MONROE - A free trip to Disney World and the chance to outdo the competition are the gifts 9-year-old MaKenna Schooff will receive for her birthday this year.
Band music filled the Albrecht Elementary School as students decked out in football jerseys cheered on Schooff, who sat toward the front of the room Wednesday hesitantly basking in their admiration. Set to turn 10 on Saturday, she was scheduled to depart today for Orlando to take part in the National Football League Punt, Pass and Kick competition for the first time on a national level. The competition is scheduled for Friday afternoon. The Brodhead fourth-grader has been competing in regional and statewide competitions for the past three years.
"It will be great just to be there," Schooff said.
A group of more than 100 students and faculty members gathered to send Schooff off to the national competition for the first time. Students chanted with school pride and wished her the best of luck. Principal David Novy coaxed the crowd into roaring support.
"She is the farthest in the area, the farthest in the state," Novy said. "And she's one of the best in the nation."
At the completion of his sentence, cheers erupted and echoed throughout the room. Novy continued to inform the crowd of Schooff's past involvement in the PPK competitions. In second grade, she traveled to Lambeau Field to compete and only just missed her chance at nationals. In third grade, she was one of the highest placed in the country but did not qualify to compete among winners throughout the United States. This time, her combined throw and kicks covered 202 feet to give her the second highest score in the nation and earn her a trip to Orlando.
Novy gave Schooff a Cardinals drawstring bag filled with snacks, sports drinks and a t-shirt signed with good wishes from each teacher throughout the school.
Brodhead Mayor Doug Pinnow attended the pep rally as well, bequeathing Schooff with a certificate for her achievement and proclaiming Jan. 25 "MaKenna Schooff Day" in the city.
Schooff, who plays flag football, said she has been a fan of the sport and the Green Bay Packers for as long as she can remember. Throughout the year she spends time outside in the driveway practicing with her father, Jake. Her love of the sport is what prompted her to try out for the PPK competition, with Jake and her mother, Amy, in full support.
"I liked football and I just decided to take part," Schooff said, adding that her favorite part of the contest is passing because she most excels at throwing.
Schooff said she is not nervous about her first trip to Florida or national PPK but was excited to meet other kids in the contest and to show off her abilities during the Pro Bowl weekend.
Jake Schooff expressed excitement for his daughter as well. He has spent nearly every day outside with his daughter to help her improve her skills.
"It's nice we've been able to practice together, go to Lambeau Field four times together," Jake said. "It's good to see hard work pays off."
Band music filled the Albrecht Elementary School as students decked out in football jerseys cheered on Schooff, who sat toward the front of the room Wednesday hesitantly basking in their admiration. Set to turn 10 on Saturday, she was scheduled to depart today for Orlando to take part in the National Football League Punt, Pass and Kick competition for the first time on a national level. The competition is scheduled for Friday afternoon. The Brodhead fourth-grader has been competing in regional and statewide competitions for the past three years.
"It will be great just to be there," Schooff said.
A group of more than 100 students and faculty members gathered to send Schooff off to the national competition for the first time. Students chanted with school pride and wished her the best of luck. Principal David Novy coaxed the crowd into roaring support.
"She is the farthest in the area, the farthest in the state," Novy said. "And she's one of the best in the nation."
At the completion of his sentence, cheers erupted and echoed throughout the room. Novy continued to inform the crowd of Schooff's past involvement in the PPK competitions. In second grade, she traveled to Lambeau Field to compete and only just missed her chance at nationals. In third grade, she was one of the highest placed in the country but did not qualify to compete among winners throughout the United States. This time, her combined throw and kicks covered 202 feet to give her the second highest score in the nation and earn her a trip to Orlando.
Novy gave Schooff a Cardinals drawstring bag filled with snacks, sports drinks and a t-shirt signed with good wishes from each teacher throughout the school.
Brodhead Mayor Doug Pinnow attended the pep rally as well, bequeathing Schooff with a certificate for her achievement and proclaiming Jan. 25 "MaKenna Schooff Day" in the city.
Schooff, who plays flag football, said she has been a fan of the sport and the Green Bay Packers for as long as she can remember. Throughout the year she spends time outside in the driveway practicing with her father, Jake. Her love of the sport is what prompted her to try out for the PPK competition, with Jake and her mother, Amy, in full support.
"I liked football and I just decided to take part," Schooff said, adding that her favorite part of the contest is passing because she most excels at throwing.
Schooff said she is not nervous about her first trip to Florida or national PPK but was excited to meet other kids in the contest and to show off her abilities during the Pro Bowl weekend.
Jake Schooff expressed excitement for his daughter as well. He has spent nearly every day outside with his daughter to help her improve her skills.
"It's nice we've been able to practice together, go to Lambeau Field four times together," Jake said. "It's good to see hard work pays off."