HomeEighth-grader wounded in a shooting performs the national anthem and dances at a Colts game

Eighth-grader wounded in a shooting performs the national anthem and dances at a Colts game

December 23, 2018 | by Cheryl Kahla

School shootings are a sensitive subject at the moment, with youths from across the country calling for stricter gun laws. 

In light of that, a student who was shot seven times in a school shooting earlier this year proved last months that she is not going to let it affect the quality of her life. 

Ella Whistler was one of two students injured at the Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana when a 13-year-old opened fire on his classmates. 

Whistler suffered gunshot wounds to her face, chest, and neck, and had to receive emergency treatment for a collapsed lung and shattered bones. 

Whistler's condition was critical as one of the bullets pierced an artery in her arm and she was losing blood rapidly. Read more on our Twitter account, @amomama_usa. 

Six months later and Whistler is ready to see the world again. Back in November, she led the cheer and dance team at the Indy Colts game. 

The Colts Cheerleaders shared a video of her performance Twitter with the caption: 

"Our honorary coin toss captain, Elle Whistler, is representing Noblesville West Middle School's cheer and dance teams in this special performance."

Whistler and her team of cheerleaders also sang the national anthem before the game and were all smiles posing for selfies afterward. 

The Colts also showed their support:

"Ella Whistler shows the world how strong she is by performing with @ColtsCheer as our honorary captain for #MIAvsIND just six months after she was shot seven times in the Noblesville West Middle School shooting. #EllaStrong."

Another student that tugged at heartstrings this year was 7-year-old from Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaj who sang the National anthem before a crowd of 25,000. 

She won the Galaxy Social National Anthem contest with her powerful performance, and a video clip of her spectacular vocal talents has since gone viral. 

Twitter and social media were abuzz with praise for Tjandrawidjaj, and it's clear to see why. Read the full story here. 

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