15 Mar 2026 Kid of the Month: Eleanor Whisenhunt
By Collen Holt
At just 10 years old, she already has a strong sense of who she is and what she loves. The daughter of Joe and Connie Whisenhunt of Greenbrier, Eleanor stays busy balancing athletics, music and homeschool life — all while keeping her faith and family at the center.
She began gymnastics at age 3 in the preschool program at Sonshine Academy. From there, she steadily worked her way up through the Bronze level and now competes on the Platinum Team. Now in her sixth year as a competitive gymnast, Eleanor participates in five to six competitions each year and has qualified for regionals three years in a row.
A few years after beginning gymnastics, she added dance at Stage Door Dance Arts to her schedule and even competed for one year. She credits both gymnastics and dance with helping her express joy and use the gifts she feels God has given her.
“One of my favorite things I’ve gotten to do in gymnastics is volunteer with Shining Stars,” Eleanor said. The program pairs older gymnasts with children who have special needs, guiding them through modified gymnastics stations. “I love getting to know the kids and figuring out what they can do so everyone gets to participate,” she said. Serving others, she explained, is one of the most rewarding parts of her athletic life.
and has overcome injuries. Photo by Rock Town Media
Music has always filled the Whisenhunt home. All five of Eleanor’s siblings — Maggie, 25; Joey, 23; Zeke, 21; Henry, 18; and Max, 15 — are musical, and her dad, Joe, sings as well. The three oldest siblings have even sung at Carnegie Hall.
For the past three years, Eleanor has taken voice lessons with Don Brazile, a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Under his guidance, she has qualified for the organization’s national competition three years in a row and reached the semifinals the past two years. This summer, she hopes to compete again at nationals in San Antonio.
“I love working with Mr. Don,” Eleanor said. “I feel like I’ve improved a lot.”
In addition to singing, she has taken piano lessons since age 5 and taught herself to play guitar after receiving one for her 9th birthday. “I play at home for fun,” she said. “I like all different genres.”
Her family has been one of her biggest sources of encouragement. Maggie helped guide her in gymnastics and dance, and Eleanor gave a special shout out to her sister-in-law Lindsey, who has been “along for the ride” and cheering her on for years.
As a fifth-grade homeschool student, Eleanor and her mom, Connie, stay busy with lessons at home and participation in a one-day-a-week homeschool co-op. She enjoys learning at her own pace and especially loves reading each night. She has also developed a talent for hand lettering, creating cards to send to others “to cheer them up.”
Looking ahead, Eleanor believes music will always be part of her life. However, she is also considering a future career in physical therapy.
“I’ve had a few injuries during gymnastics,” she said. “I think I would understand how people feel during recovery, and I’d love to help them get stronger.”
Above all, Eleanor remains grateful.
“I’m thankful for all my God-given talents,” she said. “With gymnastics, all the hard work is paying off, and I can see the rewards. I just want to keep growing and using the gifts God gave me.”
