" Achievement and Pride ! "
Dear Generous, Friends, Family and Compassionate Strangers,
My name is Kabrianna Mumford. Cheerleading , is something I do, - it’s Not - Who I Am.
I am a junior at Elmwood-Murdock Junior/Senior High School. I participate in many school functions and clubs such as Band, Spanish Club, Speech, Quiz Bowl, I am above a 3.5 GPA, Perfect Attendance since Kindergarten, Multiple 1st Place award winner in school science fairs, Member of F.B.L.A, E.C.N.C. , I Participate in Competition Speech, Have rec’d Superior Rating in Band, ( I Play the French horn ), Chorus, ( Both Band and Chorus - as a Group and Individually recognized ), and was nominated for Best Supporting Youth Actress As Gretl in local production of the Sound of Music at 8 yrs. Old. And have participated in dozens of others both on stage and in school. I am Planning on attending College and Majoring in Psychology so I may help children and troubled teens .
I pride myself on my social skills, my friends see me as a confidant, and someone they genuinely are fond of and enjoy spending time with. I’ve made Honor Roll every semester since Being eligible, Recognized every year by the State of Nebraska as a High ability learner which has Recommended me for - and assisted in placing me in Advanced classes since 7th grade, will begin College courses in junior year in Psychology. Top of my class in achievement in math and science. Oh,...and a student asst. Coach in track.....as well as a Blue Belt in Karate.
But what this is about, - is in fact - Cheerleading. Which I am currently Partially responsible for Choreographing Dance routines,and have rec’d multiple Team and individual Awards for. Including, for the first time in the History of Elmwood - Our team Won the STATE Championship for Class C-2 Non Tumbling !
I have been a cheerleader since my freshman year of high school, in Elmwood , Nebraska. A relatively small Village of approx. 650. This activity takes a great deal of time and dedication. It Encourages, - at times even forces you, to make decisions ,and prioritise everyday life unexpectedly. Promoting Focus and Responsibility.
It pushes you to physical limits and if you are not prepared to put your all into it ,you aren’t going to be very successful. I have given up certain events and activities to be able to participate in this sport (yes, sport) and I don’t regret a moment. It has made me more mature, well rounded, and received benefits I have yet to fully understand and appreciate.
I have been given opportunities to meet people from different states at the cheer camps we travel to ( “Did you know there is a girl from Arkansas - ( Actually Mrs. Arkansas ), with MY first name - as Her middle name? “ ...Sorry , more a personal side note ,- but interesting considering the rarity of my name….Anyway ). This year our camp experience was very successful. We earned three gold ribbons, one blue ribbon, Top Banana, 1st place in sideline, 2nd place in Xtreme routine, a Superior trophy, the Leadership Plaque, two St. Jude’s Pins, Three Pin-it-Forward awards, Three All-Americans and I earned the Dancing Diva award.
Pin It Forward program promotes all of the values encouraged through cheerleading; leadership, spirit, commitment, kindness and motivation. We can’t forget all of the great benefits of cheerleading and the positive ways it affects our lives such as gaining confidence, becoming physically fit and healthy, being involved at school and in the community ,showing our Pride in both - while hopefully instilling and promoting that Pride into others. Not to mention becoming all-around better athletes. A total of six of these awards were given out at camp this year, and I was fortunate enough to be a recipient of one of them.
All-American Cheerleaders are girls and boys who were able to: (Females) - Perform the Xtreme Routine Dance, (Males) - Perform a stunt instead of the Xtreme Routine Dance, All-American Cheer, and your best jump. All of this is expected to be at a highly superior level. We were grouped in numbers between 3 and 4, but were judged as individuals rather than together. It is considered one of the most Elite groups of Cheerleaders. Three members of our squad, including myself, were honored to be selected this year.
Through this program, we are now given the opportunity of a lifetime. We are able to travel to LONDON, to participate in the London New Year's Day Parade, to represent our country and our individual states and schools/community. This is a week long journey where they, our guides, take us around and outside of London to learn about and experience the culture and history. We are set to visit famous landmarks, such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, and witness some spectacular events that I’m certain will be unforgettable. One of the days we are set to be over there just so happens to be my 17th birthday; ( Jan 2nd ) , and I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than to be traveling overseas to the place of AMAZING accents , beautiful scenery and architecture! ( And let’s not forget, - “ The Birthplace of Dr. Who ! and Benedict Cumberbatch ! “)
There are not many times in a life that you are given such an opportunity. The only places I’ve ever been are states that border Nebraska. So this is HUGE for me. It’s been a dream of mine since I was little to be able to travel anywhere, especially to another country, and this is hopefully the beginning of many more!
What I am requesting , from all of you, that have taken time from their own lives, to show even a few seconds of concern for my plea, ( Which I assure you with all the sincerity i can offer, and from morales and ethics instilled by my parents ) , is a request for monetary assistance and help that is simply put - desperately needed, and is Only being asked for because of my family's and my own inability to raise the money any other way. I am attempting to do what i can through concessions, craft sales, a makeshift lottery, etc… But I am afraid I will fall short in the small time frame I've been alloted.
The " Trip" is over Christmas and New Years day,.....The Amount Needed has to be raised and given to organization " By November 4th !!
The majority of you I will never meet, and Never be able to properly thank. But I Promise you, I Am humbled , and appreciate your generosity if even a fraction of what is needed is gained by this page. So I say now,...THANK YOU ! Thank you for reading, for your compassion, Thank you for your generosity. If I go,...Look for the girl in the Black White and Silver in the picture on this page - New Year's Day in London. I got there - Because of Your Generosity and Belief in Me ! So not only will I be representing my School, Community, and the United States of America,...I - in a small but Heartfelt way, will also be Representing Each of You !
My family and I on our own cannot possibly even imagine to afford such expenses. With the help of my community, extended family, generous strangers and friends, I hope that this dream of mine can become a reality. All monies raised will go towards the amount on this page, which has been predetermined by “ VARSITY SPIRIT CORP.“, (They are who organizes and sponsors these events) . It is my understanding this will completely cover all necessary expenses.
Again, My Sincerest and Heartfelt Thank You , Even if you only just read. My dad taught me,...” Expect Nothing , Earn and Deserve what you get , - Including Respect , and Never take for Granted - what you’re Given .” I Promise you, I Never Will !
Sincerely,
Kabrianna Mumford
( Almost forgot,... ” GO KNIGHTS ! “ )
