AIDS Walk 2008: A Record Breaking Event!

Cheer New York officially kicked off its 2008 summer season with the 23rd annual AIDS walk in Central Park. The late May event is always a favorite of the team members because of its high attendance and worthy cause (the AIDS Walk benefits Gay Men’s Health Crisis and other tri-state area AIDS service organizations). This year, New York had the largest and most successful AIDS Walk ever held, setting a fundraising record even in the face of a
troubled economy. Organizers announced that 45,000 walkers helped to raise a record total of $7,058,497!!!

CNY showed the crowds of supporters, who marched their final steps towards the finish line, how much their efforts were appreciated by cheering them on and entertaining with high-flying stunts and tumbling.

CNY did a great job of keeping up the crowd’s energy despite bad weather that made its way through the area towards the end of the event, but that didn’t stop CNY from putting on a high-energy show for the weary walkers.

The great success of this event is an exciting and promising start to what could potentially be CNY’s strongest summer season to date. -Mike V.

Visit www.aidswalk.net for more information.

Happy Birthday Jen!

Yesterday was our own Jen L.'s birthday!!

Jen is not only an amazing cheerleader, constantly striving to learn more and more difficult stunts, but she has also been a vital part of Cheer NY longer than a large majority of the team. She's what we call a CNY lifer!

Thanks for all your dedication Jen and Happy Birthday!!

It's Newsletter Time....

Cheer New York's summer newsletter will fill you in on all the great things we have been up to in the last couple months. Some highlights include:

The multiple sporting events CNY was asked to perform at such as The Rambler indoor soccer tournament and the Sharks football game, a glimps into the MS Walk, information about CNY's guest appearance at the CUNY Cheerleading competition, fun moments from the YAI Annual family dinner , and much more!

As usual, a big thanks to everyone who helped breathe life into this newsletter; Raymund, Tonika, Tiffany G, and Katie for their editorial contributions and to Scott, Jennie and Felipe for ALL their hard work to put out another CNY summer-filled newsletter!

Enjoy!

Not your Typical Prom Night

This past saturday, Cheer New York was honored to be asked to appear at Imperial Court of NY's Prom Night benefit for God's Love We Deliver at Therapy bar. One the highlights being CNY danced back-up to Sugar B. Real's performance of--what else?--Toni Basil's 80's hit, "Mickey!"

CNY also mingled with guests, performed on stage and generally kept the energy pumping. Consistent with the "Prom Night" theme, activities included a bake sale, school pictures and CNY's own Scott W. and Axel N. collected over a $100 for God's Love by dispensing kisses at the kissing booth. Our own Nicholas F. won a lovely green Jones NY dress in the raffle and we have our fingers crossed that we can convince him to give us all a fashion show.

Visit http://www.godslovewedeliver.org/ to learn more about God's Love We Deliver organization.

Happy Birthday Rick!!

This past Saturday, May 17th was Rick (aka Rickstina)'s birthday!!

Though Rick spent most of his birthday weekend finishing up his first semester of graduate school, never fear, the Rick celebration will commence. There is no doubt that Rick deserves being celebrated. Yearly, monthly, weekly...heck even daily!

Happy Birthday Rick! Cheer NY hearts you!

A Clear Sign Summer Has Arrived...

With the great summer weather starting, look for Cheer New York to take to the Charles Street pier (one Pier north of Christopher). On Wednesday evenings after 7 pm, weather permitting, come down and watch NYC's premier GBLT cheerleading team as they practice cheers, stunts and mounts in preparation their busy schedule of Pride season events.

Don't be afraid to say hi!

Why I Love Cheer NY...

Happy Birthday Matt!!

Today is Matt's birthday!

What can be said about Matt.....except that every single time you see him he brings a (huge) smile to your face. He is sweet, funny, kind, an amazing cheerleader and dancer and an incredible friend.

Happy B-day Matty! Can't wait to celebrate you.

CNY's Sporty Spring

Early this spring, Cheer New York lit a fire for two sports squads in the city as they went on to win their games. First up was the 2008 Indoor Classic Tournament on Saturday, March 25, at Chelsea Piers. It was the gay soccer league’s biggest event of the year, and we were there to cheer on the New York Ramblers, as well as get the spirits up for about 200 football, er, soccer, players from around the world.

As a Rambler myself, it was the first time my soccer team had seen me in a Cheer New York uniform. (The thing was, I didn't inform every one of my Rambler mates that I had become a cheerleader). But the show had to go on (and I had to front a basket toss), and it turned out amazing! The Ramblers loved the show we provided for them as well as the spirit we brought to the occasion.

A few weeks later, the team cheered on the New York Sharks, the women's tackle football team, at Aviator Field in Brooklyn. We provided cheers and stunts, and got the crowd going by putting up their Shark mascot in an impromptu thigh stand. Many still shouted our cheers as they filed out of the stadium ("jellyfish, goldfish, trout and bass, New York Sharks will kick your a__"), and donated $118 to our spirit buckets. The fierce and sharp New York Sharks almost held a shutout against the Baltimore Nighthawks with a final score of 26-6.

What a way to start out the year for this Cheer New York newbie. I can't wait to cheer on more of our amazing and talented local athletes!- Raymund F.

And the Spirit Stick Goes to.....

Our wonderful Raymund! And boy was he shocked to find out he won the Spirit Stick for the month of April!!

Raymund is one of Cheer New York's newest member yet has already become a irreplaceable part of the team. Even the day after he won the spirit stick he admitted, "I tell you. It was so hard to sleep last night. I was all kinds of excited!"

Interested in finding out more about why Raymund is such a cheer-winner? Insider tips below....

Name/Nicknames: Ray Ray, R-Lee (or Harley), o Raimunda (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_NODJbKyZ4)
Hometown: West Orange, N.J.
Occupation: Journalist
When did you join CNY: January 2008
Previous cheer experience: None
Favorite stunt: Hitch mounts!
Favorite CNY moment: When CNY cheered and performed at halftime at the Ramblers Indoor Classic soccer tournament in March (my soccer mates loved it! and they're still talking about it!)
Interesting fact about you: Volunteer helpline counselor for The Trevor Project, the only 24-hour nationwide crisis and suicide prevention helpline for gay and questioning youth (www.thetrevorproject.org)

Congratulations Raymund, we are so happy to have you as a part of CNY!