There are rumors that, on the day of her birth, Camilla Rische’s first word was “rah” and not “wah.”
For, if a person can be born to be a cheerleader, surely she was.
Through rain or shine, sleet or howling wind, out on the football field or inside a cozy gym, Miss Rische is the very definition of “loud ‘n proud” come to life.
In more ways than one.
She is fiercely loyal to the Wolves, a vibrant, boisterous young woman whose voice rises above the din.
She’s not there on the sideline just to stand around. The girl has work to get done.
But she’s also fiercely loyal to her family, starting with younger brothers Grey Rische and Jared Helmstadter.
The first time I ever spoke to her was when I was talking to her grandmother in the stands before a basketball game.
We were discussing Jared, as I was about to write a story about his amazing journey from being a preemie to becoming a rampaging force of nature on the basketball court.
Camilla, rocking back and forth in her seat, suddenly leaned forward and, in a voice that carried the same weight as Marlon Brando in The Godfather, informed me of the correct spelling of Helmstadter.
“H-e-l-m-s-t-a-gets complicated here-d-t-e-r!”
Long pause, eyebrow cocked…
“So get it right!!”
Long pause, then an explosion of giggles as she sat back in her seat.
That is Camilla.
Full of life, irrepressible, joyous, ready to smack you upside the head, sweet smile intact, if you mess with her family.
She is one-of-a-kind and Wolf Nation has benefited greatly from her presence the past few years.
As she celebrates a birthday today, we want to wish her all the best. May your day shine as brightly as you do, Miss Rische.
And, if you notice, I spelled Helmstadter correctly. So, there’s that, too.












































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