photos c/o Justin Yoder
The 2nd Annual “It’s A Jungle Out There” benefit kicked off with the Warriors Games, a NEW family-friendly event which was held on the grounds of the Embassy Suites Love Field Hotel. Despite a soggy start to the day, participates were fired up to compete and attendees were able to watch teams comprised of former players from Survivor, The Amazing Race and Big Brother and young adults from Cheer 4 Your Life’s teen Warrior program compete in challenges similar to those seen on the hit CBS show, Survivor. The teams were hit with twists and turns as the games progressed. In true Survivor tradition, the final challenge to determine who would be crowned the Sole Survivor was a fire-making challenge. Congrats to Baylor Wilson from Survivor, Season 29 for using a flint and creating a fire big enough to burn through the twine to raise her flag, making her victorious!! Proceeds from this event raised funds for Cheer 4 Your Life, a non profit organization 501(C)3 that helps empower youth by providing supportive funding as needed for individual participation in various clubs and school programs including but not limited to athletic programs, performance based programs and service projects. “The most touching part of the Cheer 4 Your Life journey (for me) so far has been the Warriors project, which is a leadership program for teens encompassing community outreach and personal growth while raising money through healthy competition in monthly challenges,” said Missy Payne. “To see these kids meet today – the Teen Warriors who have raised money all year to help teens they didn’t even know pursue their dreams – it’s just so rewarding!” That evening, Event Co-Chairs Leslie Madden and Laura Powell gathered with supporters at the Frontiers of Flight Museum for an adult only benefit, which included a concert, dinner, silent and live auction. Guests began the evening with dinner and live entertainment from talented teens from area Performing Arts High Schools, Competitive Club Cheerleading and Dance programs, and Acrobatic troupes illustrating what Cheer 4 Your Life is all about – helping teens pursue their passions and talents. The evening culminated with a rousing performance from rising Country music star, Hudson Moore.
Celebrity attendees included: • Uchenna Agu (Amazing Race, Season 7 WINNER) • Natalie Anderson (Survivor San Juan del Sur, Season 29 WINNER) • Joe Anglim (Survivor Worlds Apart, Season 30 and Survivor Cambodia, Season 31) • Max Dawson (Survivor Worlds Apart, Season 30) • Brandi Goddard (American Ninja Warrior and America’s Got Talent) • Mike Holloway (Survivor Worlds Apart, Season 30 WINNER) • Tanner Kloven (Amazing Race, Season 27) • Rodney Lavoie, Jr. (Survivor Worlds Apart, Season 30) • April Lewis (Big Brother, Season 6) • Meg Maley (Big Brother, Season 17) • Keith Nale (Survivor San Juan del Sur, Season 29) • Wesley “Wes” Nale (Survivor San Juan del Sur, Season 29) • Missy Payne (Survivor San Juan del Sur, Season 29) • Carolyn “Mama C” Rivera (Survivor Worlds Apart, Season 30) • Joy Strickland, American Ninja Warrior, Season 8 • Sierra Dawn Thomas (Survivor Worlds Apart, Season 30) • Tina Wesson (Survivor The Australian Outback, Season 2 WINNER) • Baylor Wilson (Survivor San Juan del Sur, Season 29) • Kelly Wiglesworth (Survivor Borneo, Season 1 and Survivor Cambodia, Season 32)
