BlazerDancer Marlene Chat Transcript
Marlene chatted on April 13. NBAE/Getty Images |
The very energetic team leader has many favorites as well. Her favorite style of dance is both jazz and hip-hop with a cheerleader flare. She likes Janet and Michael Jackson as her top musical artists. Her favorite phrase is, "In order to get respect you must give respect." This means treating others how you would want to be treated. Marlene's favorite current Trail Blazer is Derek Anderson.
Fans chatted live with Marlene Friday, April 8. Check out the complete chat transcript below:
tony (vancouver): I'm from hawaii - was it hard to move here and how long have you been here? Do you participate in local hawaiin events?
Marlene: Interesting question. I've been here since 1991, I moved here for college. It wasn't a smooth transition because of the weather, that took some time. I do participate in Hawaii-related activities, and have very strong Hawaiian roots.
venus (palo alto): marlene - do you guys train in the off season or do you just get together when the season starts?
Marlene: We do train in the offseason. And as soon as the new team is selected we go to a camp and start serious training in July. We only get the month of May and June off, but we often stay with the team for charity events and things like that.
stacey (bend): Why did you decide to become a teacher and what is the best part about it?
Marlene: I've always wanted to be a teacher, since ag 3. Even as a child when playing, I always had to be the teacher. I've worked with all age groups and our kids are our future. Our kids depend on our teachers, not just for academics but to be role models. I find myself doing more than just academics with the high school students I currently work with. I love my job.
Aloha: Hello Ms. K this is Amy one of your students just wanted to say hey and I love your class! GO BLAZERS!!
Marlene: Oh. That's awesome. That's one of my students. Hi Amy, thank you, I love having you in my class!
molly (salem): Do you get to help decide the routines and music during the game?
Marlene: Actually we don't, our coach decides those things. However, we do have some Theme Nights and sometimes we specific dances based on those themes, Disco or Salsa, what have you. And that's when we get more involved with that aspect. Also during Family Night, we make sure to use appropiate music and moves.
karen (tualatin): My daughter has wanted to be a blazerdancer since she was 5 years old. What advice can you give her now that she's entering high school?
Marlene: Wow. The advice I would give, would be to continue to perform, wherever you can. Not just your typical dance classes. For instance I did Hula Dancing. Wherever you perform on stage, cheering, whatever you do, it prepares you for that level of performance in the arena. Taking dance classes is good, and I assume you already do that, but just keep working at it.
Taylor (camas, WA): Who is your favorite past and present trailblazer and why?
Marlene: Past favorite Trail Blazer, since I'm from Hawaii has to be Steve Smith. And my current favorite is...I'm torn between two...Damon Stoudemire and Derek Anderson. Steve Smith because any promotion we needed to do off the court, Steve was always there. He has great character. Damon has always been very nice to me, and Derek too. It's nice that they are nice to us.
tina (canby): do you guys get just as excited during the games as the fan or do you have to focus because it's your job to dance?
Marlene: That's a great question! Personally, I can only speak for myself. For me, every game as soon as the National Anthem starts, my heart starts racing. I get totally excited. The noise, the tension, the smell of the concession food. I always get very excited, even though I've been with the team for eight years. And dancing is a part of that. Your mind is focused on the team doing well. It's very exciting. The passion in the arena is terrific and we have the best seats in the house! You have to be careful though, you can get run over by the players. I love the game, and I'm very vocal and rooting for our guys.
kathy (corvallis): What do you do to stay in shape during the summer?
Marlene: I actually sometimes teach aerobics classes. Or I will take an aerobics class. But honestly, they asked me that question during playoffs, and I had to be honest with them. I can eat a dozen donuts in one sitting. That's my metabolism, I've been blessed that way. But I always make sure I can feel confident fitting into my uniform.
rebecca (portland): do you spend time with the other dancers outside of the games and practice?
Marlene: Yes. You develop a little family here. We spend so much time together. In all my years here, I have never come across a team I wouldn't want to dance with again. Our coach does a great job in selecting people who are well-rounded. We have people who have great personalities and are outgoing and nice and caring and passionate, so who wouldn't want to meet with people like that outside of their jobs?
Marlene: I just want to say thanks to the fans and thanks to the Trail Blazer organization for having me. The future looks very bright for the Trail Blazers. The continued support of our great fans is helping us as we work as hard as we can to bring a championship to Portland. We could never do it without our fantastic fans.
