City Faces in Different Places
By Julie Perine on December 22, 2019 from City Faces
This week's City Face was a cheerleader for Bridgeport High School and West Virginia University. These days, she cheers on her children, Gianna and Anthony in their athletic, cheer and dance endeavors. Meet Ashley McCauley Cilento, a pediatric nurse at WVU Medicine Children's Hospital.
How long have you lived in Bridgeport? If not a lifelong resident, tell me what brought you here.
I moved to Bridgeport in July of 1989; I had just turned four. I then moved to Morgantown for college (2003-2007) and stayed for a few years after. I was back often as my sister Kaitlyn is seven years younger than me and I wanted to be at all her sporting events when she was in middle school and high school. My mom, Cheryl Farley, and my stepdad, Norm Farley have lived here since the move in 1989. Gianna was born in 2011, we stayed in Morgantown for a short while as we (my husband and I) were both working there, but then moved back when I was six months pregnant with Anthony, in June of 2013.
Are you married, have kids? Tell me about your family.
I am married. His name is Salvatore (Sam), but I call him “Sal”, the majority of the time. God bless his heart, he is an amazing man that goes along with most of my plans. He has help me coach tee ball for three years, been a preschool catechist with me at church, and helps me run our children all over when practice times/activities are split.
I have two kids. Gianna Marie is eight years old and Anthony David is six years old. They both attend Johnson Elementary School. Gianna is in second grade, takes dance at Cadalzo Contemporary Dance Studio, does gymnastics at Champs, is a second year cheerleader for Bridgeport Youth Football, is a member of the Bridgeport Country Club 
swim team, as well as a member of the YMCA swim team during the fall/winter, and she also plays softball for Bridgeport Softball Association.
swim team, as well as a member of the YMCA swim team during the fall/winter, and she also plays softball for Bridgeport Softball Association.
Anthony is in Kindergarten, he has played tee ball for Bridgeport Little League, played soccer for the Bridgeport Soccer Association, swims for the Bridgeport Country Club swim team, as well as the YMCA, he also just started wrestling for Bridgeport Youth Wrestling team. We are members of All Saints Catholic Church where both kids participate in Faith Formation classes. Gianna will receive her First Communion this coming spring.
My mom aka: NeeNee and Norm aka: DadDad, who live here in Bridgeport, are two of our biggest helpers. They help watch kids, run kids, school pick ups, etc. We couldn’t do life without them.
My dad, David McCauley has lived in Buckhannon since May 1983 and he is also currently the Mayor. We travel to Buckhannon often to visit him and my brother, Connor (who is five years younger than me), and squeeze in as many family activities as we can around the kids schedules.
My father in law, Gene Cilento, lives in Morgantown. He is amazing. We get to visit with him often during Mountaineer sporting events.
My mother in law, Nancy Cilento, lives in St. Augustine Florida. We just got back from visiting her over Thanksgiving. The kids love taking trips to “Nana’s beach”.
In addition to my sister Kaitlyn and my brother Connor, I also have three stepsisters, Karen, Briana, and Kelsey.
What about pets?
We sure do have a dog at Cilento Casa. She is a lab mix and her name is Sloane. She is the perfect addition to our crazy family.
Where do you work and what do you do there?
I work at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I have been a nurse there for twelve and a half years.
What are your hobbies/favorite past times?
My current hobbies center mostly around the kids. I have coached tee ball for three years, and this past spring helped coach Gianna’s softball team. This fall I coached the Mighty Mite Pop Warner cheerleaders. I cheered and played softball in high school so it is nice to get to pay it forward and help this generation of kiddos get involved with athletics.
I have always loved scrapbooking and still try to keep up with kids photos and activities. I am also a new Cricut user, but love trying to make shirts and décor during our down time.
Favorite Bridgeport spot?
I have so many favorite sports in Bridgeport, most revolve around food, but honestly, being at home and in our cul-de-sac is where my heart is happy. The kids can play and ride bikes with some of their best buddies and I can enjoy a glass of vino while catching up with friends across the street or anyone that comes to visit.
What do you like about Bridgeport … why is this a good place to live?
I love everything about Bridgeport. When we moved back in 2012, I felt home again. It is the perfect spot to raise a family. I feel safe, and know my kids have an amazing community supporting them from every angle, sports, education, safety, etc. The schools are the best of the best and the teachers are all amazing.
One – or more – of your favorite memories of something that took place in Bridgeport ...
I have so many incredible memories that have taken place here in Bridgeport. I have to say that most of my middle school and high school memories centered around sports. One nice memory that will forever hold a special place in my heart is when we won the AA State Cheerleading Championship in 2001. Seems like a lifetime ago, but so many great memories re-lived with the currently cheerleaders bringing home another state title this year!
What is your favorite WV spot outside of Bridgeport?
Aside from the Blue Lot and Mountaineer field, I would have to say Buckhannon. We love going to visit my Dad and brother and eating at CJ Maggie’s every chance I get.
How about your favorite place outside of WV?
I would have to say my favorite place outside of WV is DISNEY WORLD!!! I love going to the beach (Emerald Isle in particular, as we vacation there every year), but there is something super magical about Disney World. We have taken the kids three times and every time we get back, I am ready to plan the next trip. Ole Sal, does not agree with me on that, haha.
What are some of your favorite things? Food/restaurant? Favorite color? Music genre/artist?
We love the West Virginia University Mountaineers. I was pretty much born a Mountaineer. My mom and dad both graduated from WVU, as well as my stepdad, my sister Kaitlyn, my sister Karen, and my husband. We love going to WVU football and basketball games.
I have a great group of friends that we enjoy doing lunches/dinners/special events together. Life can be hard, and I am thankful to have friends that make it easier and so much fun.
If you were to ask my kids what my favorite color is, they would both reply, “POLKA DOT.” That pretty much hits the nail on the head. I love all things polka dot.
I really enjoy music of all kind. In the car we sing to just about everything, but if Shut Up and Dance comes on, well, my kids can say SHUT UP without getting yelled at.
What is your best childhood memory?
Again, most of my memories involve sports. One memory that I will always hold near to my heart was the Middle School softball championship tournament at the end of the year. I am not sure they still do it the same way, but back in my day, we were out of school all day and played literally all day long. My mom would pack food, for what could feed a small army, and we would just play softball all day, or until you lost. That year we were there all day, as we won, but it was so cool being out of school and playing ball.
Want to include anything else, perhaps an interesting fact about you?
I cheered for WVU from 2003-2007. I got to participate in two Gator bowls, and the big Sugar Bowl win! I also was able to cheer at many big east tournaments, lots of post-season play and victories during John Beilein’s time coaching, and the NIT championship win!
