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10 Reasons To Fall In Love With Mousketeer Annette Funicello

Ask the birds and ask the bees / and ask the stars above / who's their favorite sweet brunette / you know, each one confesses: / Annette! Annette! Annette!

Ashley Himmler

Nov 10, 2018

Jacksonville State University

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10 Reasons To Fall In Love With Mousketeer Annette Funicello

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Annette Funicello is probably the most popular Mouseketeer from the original Mickey Mouse Club. At the very least, she is my favorite Mouseketeer, and I admire her like nobody else.

Annette embodied cheerfulness, optimism, and everything associated with Disney. As I am somebody who longs to work at Walt Disney World, I cannot think of anybody better to call my role model. And you should love Annette too! I can give you ten good reasons!

1. Because she was a shy child, Annette was enrolled in dance lessons

Annette even said that she thought her charm was at least partly the result of her shyness.

2. She was hand selected by Walt Disney to appear on "The Mickey Mouse Club"

At age 12, Annette performed as the Swan Queen in the ballet Swan Lake. Disney was there, scouting for young talent to appear on The Mickey Mouse Club. This made Annette the 12th and final Mouseketeer.

3. She always called Walt Disney "Mr. Disney"

Even though he begged for her to call him "Uncle Walt," Annette was just too shy!

4. She wanted ot change her last name

She chose the name Turner because it sounded more American than her birth name. Thankfully, Mr Disney stepped in and convinced her otherwise by stating that her own name would be much more memorable once the viewers had the chance to learn it.

5. While on "The Mickey Mouse Club" she received a lot of gifts from admirers

And she returned them all! Apparently nobody could resist Annette. Boys from all over the country saved their money to buy Annette gifts. They sent wristwatches, school rings, and even engagement rings! However, sweet Annette returned every gift, much to the dismay of some mothers who berated Annette for failing to appreciate the boys' hard work and affection.

6. She continued working for Disney after "The Mickey Mouse Club" disbanded

She was the only one of the original Mouseketeers offered a contract to remain with Disney. Annette recalled that the day she was called into Mr. Disney's office, she feared she was going to be fired for growing too tall. Oh, how wrong she was! Annette went on to appear on television and films, and she recorded 15 albums with Disney!

7. Paul Anka's "Puppy Love" was written for her

Paul Anka immortalized his young romance with Annette in this song.

8. The "Peanuts" Comic Strip Referenced Her

Her Marriage to Jack Gilardi was referenced in the Peanuts comic strip published on January 9, 1965

9. Her Greatest Ambition Was to Become a Mother

She had three children, and she worked tirelessly to be a good mother to them.

10. She created the Annette Funicello research fund for neurological diseases

In 1992, Annette announced that she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She established the Fund with the hope of one day finding a cure for multiple sclerosis. Sadly, Annette passed away due to complications caused by the disease on April 8, 2013.

11. "Mickey is more than a mouse to me. I am honored to call him a friend."

If you want to read more about Annette Funicello, I would recommend that you check out this article from the New York Times and this article from D23 Archives.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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10 Reasons To Fall In Love With Mousketeer Annette Funicello

Ask the birds and ask the bees / and ask the stars above / who's their favorite sweet brunette / you know, each one confesses: / Annette! Annette! Annette!

1. Because she was a shy child, Annette was enrolled in dance lessons

2. She was hand selected by Walt Disney to appear on "The Mickey Mouse Club"

3. She always called Walt Disney "Mr. Disney"

4. She wanted ot change her last name

5. While on "The Mickey Mouse Club" she received a lot of gifts from admirers

6. She continued working for Disney after "The Mickey Mouse Club" disbanded

7. Paul Anka's "Puppy Love" was written for her

8. The "Peanuts" Comic Strip Referenced Her

9. Her Greatest Ambition Was to Become a Mother

10. She created the Annette Funicello research fund for neurological diseases

11. "Mickey is more than a mouse to me. I am honored to call him a friend."

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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