DALLAS — Ava Hunt, the youngest daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, moved into her SMU dorm on Friday.
With that move came a touching social media post from her mother Tavia -- and some viral media attention, too.
Earlier this year, the 19-year-old Ava announced she would be attending SMU to be part of the university's cheer team. She's a clear legacy on The Hilltop, too. Her father Clark attended SMU in the '80s. Her uncle, FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt, graduated from the school in 2000. Her grandfather Lamar Hunt, who founded the Dallas Texans (now Kansas City Chiefs) and Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) and coined the term "The Super Bowl", played football for the Mustangs before graduating in 1956. Naturally, plenty of her cousins have attended SMU as well.
But it's safe to say few members of her family have moved onto campus, as Ava did this past weekend, with as much hoopla as she received.
After Tavia posted to social media pictures of Ava's dorm room -- lavishly decorated in pink fabrics, custom bedding, vanity lighting and neon signs (bearing both Ava's name and that of her roommate, also named Ava) -- the set-up quickly went viral, earning attention from both Page Six and The Daily Mail.
It's easy to see why:
This is not Ava's first time in the spotlight in recent memory, either. Last December, she went viral for posing for a photo alongside Taylor Swift after giving the performer a surprise birthday gift during a Chiefs game. Then, just this month, she made headlines when she was rushed to the hospital and required surgery after suffering a deep wound while hiking.
While sharing photos of Ava's dorm room to social media, Tavia also shared with the world a heartfelt message to her daughter.
"Today, I left a piece of my heart at SMU," Tavia wrote, in part. " I’m wading through emotions as I pass by your now too-clean room, the house is too quiet without your laughter ... Watching you shine your light and grow into the most beautiful version of yourself makes my heart beat a little happier. You’ve worked so hard to get here. Everything that you do from here on out is for you—for your success, happiness, and God’s glory. Acts20:24 Stay safe. Get sleep. Have faith in yourself. And remember, Mom and Dad are ALWAYS here when you need us. I love you"
Ava responded to her mother's touching tribute in the comments: "I’m not crying you are 😭"
First day of classes begin at SMU on Monday, Aug. 26.
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