Although the UCM Mules lost 41-23 to Emporia State, UCM students showed their appreciation for the troops and breast cancer awareness.
The football team, cheerleaders, Mulekickers and the Marching Mules came together Oct. 13, wearing pink and camouflage around Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field, to support breast cancer awareness and the military during Military Appreciation Day.
It was a chilly day, but nothing was stopping the outpouring of support from fans coming to cheer on the UCM football team. There was a deeper meaning behind these colors that students chose to represent on and off the field.
Jeremy Hunt, Mules quarterback, said it was fun to see the B-2 Bomber, even at his age. He says he remembers seeing it as a kid and he still feels the same way about it now.
“One of my mom’s friends had breast cancer and it was nice to get the opportunity to let them know that they are not alone and we are on their side,” Hunt said. “I have a couple of friends who are in ROTC and it was nice to have the chance to represent them and show them how much respect we have for them.”
Kaylee Bake: UCM Mulekicker
Kaylee Bake, a freshman Mulekicker, said the dance team tried their hardest to wear their pink and support breast cancer awareness.
“We wore pink hats and used pink poms and it was a great opportunity to help show that our team wants to help find a cure,” Bake said.
Bake also helped the mini-Mulekickers perform during the halftime show. The mini-Mulekickers are elementary aged children who signed up for a “kiddy-clinic” that was held by the Mulekickers the day before the football game.
“It was really cool watching the girls dance and be in awe over us,” Bake said. “They loved their pink poms so much. It’s cool to see such young girls dance while supporting a great cause.”
Bake’s two little sisters were alongside her as they performed the show. Not only did Bake support breast cancer awareness, she and the Mulekickers also gave thanks to the military troops by performing a routine called “Stars and Stripes” with the band.
“I liked the routine because it was sharper and it could show support for our troops,” Bake said.
Bake is from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and she said she enjoys dance the most. But if she has any free time away from dance, she watches Netflix.
She has three younger sisters who all love to dance.
“We are a pretty big dance family and it’s a lot of fun,” Bake said.
Whitney Wagner: UCM Marching Band & ROTC
Whitney Wagner, a sophomore instrumental music education major, stood out in her ROTC uniform while performing the bass drum with the band. While majoring in instrumental music education, she is well on her way to completing her minor in ROTC.
At the last minute, the ROTC Color Guard needed Wagner at the beginning of the football game. So, without hesitating, Wagner switched from the band to the field to be on Color Guard.
At the halftime show of the football game, Wagner and the UCM marching band spelled out all the different types of categories in the United States Armed Forces.
“For me, it was very moving since I am in the military. I am first bass drum and the second bass drum is also in ROTC with me,” Wagner said. “While we were playing the song while spelling out the words, I teared up a little. This is me, and people fight and die for our freedom and that really hit me.”
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Wagner is the captain of the 10-miler club with ROTC. Wagner and the 10-miler club recently went to Washington, D.C., to run 10 miles. Before college, Wagner was enlisted in the National Guard before and plans to be in the National Guard and be a band teacher after graduating from UCM.
Jay Parker: UCM Cheerleader
Jay Parker, a senior art education major, is a base and a spotter for the UCM cheer team. He also does back-handspring back-tucks on occasion. Parker, along with the other UCM cheerleaders, supported breast cancer awareness by wearing pink to the game.
“I felt really good wearing pink. It’s always exciting to wear pink, especially because I have a family member who is a survivor of breast cancer,” Parker said. “Pink is a fun color and it also looks really good. It was exciting to support a great cause.”
Parker is from Aurora, Illinois, and said he enjoys making music in his free time. He said he likes to draw tattoos and workout. In the future, Parker said he would like to be a tattoo artist, art teacher or a musician.
“I would love to do anything creative,” he said. “We’ll just have to see where I end up.”
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Military appreciation, breast cancer awareness highlight football game
October 23, 2018
The University of Central Missouri’s football team wears camouflage with their American flag mule helmets to support the United States Armed Forces while facing Emporia State University. (Photos by Molly Burnam/Photo Editor)
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