On the surface, one never know there was anything different about Calli White. The Bleckley County High School Junior is a member of the competition cheerleading squad, played in last night's Powder Puff football game, and does a lot of the things most teenage girls do.
You'd have to look really close to notice that White's right eye isn't the one she was born with. White lost her right eye to childhood cancer almost 11 years ago. Despite that, and despite having no previous cheerleading experience, she made the competition squad her freshmen year as an alternate.
White continued to work and has been on the mat the past two seasons. Her effort hasn't gone unnoticed. Two weeks ago, White was named Positive Athlete Georgia's Most Positive Cheer Athlete in Middle Georgia. Late Wednesday night, she discovered she had won the statewide Positive Athlete Award for Cheerleading.
Speaking via message, White didn't even know until that night she'd won," I just happened to come across it late last night and I was ecstatic. Ran across the house and woke up my mom (Lori White) to tell her the news!" She added "I never thought this would happen."
White was nominated by BCHS Cheerleading Head Coach Heather Davis. In her nominating email Davis spoke of White's heart for others saying "She is especially sensitive to those around her who may be a little different or struggle to feel accepted."
 |
| White with Head Coach Heather Davis. |
She also noted how White had learned to do the various things required to be a competition cheerleader despite her disability, "Although she has no vision on her right side, Calli has learned to fly, back spot, and base throughout her high school career along with being able to perform various tumbling skills. She is extremely determined and dedicated to being the best she can be at whatever she does. Her teammates and coaches can always count on her to be all in despite the unfortunate circumstances she must overcome on a daily basis."
Davis loves having White on the squad saying in an email "I love her dearly and am so proud of the young lady she has become. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to be her coach."
White knows she has a special story because of all she's been through and hopes she can motivate others to not give up, " I hope that through this I can inspire others with disabilities, hardships, or even just someone who doesn't believe in themselves to take up a sport like cheerleading."
The awards presentation will take place June 6 at the Positive Athlete Georgia Awards Banquet held in Atlanta at the College Football Hall of Fame.
© Copyright
by BleckleyProgess.com
Top of Page
|
