Cheering for a Leader

She began dancing at four years old. She began cheerleading in middle school and instead of never looking back, she looked forward to being a Miami Dolphins cheerleader. Adrianna had big dreams for her future and with some encouragement for her high school coach, Shannon Ferguson, who once was a Miami Dolphins cheerleader, had Adrianna attend weekly cheerleading classes in preparation for the auditions.

“I knew being a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader is something I wanted to fulfill when I was 18,” she said. While waiting to turn 18, the age young women can audition to be a cheerleader, Adrianne was an All-District Lacrosse player and got her certification in Child Care.

Adrianna is now in her fourth season as a cheerleader. One of the things she enjoys most about being on the team is how much they do for the community. “We do so much for the community, we visit troops overseas, attend charity events, hold cheer clinics for children, and visit hospitals during the holidays. We are always putting a smile on someone’s face and I admire that about this organization,” she said. Cheerleader

In January 2016, Adrianna and the cheerleading team got to visit the troops in SW Asia. In December 2016 she and the cheerleaders traveled to Belgium, England, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, and Spain. These are experiences she wouldn’t have had if it weren’t for the Miami Dolphins.

Sometimes cheerleaders get negative press. They’re thought of as not very smart and are objectified. Fortunately for Adrianna, that has not been her experience.

“I’ve been a cheerleader for four years now and I have never had any negative experiences. Our fans are great and very supportive. At the end of the day, we are all cheering on one of the best teams in the NFL. What makes the Miami Dolphins special to me is that we are always giving back to the community and helping others feel comfortable within themselves. I love to inspire and empower women to be the best version of themselves and being part of the Miami Dolphins Organization I am able to fulfill that role and take it to the next level.”

Adrianna is currently in school studying fashion and interior design and aspires to become an interior designer and fashion retail owner. “My vision is to make everyone feel confident and express their inner beauty. I have learned over the past few years to appreciate the little things, accept others opinions and continue to bring to mind that I am doing what I love and what makes me happy,” she said.

She also thinks about the influence she may have on little girls. If she was to give them any advice, she uses a favorite quote, which says: “To have the courage to think differently, the courage to discover the impossible and the courage to conquer any problem and succeed.”

As a nod to the Miami Dolphins, Adrianna is proud of the fact that the Dolphins organization is very community minded. She credits them with her “learning to appreciate the appreciate the little things, accept others opinions and to continue doing what I love and makes me happy.”