Sequoit Cheerleading Honors Wish Enhancement
Antioch resident Samantha Kempf, diagnosed with a brain tumor is honored by Antioch Cheerleading during the conference championship on Friday, October 21.
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Samantha Kempf smiles as Junior Andrew Hare and the rest of the Antioch varsity football team placed assorted carnations at her feet on Friday night before the Sequoits’ conference championship game against Grayslake North High School as a gesture to her for fighting a tumor located in her brain.
As the ACHS Varsity football team took on Grayslake North for the conference championship on Friday, October 21, a future Sequoit was honored for taking on something much harder than just a game.
Last year, Antioch Upper Grade student Samantha Kempf, received the tough news that a tumor was located in her brain.
“We’ve had ups and downs, but we have great friends and that helps us get through the hard times,” said Wendy Kempf, in an interview with the Chicago Tribune.
Since her diagnosis, Kempf was in and out of hospitals and was offered the chance to receive a wish through the Make-A-Wish foundation . Videography and photography have always been a passion of Kempf, leading to her wish of having a professional camera and recording equipment. Along with equipment, Kempf wishes to have proper training to help her in the pursuit of her passion in the form of a future career. The Illinois Make-A-wish Foundation teamed up with local cheer and football program, Antioch Vikings, to construct a wish enhancement while Kempf’s wish was being processed. With her love for cheer in mind, the perfect wish enhancement was decided, leaving her with the opportunity to join Antioch Community High School’s varsity cheerleading team on the sidelines of one of their most important football games.
“My experience Friday night with Sam was truly amazing,” senior Emma Miller said. “We had a practice to prepare ourselves and Sam was such a quick learner. I teen coach her for Vikings and it’s just amazing to see her working hard all the time.”
As a part of a weekly Antioch tradition, at the beginning of each home football game, football players run through a tunnel right onto the field made up of fans, cheerleaders and the marching band. Kempf took part in this tradition with an added surprise from the football players; as each player ran through, they stopped in front of Kempf to leave a carnation by her feet. This was a small gesture of kindness made by the ACHS football team to honor Kempf and the fight she goes through every day.
“It was a warming experience to honor such a strong girl,” senior Josh Sidare said. “Last year we were lucky enough to have a welcoming team [for another Make-A-Wish], and I am glad that we so frequently grant wishes like these.”