To introduce the New York Jets Flight Crew’s 2008 finalists, newyorkjets.com is running profiles of all 51 young ladies prior to the finals on Sunday, June 1. Marc Ecko, who is designing the ’08 uniforms, will host the finals, which will be closed to the public. Twenty-one finalists will be selected for the squad and then Jets fans will be able to vote for the 22nd and final member of the Flight Crew on newyorkjets.com.
In this group: Ryann, Maidelin, Linda, Michelle, Rebecca, Georgina, Mandisa and Maria.
RYANN
Audition No. 17
Occupation: Student at C.W. Post, dance teacher
Why do you want to be a member of the Flight Crew?
I love performing and dancing. For me there is no greater feeling than looking into the faces of 80,000 fans who truly appreciate the magnitude of the team and the organization.
What word best describes you?
Caring.
What inspires you?
Setting a goal and doing everything in my power to attain that goal.
A pet peeve?
Being lied to.
What’s your favorite song?
“Won’t Go Home Tonight.”
You’ve received a menu with unlimited choices. What are you eating?
Grilled chicken and broccoli in garlic/oil.
Who is your favorite actress?
Angelina Jolie.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My mother has raised me and taught me many lessons about life. She has had faith in me and always pushed me to do the best I can for myself.
What advice do you have for young people?
Always pursue your dream.
MAIDELIN
Audition No. 55
Occupation: I have an advertising degree but I’m switching to fashion.
Why do you want to be a member of the Flight Crew?
I was a member of the Miami Dolphins cheerleading squad and had the most amazing experience, so I would like to do it again.
Can you explain your feelings heading into Sunday’s finals at Marc Ecko Enterprises?
Extremely nervous yet excited at the same time.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
That I was a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader and Miami Heat dancer.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Never give up your dreams and think positive — it will happen.
If you could eat with any four people in the history of the world, who’s sitting at your table?
Oprah Winfrey, the Pope, Hillary Clinton and Bill Gates.
If you knew the world was going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?
Spend it with my family.
What is the best movie you’ve seen over the past two years?
"The Notebook" — best movie ever.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My sister. She’s been very positive and supportive of my dreams.
What advice do you have for young people?
Follow your dreams and never give up.
LINDA
Audition No. 71
Occupation: Student at the Fashion Institute of Technology
Why do you want to be a member of the Flight Crew?
Being a part of the 2007 Flight Crew was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. I love performing at the games and being part of the whole gameday experience.
Can you explain your feelings heading into Sunday’s finals at Marc Ecko Enterprises?
I’m extremely nervous. Since I have already been a part of the team, I know what I have to lose. I’m also really excited, though. Being able to perform for Marc Ecko is something I never thought I would do in a million years!
What is your most outstanding characteristic?
I am very personable, which is what I think is a good characteristic for a Flight Crew member since one of the job responsibilities is doing interviews/public speaking.
What word best describes you?
I’m a very positive person, especially in tough situations (Last year’s home games!).
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Be yourself.
A pet peeve?
I hate when people wear socks with sandals.
What’s your favorite song?
"No One" — Alicia Keys.
Who is your favorite Jet?
Every time I have a favorite Jet, he gets traded (ex. John Hall, Santana Moss). Now I would go with Mike Nugent.
If you knew the world was going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?
I would jump out of a plane.
You’ve received a menu with unlimited choices. What are you eating?
Sushi and a Diet Coke with lemon!
What’s your favorite thing about New York City?
I love the fact it never sleeps.
MICHELLE
Audition No. 80
Occupation: Senior professional sales representative, Johnson & Johnson.
Why do you want to be a member of the Flight Crew?
I love dancing for the NFL. I feed off the energy from the crowd. I know many of the Flight Crew members from last year and respect their talent.
Can you explain your feelings heading into Sunday’s finals at Marc Ecko Enterprises?
There are so many emotions. Where do I start? I am excited to be a finalist, I’m nervous, I’m happy, I’m confident … a pure rollercoaster of emotions.
What is your most outstanding characteristic?
My energy. People call me the Energizer Bunny.
What word best describes you?
Energetic.
If there was something you could change about yourself, what would it be?
I would learn to slow down. My type-A personality has to always be busy!
What is something most people don’t know about you?
That I am a three-year breast cancer survivor.
What inspires you?
Making other people proud.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Shoot for the stars. If you miss, you’ll land on the moon.
Who is your favorite Jet?
Coach Eric Mangini. He is a Connecticut person like me.
What’s your favorite thing about New York City?
The people. There is more diversity in NYC than anywhere else in the U.S.
What advice do you have for young people?
Don’t go through life so fast. Slow down and take it all in. That way you have great memories to share when you are older.
REBECCA
Audition No. 117
Occupation: Teachers assistant at Scotia High, dancer instructor at Nicholson Dansarts, and instructor/co-owner of The Academy of Cheer & Dance.
Why do you want to be a member of the Flight Crew?
Dancing has been a huge impact on my life. I like sports and after going to the prep class, I was really determined to be able to work with Denise and the girls.
Can you explain your feelings heading into Sunday’s finals at Marc Ecko Enterprises?
I am very excited about being able to choreograph my own dance with music. It’s my specialty and my favorite thing to do as well as repeat the dances to perfect them.
What is your most outstanding characteristic?
I’m very outgoing and willing to help others.
What word best describes you?
Reasonable.
If there was something you could change about yourself, what would it be?
My height.
What inspires you?
Children.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Eat to live — don’t live to eat.
A pet peeve?
When people say “Same difference!”
Who is your favorite Jet?
Laveranues Coles and Curtis Martin (when he was on the team).
If you knew the world was going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?
Be with my family and the students I teach/coach (pets count as my family).
You’ve received a menu with unlimited choices. What are you eating?
Chocolate.
Who is your favorite actress?
Katherine Zeta Jones.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My cheerleading/dance coach.
What’s your favorite thing about New York City?
The music stations and dance classes.
What advice do you have for young people?
Think before you act, accept the things you can change as well as things you cannot and learn from your mistakes.
GEORGINA
Audition No. 162
Occupation: Student, Borough of Manhattan Community College
Why do you want to be a member of the Flight Crew?
I love to entertain and would love to be part of such an honorable team.
Can you explain your feelings heading into Sunday’s finals at Marc Ecko Enterprises?
I’ve been waiting for a chance like this since I was five. I feel fulfillment and honored to have the opportunity of being a finalist and working with Marc Ecko. I’m also anxious.
What is your most outstanding characteristic?
My ability to get along with a variety of people and their personalities.
If there was something you could change about yourself, what would it be?
My height would be the first!
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I am from Florida and am an only child.
What inspires you?
My passion for dance and the response of the audience after every performance.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Be your complete self and you won't let anybody down, including you.” — my mom.
If you could eat dinner with any four people in the history of the world, who’s sitting at your table?
Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire, Channing Tatum and Michael Jackson.
What’s your favorite thing about New York City?
The diversity of people and the glamour.
What advice do you have for young people?
Live life like there is no tomorrow. Laugh at every chance you get — after all it is the best remedy. And love yourself and others equally and unconditionally.
MANDISA
Audition No. 170
Why do you want to be a member of the Flight Crew?
I want to be a member of the Flight Crew to entertain fans and share my passion of dance/entertainment with my fellow teammates.
Can you explain your feelings heading into Sunday’s finals at Marc Ecko Enterprises?
I am feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement heading into Sunday’s finals.
What word best describes you?
Dedicated. I always take pride in what I do and I do my best to give a hundred percent.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
One thing that most people don’t know about me is that I can be extremely shy in some situations.
If you could eat with any four people in the history of the world, who’s sitting at your table?
I would choose my grandparents because they all passed before I was born and it would have been interesting to know them and more of my background and my parents’ background — good and bad!
A pet peeve?
People who aren’t honest and when people chew with their mouths open.
If you knew the world was going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?
I would grab my family and closest friends and try to visit as many places — familiar and unfamiliar — as I could.
What’s your favorite thing about New York City?
The diversity and the non-stop hustle and bustle.
Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
Going to dance classes and performing recitals even though I was clueless most of the time.
What advice do you have for young people?
Never stop dreaming no matter who does or doesn’t believe in you and that should always be your motivation to reach the goals you set forth in life.
MARIA
Audition No. 196
Occupation: Dance teacher
Why do you want to be a member of the Flight Crew?
It would be an honor to be a part of the team that values the art of dance and the beauty of performance.
Can you explain your feelings heading into Sunday’s finals at Marc Ecko Enterprises?
Very excited! I am excited to see what each finalist will perform and their different angles.
What is your most outstanding characteristic?
I’m friendly and energetic. People tell me I have a nice smile.
What inspires you?
My family and the students I teach.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To follow your dreams and never give up.
If you knew the world was going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?
Go skydiving.
What is the best movie you’ve seen over the past two years?
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."
Who is your favorite actress?
Kate Hudson.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My grandma. She always knew how to handle any situation and she always gave me the best advice. Everyone loved here and loved spending time with her.
What’s your favorite thing about New York City?
All the opportunities it has to offer dancers and the Broadway shows.
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