What started as a "fun little hobby" has given a local teen the chance to take the trip of a lifetime.
Amber Moody, 13, of Lee's Summit was recently chosen as one of three girls to represent the GAGE Silver Dragons cheerleading team at the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii as part of the All American Cheer and Dance Pro Bowl Performance tour. Moody, who has been cheering since she was five years old, is in her first year with the Blue Springs-based Silver Dragons team.
A seventh-grade student at Pleasant Lea Middle School, Moody earned her chance to perform at the Pro Bowl at a national cheerleading competition that took place in Kansas City in December 2007.
When her name was called as one of the three girls chosen, Moody said her first reaction was disbelief.
"I wasn't really expecting it," she said. "It just kind of happened. They called the first two girls' name and then they called me. I was like, 'What?' I couldn't believe it."
However, in order for Moody to take advantage of this opportunity, she must raise a significant amount of money. According to AACD information, the cost of a doubles package - Moody and one parent or guardian - is a little more than $2,000. That cost does not include airfare and meals.
To help secure sufficient funds, Moody is currently seeking out sponsors and donations. She said her parents are talking with various businesses, as well as friends and family to try to raise the money."I wasn't really expecting it," she said. "It just kind of happened. They called the first two girls' name and then they called me. I was like, 'What?' I couldn't believe it."
However, in order for Moody to take advantage of this opportunity, she must raise a significant amount of money. According to AACD information, the cost of a doubles package - Moody and one parent or guardian - is a little more than $2,000. That cost does not include airfare and meals.
Moody said raising the money and being able to perform in Hawaii would "mean so much" to her, especially because she's missed out on other opportunities due to lack of funds. Debbie Moody, Amber's mother, said her daughter has been nominated four times to travel with the People To People Student Ambassador Program, but lack of funds prevented her from going each time.
"I've been nominated to go to Australia," Amber said. "I've been nominated to go meet the president. But I couldn't ever go because I didn't have any sponsors and didn't have the money." And being able to make the trip to Hawaii would mean more than simply having the chance to cheer in front of professional athletes and thousands of fans. According to AACD information, more than $37,000 worth of scholarships are awarded each year at the event - money Amber said would come in handy for her future plans.
"I plan to go to Harvard after high school," she said. "I want to be a lawyer."
Amber, who has cheered with various youth cheerleading teams in Lee's Summit, said she became interested in the sport of cheerleading at a young age for various reasons.
"I just loved the outfits and all the excitement," she said. "Plus, I was super hyper as a child but I didn't have any place to put it - so I put it in cheerleading.""I plan to go to Harvard after high school," she said. "I want to be a lawyer."
Amber, who has cheered with various youth cheerleading teams in Lee's Summit, said she became interested in the sport of cheerleading at a young age for various reasons.
Debbie Moody said anyone who would like to donate to Amber's Hawaii fund can call her at 816-853-5670 or send donations to her home at 111 S.W. Walnut St., Lee's Summit, MO 64063.
Moody's teammates who also earned a trip to Hawaii are Michelle Riddle and Katelyn Tormena.
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