PICAYUNE — When the New Orleans Saints go marching into the Super Bowl this Sunday, one fortunate local woman will be with them every step of the way.
Rachel Selzer, a former Pearl River Community College student from Carriere, excelled in the three areas of competition to win a coveted position on the prestigious Saints’ Cheerleaders Saintsations team.
In addition to advanced dance technical skills, applicants were judged by area professionals in one-on-one interviews, and tested on football fundamentals.
Rachel is currently attending Loyola University of New Orleans where she is an accounting major. She is on the Dean’s List, dances with the Loyola Ballet, is an active member in Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, and volunteers with Loyola Community Action Program.
Besides being on President’s List at PRCC, she served as president of both Student Government Association and the Iota Mu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Rachel also served as co_captain of the fall squad of String of Pearls Dance Team.
Rachel is also a 2006 graduate of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science located in Columbus.
Rachel was a 2009 summer intern at the New Orleans office of Ernst & Young. She works at the Joseph A. Butt S.J. College of Business at Loyola University during the school year.
Rachel’s success with Saintsations and life in general goes back to her loving family and her wonderful experiences at Leisha’s School of Dance in Picayune. Her family and fellow dancers have continually pushed Rachel to do her best and work hard to achieve her dreams.
Anyone close to Rachel knows it has always been her dream to represent the city of New Orleans by cheering on the Saints. Rachel elaborates that, “Even though I still don’t know what it truly means to be a Saintsation, I am learning and growing as a dancer and as a young women while doing my best to fill these great shoes with which I have been blessed.”
In addition to performing at NFL Saints home football games, the Saintsations have traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to visit troops and were recognized for their community service efforts by the Louisiana Legislature.
The Saintsations support community projects through the “Saintsations Inspiration Program.” The primary focus of the 2009 program is to promote positive initiatives geared toward women and children. They have worked hand_in_hand with Angel’s Place in New Orleans. This non_profit organization provides care and comfort for terminally ill children.
According to team manger, Lesslee Fitzmorris, “the Saintsations are influential role models to the youth in our communities and the judges felt that Rachel could live up to the expectations the fans have come to expect from these young ladies.
“We look for young women who are committed to leading a healthy, productive lifestyle both on and off the field. Rachel is a true representative of the youth and talent in the New Orleans area. We are proud to have her as a member of the 2009-2010 team.”
Rachel is the daughter of Jerry and Bonnie Selzer of Carriere, and granddaughter of the late Jerry and Mabel Selzer of Slidell and the late Jean and Frances Milloit of Metairie.
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