Cheering to be the best
6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 2007
"We do it, together! We do it, together!" yells Kemi Odusoga and several young ladies of the Cheer Club.
While tutoring at Topeka's Robinson Middle School, Kemi saw a need.
"I felt like a lot of the girls lacked was focus and something to really put their energy into. So I decided to, hey, start up a cheerleading club here," says Kemi.
And the Cheer Club was born.
Through her passion for cheerleading, Kemi recruited several dozen young ladies during the school semester. They performed at talent shows, school assemblies, even at Washburn University's Homecoming parade.
But there's more to the Cheer Club than just cheering. Shacore Nelson says it helps to keep her focused.
"It helped me get better at cheerleading and it keeps me away from negativity," said Shacore.
Kemi says the girls learn about dedication and responsibility.
"It's kept a lot of them off the streets. It just gives them something else to focus their attention on and to really work for. Keeping their grades up because they can't cheer if they don't make a certain GPA," said Kemi.
Kemi says the Cheer Club has given her a greater appreciation for helping others.
"As members of this community it's our responsibility to go out and help other people. Do it for yourself. Do it because it's the right thing to do. And you genuinely have an interest in helping others," said Kemi.
Kemi's enthusiasm for helping others has rubbed off on Shacore. She says she would like to help out her fellow classmates.
"Like tutoring. I like tutoring people, help them understand more with school," said Shacore.
Kemi now lives in Wichita and is training her assistant coach to take over. But Kemi says she will always keep in touch with the Cheer Club.
"The Cheer Club, really, it's my heart. No matter where I go, I will, I will keep track of this Club if I have to. I will not let it die. (I want to) help them become the best young women they can be," said Kemi.
"We do it, together!" yells the Cheer Club and Kemi with hands stacked on top of each other.
Comments
Note: ktka.com does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor vouch for the factual claims made therein. Nor do we review every post.
Jun. 28, 2007 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)topcity_785 (anonymous)
thats my old school shout out to all my people at robinson keeping it hood
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)