Eighth-grader wounded in a shooting performs the national anthem and dances at a Colts game
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.
Ella Whistler, NWMS Students To Sing Anthem At Colts Game https://t.co/N5U3X8yms7 pic.twitter.com/qfb94Bf2m0
— Indianapolis Patch (@Indy_Patch) November 23, 2018
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."
Our hero.💙#EllaStrong #MIAvsIND pic.twitter.com/15359KIHVQ
— Colts Cheerleaders (@ColtsCheer) November 26, 2018
Whistler and her team of cheerleaders also sang the national anthem before the game and were all smiles posing for selfies afterward.
Ella Whistler and other middle schoolers in the Noblesville choir sung the national anthem before the @Colts vs. @Dolphins game today. pic.twitter.com/ESl5cIBUqV
— Jenna Watson (@JennaRWatson) November 25, 2018
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."
Our honorary coin toss captain, Ella Whistler, is representing Noblesville West Middle School’s cheer & dance teams in this special performance! 😍💙✨ https://t.co/ofSkjWh5dZ
— Colts Cheerleaders (@ColtsCheer) November 25, 2018
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.
MVP of the game! https://t.co/eZ2WdQsVN7
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) September 24, 2018
Twitter and social media were abuzz with praise for Tjandrawidjaj, and it's clear to see why. Read the full story here.
