Jaguar Profiles: Laurie Conley, cheerleader, Captain

by Daniel Goncalves, photos by Daniel Goncalves
Q: Laurie, where are you from originally?
A: I’m originally from Richmond Virginia. My dad was in the military and we moved to Jacksonville and I love it here.
Q: How long have you been in Jacksonville?
A: We’ve been here for 15 years.
Q: How long have you been involved with the Roar?
A: 5 yrs.
Q: What’s your day gig?
A: I’m a student, I’m a cheerleading coach at Episcopal High School.
Q: How did you get involved with the Roar?
A: I have to tell you this story. In 1985 my 4th grade teach put up a newspaper article of a cheerleader, and I told my mom that one day I was going to be an NFL cheerleader and she was like, “sure you are.” I did all the things I needed to do to lead up to it, I took dance class, I took cheerleading and it actually took me 3 years to make the team. It wasn’t like 1 audition and I made it. I had to be determined to actually try out for 3 years. Now I serve as captain.
Q: Around town what do you like to do?
A: My favorite thing to do is hang around 5 Points because it’s artsy. My fiancee owns a restaurant there, the “Cool Moose Cafe.” I like 5 Points because you get to see cool people, I love the scenery, so if I’m not here, I’m at 5 Points.
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?
A: Cool Moose. You better put it in there! It’s a fun name.
Q: Do you have a favorite type of music?
A: I listen to everything. I listen to hip hop, gospel, I listen to country. I like it all.
Q: What’s your alarm clock set on?
A: It’s set to nothing. I like it that way.
Q: You have a military background I hear?
A: My family is mostly in the military. As a child I saw my grandfather and my aunt and I aspired to be like them as far as having a cause for our country. I’m passionate about healthcare industry and why not serve my country while I’m doing it. So that’s why I wanted to go into the military.
Q; Tell us something about you that most people might not know about you.
A: I collect “I Love Lucy,” memorabilia. Besides the fact that she was a comedian, she was such a strong woman too. Think about it, all the adversity that she had to go through being a leading role during that time period. I just love her.
Q: So you said you were engaged, where do you want to get married?
A: In Savannah on Bay St. on the water. It’s so pretty.
Q: Anything else you want to add?
A: What you are doing by interviewing us just motivates us. I have a program called “Girl Talk,” www.LaurieConley.com. I go around to middle schools and talk to them (students) about how to achieve their goals and how to handle obstacles.

Thanks Laurie for your time and we wish you the best with all your endeavors!