By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

It’s been a big year for Holly Michel.

In fact, some would say it was more than big. Some would say it was Super.

In 2021-22, she became a cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bengals, graduated from Physical Therapy school, got a full-time job and followed the Bengals to the Super Bowl.

Michel, a 2018 Human Health Sciences graduate, is also an alumna of the Wildcats Dance Team. Now, after earning her doctorate, the 26-year-old works at assisted living and memory care facilities with Legacy Healthcare Services.

But for one week in February, she was able to put off work and dance with her teammates in Los Angeles, California — site of Super Bowl LVI.

Let’s let her tell the story:

Holly Michel:

Last weekend at the Super Bowl was one of a kind.

Walking onto the field for the first time for our field practice was when the magnitude of this experience truly hit me. I had experienced a similar feeling when performing with the UK Dance Team at Big Blue Madness, but this was on another level.

This is my first year on the team and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would make a professional team, graduate from PT school, start a full-time job and be going to the Super Bowl all within the same year. Overall, I was just extremely grateful to be a part of such a big celebration for the city of Cincinnati.

I was born and raised in Cincinnati, so I knew how long our loyal fans had waited to be back at the big game. Being able to represent the city with a group of professional and talented women made it all the better.

This season was truly an honor from start to finish.

Check out her photo gallery from the Super Bowl here.