GARDNER, KS -
Mothers Day is this Sunday and our FOX 4 Young Achiever of the Week spotlight is on a Johnson County teenager who has overcome the heartbreak of her mom's death. Merit Goodman hasn't just overcome the tragedy. She has triumphed -- by turning to dance.
The Gardner Edgerton High School dance team has leaped to the front in recent years to become a force in the region. And team captain Merit Goodman has led them to the top.
"She's just a fun spirit," says Ashley Arnold, who along with her sister, Alli, coaches the Gardner Edgerton Dance Team. "Super creative. Always thinking of interesting and new ways to do things."
"It's so much fun," says Merit. "I'm having fun when I'm dancing. It's not just a routine." A two time National Dance Alliance high school All-American, Merit's a perfect combination of power and artistry -- graceful and strong. And something else, what her coaches call the "It Factor" -- star power -- and a passion for performing.
"As coaches we always say we can give you tools to be a dancer but we can't give you the heart," says Arnold. "And she has that heart. As full and as bright as it can be." Now Merit's terrific dancing is becoming the springboard for yet another great opportunity for her.
"I'm going to Texas," beams Merit. "I'm going to Stephen F. Austin (State University) and I'm going to dance on their pom squad."
That's not just any pom squad. The university in Nacogdoches, Texas has one of the best collegiate dance teams in the nation. And the coach there offered Merit a near full-ride scholarship.
"He's like, 'She has everything,'" recalls Alli Arnold hearing the SFA coach say. "Because it's not just the package as far as her talent. But she has the character and the leadership and the kindness. She really is the complete package."
Merit's amazing dance achievements are all the more remarkable because she didn't take up dance until she was a freshman. She was a real tomboy when she was younger, all about horses and 4H. Riding and showing horses consumed her life.
"Me and my mom used to go to horse shows every weekend," says Merit. But when Merit was in 6th grade, her mom got sick, felled by a brain aneurism. After a grueling year, Merit lost her.
"It was really like a dream," Merit says with tears in her eyes. "I remember a year or so after I felt like I was still in a dream and I felt like I was going to wake up from it and everything was going to be normal but my dream is reality."
Her mom's death left Merit heartbroken and her life in shambles. Her father was never part of her life and she wasn't especially connected to her much older half-sisters. But an older couple who kept Merit's horses stepped up to become her guardians. And then, encouraged by the coaches, Merit tried out for the high school dance team -- and found a home -- and a family.
"I picked up the pieces and I haven't let anything stop me," Merit says. "And I feel like I carry my mom with me even though she's not here." Her solo performance at the dance team's spring show capped her outstanding high school career. She choreographed it to a song by Superchick, "Beauty from Pain."
"It just signifies the turmoil and struggle I've gone through with my mom passing away," says Merit with pride. "The lyrics tell it but I also tell it through my dance, a story of how I feel and what goes on in my life." And so merit dances -- and excels -- in tribute to her mom.
Merit's going off to college with a strong purpose besides the Stephen F. Austin State University dance-and-pom squad. She plans to major in Pre-Med and eventually become a physician to treat conditions like her mom battled.
FOX 4 news is working 4 you to spotlight outstanding young people and their positive accomplishments. In our weekly report called Reaching 4 Excellence we meet young achievers in subjects like academics, the arts, leadership, community service, volunteerism, career exploration, overcoming obstacles and heroism. Watch for Reaching 4 Excellence every Wednesday on FOX 4 News at 9 p.m. and every Thursday on FOX 4 News at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Gardner Edgerton High School dance team has leaped to the front in recent years to become a force in the region. And team captain Merit Goodman has led them to the top.
"She's just a fun spirit," says Ashley Arnold, who along with her sister, Alli, coaches the Gardner Edgerton Dance Team. "Super creative. Always thinking of interesting and new ways to do things."
"It's so much fun," says Merit. "I'm having fun when I'm dancing. It's not just a routine." A two time National Dance Alliance high school All-American, Merit's a perfect combination of power and artistry -- graceful and strong. And something else, what her coaches call the "It Factor" -- star power -- and a passion for performing.
"As coaches we always say we can give you tools to be a dancer but we can't give you the heart," says Arnold. "And she has that heart. As full and as bright as it can be." Now Merit's terrific dancing is becoming the springboard for yet another great opportunity for her.
"I'm going to Texas," beams Merit. "I'm going to Stephen F. Austin (State University) and I'm going to dance on their pom squad."
That's not just any pom squad. The university in Nacogdoches, Texas has one of the best collegiate dance teams in the nation. And the coach there offered Merit a near full-ride scholarship.
"He's like, 'She has everything,'" recalls Alli Arnold hearing the SFA coach say. "Because it's not just the package as far as her talent. But she has the character and the leadership and the kindness. She really is the complete package."
Merit's amazing dance achievements are all the more remarkable because she didn't take up dance until she was a freshman. She was a real tomboy when she was younger, all about horses and 4H. Riding and showing horses consumed her life.
"Me and my mom used to go to horse shows every weekend," says Merit. But when Merit was in 6th grade, her mom got sick, felled by a brain aneurism. After a grueling year, Merit lost her.
"It was really like a dream," Merit says with tears in her eyes. "I remember a year or so after I felt like I was still in a dream and I felt like I was going to wake up from it and everything was going to be normal but my dream is reality."
Her mom's death left Merit heartbroken and her life in shambles. Her father was never part of her life and she wasn't especially connected to her much older half-sisters. But an older couple who kept Merit's horses stepped up to become her guardians. And then, encouraged by the coaches, Merit tried out for the high school dance team -- and found a home -- and a family.
"I picked up the pieces and I haven't let anything stop me," Merit says. "And I feel like I carry my mom with me even though she's not here." Her solo performance at the dance team's spring show capped her outstanding high school career. She choreographed it to a song by Superchick, "Beauty from Pain."
"It just signifies the turmoil and struggle I've gone through with my mom passing away," says Merit with pride. "The lyrics tell it but I also tell it through my dance, a story of how I feel and what goes on in my life." And so merit dances -- and excels -- in tribute to her mom.
Merit's going off to college with a strong purpose besides the Stephen F. Austin State University dance-and-pom squad. She plans to major in Pre-Med and eventually become a physician to treat conditions like her mom battled.
FOX 4 news is working 4 you to spotlight outstanding young people and their positive accomplishments. In our weekly report called Reaching 4 Excellence we meet young achievers in subjects like academics, the arts, leadership, community service, volunteerism, career exploration, overcoming obstacles and heroism. Watch for Reaching 4 Excellence every Wednesday on FOX 4 News at 9 p.m. and every Thursday on FOX 4 News at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.
