NEPCAA Executive Board Members

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· Married to Paul DiChiara for 37 years and Mother of Devin Anne DiChiara Artist and Director of dd Designs

· Member of the New England Patriots 1983-1984

· Founding member of NEPCAA and former Social Committee Chair

· Member of the USFL Boston Breakers Cheerleaders 1981-1982

· Owner & Artistic Director of The Kathy Ryan Dance Studio, located in Norfolk for 34 years.

· Owner and Director of Platinum Performing Arts Competition for 14 years.

· BS from Suffolk University, Marketing Major, Management Minor

· AS from Aquinas College Legal Secretarial Major

· Director for Elite Performance Challenge

· Judges for numerous Dance Competitions, including American Miss, Performance Plus and Turn It Up Dance Challenge.

· Students have performed in 3 Countries, Canada, Bermuda 2x and Bahamas 2x.

· Students have either preformed or competed in 22 states throughout the country.

·  They Performed on 4 different cruises. Twice on the Norwegian Majesty Cruise Line, 1x on The Disney Cruise Line and 1x on The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. 

·  Performed on the Boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey.

· Performed Hershey Park.

· Performed 4x in Disney World

· Her students have won numerous High Score Awards.

· Her students have performed at Foxboro Stadium at multiply Pre-games and Half-Time performances in the 1990’s for the 6x World Champion New England Patriots.

· Her students have performed 5x at Pre-game and Half time at the Boston Garden for the 18x World Champion Boston Celtics.

· Her students performed 2x in Fenway Park for the World Champion Red Sox’s.

· Her students performed 1x at The Providence Bruins.

· Her students performed in The Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade.

· Kathy was the Original Instructor of the Dance Program at the West Roxbury Community School

· Kathy, was a Choreographer for Numerous Boston Area High Schools, Colleges and Churches Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Aquinas Jr. College, Boston College High School, Catholic Memorial High School, Cedars of Lebanon, St. Theresa’s CYO.

· Business Director & Assistant Choreographer for the Free Spirit Dancers.

· Appeared in a Mercury Cougar Car Commercial representing the Free Spirit Dancers.

· Member of the Professional Beverly Richards Dance Company.

· Dance Captain for the Be Fit to Breathe Program, for 3 years with the American Lung Association.

· Graduate of the Dance Teacher Training Certificate Program, sponsored by the Dance Teachers Association of America, Boston Chapter.

· Inducted member of the NFL New England Patriots Cheerleaders’ Hall of Fame 2010.

· Choreographer for the Norfolk, Medfield, Millis Pop Warner Cheerleading Program 1991-2004.

· Judged for Miss Massachusetts Preliminary Pageants affiliated with the Miss American Pageants.

· Nominated in Who’s Who among American Teachers

· National Dance Association member

· Professional Dance Teachers Association

· Member of AAHPERD

· United Chamber of Commerce

· Better Business Bureau

* Member of the New England Patriots Cheerleaders for 5 years

* ‎Performed with NEPC for all home games on sidelines, pre-game and half-time shows

* Represented NEPC during innumerous charity, community and corporate appearances during my tenure

* Appeared in 5 NEPC calendars and modeled with teammates in local department store ads

* Traveled to Mexico City (Mexico) and performed with NEPC during the American Bowl Game (Patriots vs. Cowboys)

* Performed in American Bowl half-time show (featuring Ricky Martin) with NEPC and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

* Traveled with NEPC Show Troop to Fort Hood (Fort Cavazos) in Killeen Texas, under exceptional care of the 4th Infantry Division (Ivy) and performed for our Military service members & their families on base

* Traveled with NEPC and the New England Patriots to New Orleans for Super Bowl 36 where we made several community appearances, performed on the sidelines and witnessed first-hand the FIRST Super Bowl WIN for the New England Patriots!!!

* During my 5 year tenure I was voted by my NEPC teammates as Most Dedicated, Most Spirited (twice), and also received a Line Captain Award 

* Developed and taught a Football 101 program for NEPC squad

* Assisted NEPC coach & team on the sidelines during home games for 2 years after my tenure on the squad

* Blessed to have made lifelong friends from our amazing NEPC family

* Proud Member of NEPCAA for over 10 years

* My professional career is in the Automotive Industry where I have been working full-time for the same company since I was 18 years old - holding various positions such as Regional Warranty Auditor, Assistant Comptroller, and Office Manager 

· Owner & Artistic Director of Matta Dance Academy-

” School of Performing Arts” (40 years)

· Has received many top awards for choreography and Outstanding dance performances

·  Received National awards & special recognition of excellence

· Voted the “Best Dance Studio in the South Shore”

· Former teacher (special education)

· Attended Boston Conservatory of Music, Boston Ballet 

· Graduated from Emerson College, Boston. (Dance/Theater Arts/Communication-BFA Degree)

· Continuing-Ed Program at BSU majoring in Special Education

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· Former New England Patriots Cheerleader and Line Captain 

· Former New England Patriots Cheerleader Choreographer & Coach 

· Choreographer, Producer, & Director of the New England Patriots Traveling Dance Team (the first cheer coach to ever start a dance/performance team)

· First New England Patriots dance coach and choreographer to create, design, and host the first cheerleading clinic at Sullivan Stadium

· Had the opportunity to choreograph several of the NFL Pre-game and half-time shows during her time as cheer choreographer/coach

· Founding member of NEPCAA (est. 2011)

· Has served 13 years with the NEPCAA organization in various capacities…President, Vice President, Executive Board of Directors, fundraising chairwoman, served on several committees, co-chairperson of the NFCAO reunion in Boston July of 2024

· Organized and implemented the NEPCAA Wellness workshop designed for children and teens

· For over 40 years, has coached many cheerleading teams and choreographed competition routines for all levels and divisions (elementary thru college)

· Was the first coach at BRRHS to take her Division 1 Cheer Team to Nationals where they won first place

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· Miss Boston 1979/Miss America Organization 

· Miss Massachusetts 1979- State Talent Award Winner

· Competed in the Miss America Pageant representing Massachusetts in 1979

· Awarded the Outstanding Woman of America 

· Who’s Who in Pageants

· Toured the New England states with the USO 

· Former Director for the Miss Brockton and Miss south Shore Scholarship Pageants

·  Volunteered many years in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant program as director, choreographer, mistress of ceremonies, judge, as well as serving on other committees…

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· For over 50 years, has volunteered thousands of hours to many charitable organizations (Veterans organizations, Children’s organizations, Special Needs Programs, Elderly programs, Church programs)

Other Charities/NEPCAA related involvement…Wellness Workshops, Wreaths across America, Charity golf tournaments, My Brother’s Keeper, Christmas “adopt a family”, VA Hospitals, 

· Married for 39 years, has two adult children and three grandchildren

Janet’s cheerleading career started in the first grade cheering for the Jack Barry Little League in Worcester MA and that’s where it all began! She went on to cheer for many CYC teams while in grade and middle school and then cheered for four years in high school for Saint Mary’s CCHS in Milford,MA. She was co-captain her senior year and was awarded a trip to Dublin Ireland to march with her squad in the St. Patrick’s Day parade!

Janet’s proudest accomplishment is being the mom of three wonderful daughters. All three of them followed her cheerleading footsteps as they cheered in high school for Nipmuc Regional HS where Janet was the varsity cheerleading coach for six years. 

After high school Janet attended Barbizon Modeling School and worked as a model for Barbizon in 1974 and1975. Janet attended Blaine hair school in Boston where she started her career as a hairstylist. She worked in a few salons in Boston and Worcester for two years as an apprentice then went on to open and operate seven hair salons over the next 20 years named “Hair Jungle" and “Chestnut Cuts”. Janet became an accomplished hairstylist and mentor to many who went on to open their own salons. Janet sold her last salon 20 years ago and started “Beauty Pros International”, a hair extension certification company servicing over 40 Beauty Schools still today.

As a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren that span two coasts, Janet spends a lot of time traveling back-and-forth for visits to their sporting events and dance performances, but mostly looks forward to their yearly vacation to Cape Cod where everyone is all together! 

Janet is very excited about being a member of NEPCAA and mostly enjoys her time when volunteering for the many charitable organizations. Janet was recently appointed to the position of Director at Large and has a seat on the Board of Directors . She looks forward to working as a team for Nepcaa.

Janet’s favorite quote is from JFK “ A rising tide lifts all boats” and Janet likes to add “BE the tide!”

My cheering journey began in 8th grade and came full circle with two exciting years as a Boston Patriots cheerleader in 1967 and 1968—during my sophomore and junior years of college, when the team’s home field was Fenway Park. Back then, the Patriots gave no hint of future Super Bowl glory, but cheering was an absolute joy, and I was proud to be part of those early squads. Nearly 50 years later, in 2017, I discovered NEPCAA just in time to learn the reunion dance for our unforgettable performance at Gillette Stadium. Since then, this organization has brought me treasured friendships and countless moments of fun.

Professionally, my career path has been as fulfilling as it has been varied. After earning a master’s degree in education, I taught 8th grade English before pursuing two long-held dreams: becoming a private pilot and attending law school. My aviation passion ultimately led me to the Federal Aviation Administration, where I began as a staff attorney. Over the next 36 years, I served as Regional Counsel, then Regional Administrator for the FAA’s New England Region, helping advance the mission of maintaining the world’s safest, most efficient aerospace system. After retiring from the FAA in 2017, I continued my work in aviation law as counsel for a private firm until my full retirement in 2024.

Today, my greatest joy is spending time with my five grandchildren, ranging in age from 6 months to 13 years, all of whom live nearby. My husband Bill and I, married for 55 years, make our home in Winchester, MA, and also enjoy time at our second home in Little Compton, RI.

Outside of family and NEPCAA, I keep active and adventurous: skiing at Attitash, hiking in the White Mountains and Austria, cycling in Rhode Island and abroad, and traveling with my cheer sister Jean Mollicone. I’m also an avid reader (proud member of three book clubs!) and a devoted knitter.

I often reflect on two life lessons passed down to me: from my mother, “Catch every bus that goes by,” and from my sister, “Go, just go.” These words of wisdom have shaped an interesting, adventurous, and rewarding life—and I am grateful to share it with such a remarkable group of NEPCAA sisters.

Patrice Farquharson Ed.D is an associate professor of early childhood education and child studiesand Executive Director of the West Haven Child Development Center, Inc.

Dr. Farquharson has been with Post University for twenty-nine years. Dr. Farquharson has embraced the online format for early childhood educators. She has written extensively on the subject, presented nationally, and developed the very first online degree program (associate in ECE) offered at Post University in 1999 and in 2009 designed the child studies degree program.This year she was chosen as the University’s selection to receive the Women of Inspiration Award from the CT Sun.

Dr. Farquharson is active in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and her program in CT has been NAEYC accredited since 1991. Dr. Farquharson is also an active interdisciplinary member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) in which she is very instrumental in the obesity special interest group. She is respected in both organizations for her expertise and leadership abilities. In 2010 she received NAPNAP’s President’s Award for her collaborative work in health and education.

Dr. Farquharson is always on the cutting edge of new ideas and innovations in education and practice. Her record of funding from so many foundations for these projects is evidence of her success in achieving her goals. The West Haven Child Development Center’s funded comprehensive program aimed toward decreasing disparities in nutritional issues and obesity prevention was recognized by the White House in 2012, and again in 2015, as part of the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative. She has continued this initiative by establishing a farm to ECE project. In 2021, Dr. Farquharson was honored to host vice president Kamala Harris at the West Haven Child Development Center during her first trip to CT.

Dr. Farquharson is a lifelong resident of West Haven, a dedicated community leader, and a past recipient of the Jimmy Fund Community Service Award in West Haven. With her diverse interests and many professional networks, Dr. Farquharson provides an invaluable interdisciplinary insight into the education of young children. She most recently was chosen as the recipient of the University of CT Neag School of Education Outstanding higher education alumni faculty award for her work in higher education and the community.

Dr. Patrice E Farquharson received her BS from the University of Connecticut with an MS in Early Childhood Education from Southern Connecticut State University.

She received her doctorate in child Studies from Nova Southeastern University and holds CT teaching certificates for prek-6 grade and Administration and Supervision (092).

Patrice was a New England Patriot cheerleader for the 1980-1981 season. A member of NEPCAA since 2014, she serves as the scholarship chair for the organization.

Christine was a New England Patriots Cheerleader for the 1978 Football Season, uniquely having never been a cheerleader in high school or college.  She had been a dancer since the age of 6, taking lessons in ballet, tap and jazz dance right through her college years and beyond. Her forte back then was always studying and majoring in math and engineering at a time when women were very few in those fields.

Christine was born in Boston, MA and grew up in Needham, MA, with her wonderful parents and her one younger brother Paul.  She still has that unique Boston accent to this day.

Christine graduated as Salutatorian in her high school class at Elizabeth Seton High School and achieved a Bachelor of Science magna cum laude and a Masters of Engineering summa cum laude, at Northeastern University.

Christine spent the next 24 years working at the MBTA in Boston as the Manager of Statistical Analysis in their Operations Directorate and was the Editor in Chief of the monthly reports.  It was during her second year at the MBTA that she was chosen to be a Patriots cheerleader and at age 25, was older by at least 5 years than most of that squad.

In fact, Christine was selected to go on the WBZ TV talk show “Women 78”because even though she looked like your typical dumb blonde cheerleader (yes, they could say those words on tv back then), she had a Masters in Engineering with thesis and a Bachelors in Math and a full-time management position!

In her 1978 season, the Spirits of New England had no pom poms, had Rockette type dance routines and the uniforms were very sexy so as to compete with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.  It was also the very first year that the New England Patriots football team, led by Steve Grogan, won their division and were in the playoffs!

Christine met her husband Wladimir, her Prince Charming, at the 1996 Massachusetts Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Wing conference.   He was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves supporting the CAP function at the conference.  He first noticed Christine during her promotion ceremony when she was promoted to Captain in the CAP.  Both in their early 40’s, it was a first marriage for both of them.  At that time, Wlad was a Master Sergeant in the Connecticut State Police,and he was so moved by Christine that he proposed marriage to her in just 16 days! Christine’s parents were so happy that they gave them a 300-person wedding reception six months later.

This year they will celebrate 29 years together, with all those years spent spoiling their nieces and nephews and now their great niece and great nephews.

For a second career, Christine taught elementary school for the past 24 years after receiving her second Master’s degree in Education from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Her thesis on the strategies she used to teach math to her fourth-grade students, each one of whom improved their test scores on average by 20 points, won the award during that 2005 graduation year.  While taking courses for her education degree, Christine took a Children’s Literature course and had to write her own children’s book.  The Little Button Girl was so well received that Christine decided to have it published and dedicated it in memory of her parents, Nina and Tony Crugnola.

Christine has been performing on stage in community theatre for the past 13 years, in more than 50 different productions including musicals, dramas, comedies and even Shakespeare.  Some of her best loved roles include Glinda and Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz, Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, Aunt Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace, and the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol.  Recently, Christine’s forte has been in comedic roles which have been recognized with rave reviews from theatre critics.

Christine has been involved with NEPCAA since 2012, almost its very beginning, and has volunteered at many of its charity functions.  Christine holds this organization in such high regard that she has donated thousands of dollars each year to their scholarship fund.  Providing scholarship awards to deserving young women truly makes her happy.  Christine is now part of this Scholarship Committee as well as being the NEPCAA Board Liaison.

Last year, when NEPCAA hosted the biannual NFCAO alumni reunion, Christine had spent the almost two years previously doing daily fundraising in order to provide thousands of dollars to the six New England charities and two national ones. In addition, she helped putting swag bags together and worked the entire event so as to give the nationwide alumni an amazing time.

Christine has also served on other boards, including the Canterbury Public Libraryand its Building Commission, the Canterbury Education Foundation, and the Bradley Playhouse Theatre Board.  With each of those boards, her main mission was to save the library and build its extension; donate to the schools to fund special projects not included in their budget; and to help fundraise through her donationsto keep the local community theatre afloat.  

She is a lector at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich, CT.  

In August 2017, Christine was one of over 200 alumni New England Patriots Cheerleaders who got to dance on her “field of dreams” at Gillette Stadium. However, the biggest thrill for her was reconnecting with her former 1978 cheerleaders, who she hadn’t seen in almost 40 years, and attending many of the dance practices in rehearsal for the big event.  In fact, many great friendships have been formed from meeting alumni cheerleaders from many decades, with the younger ones cheering us “old timers” on.

NEPCAA has grown so much since our 2017 alumni reunion on the field and Christine is so pleased to be on its board in the dual positions best suited for her, of Board Liaison and Scholarship committee member.  Indeed, Christine is her happiest when she is giving of herself, both in money and in community service, to her various charities.  Our NEPCAA organization and its wonderful Scholarship program has become one of her greatest priorities, seeing deserving seniors get both the recognition and monetary award they deserve.

Paula is a proud alumna of the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, having cheered for the team from 1999 to 2001. Some of her favorite memories include tumbling across the end zone after touchdowns and performing for the troops at Fort Hood, Texas. After her time with the Patriots, she continued her passion for cheerleading as a Level 6 co-ed all-star athlete, traveling up and down the East Coast for competitions.

Paula earned her degree in Accounting from UMASS Lowell and currently works as the Payroll Manager for a large nonprofit organization. Since retiring from cheerleading, she has married and raised two incredible boys, both of whom are now in college. She remains active with NEPCAA, volunteering at various events and, on occasion, can still be found stunting or practicing acro yoga with friends.