Shooting Survivor Ella Whistler Ready To Go Back To School

NOBLESVILLE, IN — Less than two months after 13-year-old Ella Whistler was shot seven times during a shooting at Noblesville West Middle School, the teen will head back to school Aug. 1. During a radio interview Wednesday morning, Whistler said she's doing very well and is ready to return to school.

During her interview on 95.5 WFMS, Whistler answered a series of fun questions about her preference between Snapchat or Instagram (Instagram), her favorite pizza topping (ham) and several other questions, including her favorite Taylor Swift song ("Call It What You Want").

Speaking of Taylor Swift, the teenager casually said the superstar FaceTimed her recently. When asked what they talked about, Whistler recalled, "She was really thinking about me and we talked about her cats too. It was pretty great."

But that's not the only big name that's reached out to the calm, composed teen. Indiana Pacers player Victor Oladipo sent Whistler a message during the show Wednesday morning, saying in part, "I just want to wish you continued success on your recovery, your return back to school next month, just want to say God bless you first and foremost." The rest of the video message and Whistler's interview can be viewed on the 95.5 WFMS Facebook page.

Whistler didn't end her segment without giving a shout-out to her "favorite teacher," Jason Seaman.

"I can call him Jason now," Whistler said with a smile.

Seaman was shot several times on May 25, and threw himself into the line of fire when a student walked into his middle school classroom with two guns and started shooting.

Whistler thanked everyone in the community for what they've done since the shooting.

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