Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘GO BIRDS!’
West Chester woman earns spot on 2020 Philadelphia Eagles cheer squad
WEST CHESTER » A West Chester woman has been selected to join the Philadelphia Eagles Cheer Team after a successful virtual interview, besting a record high 576 candidates who applied.
Christina Rosana, a doctor of optometry who attended Virginia Tech and earned a bachelor of science in human nutrition, foods and exercise, was selected as one of eight new members to join the 2020 cheer squad, according to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Being selected as a new member of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheer Team, along with graduating from optometry school this year, has truly been my dream come true,” Rosano said. “This year, the culmination of hard work and dedication in chasing my dreams has finally come to fruition.”
It was the first time the Eagles auditioned candidates virtually. It was done to protect the health and safety of contestants during the COVID-19 pandemic. A record 576 candidates applied, spanning across 23 states in addition to Canada, Japan and Mexico, according to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Over the course of two months, 30 contestants made it to the final round, which consisted of a Temple graduate who is an intern at NASA and a 13year Air Force veteran, a magazine editor-in-chief, a doctor of physical therapy, and a professional dancer.
The eight new members, who will now join 30 returning veterans from the 2019 squad, received the news through a surprise virtual call conducted by Eagles Director of Entertainment Teams, Barbara Zaun.
“We are thrilled to welcome eight new members to the 2020 Eagles Cheer Team,” Zaun said. “As ambassadors for the organization, the Eagles Cheer Team has a unique platform to help make a positive impact regionally and globally. We believe that this incredibly talented group of women and men will be exceptional representatives.
“In addition to their talent, impressive careers, and diverse educational backgrounds, they are socially conscious individuals who have inspiring life experiences and a passion for community service. We would like to congratulate the eight new members and look forward to having them join the veteran members of the squad in engaging Eagles fans everywhere.”
Rosana graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2015 where
she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega High Tech Dance Team.
It’s still unclear whether Rosana will be on the field this year, as the pandemic has spread uncertainty on live sporting events this year.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that an NFL season in 2020 is possible, under strict new rules. “Unless players are essentially in a bubble — insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day — it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” Fauci said.