Monday, July 10, 2006
Nugent Makes 49ers Gold Rush Squad
From the Baxter (AR) Bulletin Fred Lowe has the story of rookie San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush rookie Shanna
Visit the online home of the Gold Rush here.
Shanna Nugent never stopped believing in her dream.
And when Nugent steps onto the sidelines at Monster Park as a member of the San Francisco 49ers "Gold Rush" dance squad this season, she'll be living out her dream.
Nugent, a 2000 Mountain Home graduate and former co-captain of the Bomberette dance team, recently became part of the Gold Rush.
"When they finally call your name and your dream is realized - you are a 49er cheerleader - it's an amazing feeling," she said. "To know that something you've been working for, for so long, has finally been accomplished... it's a dream come true, it really is."
If there was ever a case of hard work and perseverance paying off, this was it. Nugent, a former Baxter County Queen and Miss Mountain Home High School, was a finalist the previous two years but missed the final cut.
Now that she's made it, Nugent, 24, said she "can't stop smiling."
She recalled how 400 women tried out the past three years - from as far away as Nebraska and Utah, and even Japan.
In some ways, it was an honor for Nugent to make it to the final 80. And yet, it was tough coming so close to her dream without realizing it.
"You basically lay your heart out on the line, and they pick 40 of the best," said Nugent, who determined to work harder each time she missed the cut. "And you just hope that your number is the one they call."
Her former dance team sponsor, Nancy Harwell, wasn't "a bit surprised" when Nugent told her she'd made the team.
"Shanna's had an ability to perfect her routine," Harwell observed. "Along with her beautiful smile on the sidelines, I knew she would stand out at tryouts and be a perfect selection for a cheerleader. She just kind of shines among other girls.."
Now that she's made it, Nugent plans to help others fulfill their own dreams.
The 49ers offer a junior cheerleading program that allows young girls to attend a home game and perform with members of the Gold Rush team. And Nugent looks forward to working with them.
From 2002-03, Nugent coached a junior cheerleading program for the Boys and Girls Club at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., where she serves as an integrated avionics technician.
"A junior NFL program was never offered when I was growing up," said Nugent, who first wanted to be an NFL cheerleader after watching the 49ers win back-to-back Super Bowls as an eight-year-old.
"So I'm really excited to be a part of someone else's dream. Maybe it's another little girl's dream to be an NFL cheerleader, and to have the opportunity at such a young age to experience that would be an honor."
As for her dream, Nugent thanked former Bomberette Jennifer Harwell (now Drewry) for inspiring her to dance and "take it to the next level."
"She taught me and took me under her wing, and she showed me so many amazing techniques on how to better my dance ability," Nugent recalled. "And from there I just kept going with it."
Well before her experience with the 49ers, Nugent has been acquainted with the limelight.
As a senior she was selected to the All-Star dance team that performed in Paris, France, for a Millennium Day parade. And with help from Jennifer Harwell, Nugent took first place in a North Central Arkansas solo dance competition in 2000.
And now Nugent receives support from her employer, the United States Air Force.
"They absolutely support me 100 percent," said Nugent, who graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, in 2001. "They want to see people's dreams come true, they don't want to deter us."
Nugent said she joined the military to be part of a team.
"I wanted to be a part of something I could believe in," she stated. "Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. Those are standards I lived by before I even knew about the military."
Her involvement with the Air Force makes Nugent a perfect fit with the 49ers.
"As an individual I represent an organization that is far bigger than myself," she said. "When I put on my military uniform, I represent so many people. And when I put on my 49er uniform, I represent an amazing organization. Both are very well respected, and it's an honor to be a member of both."
Visit the online home of the Gold Rush here.
