Alex Miller (9/26/2011) - Athlete Awards - Oklahoma City University Athletics

Athlete Awards

Athletes of the Week

Alex Miller

Award

Athletes of the Week
Week Of

9/26/2011
Sport

Competitive Cheerleading
Bio

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Alex Miller found a great idea.
Miller, a senior cheerleader at Oklahoma City University from Fairland, Okla., wanted to help Miller decided to get involved with scoliosis awareness when she found out her sister, Emi Elliott had been diagnosed with scoliosis.
“I was lucky enough to have friends and family help me out and it turned into a full time job,” Miller said. “We worked really hard, and we ended up raising quite a bit of money.”
Miller raised around $4,500 for scoliosis awareness after organizing the Walk for Scoliosis on Sept. 4 and a fundraiser with Buffalo Wild Wings on Sept. 21. She is this week’s Super Star of the week.
“My sister found out that she had scoliosis, and when she did I just felt the need to do something,” Miller said. “Which may sound cheesy, but I’m the older sister and I was the protector and there wasn’t anything I could really do. My hands were tied.”
That is when Miller decided to begin working with her sister to raise money for scoliosis awareness.
“I thought this is something we can do together, we can work on it together,” Miller said. “We can maybe create positive change out of this negative circumstance that she had, and so far we have been lucky and been able to do that.”
The money raised by the Walk for Scoliosis and the Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser will go to the Oklahoma chapter of Curvy Girls. Curvy Girls is peer-led support group for teenage girls managing scoliosis.
“They have different activities, they have pool parties, meetings, it’s just a way to hang out and lean on each other,” Miller said. “I think a great part of the healing process is knowing you’re not alone and knowing that there is someone out there that you can relate to.”
The funds raised will help pay medical bills for members and will help make travel arrangements for member to travel to the 2012 Curvy Girls national conference in New York City.
“I just saw an opportunity where I could help out and felt like it was almost like I found a passion,” Miller said. “I found something that I love to do and be able to help others.”
Miller has plans to continue her efforts for scoliosis awareness.
“I do hope that the walk will be an annual event,” Miller said. “By that time I hope that I will be able to create a nonprofit.”
Miller has had plans to create a nonprofit organization for a while.
“It has always been a passion of mine to create a nonprofit, and I wanted to do it this year, but now I have learned so much about the process,” Miller said. “I’m ready for next year because I know all the specifics, and I know what I need to do to get there.”
According to Miller, a member of the OCU cheerleading squad that won the 2011 NCA national championship, with all of her activities she may seem to be extroverted, but that is not the case.
“People may not know that I consider myself an introvert,” Miller said. “I’d rather be behind the scenes, while I appreciate this opportunity right now, I’d rather be the face behind the cause.”
If you would like to contribute to scoliosis awareness contact Miller at akmiller@my.ocu.edu.

More on Alex:
Person I would like to interview: Sigmund Freud
Career plans: Become a therapist
If I were President I would: Repeal Obamacare and lower taxes for small businesses creating more jobs
My obsession: My puppies Max and Zeus
Define greatness: Greatness is the moment inner character meets or exceeds the talented, successful outer self

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