What a positive night. Yesterday evening Gwendolyn became an “Honorary Vaquero Captain” at Santa Barbara City College's football practice. The big game and her “official” Vaquero Captain duties will be this Saturday at 5:45 pm, but the coaches, team and cheer squad wanted to meet her ahead of time and we are so glad they did.
When we arrived we were immediately greeted by Kacie Jean (photographer extraordinaire — and wife to SBCC coach, Jason Fowle), KEYT's Mike Klan, and the SBCC cheer team. Gwendolyn was mesmerized by all the festivities and especially the cheerleaders. She loved their uniforms, she loved them talking to her, and she was over the moon when they did cheers for her, including lifts. And she really liked getting to hold a sparkly cheer pom pom!
When practice finished the head coach, Craig Moropoulos, gathered everyone together, talked about SMA, talked about the GSF, and movingly talked about Gwendolyn. He reminded these young men and women how fortunate they are to have their health and he rallied the players to use Gwendolyn's fighting spirit to inspire their own fight for this weekend's game. We were so touched by everything he said and so humbled to see all the young faces soak in the reality that Gwendolyn and so many just like her struggle to breathe each day and that their own basic abilities are a gift. It was such a positive night and we are so honored to be involved. We can't wait for this Saturday's game!
GSF will be hosting a booth during the game to educate about SMA and Gwendolyn will go onto the field to throw out the game starting coin toss. They will also be announcing information about SMA and the GSF throughout the night. Come on out, bring the family, and stop by to say hello. Miss G (aka Honorary Vaquero Captain) may have a few coaching tips for you 
)
Go Vaqueros!!!
All photos courtesy Kacie Jean Photography — Check out even more on the Vaquero Honorary Captain Program Facebook page.