Cheer for Life (time commitment)!

Frank, the lucky groom, and Captain Kelsey

Today's a very special Cheer New York event. Our former Captain, and one of our intrepid bloggers, Kelsey is not, however, wearing CNY's famous, red, blue and white cheer uniform. No, she's just wearing white! Because she's going to the chapel (well, really a vineyard) and she's gonna get married!

The team sends out a hearty congratulations to Kelsey and Frank today as they embark on that adventure of married life! We're sure anyone with a scorpion as great as this, has the flexibility it takes to make it work.



Maiko tied the knot last summer, and with Jen L, Tiffany G., and—breaking news!—Iliana F. all engaged, the race for the first Cheer New York baby begins. Betting pool starts Monday!

And the Spirit Stick Goes to.....

It is Spirit Stick time once again and this month's winner could not be more deserving. Jennie first came to Cheer New York try-outs in 2005 to support her sister Katie (in picture above) and she has been encouraging and supporting all of us ever since! Jennie is kind, thoughtful, passionate, and superbly smart. She has also proved herself again and again as an incredibly capable base (and recently a flier!!).

Name/Nicknames: Jennie -- never really had a nickname Hometown: I grew up in Chino Hills, CA, but have been in NYC for 10 years Occupation: fundraiser for nonprofit arts organizations When did you join CNY: July 2009 will be my four year anniversary Previous cheer experience: None, though I was on the dance/drill team for one year in high school (everyone who tried out made the team, so it's not really an accomplishment) Favorite stunt: I love mounts that include a lot of people. It's a great feeling when all the parts come together! Favorite CNY moment: Without a doubt, marching in the Pride Parade last year in the middle of a thunderstorm! Interesting fact about you: Just to make the gay boys jealous, I'm going to say that I met Madonna about 5 years ago. It was pretty uneventful. She didn't even say hi, though I got a nod of acknowledgment.

Congratulations Jennie!! You bring so much to CNY!

Your chance to date a CNYer!

David "Phoenix" G., Luis P. and Missy O.

One of CNY's newest cuties, David "Phoneix" G goes on the Auction Block today. He's offered himself up as Cheer New York's representative at The Men Event's First Charity Bachelor Auction. Proceeds earned from Phoenix's auction will help send the team to Cologne, Germany for the 2010 Gay Games.

And he's just one of the handsome bachelors up for grabs. Check out the entire line-up here.

Here's the details:
Where: Dave and Buster's, 234 W 42 St, 2nd fl
When: Today, Wednesday April 22, from 6 pm to 9 pm

What:

• No Cover
• Half Price Cocktails, beer & wine specials ('till 7:30pm)
• Half Price Games all night!
• Hundreds of great guys to meet

So swing by, say hi to the team, bid on a date, or just mix and mingle with all guys from NYC's GBLT sports teams and charities groups.

CNY: What others are saying!

Cheer New York had a busy weekend, in addition to performing Saturday for the Young Adult Institute, at the Marriot Marquis Ballroom (see a video here), CNY brought it Sunday for MS Walk NY. About 9,000 people participated and helped raise $1.7 million. The money will benefit medical research and services for people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

Cheer New York was there and we made an impression! But let's let one participant tell you:

They even had cheerleaders to get the crowd fired up! Apparently their name is "Cheer New York." It is a volunteer group that cheers at non profit events like this. I told Cindy IF I had known this existed, I would have joined a LONG time ago. When I told Cavan about it and how if I wasn't pregnant, I would be one, he said that he would tell everyone my profession is a non profit cheerleader - how cool is that!

It IS cool to be able to say your profession is "non-profit cheerleader!" Take it from us. You can read more about Walk MS here, at Melissa and Cavan's blog.

Gay Male Cheerleader Spices Up Rugby Squad Down Under

Nineteen year-old Aaron Neich is fired up to be the only openly gay male cheerleader in Australian National Rugby League history. Earlier this month, he was selected at an audition for the Penrith Panthers rugby team, whose base is near Sydney.

On the field, he’ll be wearing black cargo pants, a pink tank top, although without the pompoms that the rest of his 22 female teammates use. They’re already calling him the “Pink Panther,” which the out-and-proud athlete didn’t mind.

“We were looking at expanding the squad and we thought why not utilize the strength of a guy,” says Laura Harrison, the cheer squad co-manager.

Aaron has been dancing for five years and teaches acrobatic skills.

“Penrith haven’t really seen any male cheerleaders, they are going to be like ‘Oh My God,’ I am going to get out there and strut my stuff,” Aaron said. “Just the fact that I am going to be the only guy, not being selfish but I am going to be the one that stands out.”

First home game for the Panthers and for Aaron will be March 21 against the Bulldogs. Click on the video link below to see Aaron Neich show off some of the Penrith Panther dance moves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTw8qaKnBXU

CNY cheers Aaron for representing! Cheer Loud, Cheer Proud!

Outdoor Practices Resume!

As the weather grows warm, you know where Cheer New York can be found; practicing on the piers of the West Village. Monday nights are our optional outdoor practice night. Cheer New York can be found at the Charles Street Pier (one pier north of the Christopher Street pier), stunting, cheering, and perfecting their routines in preparation for upcoming cheer events.

Spectators are welcome to come by and watch and take pictures. It's a good time to get info about the team, if you're thinking about trying out in July.

Please be aware though, we are practicing and have to concentrate; so we can only take a couple of minutes to answer your questions. We'll be performing at many walks, races and parades in the next few months and we've got work to do during the limited daylight hours. Please be respectful if you swing by, but definitely say hi, and shout "Cheer for Life!"




(Photos courtesy of Dr. Thomas Novella and Karim Kai Louge.)

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Cheer New York sends out a hearty congratulations to Madison Gay Hockey Association, who was named Outsports.com's Best Gay Sports Group of the Year 2008.

Though we didn't win, Cheer New York is super proud of our members and organization!!! We made it to the Final Four and last round of voting in the Outsports Local Groups Challenge. We received over 3,000 votes and ended up defeating 3 powerhouses: Rugby, Wrestling and Basketball - all tied to strong world gay leagues and all (coincidentally) from San Francisco. Cheer New York is impressed and humbled by the support and love we received from family, friends, fans, CNY alumni, other cheer groups, and all the many LGBT athletic teams in NYC that voted for their fellow New Yorkers!

We were also touched by the fact that many of the charities and organizations we raise money for and support during the year, cheered "us" on! It was nice to read their comments and emails. Even the cheerleaders, need cheering...every once in a while!!!

Go Cheer New York!

www.cheerny.org

It's Newsletter Time....

Click on the Spring 2009 newsletter on the left to read articles about our newest members, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, GLBT Expo, ING NYC Marathon, Cheer New York's Anniversary Dinner and much more!!

Thank you to Tre, Clay, Raymund, Jennie, Scott and Felipe for their contributions to the Spring 2009 Cheer New York Newsletter.

Cheer for Life: Haven of Hope for Kids

Cheer New York went on a special trip to a woodsy New Jersey town, got lost (what else?) and encountered one post office, one traffic light, and a place with one huge heart.

On Sunday, March 8th, a caravan of cheerleaders from Cheer New York visited the town of Hope, N.J., an hour-and-half drive from New York City, to present a $3,500 check to Haven of Hope for Kids. The charity provides a retreat for kids with debilitating illnesses such as sickle cell anemia and cancer; they get to relax and get away from all the stresses of medical treatment with their families. All for free.

These kids get to fish for trout or bass, have a barbeque in the backyard, visit a farm and see the animals, go swimming or rafting on the Delaware River, ice skate and sled in the winter, and enjoy the rides and water park at the Land Of Make Believe. The organization provides grocery shopping money and covers incidentals for the family on their stay at a lovely and cozy cottage that Cheer New York got to visit. It's an amazing experience, but it's an experience that needs continued financial support.

In the fall and winter of 2008, Cheer New York raised money for Haven of Hope by fundraising at bars on Bingo nights, soliciting donations at Gay Expo and gift wrapping at several Barnes & Noble stores during the holiday shopping season. The team was the town's special guest as it was welcomed with open arms by about 60 or so Haven of Hope volunteers and administrators at a party meant to acknowledge everyone's contribution. The team performed a little cheer and a stunt that wowed Hope's residents, who afterward shared stories of the special kids that have come to stay in town. They were so happy to have the team there that they've invited Cheer New York to come back for a barbecue in late May or June.

Hope may be a small town, but what Cheer New York saw was a special place filled with big hearts. -Raymund

(In picture: Clay, Haven of Hope's Pamela Faris and Carola Walton, Mayor Tim McDonough, Felipe, Nicholas F, Rick, Tiffany M and Raymund)