May 05, 2019 at 09:48PM
Two thumbs up go to Rochester native Kyle Tanguay this week.
First, he deserves congratulations and admiration for working his way through a two-month tryout process to be selected as the first male cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League.
Second, we commend Tanguay, 21, a junior at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, for immediately using his accomplishment as an opportunity to encourage anyone who may need to break norms to achieve their dreams.
I really hope a lot of people are kind of inspired to do whatever they want, to go for whatever they want. It's exciting I'm a part of that, he said.
If youre not sure if a place is inclusive, just reach out and dont be afraid to ask questions, he added, noting new and diverse paths are opening up in a variety of fields. I would just say, Keep your head held high. Every no is just a door to a different yes.
Rae Holtzman, who is roommates with Tanguay, also made the Eagles squad. Tanguay, who has danced since he was 10, winning many competitions, now trains regularly with Holtzman, and he gave much credit to her for supporting him through the tryouts.
Last season, according to reports, there were three male cheerleaders on NFL squads, the first ever. Tanguay now joins this pioneering group. He said he and Holtzman are super eager to get working with the Eagles.
***
Thumbs up and best wishes for a happy retirement go to Gail Goodspeed, who announced this week she is stepping down as University of New Hampshire womens gymnastics team coach after 40 years.
Goodspeed is known for achieving significant success over a long period of time at UNH, which in NCAA Division I athletics is often competing against huge schools with much bigger athletic programs.
The accomplishments her teams compiled are impressive. They include seven league championships in the ECAC and East Atlantic Gymnastics League, 36 times qualifying for the NCAA Regional, winning the regional in 1994 to qualify for the NCAA Championship in Utah, where the Wildcats finished ranked 12th in the nation. She coached All-American Lori Brady in 1992, and her teams racked up a record of 648-327-2 in 40 years.
I am honored to have worked with such amazing student-athletes for the past 40 years, Goodspeed said. We have developed lifetime friendships with the gymnasts, members of the athletic department and the UNH/Durham community."
***
Thumbs up to organizers for the "Seacoast LGBT History: 50 years of Rainbow Reflections" exhibit on display in the Portsmouth Athenaeum's Randall Gallery.
Tom Kaufhold of Portsmouth started the Seacoast LGBT History Project after realizing he had documents related to a fight for an equal rights ordinance in Portsmouth in 1993 and memorabilia from the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Equal Rights and Liberation from the same year.
This project is a reminder of how far weve moved toward equal rights for all people and how there is still more to accomplish.
We've seen this great change in laws and public acceptance, Kaufhold said.But each of us still deals with an internal homophobia. I still check myself before saying 'husband' or 'spouse.' I take a few seconds and think if it is a safe place or not."
The free exhibit runs through July 6 in the Portsmouth Athenaeum at 9 Market Square. Information: portsmouthathenaeum.org or call (603) 431-2538.
Two thumbs up go to Rochester native Kyle Tanguay this week.
First, he deserves congratulations and admiration for working his way through a two-month tryout process to be selected as the first male cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League.
Second, we commend Tanguay, 21, a junior at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, for immediately using his accomplishment as an opportunity to encourage anyone who may need to break norms to achieve their dreams.
I really hope a lot of people are kind of inspired to do whatever they want, to go for whatever they want. It's exciting I'm a part of that, he said.
If youre not sure if a place is inclusive, just reach out and dont be afraid to ask questions, he added, noting new and diverse paths are opening up in a variety of fields. I would just say, Keep your head held high. Every no is just a door to a different yes.
Rae Holtzman, who is roommates with Tanguay, also made the Eagles squad. Tanguay, who has danced since he was 10, winning many competitions, now trains regularly with Holtzman, and he gave much credit to her for supporting him through the tryouts.
Last season, according to reports, there were three male cheerleaders on NFL squads, the first ever. Tanguay now joins this pioneering group. He said he and Holtzman are super eager to get working with the Eagles.
***
Thumbs up and best wishes for a happy retirement go to Gail Goodspeed, who announced this week she is stepping down as University of New Hampshire womens gymnastics team coach after 40 years.
Goodspeed is known for achieving significant success over a long period of time at UNH, which in NCAA Division I athletics is often competing against huge schools with much bigger athletic programs.
The accomplishments her teams compiled are impressive. They include seven league championships in the ECAC and East Atlantic Gymnastics League, 36 times qualifying for the NCAA Regional, winning the regional in 1994 to qualify for the NCAA Championship in Utah, where the Wildcats finished ranked 12th in the nation. She coached All-American Lori Brady in 1992, and her teams racked up a record of 648-327-2 in 40 years.
I am honored to have worked with such amazing student-athletes for the past 40 years, Goodspeed said. We have developed lifetime friendships with the gymnasts, members of the athletic department and the UNH/Durham community."
***
Thumbs up to organizers for the "Seacoast LGBT History: 50 years of Rainbow Reflections" exhibit on display in the Portsmouth Athenaeum's Randall Gallery.
Tom Kaufhold of Portsmouth started the Seacoast LGBT History Project after realizing he had documents related to a fight for an equal rights ordinance in Portsmouth in 1993 and memorabilia from the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Equal Rights and Liberation from the same year.
This project is a reminder of how far weve moved toward equal rights for all people and how there is still more to accomplish.
We've seen this great change in laws and public acceptance, Kaufhold said.But each of us still deals with an internal homophobia. I still check myself before saying 'husband' or 'spouse.' I take a few seconds and think if it is a safe place or not."
The free exhibit runs through July 6 in the Portsmouth Athenaeum at 9 Market Square. Information: portsmouthathenaeum.org or call (603) 431-2538.