Grace Adams will perform prior to the Citrus Bowl football game Monday in Orlando, Fla.
Emily Lawson | Submitted Photo
Grace Adams put her fear of failure aside.
Her mom, and coach, are happy she did.
Adams, an eighth grade student at Clinton-Massie Middle School, will perform Monday during pregame festivities for the Citrus Bowl college football game between Purdue and Louisiana State University in Orlando, Fla.
Donna Adams is both Grace’s mother and coach. Grace was selected for the pregame performance during tryouts at Bowling Green State University in June.
“She was hesitant to try out for AA (All-American) because she was afraid she wouldn’t be good enough. I’m glad that she persevered and tried out,” said Donna.
Originally, after earning All-American status, Adams was looking at the Thanksgiving parade in Philadelphia but the opportunity to make a winter trip to Florida came up.
“Most of the All-American performances are during a parade but this event is a longer routine before the football game,” Donna said. “Grace was sent the routine to learn a week ago. She’s been practicing for most of her winter break from school.”
The opportunity also includes passes to Universal Theme Parks.
“This trip then became a family trip,” Donna said. “Grace will have a couple of long rehearsals when we arrive and then time at Universal and the Orlando area. We are excited to watch the football game too because we are big football fans. We’ve never seen LSU play so this will be fun.”
All of which is fine with Grace.
“We have been to Florida a few times for Disney and Universal,” said Grace. “We are big Harry Potter fans so we like Universal a lot. Our plan is to enjoy the park, do some shopping and try some fun restaurants.”
Grace has been cheering since she was in second grade. She’d like to have the chance to cheer in college but enjoys the relationships as much as what cheering can do for her future.
“I’d love to get a cheer scholarship some day but for now, I want to enjoy cheer and making friends along the way,” she said.
