Laura Vikmanis grew up in Dayton, Ohio. When she was in college she met a man who professed to love her. They married and had two children. Meanwhile their marriage was falling apart. Her husband verbally abused
her. By the time Vikmanis got out of the marriage her self esteem had been damaged.
In her memoir "It's Not About the Pom-Poms" she tells her story. She found a way to feel better about herself. She became a dancer. There are not too many professional opportunities available for dancers. One day she became aware of an unusual opportunity to dance before thousands of people. She tried out to become a cheerleader in the National Football League, a Cincinnati Ben-Gal. She didn't make the cut. So she tried again.
Laura Vikmanis made the squad and became the oldest cheerleader in the NFL. Her inspiring story has attracted the attention of Hollywood. Laura is a dietician and she still lives in the Dayton area.
