Meet The Team
Nicole Lauchaire
Most days I can’t believe this is my life. When I made the cheerleading squad at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in 1992, I never imagined I would end up making cheerleading my career. I couldn’t believe I got an App my senior year at UCA camp, and I was really shocked when I made Staff the summer before my first year in college. My college years at Florida State University were full of cheerleading and UCA Staff, incredible friendships and travelling across the country. When I graduated in 2000, I spent a year teaching 11th and 12th grade English and coaching cheerleading at my old high school. But in 2001, I accepted what would become the opportunity of a lifetime: a job in Memphis as the Content Editor for a website called Varsity.com. Today, I’m Vice President of Corporate Marketing & Communications at Varsity. And now it’s all starting to make sense.
Jenni Parrish
Being a cheerleader isn’t just something you “do”; it’s who you are, and I’m a lifelong cheerleader! After being captain of my high school team, I thought my poms were retired for good when I chose to focus on writing in college, but after receiving my BA in Literary Studies, I was able to tap into my life-long passion for cheerleading with the National Cheerleaders Association. As the Creative Director for NCA, I create content through multiple media formats for nca.varsity.com, varsity.com, Varsity TV and related social networks and blogs. Through both my personal and professional travels, I witness the positive impact cheerleaders make in this world. Yesterday, I cheered for my high school team. Today, I cheer for my wonderful husband, my two precious sons, and the inherent qualities promoted through cheerleading. And tomorrow, I will continue to cheer because…America Needs Cheerleaders!
Elizabeth Salsgiver
Before entering high school, my world revolved around gymnastics. I had been a gymnast for 12 years and was looking for a change, and cheerleading was the perfect fit. After attending the first tryout, I fell in love. Everyone was so nice and encouraging; from that moment I knew cheerleading was my new passion. From high school, I went on to be the cheerleading captain at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. While in college, I spent my summers traveling the Midwest as a UCA Instructor. After graduating college, I became the Content Editor for UCA’s website. My friends, colleagues and husband are all former cheerleaders, so still to this day, I am surrounded by great leaders. When people say “cheerleading is my life,” I truly feel that I live it and love it!
Ashley Cowan
Everything in my life is connected to cheerleading! From the pictures at my desk to the clothes in the backseat of my car, I’m completely into cheerleading, and I just can’t help it! I’m originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and while I couldn’t wait to get out of there and become an independent woman, I credit most of my “cheer obsession” to my high school cheerleading coach (Thanks Ryan!). Upon leaving Mandarin High School, I jumped at the chance to be on UCA staff and also made the varsity cheerleading squad at the University of Central Florida. From there, my life has been a non-stop cheer-coaster of amazing experiences that have kept my cheer obsession thriving. I’m excited to share my thoughts and adventures because… I truly believe that America Needs Cheerleaders!
Stephanie Ammirati
I began cheerleading at a small high school in New York. I then continued to cheer on the college sidelines of Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, TX and the University of Oklahoma. I enjoyed every game day and nationals, but I never thought this would become my full time job. Cheerleading, especially All Star cheerleading, is more than a job, it is my passion! I spend countless hours at competitions and preparing for events every week. Most would say that I work too much, but it’s hard to slow down when you do something that you love. I currently live in Dallas, TX and work for Varsity All Star and the National Cheerleaders Association.
Bethany Harrell
Some people were born to be cheerleaders, and I think I fit that description. I’m from a small town outside Tallahassee, Florida where you either cheered or played football (picture the movie Varsity Blues), so I took the cheerleading route. My high school was UCA all the way; from camps to nationals, we were involved with the UCA way of cheerleading. I entered the All Star cheerleading world when I was a sophomore and fell in love. After high school, I started coaching a high school team in Gainesville, FL and knew that cheerleading was my niche. I have been on the Varsity TV staff since February 2009, and I graduated from The University of Florida with a bachelor’s of science in telecommunications-production.
Tayler Easton
Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a cheerleader. When my mom finally gave in to my begging and let me cheer for the local recreation team, I instantly fell in love with the sport. I spent my free time watching other team’s routines, bettering myself by working on new stunts and tumbling passes, and meeting other cheerleaders from around the world. I am currently a cheerleader at Clemson University and recently placed second in the World Championships with Rockstar Cheer. I have been a UCA staff member for three years and hope to continue working with cheerleaders as long as possible.
Ryan Martin
Since my mother is a cheerleading coach, I have been a cheerleader since the day I was born. I grew up at Pep Club All Stars in Lexington, Kentucky and moved on to win four state titles, five UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship titles, and one partner stunt title with Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. You may remember our school featured on the hit television series, Cheerleader Nation. I am currently a junior at the University of Alabama and a UCA staff member.
Jackie Martin
My cheerleading career began when my Mom and I started “mommy and me” gymnastics classes when I was three! From there I spent numerous years in gymnastics, until I decided to make the switch to cheerleading my freshman year of high school! I was a true cheerleader, I loved every minute of it, from the games and pep rallies to the practice and competition. I then continued my journey to cheer at the University of Central Florida and also worked for UCA staff. Where I thought my journey would end, was only the beginning, I continued staffing teaching high school, college, international camps and core staff. I also had the amazing opportunity to represent the USA on Team USA last year, best experience of my life! Everyone needs a cheerleader in their life..and America needs cheerleaders!
Scott Borgmier
I started cheering in High School quite randomly but for some reason I kind of enjoyed it and kept with it. I went on to go to school and cheer for the University of Kansas (KU) for 5 years, realizing somewhere in the middle of it all, that I was hooked on cheerleading for life. I graduated in 2010 with a degree in American Studies, focusing on Pop Culture. After graduation, I became the Assistant Cheerleading coach at Kansas, coaching for almost 2 years. While coaching I started working as a member of UCA Staff in areas in the Midwest & around the world, instructing, leading, and teaching cheerleading to all ages, while continuing to help grow the sport of cheerleading. Now instead of coaching I get the pleasure of working for Varsity and Varsity.com, promoting all aspects of cheerleading and to let the world know how great cheerleaders truly are.
