From the studio to the stadium, Easthampton native cheers way to victory

Oct. 21, 2020 | Lauren LeBel

Anastasia Lusnia
Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

EASTHAMPTON – Many of us in New England are still cheering for Tom Brady, now with Tampa Bay, but one Easthampton native is getting paid to do it.

Twenty-three-year-old Anastasia Lusnia spent the first 18 years of her life in Easthampton. Growing up, her one true passion was dance. She attended Hackworth School of Performing Arts, where she dipped into all styles. In high school, she attended Massachusetts Academy of Ballet in Holyoke, for a more narrow focus. She said, “This was my sport.”

Alongside dance, Lusnia found an interest in pageants. Senior year of high school, she competed in her first pageant, Miss Western Massachusetts. In 2015, she won Miss Baystate and the following year won Miss Pioneer Valley.

“It was an incredible experience. We had our own platforms and learned great life skills, such as interviewing and public speaking,” Lusnia stated.

Graduating from Easthampton High School, she decided to further her education and passion elsewhere. “I chose the University of South Florida because I wanted to pursue dance and nursing. They had a great dance program.”

The move to Tampa opened a lot of doors for Lusnia. Studying for nursing, on top of dancing for the university, was far from easy Lusnia reflected, but she managed. She continued competing in pageants and went up against 50 other women for Miss Florida. In 2018, she decided to try out for a cheerleading position on Tampa Bay Lightning, an NHL team. Making the team, she cheered for one season and, as she noted, “had the time of her life.”

Although she never had any prior cheerleading experience, Lusnia said, “Professional cheer is more dance–focused as there is no stunting.”

In 2019, she graduated from South Florida and immediately landed a job at Tampa Bay General Hospital, as a vascular ICU nurse. Working 12 hour shifts, three days a week, she quickly learned how to balance it all.

Through connections on her college dance team, mutual friends and keeping an eye out for tryouts, she became aware of an incredible opportunity. In May 2020, she tried out to be a cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This was a two-week process with over 500 people.

Lusnia said, “There were more applicants than normal because it was during quarantine. Anyone could audition because it was done virtually.”

Five hundred was quickly narrowed down to 60 finalists, with 28 making the team. Fortunately, for Lusnia, she was one of them.

Starting off, everything was done through Zoom. For months, members had to practice and learn routines through their electronic devices.

“This was a challenge that I’ve never faced before. It was tough as a rookie because I didn’t know anyone.”

Despite the struggles and dragging months, Tampa Bay cheerleaders are back in the stadium. To avoid COVID-19 and practice safely, they are all distanced from one another and wear masks at all times. Practices take place on Tuesday and Thursday nights, running about two and a half hours long. Games are now being played every weekend.

“It’s so nice to see everyone in person and dance together. The first home game this season was incredible. It felt like all the hard work paid off,” Lusnia told Reminder Publishing.

Growing up in Massachusetts, Lusnia has always been a die hard Patriots fan. When Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski switched to the Buccaneers, she did too.

“As a Florida resident, I have converted to the Bucc’s. Seeing Tom Brady on the field and cheering for him is pretty surreal,” she said.

Although her days are filled with work, Lusnia still finds some time for herself. Her hobbies include working out at the gym and attending fitness classes. She also loves spending time outside whether it’s going to the beach, laying by the pool, or going boating. “I think that’s the northerner in me,” she added.

Last month, she was able to return to Easthampton to see her parents and sister for the first time in a while. As they still reside here, she only gets to see them a few times a year. Luckily, this year she has the holidays off and will be able to enjoy them with her family back home.

Cheering for the NFL is an “ultimate dream” in Lusnia’s opinion. Through hard work and dedication, she has achieved that goal.

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