Luck of the Ladybugs

By: Kim Haddad

 “I base a lot on my faith and I believe everything happens for a reason. Luck is just a small part of it all.” -Kori Wilbourn

A short four years ago, iC Superstar Kori Wilbourn decided that she wanted to hand out something to strangers for good luck, Kori said, “Like a pay it forward’ kind of thing,” at CHEERSPORT Nationals.  She went searching to see what some symbols for good luck were and she saw the ladybug.  “I’ve always loved ladybugs! But never really knew what attracted me to them? When I saw this, I took it as a sign.”

Kori and her mother, Kara Wilbourn went out and bought out the local craft store of ladybug buttons.  They attached each bug to a note that told a short story about how they bring good luck; Kori signed her name and the team she was currently on (ACE Omahas).  Arriving at CHEERSPORT, she would randomly hand them out to people on Friday night and Saturday morning: saying with a smile, “Good luck this weekend!”

Year after year more ladybugs were purchased ahead of time to pass out. Kori told me, “I wish I knew how many people kept or still have their ladybugs on their shoes! I have even given some to football players at my school [Daphne High School]… Pretty cool to see a big football player running on the field with a cute ladybug on his shoe!”

Once Kori was selected as an iC Superstar, more of the bugs were bought in bulk, that way when she would send out signature cards she sends a ladybug with the story of their luck and how to put them on their shoes!  Kori said she’s received pictures from Scotland, France and Australia with her bugs! “I love it!" she notes.

Asking Kori what her favorite story about her lucky bugs was, she noted, “It comes from Aaron Buker, a coach at Stingray All-stars. After I visited Stingrays with Fancy Face Cosmetics and had lunch that day with Carter (a Grape Ray), I told her I would send the entire team of Grape Rays bugs for their shoes.  Aaron gave them to the Grapes and sent me pictures.  Now the Grapes all think that I am a ladybug fairy and he has asked me to come to their warm up on Saturday at CHEERSPORT Nationals so I can talk to them about their ladybugs.  One Grape Ray even keeps her cheer shoe with the ladybug on a shelf because she decided her closet was too dark for the ladybug!”

Kendall Hanbery, head coach from Central Mississippi Cheer, asked Kori to send her 150 bugs to give to her teams before CHEERSPORT, as well. It seems the ladybug will be a common sight this year at nationals!

Here are some teams that sport the lucky ladybugs:

Gem of Champions

The Stingray All-stars- Grape

Central Mississippi Cheer

Power Athletics

University of Louisville- Large Coed

University of Central Florida

ACE All-stars of Alabama

Certain Daphne & Spanish Fort High School football players

Individuals all over the US, England, Scotland, Australia, France & Canada

To get a bug, all you have to do is contact Kori Wilbourn on Facebook or Twitter, or stop by the iC booth at CHEERSPORT Nationals!

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