My Story
This is a story on how I became inspired by the world's most fantastic people on the planet.
On April 5th, 2009, I stepped into Shamu Stadium for the very first time. My family sat with me in the Splash Zone. I had never seen killer whales before. My grandma said they were just whales and left it at that. She said they perform amazing tricks and it is a beautiful show. I thought when she said 'whales' that she meant blue whales. Silly I thought that, huh?
The very moment the music began, I was thrilled. The show began as I saw for the first time a killer whale named Kalina. She was so beautiful, yet I only knew her by the name of Shamu. That's all the information I was given. Then, a trainer ran out. He was so amazing in his enthusiasm with waterwork. His name is Branden Loetz. I hadn't seen anything as cool as this show. At the end, I left changed. I hadn't been completely persuaded to become a trainer until this next year.
On February 24, 2010, Dawn Brancheau drowned. I saw it in the news and was like, "Hey, I went there just last year!" The more and more this showed up, the more interested I got. I researched Dawn's tragedy and was horror-struck. Not all of the articles had been accurate in what they said. Some said Shamu Stadium had been closed down forever. Some said Dawn had been thrown out of the tank and got a concussion. I frantically searched for a correct answer. Then it hit me.
I was watching a Believe video from back in 2009. The entire show came back to me. I was so amazed at these beautiful creatures. The man performing in this show was Joe Sanchez. He was so enthusiastic in his performance that it made me love the job even more. He made it look fun!
I bought the Believe DVD that summer, when I went to Florida. I watched that movie so many times that even now (and I lost it back in 2011) I can remember every single move and every single beat to the movie. Brian McFadden, Dawn Brancheau, and Laura Surovik happened to be performing in that show. I was amazed at their work. Laura's words in the trainer message really touched me. She was so inspiring to me, and I didn't know how it was possible that someone could have such a dream and then live it out every day.
So it was decided. I wanted to become a Shamu trainer. I got to visit Sea World Orlando last summer. It was so great to go back! All of the other shows were amazing! But One Ocean never ceased to thrill me. By that time, I could name all of the orcas by their markings. I even managed to help some little kids interact with the orcas (like waving or whistling) all by myself! They thought it was the coolest thing ever, as did I. And another funny thing, I just so happened to be watching the show Branden Loetz was in at Pirate Island...I seem to see him every time!
Now, I am trying to fight through all of the ups and downs of becoming a trainer. Because of this dream, I am now a good speaker; I was a stutterer. I can hold my breath for about two minutes underwater; I could barely hold it for 15 seconds. I'm on the swim team; I always had a fear of drowning. I am now musically coordinated in everyway possible from band; I never could find a beat until now. I have a never-ending love for animals; sure I liked animals, but not as much as now. I now believe that anything impossible to me (like all of the above) is possible; I used to be a doubter. I am now prepared for anything I have to do to chase after this dream.
Even though I live so far away from Florida and I only get to go to Sea World maybe once every two years, I still have this amazing dream fired up in me. Usually I drop a dream and go, but this one has stayed with me for over three years now. I can't wait until I am able to work as an animal trainer.
I owe a huge thank you to Mr. Joe, Mr. Branden, Ms. Laura, and Ms. Dawn (and basically any animal trainer :) ). They are my life's heroes. How could I have started following this dream without you?
Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this! It really means a lot to me! ♥
On April 5th, 2009, I stepped into Shamu Stadium for the very first time. My family sat with me in the Splash Zone. I had never seen killer whales before. My grandma said they were just whales and left it at that. She said they perform amazing tricks and it is a beautiful show. I thought when she said 'whales' that she meant blue whales. Silly I thought that, huh?
The very moment the music began, I was thrilled. The show began as I saw for the first time a killer whale named Kalina. She was so beautiful, yet I only knew her by the name of Shamu. That's all the information I was given. Then, a trainer ran out. He was so amazing in his enthusiasm with waterwork. His name is Branden Loetz. I hadn't seen anything as cool as this show. At the end, I left changed. I hadn't been completely persuaded to become a trainer until this next year.
On February 24, 2010, Dawn Brancheau drowned. I saw it in the news and was like, "Hey, I went there just last year!" The more and more this showed up, the more interested I got. I researched Dawn's tragedy and was horror-struck. Not all of the articles had been accurate in what they said. Some said Shamu Stadium had been closed down forever. Some said Dawn had been thrown out of the tank and got a concussion. I frantically searched for a correct answer. Then it hit me.
I was watching a Believe video from back in 2009. The entire show came back to me. I was so amazed at these beautiful creatures. The man performing in this show was Joe Sanchez. He was so enthusiastic in his performance that it made me love the job even more. He made it look fun!
I bought the Believe DVD that summer, when I went to Florida. I watched that movie so many times that even now (and I lost it back in 2011) I can remember every single move and every single beat to the movie. Brian McFadden, Dawn Brancheau, and Laura Surovik happened to be performing in that show. I was amazed at their work. Laura's words in the trainer message really touched me. She was so inspiring to me, and I didn't know how it was possible that someone could have such a dream and then live it out every day.
So it was decided. I wanted to become a Shamu trainer. I got to visit Sea World Orlando last summer. It was so great to go back! All of the other shows were amazing! But One Ocean never ceased to thrill me. By that time, I could name all of the orcas by their markings. I even managed to help some little kids interact with the orcas (like waving or whistling) all by myself! They thought it was the coolest thing ever, as did I. And another funny thing, I just so happened to be watching the show Branden Loetz was in at Pirate Island...I seem to see him every time!
Now, I am trying to fight through all of the ups and downs of becoming a trainer. Because of this dream, I am now a good speaker; I was a stutterer. I can hold my breath for about two minutes underwater; I could barely hold it for 15 seconds. I'm on the swim team; I always had a fear of drowning. I am now musically coordinated in everyway possible from band; I never could find a beat until now. I have a never-ending love for animals; sure I liked animals, but not as much as now. I now believe that anything impossible to me (like all of the above) is possible; I used to be a doubter. I am now prepared for anything I have to do to chase after this dream.
Even though I live so far away from Florida and I only get to go to Sea World maybe once every two years, I still have this amazing dream fired up in me. Usually I drop a dream and go, but this one has stayed with me for over three years now. I can't wait until I am able to work as an animal trainer.
I owe a huge thank you to Mr. Joe, Mr. Branden, Ms. Laura, and Ms. Dawn (and basically any animal trainer :) ). They are my life's heroes. How could I have started following this dream without you?
Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this! It really means a lot to me! ♥