BRING KELLI BACK!

Kelli Mitchell is one of the most selfless, committed, and influential women I know. Kelli first began co-coaching with Jane Stackpole at Ellsworth Middle School my 8th grade year. Our team immediately transformed.

We began to win every single cheerleading competition, the confidence of every child on the team grew, and many of us found a passion for the sport that still lasts to this day. Under Kelli, Ellsworth cheerleaders learned teamwork, dedication, respect, and what it means to truly work for a reward.

The following year, 2009, Kelli and Jane took their team to the State championship, won, and have not lost a state championship since. Kelli’s own passion for the sport is so incredibly encouraging. Through this passion, she took on coaching FOUR different elementary and pee-wee squads on top of her full time job, mothering her own 3 children, and being a wife. These teams are always impressively successful. Kelli does this because she loves the sport and she loves each child she works with.

However, this year Kelli’s coaching contract has not been renewed. I cannot stress enough how devastating the outcome of this will be for Ellsworth cheerleading program. Now, as a freshman in college, I am even more capable of appreciating how Kelli’s inspiration has affected me. I assistant coached under Kelli for a few years and now, after all I’ve learned through her, coach youth myself.

I am unable to put into words how much having a sport I was passionate about has changed my life for the better. The love of a sport keeps children out of trouble, keeps dreams alive, improves physical health, and provides positive role models to look up to throughout every challenge of their lives, just as I have to Kelli.

I hope anyone who has ever had an influential coach, a sport they were passionate about, or known Kelli personally will see the importance of keeping great coaches in school sports. Please sign this petition to show your support.

Next week, I will send it to the Ellsworth School Board to show them that the loss of an amazing coach WILL NOT go unnoticed.