School Shooting Survivor Becomes Honorary Captain of Indianapolis Colts Cheer Squad

Ella Whistler cheered with an NFL squad six months after being shot in a school shooting.

In May 2018, the teen was shot seven times by one of her classmates at Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana. She received a life-saving surgery for her collapsed lungs and broken bones.

Just six months later, Ella showed her strength as an honorary captain for the Indianapolis Colts cheer squad. She rocked a routine with the team and sang the national anthem for the NFL game with her school’s choir.

Noblesville West is one of more than 80 U.S. school shootings in 2018 so far. Ella’s science teacher was also shot in the attack. After the shooting, the community started Noblesville Stands Together to push for tighter regulations on buying and storing guns.
As Ella continues to recover, many are cheering her on and embracing what it means to be #EllaStrong.

 

So unbelievably proud of this beautiful girl - not just for an awesome performance today, but for being so strong and serving as an inspiration to many people! We love you, Ella! #EllaStrong 💙 pic.twitter.com/MyaSmECpc3

— Lexie C. (@LexieC_CC) November 26, 2018

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