Jessica

Hometown:  Mableton/Lithia Springs, Georgia 

College:  University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!!!)- Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing; emphasis in Professional Sales; Spanish minor

Career:  Director of Marketing for CMA Landscape & Designs/Account Executive for a marketing firm

Dance and Cheerleader Experience:  At the age of 9, I enrolled in ballet and tap classes at Norma’s Academy of Dance. Thereafter, the director of Norma’s saw how much I enjoyed dance and encouraged me to enroll in modern, jazz, and pointe classes. At 14, I took a break from dance to prepare for college. At UGA, I was introduced to hip-hop through Pamoja Dance Co. I performed with Pamoja Dance Co. throughout college and choreographed a traditional ballet assemble my senior year. I also danced for Dance Dawgs, which is the official dance team of UGA. We performed at the men’s and women’s home basketball games.  

Other life, scholastic or career accomplishments or experiences:  The first female to receive a certification in Professional Sales from UGA; UGA Honors Program; Honors International Scholar; President’s List; Dean’s List; President’s Award of NAACP; Allstate Scholarship Recipient; Eastern Star Scholar; National Society of Collegiate Scholars; HOPE Scholarship Recipient

Long-Term Goals:  I aspire to practice law and become a successful business owner.

Marital Status:  Single

Siblings:  I have one younger brother who I love dearly!

Pets (name and type):  I don’t have any pets as of now, but I might look into a gold fish.

My proudest moment:  When my name was called at the 2009 Atlanta Falcons cheerleading audition

Something my teammates don’t know about me:  I am a purple belt in Karate (about two away from a black)…that’s right, I can break a slate of wood with my hand. Well, I could…haven’t tried lately.

Farthest away from home I’ve been:  Dominical, Costa Rica

Favorite book:  It’s a tie between Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes were Watching God” and Viktor E. Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”….very interesting books!

Favorite author:  Zora Neale Hurston

Favorite Atlanta-area restaurant:  Houston’s

Favorite Atlanta-area landmark or tourist attraction:  Centennial Park

Favorite college football team:  What other team than the Georgia Bulldogs? GO DAWGS SIC’ EM!

Favorite thing to do on a lazy afternoon:  It’s a tradeoff between sleep and watching Life Time movies. I love LMN!

Favorite outfit or piece of clothing in my closet:  A loose-fitting sundress (Spring/Summer) or sweat pants and tank-top (Fall/Winter)

Favorite American Idol contestant:  Female- Fantasia; Male- Adam Lambert

Favorite television show:  My most recent is “The Game,” but I still love reruns of “Charmed,” “Family Matters,” “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “Martin.”

Favorite charitable organization or cause:  American Cancer Society

Favorite website:  www.facebook.com  www.atlantafalcons.com

My dream automobile:  Rolls Royce

My first automobile:  Silver Nissan

Favorite Falcons player:  Matt Ryan

Person with whom I would most like to have dinner:  It would be an honor to have dinner with First Lady Michelle Obama. In my eyes, Michelle Obama is a great example of a contemporary renaissance woman; she is intelligent, athletically inclined, sociable, and supportive; she is a wife, a mom, a lawyer, a politician, a public speaker, a philanthropist, and much more! 

Favorite vacation destination:  Cairo, Egypt

Favorite solo artist:  This is a tough one because I have so many favorite solo artists. My top 10 artists are Marvin Gaye, Lauren Hill, Prince, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Justin Timberlake, Patti LaBelle, Tupac, Amel Larrieux, and Drake.

Favorite musical group:  Nsync…man, I wish they would get back together!

One of my biggest inspirations growing up:  My parents are by far the greatest motivating factor in my life. Everything I know, the decisions I make, and my personality is a direct reflection of my parents. If it were not for them, I wouldn’t have this opportunity to share my stories with you. Thank you Mom and Dad!

Song that will ALWAYS be on my iPod:  “Purple Rain” by Prince

Favorite comedian:  Katt Williams…very funny guy!

All-time favorite movie(s):  Set It Off, A Long Kiss Good Night, Crooklyn, The Other Sister, Soul Food, Enough, Friday, Titanic, and Slumdog Millionaire

Favorite actor and actress:  Jaime Foxx and Jennifer Lopez because they are two of the most versatile actors/actresses. Not only can they play comedic roles, but they have proven that they can also master dramatic, singing, action, and urban roles. They pull off these roles so well that, for a moment, I forget that they are also a professional singer, dancer, or comedian.  

Favorite junk food or guilty culinary pleasure:  Chocolate covered raisins…Twix…Snickers… Reese’s…brownies…did I mention chocolate?