CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Student seeks to raise awareness about disorder

News Enterprise - 2/1/2017

Despite a lifetime of pageants and cheerleading that places her in front of hundreds of spectators on a regular basis, Sheridan Elmore is not always comfortable with crowds.

In fact, Elmore, 16, has Social Anxiety Disorder, and she is making efforts to raise awareness about the condition.

"I feel like a lot of people think it's just like in a social setting," Elmore said. "Really, it's an all-day thing."

Raising awareness of Social Anxiety Disorder has become a platform for pageants for the Central Hardin High School sophomore. She created a page on Facebook called Sheridan Elmore Just Breathe, which focuses on Social Anxiety Disorder.

Additionally, she has offered to speak at schools about the disorder that affects her.

The page has been used by a teacher in Muhlenberg County, she said. The teacher reads the posts to students.

"The page helped me," Elmore said.

Elmore has posted links and videos about the disorder including a technique for dealing with it called "grounding." The technique consists of finding five things that can be seen, four things that can be touched, three things that can be heard, two things that can be smelled and one thing that can be tasted.

Because Social Anxiety Disorder affects each person differently, those who have it respond differently, she said. Some might just want to curl up and be left alone while others might want to be around friends.

For Elmore, the anxiety doesn't exist in the context of her appearances as a cheerleader or pageant contestant, situations that place her in front of crowds. But if she was in a room filled with the same crowds, she could potentially experience a panic attack.

Elmore said she believes that's because on a pageant stage, for example, she feels she knows what's expected of her in competition and has a certain amount of control. In a crowded room, she doesn't know what others are thinking.

Having participated in cheerleading and pageants starting at a young age, Elmore cited benefits she derived from both.

For example, she said pageants have given her the opportunity to learn how to interview well and form great friendships. Cheerleading has made her competitive and has helped her push herself.

"It really has taught me I can perform and be a different person while on stage," Elmore said.

In all areas, she said, she has found support in dealing with the disorder. When panic attacks threaten to flare up, coaches, friends and family help get her through it.

Along with being active in pageants and cheerleading, Elmore works part-time at Central Kentucky Athletics. She teaches Introduction and Level 1 gymnastics.

With a 4.0 GPA, Elmore has not been neglecting the academic side of high school, either. She said staying on top of her school work is a priority.

Ultimately, Elmore wants to pursue a career as a medical examiner.

"I have this fascination with science ... and the human body," she said.

Last summer, Elmore took a medical terminology class. Her own interest in the field, though, is just part of the reason she wants to pursue the career.

"I do want to help the family get closure," Elmore said.

Though she has an uncle who is a deputy coroner, she is not old enough to be permitted to shadow him.

A full schedule is the biggest obstacle for Elmore.

Jessica Elmore, her mother, said her daughter is like any other kid out there who has made her fair share of mistakes. But Sheridan learns from them, she said.

"She's got a really good head on her shoulders," Jessica said.

Jessica described her daughter as "kind and generous" and someone who sticks up for what she believes.

"Watching her strength; that's probably been one of my proudest things about her," Jessica said.

Robert Villanueva can be reached at 270-505-1743 or rvillanueva@thenewsenterprise.com.

A few facts about Sheridan Elmore

City of birth: Elizabethtown

Favorite music: Hip-hop.

Favorite TV show:"The 100"

Favorite movie:"Inside Out"

Hobbies: Tumbling and running

Most memorable pageant: A Jefferson County Fair pageant in which she placed fourth runner-up. Her best friend won the pageant, and that made Elmore happy.