By Pam Teel
The Millstone Times January 2019
Millstone resident, Shana Ruskin, is in the fifth grade. She has played soccer and lacrosse in her hometown but her favorite thing to do is cheerleading. She started off cheering for the Millstone Eagle’s Pop Warner flag football team. She then moved to competitive cheerleading at World Cup in Freehold. She learned a lot about tumbling and stunting as a cheerleader. She has competed all over the country with her team. Her team is called the Milky Way’s. This year she will travel to Nashville, Atlanta, and hopefully Florida for competitions.
Ten-year-old Shana comes from a big family. She has five older brothers, a sister, and two dogs. Shana likes tumbling but her real love is contortion. She can do some amazing things with her body. She is currently trying out to be on the next America’s Got Talent in the springtime. She just auditioned in NYC at the Jacob Javits Center and was called out of the line twice to be filmed in the preview for the show. (You can watch the preview on the America’s Got Talent website under NYC auditions, season 14) Shana won’t find out until February on whether she moves forward or not.
Her motivation for contortion and trying out for America’s Got Talent is due to a fourteen-year-old girl named Soffie Dossi, who was on the show in season 11. She was also a contortionist. That motivated Shana to practice her routines several times per week. Whenever she is home watching TV, she is usually doing it upside down or spinning through the air. Shana thought that if Soffie can do it, why can’t she, so she sent a video in to the producers and was invited to come audition. So far she has had a cool experience meeting and talking to other contestants who were trying out.
Shana is also an excellent student and a wonderful person. Her parents are so proud of her drive and determination. She has practiced hard and got as far as she did all on her own. Her close friends share her enthusiasm and anticipation with her. Shana is also a budding YouTube Star, as she posts fun videos focused on her contortion and unique Slime creations.
Good luck to you Shana. All of Millstone will be rooting and praying for that call back in February.