MARCHING.COM: John Cena and Chelsea Staub named 2010 Fiesta Bowl Parade marshals

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Dec. 17, 2009) — World Wrestling Entertainment star and current WWE Champion John Cena will serve as grand marshal, while Disney Channel star Chelsea Staub will serve as honorary grand marshal, for the 39th Annual Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Both celebrities will ride in the procession through central Phoenix beginning at 11:00 AM (Mountain) on January 2, 2010.

Grand Marshal John Cena
Cena's personality and charm have brought him international acclaim and starring roles in Hollywood. In March 2009, Cena starred in 20th Century Fox's high-octane feature film "12 Rounds" directed by Renny Harlin. Cena's first theatrical film, also from 20th Century Fox, "The Marine," was released in October 2006 and also starred Robert Patrick and Kelly Carlson.

Cena, the 6-foot-1, 248-pound WWE champion, attended Springfield College (Mass.), obtaining a degree in exercise physiology. He was an offensive lineman for the school's Division III football team, earning All-America honors as a senior.

"We are honored to have one of the greatest WWE superstars, Mr. John Cena, serving as this year's Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade grand marshal," said Fiesta Bowl Board Chairman Alan Young. "As both a former college football athlete and an electric entertainer, John will make the perfect Fiesta Bowl ambassador to college football fans and the entire state of Arizona."

As grand marshal, Cena will not only lead this year's Fiesta Bowl Parade, but will also serve as a special guest at the 39th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Monday, January 4, 2010, where he will participate in the pre-game festivities and coin toss.

As one of the Make-A-Wish Foundation's most requested and devoted celebrity wish granters, John Cena was the first celebrity to join NBA Legend Michael Jordan as a Wish Ambassador. As a Wish Ambassador, he supports the Foundation's efforts to grant wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions.

"The Fiesta Bowl's mission each year is to create family friendly events that service the community," said Fiesta Bowl Parade Chairman Marcus Sipolt. "To have a grand marshal like Mr. Cena for one of our biggest and most highly celebrated events is a real treat. We are looking forward to working with him in our outreach toward the community."

Honorary Grand Marshal Chelsea Staub
Scottsdale native Staub, who attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, currently stars as Stella Malone, the longtime friend and style guru to the Lucas brothers in the Disney Channel comedy series, "Jonas." The Lucas brothers are played by the popular boy band, the Jonas Brothers.

The young, rising television star has been acting professionally since the age of nine. Staub landed her first role as Young Kim in the national Broadway tour of "Showboat" and went on to star in the productions "Peter Pan," "The Wiz," "Cinderella," "Oliver," "Annie," "Titanic," "The Sound of Music," "Schoolhouse Rock," "A Christmas Carol" and "The Secret Garden," among others.

Staub starred in the Disney Channel original movie "Minutemen" and guest-starred on Disney Channel's hit series "Wizards of Waverly Place." Her other television guest star credits include "Cracking Up," "Summerland," "Listen Up" and "The Bill Engvall Show."

On the big screen, Staub landed her first role in the family film "Arizona Summer," a kids' summer camp movie starring Lee Majors. Starring alongside Staub in "Arizona Summer" was fellow Arizona native, David Henrie, who served as last year's Fiesta Bowl Parade honorary grand marshal. Staub recently played the lead role in the motion picture "Bratz" opposite Academy Award winner Jon Voight, who played her father.

Parade Details
The 39th Annual Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade is scheduled for Saturday, January 2, 2010, at 11:00 AM in central Phoenix. The parade's annual theme, "Spirit of the Southwest," honors the essence of Arizona's breathtaking desert landscapes and unique cultural heritage.

The parade is free to the public; however, reserved seating is available for $25 through the Fiesta Bowl Ticket Office at 480-350-0911 or by visiting www.FiestaBowl.org.

Related story: 2010 Fiesta Bowl Parade and National Band Championship Lineup

Source material and logo courtesy of the Fiesta Bowl.

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WWE star John Cena and Disney Channel actress Chelsea Staub named Fiesta Bowl Parade marshals