Meet the Cheer NY Newbies: Meet Jason

For the second installment of "Meet the Cheer NY Newbies" we are going to delve into the mind of newbie Jason. What did Jason have to say about his tryout experience?

"I came home a few months ago to a postcard about Cheer New York tryouts with a handwritten note from my room mate saying "You would be great at this!" Months later, I found the postcard and thought that it would surely be fun, but because so much time had passed, I figured that I had missed it. However, I called and orientation was the next day. I decided to go.

I was a cheerleader in high school--easily over 15 years ago. Without hesitation, I just thought to myself that I would just go grin and bear it and see what would happen. That first day was hilarious and filled with such positive energy. Although my jumps and flexibility are not really what they used to be, I was quite surprised how quickly it all came back to me. I made the squad! Everyone seems really nice and this is surely going to be an experience. Of course, fundraising is part of the plan, raising money for charity is a big plus."

Check back next week to hear more from our newest members!

Happy Birthday Dan!!

(Dan and his "could be twins" sister Katie)

Congratulations Jen!

Congratulations to our own Jen L, who announced her engagement at practice this past Wednesday. And what was Cheer NY response? It sounded something like...

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

(Isn't this the sweetest picture you have ever seen!?!)

Happy Birthday Tre!!

"N-Y-R-R! Five more to be a star!"

Though a rainswept, overcast day, our stars never shined so bright the morning of July 27 at the New York City Half Marathon presented by Nike, as we cheered on runners and walkers coming out of Central Park between miles 7 and 8 (hence 5 more miles to go in the cheer) onto the surface street of Seventh Avenue. It was one of my proudest moments being on Cheer New York, and yes, that is due somewhat to my bias as a New York Road Runners employee, the producers of the race. Nonetheless, for it being short notice and while on the off-season, to have nine members of Cheer New York as chipper and high-spirited as ever at 7 AM on a Sunday was simply mara-torious.

Race participants traveled 13.1 miles through Manhattan, and we traveled thirteen feet into the air in photographed full extensions. A few of my cheer mates knew people in the race making it that much more personally meaningful, but even for the people we did not know we cheered our hearts out. Moments that really struck me were when towards the end a few runners began to slow down and actually walk looking worn out but at the sight of us lifted their faces and ran ahead renewed with vigor. Also, as luck would have it, our area was adjacent to a cheering zone full of my coworkers and kids from our programs who I had just met on that previous Friday. They loved us!

Next stop, CNY, the full marathon in November with 40,000 of our closest friends!-Rick H.


(top photo courtesy of New York Road Runners)

Meet the Cheer NY Newbies!

CNY had one of it's best tryouts ever! We welcomed nine new cheerlings to the squad: Tre B., Jason S., Josh B., Nicholas P., Lara B., Ali S., Gray C., Diego T. and Chip R. They impressed us with their skills, enthusiasm, spirit, and all-around fierceness!

And they have jumped right in! Nicholas P. rocked it out in the Logo Channel taping on Friday (see previous post). And fellow newbies Lara B. and Diego T. proved themselves CNY superstars, stunting and charming VIPs at a Nike-sponsored Fashion event in SoHo on Aug. 8. Director Felipe says: "I can't say enough how thrilled we are to have you guys as part of our charity organization."

But let's hear what Nicholas P. had to say about tryouts and joining the CNY family:

"I was a bit nervous even though I had some cheer experience from High School over 10 years ago. I even convinced my former roommate Ali, to attend the clinic with me. We were greeted by Clay and he immediately began chatting with us and making us feel welcomed. The clinic was AWESOME! I remember Scott helping me with part of the cheer and was very appreciative of everyone's assistance. I chatted with Ali afterwards and we both knew we wanted to try out--hands down.

On tryout day we did stretching & practices as a group and it was very nice to see such a team effort from everyone. I knew this was a group I could be a part of as everyone was nice, supportive, and knew how to have a good time, despite everyone's nervousness. After tryouts, we awaited an e-mail the following day with the results. I was anxious and when the e-mail came, I was so excited! I made the team!

I feel very accepted into this diverse group of individuals. I have been to two practices and one sign up event and I feel like I have been a member for much longer than a week. Everyone works with everyone, especially the newbies, as we learn the material, work on our jumps, and practice stunting. Everyone has a positive attitude and despite the hard work we put into practice, it seems like fun. I am happy to be part of this team, this charity organization. I am a cheerleader for Cheer New York, what else can I say?"

Check back next week to hear from another one of our newest members!

CNY special guest stars on Logo's “The Heidi Chronicles”

Logo Online NewNowNext hosts John Polly and Colin Schoenberger invited Cheer New York to be special guest stars on their video blog this week, the appearance went live on Friday. “The Heidi Chronicles” is a dishy video blog (vlog) recapping the most recent episode of Bravo's popular show, Project Runway. So Felipe H., Scott W., Rick H., Raymund F. and newbie Nicholas P. made a beeline down to the Viacom studios and cheered and dished on the episode and the season in general.

Now, we weren't just invited because everyone knows Cheer New Yorkers are fierce, fashionable, funny and fabulous! The theme for this week's challenge was create an outfit for the US Olympic team to wear to the opening ceremony. So John called CNY to bring real athletes' perspective on the challenge. John also interviewed the team on our perspective on cheerleading as a sport, gays in cheerleading, and so much more. We had a great time, were so grateful to be asked and encourage everyone to keep an eye on this fun blog!

Which designers are we cheering for? Which designers are we campaigning to show at CNY's next tryout? What Olympians have caught the eye of CNY? Where is the Republic of Cocktailistan? Which CNYer worked the Olympic games in Barcelona?

Check out the vlog below for the answers:

Gay music and video from NewNowNext.com

CNY does IFC

Cheer New York hit the big screen on July 25 at the IFC Center in Manhattan. Well, luckily we didn't actually "hit" the screen, but we certainly made an impression on the opening night audience of the Animation Show, a festival of animated shorts currated and executive produced by Mike Judge of Beavis & Butthead and Office Space fame.

CNY opened the show with a cheer (try rhyming "animation") and stunt, then got to relax for a bit and enjoy the movie. The pieces were fantastic, with the most memorable having titles like "Angry Unpaid Hooker" and "Yompi the Crotch-Biting Sloop" (which reminded me of when Rick doesn't get his hand quite right on our chair). As this show was the last stop on their national tour, we closed the show with some "Go New York - Let's Go!" then we got to hang out with the producers and animators. CNY was a hit, and the producers told us later that they wished we could have toured the U.S. with them. Here's to next year!-Katie M.

(image provided by Getty Images)

Happy Birthday David & Victor!!

2008 Pride Parade Video Extravaganza!

Cheer New York – a big “hit” in London!

An international friend of our illustrious Director, Felipe H, was recently seen sporting a ‘Cheer New York’ t-shirt as part of his outfit in a Rounders Tournament, in Hyde Park, London, England. ‘Ian-the-British-guy’ says, with his tongue in cheek British wit, “Rounders is like a harder version of baseball, but for real men…” The amateur tournament was organized partly for fun amongst London YMCA gym members and as a fundraiser for a leading British HIV charity. Ian, the last man standing in his red team (hence why he wore the red t-shirt) was helped along by the British crowd shouting “Go, Cheer New York!”

The infamous red t-shirt was given to Ian for being one of the top ticket-sellers for the CNY Sea Tea Cruise last summer, 2007. Ian is going to be back in NY in August this year, and hopes to catch up with CNY on the 2008 Sea Tea on August 24^th. In the meantime, he sends CNY his warm wishes from across the Atlantic.

“Go, Cheer New York!!” (British accent optional!)