PHILADELPHIA - While most Philadelphia Eagles fans in Shamokin cheer from their living rooms, 2005 Shamokin Area High School graduate Janel Petrovich will be cheering from the sidelines in her first year as an official NFL cheerleader.
Petrovich was a competitive cheerleader since she was 5 years old and cheered in high school and for her first three years at Shippensburg University, where she graduated in 2009 with a degree in business administration before receiving her MPA at Bloomsburg University in 2010.
"College was a lot different," said Petrovich. "There wasn't the same amount of attention placed on the game or same spirit."
She also said she didn't have much time for cheerleading while in school.
Petrovich originally tried out for the squad after a friend asked her to do it with her. After making it to the final round that year, she would have to tryout two more times before making the squad.
"It became something that I really wanted to do," she said. "I said the third time's the charm. I thought it would be something I would regret if I didn't try one last time."
The month-long tryouts consist of two rounds during which contestants are chosen to advance based on beauty, fitness and dancing ability. The remaining contestants then go through a business interview, on-stage interview and a personal interview before being selected.
This year, Petrovich was one of 15 new additions to the 38 member squad.
"I was more relaxed this year," said Petrovich. "I think the experience made it a lot easier. I was more confident, which definitely helped."
The cheerleaders don't travel with the team to away games, but Petrovich participated in the preseason games in Philadelphia.
"It was absolutely amazing," she said. "I got to watch a majority of the game too. Part of being a cheerleader is knowing what's going on in the game."
There was little time for her to really get to know her fellow cheerleaders because of the NFL lockout this year, but Petrovich said enjoyed the time she got to spend with them so far.
"They were all very welcoming and supporting," she said. "They are all great, beautiful, intelligent people and always have a lot of fun but work really hard."
Petrovich has worked at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for nearly five years and works from her home while in Philadelphia. However, she enjoys returning to her parent's home in Shamokin Township at the end of every week.
"The city life is not for me," said Petrovich. "It's nice for a few weeks, but it's nice to relax. I'm glad to be able to call this area home."
All Eagles cheerleaders are required to have to audition each year to make the squad and Petrovich said she plans to attend next year's tryouts as well.
"It's definitely something I want to keep doing," said Petrovich. "As long as the traveling works out, I see it as something I will do for a number of years."
Petrovich is the daughter of Claire and Thomas Petrovich, of Shamokin Township, and has a brother, Jared.