BRUINS IN THE PROS: CHEER AND DANCE EDITION
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CLA has enjoyed a rich history of producing professional athletes in a wide variety of sports teams. In this issue of Bruins in the Pros, we’re featuring eight recent graduates who are currently performing for professional cheerleading and dance teams in both the NFL and NBA. Next time you’re at a game, don’t forget to cheer for these Bruins when you spot them on the field or the court!
Alicia Beebe ʼ21
UCLA Degree: Physiological Sciences
Professional Team: Second season with Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders
UCLA Activities: UCLA Dance Team
Favorite UCLA Memory:
“Beating 'SC at the Rose Bowl in 2018!”
How has UCLA helped you in pursuing your goals?
“My time at UCLA taught me countless valuable skills and provided me with many resources both in and out of the classroom. These have enabled me to pursue my dreams outside of Westwood with confidence, professionalism, mentorship and experience.”
Claudia Borton ʼ21
UCLA Degree: Dance major, Spanish minor
Professional Teams: Los Angeles Charger Girl 2019-2020, Las Vegas Raiderettes 2022- present
UCLA Activities: Icarus Dance Company 2017, UCLA Dance Team 2018-2019, Junior Spirit Squad Coordinator 2018-2019, Student Representative at JWAC 2018-2021, WACSmash 2020, Spring Sing 2021 (Outspoken), UCLA Snow Team 2020-2021, Chi Omega Sorority 2017-2021 (recruitment chair 2021)
Favorite UCLA Memory:
“During spring quarter of my senior year, we held many Ski Team traditions, some of which honored and recognized the seniors on the team. We spent almost every weekend at Mammoth Mountain, laughing, sharing stories and, most importantly, shredding. My younger sister Sarah, who originally recruited me for the team, is now the president of the Ski Team for her senior year.”
How has UCLA helped you in pursuing your goals?
“UCLA gave me the tools to think critically about how I approach my goals rather than being narrow-minded on how to achieve a certain outcome. The people I met over my four years taught me that the process of growth is much more rewarding than reaching a desired outcome. UCLA continues to help me as I have relationships with my professors and peers that will last a lifetime.”
Chloe Quast ʼ22
UCLA Degrees: Political Science and Sociology
Professional Team: First season with Las Vegas Raiderettes
UCLA Activities: UCLA Dance Team for three seasons
Favorite UCLA Memory:
“During my senior year, I had the opportunity to travel with the Men’s Basketball Team to Las Vegas, Portland and Philadelphia. The memories I made while cheering for the Bruins, spending time with teammates, and interacting with fans and alumni on these trips are invaluable to me.”
How has UCLA helped you in pursuing your goals?
“The guidance and experience I received on the UCLA Dance Team were critical to accomplishing my goal of cheering at the professional level. I will always be grateful for the connections I made at UCLA and the people who have supported me as I live out this lifelong dream.”
Emily Lin ʼ20
UCLA Degree: Communication Studies major, Environment Systems and Societies minor
Professional Team: First season with Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders
UCLA Activities: UCLA Dance Team for four years, John Wooden Recreation Center supervisor, member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and Fraternity, Beta Delta chapter
Favorite UCLA Memory:
“I think it is hard to narrow all of my incredible experiences at UCLA down to one favorite memory, though I will say my first football game at the Rose Bowl in the fall of 2016, traveling to Shanghai, China, in 2017 to represent our school and athletic department internationally, and meeting my best friends through my many involvements at UCLA are a few of my favorites.”
How has UCLA helped you in pursuing your goals?
“Every time I stepped onto the field at the Rose Bowl, I was training for my professional career at SoFi Stadium. I owe it to my coach, Tiphanie McNiff, my teammates and the Bruin community for providing me with the skills and opportunities to train, learn and work with the best at the most prestigious collegiate level.”
Maddie Mapes ʼ20
UCLA Degree: Dance major, Food Studies minor
Professional Team: Three seasons with Las Vegas Raiderettes
UCLA Activities: UCLA Dance Team
Favorite UCLA Memory:
“Taking the field for the first time at the Rose Bowl while on the UCLA Dance Team. I always dreamed about cheering for the Bruins and it was such an honor to represent UCLA.”
How has UCLA helped you in pursuing your goals? “Being on the UCLA Dance Team challenged me to become a stronger dancer and overall shaped me into the person and athlete that I am today. I am grateful for my coaches who helped me pursue my goal of dancing and cheering at the professional level. I am so proud to be a Bruin and will always cherish my memories from UCLA. Go Bruins!”
Mia Robertson ʼ22
UCLA Degree: Dance major, Film, TV, and Digital Media minor
Professional Team: First season with Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders
UCLA Activities: Kappa Kappa Gamma
Favorite UCLA Memory:
“Finally being able to take classes in person because I transferred here during the pandemic.”
How has UCLA helped you in pursuing your goals?
“UCLA helped me achieve my goals because the dance major introduced me to a great community of people with similar goals and aspirations.”
Abbigail Roque ʼ21
UCLA Degree: Nursing
Professional Team: First season with Los Angeles Laker Girls
UCLA Activities: UCLA Dance Team
Favorite UCLA Memory:
“The UCLA vs. SDSU game in 2019 was the very first football game [at which] I danced with the Spirit Squad. The Bruin pride that fuels the energy at the Rose Bowl Stadium is unmatched! There is nothing like a first game experience on the field and court.”
How has UCLA helped you in pursuing your goals?
“As the first nursing student on the UCLA Dance Team, I was able to continue chasing my love for dance while studying at one of the most prestigious nursing schools in the country. I have continued pursuing both of my passions, now practicing as an ICU nurse and professional NBA dancer.”
Aria Terango ʼ22
UCLA Degree: Dance and Neuroscience
Professional Team: First season with Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders
UCLA Activities: WACSmash, Expressive Movement Initiative, MYUCLA Health Ambassadors, Mortar Board, Medicine and Art, and Premed Undergraduate Society
Favorite UCLA Memory:
“At graduation, I spent the whole day going to my favorite spots on campus, from Ackerman to Royce, with my family and best friends! It was the perfect culmination of all my hard work and allowed me to truly appreciate everything UCLA has offered me.”
How has UCLA helped you in pursuing your goals?
“I’m so grateful to UCLA for offering me such a high-quality education and encouraging me to stay curious and pursue my passions. For these reasons, I had the confidence to audition for this life-changing role.”
Lilah Haye ʼ22
UCLA Degrees: Public Affairs and Dance majors, African American Studies minor
Professional Team: First season with the Las Vegas Raiderettes
UCLA Activities: Regents Scholars Society, Alumni Scholars Club, WACsmash
Favorite UCLA Memory:
“Choreographing a dance for the WAC/D undergraduate show, WACsmash. I loved using all the tools I gained in the department to create work that I am both passionate about and proud of.”
How has UCLA helped you in pursuing your goals?
“UCLA has provided me with the connections and resources to achieve my goals. Without my mentors from the UCLA community, I would not be where I am today.”
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If we missed any Bruins who are currently cheering or dancing with a professional sports team, please email us at connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.
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