Emma Burton, a 5-year-old Kindergartner from Olathe, Kan., has become a hero to K-State fans across the country for refusing to do an assignment in which she was asked to color in a Kansas Jayhawk. When Burton was told that she could not color a Powercat (K-State’s mascot) instead, she threw her Jayhawk sheet in the trash.
5-Year-Old Kansas State Fan Takes Stand Against Suppression, Kansas
Burton was reprimanded by her teacher, but still refused to color the Jayhawk. Her mother was then informed of the incident, at which point the following bargain occurred.
Emma, you need to color this thing. The teacher might have to send you to the principal’s office.
I don’t care. I’m not coloring it.
Hmmm...Ok. What if I make you a deal. What if I print out a Powercat and you color it purple, grey and white. Then write an apology to your teacher because you were rude. Will you agree to that?
(pouts) Fine.
Ok, but you need to color that Jayhawk for your teacher.
(silent, exhales) Fine.You will?
Yes. But I don’t like it. And I’m wearing a K-State shirt tomorrow.
Fine. You don’t have to like it. Just do it and I want you to tell your teacher you’re sorry as well.
So Emma turned in the Powercat with the apology as well as the Jayhawk...and then came home and threw the Jayhawk in the trash once she received credit for the assignment.
Kansas State’s President has already written Emma letter and offered her a scholarship for 2025. Jokingly, of course...unless she has some serious AAU ties, in which case they at least want to talk.
I wish I had that much resolve at 27.
Kansas defeated Kansas State 69-63 in Manhattan Monday night.
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