Johnston City senior Victoria Mueller has gained some notoriety in southern Illinois as "the girl football player," but to those that know her, she is much, much more.
"She's a leader here in our building," said Johnston City High School teacher Linda Adkins. "Vickie is always doing something to help others. That family has done so much for our community."
The community is now paying that back.
Mueller was injured in an automobile accident early Sunday morning, returning home from a family bonfire. Instead of spending tonight walking as a queen candidate at the Homecoming coronation, Mueller will (hopefully) be joining via Facetime from her hospital bed in the pediatric intensive care unit at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
The girl whose dream is to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and become a doctor is now depending on the skill of her medical team to try and save her left arm.
Mueller, who keeps a schedule that would be daunting for the most organized adult, fell asleep at the wheel and veered off the road on I-64 in Wayne County early Sunday morning. Her vehicle rolled several times.
"I remember all of it," she said, speaking from her hospital room awaiting a second surgery. "My first thought was that I need to call my mom. Then, I saw that my arm was disconnected from itself."
Mueller is facing weeks in the hospital and a long recovery, but she is lucky to be alive.
"She's in good spirits," said her mom, Cindy Edwards, adding that Mueller has not let this slow her down.
"She actually finished a paper that was due in her John A. class," said Edwards.
Not only is Mueller an honor student at JCHS, she is also taking 12 credit hours at John A. Logan College. She is set to graduate JALC in May, earning an associate degree even before she walks with her high school class later in the month.
Mueller's schedule doesn't stop there, though. Along with football, she also competes in softball, basketball, track and weightlifting; is a member of the National Honor Society; HOSA and Student Council; is class president; student body president and is a candidate for Homecoming queen.
Oh, and she is a shift manager at the Marion Krispy Kreme.
"I couldn't ask for a better employee," said manager Joe Glessner. "She is always smiling, easy to get along with, and tries to have fun."
Glessner said that even though Mueller only works a couple days a week because of her busy schedule, she would be missed.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with her. She will always have a job open when she's ready to come back."
Edwards said her daughter has a hard time accepting help from others because she's usually the one on the giving end, a sentiment echoed by Adkins.
"She's the first one to jump in and help others," she said.
Adkins is just one member of the community anxious to pay that back.
She and others from the high school posted a Facebook page, vickiestrong, as a way for Mueller's family to easily communicate with those who are concerned. That page has grown to over 500 followers in less than a day.
"People have jumped in and posted encouragement," said Adkins. "We hope that will help keep her spirits up."
The page's followers are not limited to Johnston City.
"Thoughts & prayers to JCHS standout Victoria Mueller and family. Your neighbors to the south are thinking of you! #VickieStrong #SoILFamily," wrote Marion High School Athletics.
"Prayers coming from Carbondale Community High School. God bless you all," said another post.
Mueller had one post from 2003 graduate Jori DeNeve, who broke her neck in an auto accident her sophomore year.
"Basketball was my life," wrote DeNeve.
"I made a full recovery and was able to play my junior and senior year."
DeNeve wrote that she got scholarships to play in college leading her to become a police officer.
"I'm living proof as I have been down that road," she wrote. "Smile when you can smile, laugh when it doesn't hurt, because I promise you will make it through."
Local mechanic Bill Shubert, who himself just returned to work after a kidney transplant, decided he had a way to give back to the little girl who gives so much to others.
"Pop's Garage will donate $10 from every oil change he does during the months of October and November," Shubert posted.
Edwards said she hopes people will keep posting because "that puts a smile on Victoria's face."
She also said her daughter doesn't feel she's a standout.
"What she does is normal to her," she said. "It's just what you do. She doesn't have a clue what impact she's had on others."
"I can't believe that many people care, that many people believe I impacted them," said Mueller, who is facing the crisis with a positive attitude.
The school community is rallying support during the Homecoming week that Mueller will only experience through photos, phone calls, and Facetime.
The Monday movie night proceeds of nearly $400 are being donated to Mueller and her family to help with costs of travel and lodging. The student council is matching that donation. Adkins said they plan on selling silicone bracelets inscribed "#vickiestrong" as well as auto decals of the same and "#22," Mueller's jersey number, at Friday's game.
While acknowledging she will be missed on the field, head coach Dan Mings said that right now, he and his staff and team are thinking in another direction than what they would normally during Homecoming week.
"As far as football goes, that's the least of our concerns," he said.
"The issue is that she's one of our sisters and she's hurting. That's what's affecting us right now."
Mings said he and the team are trying to rally around her.
"Her strong soul is going to help get her through this."
Mings said summing up Mueller's role on his team and the school is "her amazing persistence to be absolutely the best she can be at everything.
"She is untiring and unwavering in her discipline and determination," he said.
That determination was evident as Mueller spoke this morning before her second surgery.
"I think this is going to set me back maybe a year or two, but if I get to keep my arm, I will try like crazy to go the Naval academy," she said. "If that doesn't work out, I'll go another route."
