for Will…except for one caveat. Will’s
jersey includes a captain’s “C” that no
other player on the Storm has.This “C”
represents Will as the honorary captain
of all the Storm teams.
On game day, Will represented the
team for the coin toss. Composed, and
with no game-day jitters, he lined up
in formation with Sam’s son Tate by
his side. Quarterback Chris Cappellini
called the play, “Will Power 12.”The
team broke from the huddle, lined up,
and Chris barked out, “Omaha! Set, go!”
The center snapped the ball and Chris
made a perfect hand-off to Will. He
and his teammates powered through
the Firebirds line, narrowly escaped the
diving defenders, and went into the end
zone for the touchdown! The crowd
went wild!
Will attends Fireside Elementary
School where he will enter the fifth grade
in the fall. He enjoys the friendships,
social community and learning the school
offers, motivating him even more to be
the best he can be, whether on the field
or in the classroom. He continues to be
part of the team through the off season,
and wears his Storm jersey with pride on
Fridays at school.
empower
+
final exam
T
he team embraced Will,
demonstrating true
sportsmanship and leadership
skills—character, competence
and integrity—that lend to a winning
team both on and off the field.They
believe that regardless of anyone’s
situation, no one should be left behind
because, together, they are better as one
great team. It starts with the coaches
who have inspired each player to find
in themselves their best self, and be the
kind of person they want to meet.
The team made plans to have Will
star in his own play in the last regular
season game of the year at home field.
With just weeks to prepare, Will
attended every practice, learned about
each of the players, and studied the
plays with Coach Sam to the point
where he knew the offense better than
even a few of his coaches.
As the day approached, Will was
provided with all the Storm gear he
needed, including his jersey, #12.The
Storm tradition is to take a few minutes
pause as the first game day approaches
to appreciate the hard work their
players put in to earn their game-day
jersey.The experience was no different
112
maskmatters.org
FALL 2017
PHOTOGRAPHY
Courtesy of Photos by Ronda
The Mauvis
family has set up
a Go Fund Me
page to support
the Mauvis
children. For
information, visit
gofundme.com/
mauvisfamily.
For a boy whose struggles are
physical, he is determined to keep up
with his brother, sister, cousins and
friends. He is proving himself a leader,
not a follower. His Will-ful ways
encourage compassion, understanding
and motivation—quite remarkable traits.
When Will isn’t playing baseball,
flag football, wheelchair basketball and
swimming, he excels at team sports from
the sidelines. From his brothers’ soccer
matches and friend’s football games,
to the Phoenix Coyotes and Arizona
Diamondbacks, he takes joy in being the
ultimate supporter for others.
Although Will can’t do what every
physically abled boy can do, he puts such
effort into being physical—the more
active he can be, the wider the grin.
What’s next for Will? He’s set a goal
to collect all 30 MLB team’s ballcaps and
become an actor for Disney. He is a daily
inspiration to his family and friends, and
proves where there is Will, there is a way.
Motherhood is a blessing. My wish
for Harrison, Will and Demi: Set
goals, follow your dreams, live a purpose-
filled life that unleashes your utmost
potential. You are capable of anything.
God’s got you!
