh Daily Voice
August 22, 2013
GREENBURGH. N.Y. – Cherelle Alyssia Marie, who has been a cheerleader since her elementary school days, achieved one of her dreams this summer by making the New York-area Gotham City Cheerleaders.
While Cherelle has enjoyed success as an entertainer, dancer and cheerleader, the Greenburgh resident’s long-range plans inlcude a career in medicine. She graduated Maria Regina High School in Hartsdale then Pleasantville’s Pace University with a degree in biology.
“My professional goal is to become a physician,” Cherelle said. “I plan on applying to medical school in June 2014 and beginning in fall 2015. Currently, I am preparing for the MCAT (medical school entrance test). I’ve had a dream of being a cheerleader since elementary school. ”
The Gotham City Cheerleaders are a team of professional dancers dedicated to sports entertainment and the New York Giants. The team will host its first annual swimsuit calendar release Sept. 6 at M1-5 Lounge in Manhattan.
Part of the proceeds of the Gotham calendar sales will be donated to Superstorm Sandy victims in the New York City area.
“New York has been through a lot this past year, and we intend on highlighting the beautiful sites and talent that make up our classic state,” said Ana De Villegas, executive director of the Gotham City Cheerleaders and former Washington Redskins cheerleader. “It’s only right that we give that back to the fans and local businesses that have helped us make this calendar a reality.”
Cherelle started cheering as a young girl and it has remained a passion of hers since.
“I first became a cheerleader while attending St. Barnabas Elementary School in Yonkers,” Cherelle said. “I was a new student to the school and I decided to try cheerleading as a way to make friends and excel physically. I ended up falling in love with the sport and I continued cheerleading during high school.”
Cherelle said she made the Gotham team through auditions but underwent an intense boot camp before becoming an official member.
“The (Gotham Cheerleaders) appears at every home-game tailgate of the New York Giants,” Cherelle said. “We participate in numerous promotional appearances, including charity and sponsorship events. The team also holds two boot camp/dance rehearsals each week.”
While Cherelle cheered, she also dedicated herself to her studies, which led to a degree in biology at Pace, from where she graduated this spring. While at Pace, she participated in a research program that may be useful in revealing heart failure.
“The research was cardiovascular based and focused on determining if enzymes, such as acetylcholinesterase can be used as markers for heart failure,” Cherelle said. “Basically, we wanted to see if a increase or decrease in an enzyme could possibly be used as an early determinant for the onset of heart failure.”
Cherelle has been able to handle her love of dance performance and her studies while grabbing some television time. She was featured on an MTV show called “Girl Get Your Mind Right.” The show is hosted by Tionna Smalls, a relationship expert/ life coach. Each episode highlights a specific girl and her dating “issue.”
“The 30-minute episode featured myself, my home, and short appearances by my cousin and childhood best friend.” Cherelle said “My episode aired on May 22.”
Cherelle also coaches her sister’s youth cheerleading team at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Elmsford.
“I’ve spent the last three school years as the head coach and I can proudly say that the team placed first at our very first cheerleading competition in January 2012 at Cardinal Spellman High School in Bronx,” Cherelle said.
She also helped found the Eta Tau chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority at Pace University. The sorority now boasts more than 40 members since its inception in 2011.
While prepping for the MCATs, Cherelle will be spending the next 11 months as a member of AmeriCorps working at Open Door Health Center in Ossining as a part of the Community Health Corps program.
“I feel as though (AmeriCorps) will be a great experience to have prior to beginning medical school,” she said.
And just one more part of a well-rounded life that gives Cherelle good reason to cheer.
The official team photo and bios have been posted on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders website. Go there now!
Additional congrats to this years Group Leaders and Seconds (aka captains and co-capts).
Leaders Jackie, Sydney, Mia, and Lauren
Seconds Mackenzie, Emma, Amelia, and Nicole
Random thought…I always wonder why anyone does over-the-shoulder thing for their official individual photo.
Why wouldn’t you face front so people can see your whole face?…
By Michael Kinney
The Moore American
August 21, 2013
MOORE — Three months ago Katie Jones was sitting in class at Moore High School waiting on graduation just like any other high school senior. At the time, she was looking forward to getting on with her future.
Jones’ future took a pleasant detour Thursday when she was selected to be part of the 2013-14 Thunder Girls dance team. She joins 19 other young women who will represent Oklahoma City’s NBA franchise inside Chesapeake Energy Arena and the community at large during the upcoming NBA season.
“I don’t even know how to react right now,” Jones said. “It’s still processing in my brain. I’m so excited to cheer for the best team in the whole nation this whole season. I can’t even put into words how excited I am.”
Jones wasn’t the only Moore native to make the team. Sarah Jackson and Lateshia Dockery also heard their names called.
Katie, Lateshia, and Sarah
“This was my first time trying out,” Jackson said. “I felt I had good chance because I went to classes and went to training. I was prepared to the best of my ability. I feel like I did everything I possibly could. And I had faith it was enough to make the team.”
The selection process began last week when the Thunder held open tryouts at the team’s training center in Edmond. From that group, 38 women reached Thursday’s final audition in front of a packed house at Riverwind Casino.
“The Thunder Girls serve as ambassadors for our team, both on and off the court,” said Paige Carter, who enters her third season as the dance team’s manager and choreographer. “We are excited to have a group of young women who not only are great dancers, but also can engage with our community of fans to form a positive connection with our team.”
The 38 competitors were whittled down to a final 20 after two hours of competition that consisted of three rounds: a choreographed jazz/hip-hop routine, a question-and-answer session and a solo dance.
“I tried to give myself the benefit of the doubt,” Jones said. “There are so many beautiful and so many talented girls. So I really was intimidated a little bit. But I went out there and did what I love and it paid off.”
Jackson had the same reaction.
“Never in a million years did I think I would ever be a Thunder girl,” Jackson said. “And the fact that I did, and I just achieved one of my dreams, I’m ecstatic. I can’t even believe it. I’m so happy. Honestly, I have been training for this for months now. And the fact I did the best I could and left it all out on the floor and I made it, it’s just a dream come true.”
Of the 20 women, 11 return from last year’s squad. That includes Dockery, who is entering her sixth season. She’s made the squad every year since the Thunder first arrived in Oklahoma City in 2008.
“I think every year it’s different,” Dockery said. “I’m really excited to start the new season. We have a bunch of new girls and I’m just excited about the talent. I think every year I try to push myself to get better and better. I get older every time and I know these young girls come in and are so full of energy and have a lot of talent. So I just try to step up my game and push myself.”
While Moore will be very well represented on the team, this will mark the first year the team doesn’t include any performers from Norman.
“To make it my first year is really exciting,” Jones said. “My mom was hysterical. She was balling. I honestly didn’t know if I was going to make it because there were so many good veterans and other girls who had tried out in previous years that didn’t make it all the way through. But I went out there and did what I did. I guess I impressed them.”
The regular season begins Oct. 31 and the Thunder first play at home Nov. 3 when the Phoenix Suns visit Oklahoma City. The dance team, however, will begin representing the franchise much sooner than that.
“I think it’s going to be breathtaking,” Jackson said. “I don’t have any other words. I think it’s going to take my breath away. I’m just going to be in the moment and live in the moment.”
Michael Kinney Follow me @eyeamtruth mkinney@normantranscript.com
The team had their big reveal last night, which included an enormous canvas banner of this year’s team
Click to view full size
Click here for this week’s Sports Illustrated gallery, which features dance teams from the Cardinals, Bengals, Texans, Chiefs, Patriots, Jets, Eagles, Rams, Seahawks, and Redskins.
By Steve Escajeda
What’s Up , El Paso, TX
August 21, 2013
Los Angeles has its Laker Girls and Dallas has its Cowboys Cheerleaders. It won’t be long before El Paso unveils its new professional dance team, the Sun City Girls.
Richard Rivera Jr., CEO of CBE An Artist Management Company, is the founder of the professional dance team, which he says will represent physical fitness, strength, coordination, vitality and excitement — all qualities associated with the idea of the “All-American girl.”
“This is a high-caliber project that will promote El Paso and the surrounding area,” Rivera said. “This business model is the same one the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Los Angeles Laker Girls use.”
The Sun City Girls will start their professional careers performing for the El Paso Rhinos hockey squad beginning in October.
But that’s not all.
“The dance team will not just represent professional sports teams in El Paso, but citywide events, galas and corporate events,” Rivera said. “Anything that has to do with big things happening in El Paso, the Sun City Girls will be there.
“They are going to be a staple, more importantly, a household name in the area.”
When asked if the dance team is trying to affiliate itself with the new El Paso Triple-A baseball team, Rivera was cautious.
“All I can say is that we are exercising other professional sports teams that are going to make a difference in El Paso.”
Official tryouts for the team were held Aug. 17 at UTEP’s Memorial Gym. A team of 16 girls will perform at any time with 16 more on hand as alternates.
“This is such a great opportunity and hopefully a great stepping stone onto bigger and better things,” said NMSU junior and dance team member Jacklyn Parra, 22. “If you’re a dancer in this part of the Southwest, usually after high school and college your career is pretty much done.
“I’m so lucky, all the girls are very excited that this opportunity has come our way.”
Like most professional dance groups, the girls will have to conduct themselves in a certain manner.
“The dance members will be required to conduct themselves professionally on the field and off the field,” Rivera said. “The girls will be role models and must maintain a wholesome image. We’re promoting that All-American girl look and vibe.”
Of course a professional dance team has to maintain its look and talent. That shouldn’t be a problem for the Sun City Girls.
“The girls on the team enjoy perks like free hairstyling and makeup, supplied by The Ivy Hair Salon,” Rivera said. “They’ll also receive free fitness training at GYM G.
“Anywhere the Sun City Girls perform, they’re getting paid for it. But it’s so much more than that; it’s pairing the girls with other brands for endorsement deals, which could possibly launch their career as individuals.
“These girls will have the whole package. They have the look, they have the attitude and they’ll have a great talent for dancing.”
Rivera, who lives in Los Angeles, was candid about why he decided to start the dance team in El Paso.
“I was born in El Paso and still have ties here,” he said. “I saw another dance team try to make a go of it here a year ago and to be honest, it was done very poorly.
“The girls were performing for free and making their own uniforms. That motivated me to do it the right way here and it’s quickly gone from an idea to a reality.
“We intend to make this team so widely known that they perform at big events outside of El Paso. We want them to be in demand.”
