Meet Rylee Kennedy ’21, geography and environmental studies. By day, Rylee works as a marketing coordinator at Vanguard Building Solutions. However, it’s when she clocks out that the real fun begins. You see, Rylee is also an NFL Cheerleader for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Take it away, Rylee!
Q: What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to know about you?
A: My name is Rylee, and I graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in geography and environmental studies. I transferred to UMBC my sophomore year and decided to try out for the UMBC Dance Team. I remember practicing in the RAC every day and asking dancers on the team for help leading up to the auditions—I was so nervous! Making the team was one of the best things to have ever happened to me. I met some of my best friends on that team and was able to grow a lot as a person and a dancer. During COVID, having virtual practices kept my sense of community during uncertain times.
“My favorite part of being a part of Retriever Nation is the lasting bond that forms when you join the community.
After college, I knew I wanted to continue dancing, and decided to aim for the National Football League. This is my second season as a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader, and having the opportunity to follow the Eagles during a historic season has been the best experience a cheerleader could ask for.
Q: Tell us about someone in the community who has inspired you or supported you, and how they did it.
A: I would not be living my dreams if it weren’t for the amazing coaches and teammates I have had who have pushed me to be a better dancer and professional. By surrounding yourself with those of strong character, you can be inspired to push yourself beyond what you ever thought was imaginable. My teammates encouraged me to try out to be an NFL cheerleader, and my coaches honed my abilities and gave me space to grow. They inspired me then, and they continue to inspire me now as they pursue their careers and continue to express themselves through dance.
Q: What do you like most about being a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader?
A: This season, I was able to go on a ProTour Military Tour. On tour, I, along with 11 other cheerleaders from five different teams, visited our servicemen and women on base and brought a piece of home to them. When the Eagles flew to New Orleans, I flew to O’ahu, Hawai’i, and spent the big game watching with our military! During my 12 days there, we held cheer clinics for the children of our servicemembers, read to children at school, experienced life as an airman/sailor by testing simulators and touring a C-17, and paid our respects to those tragically lost on December 7 at the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
Left, Rylee Kennedy and other NFL cheerleaders posing with members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Right, Rylee Kennedy and other NFL cheerleaders reading to school students.
We wrapped our trip up with a Super Bowl watch party on base, and so many people were surprised to see an Eagles cheerleader in Hawai’i instead of in the Superdome. I am so thankful for the amazing people I met, the stories I have heard, and the experiences I had during my tour. To me, there was no better way to spend the Super Bowl than with those who are giving the ultimate sacrifice. UMBC instilled a sense of community, empathy, and selflessness that I continue to pay forward to this day.
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UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.
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Tags: Cheerleader, Meet a Retriever, Philadelphia Eagles
