Education:
Southwest Missouri State University - Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance studies

Student of Dance in New York City at various professional studios

Recipient of more than $14,000 in Miss America Scholarships

Recipient of more than $25,000 in undergraduate academic scholarships

Scholastic Ambition:
To pursue a Masters of Fine Arts degree in dance history and choreography

Career Ambition:
To pursue a career in dance criticism

Talent:
Modern Dance

Accomplishments:
Spokesperson for the Missouri Community Service Commission, working with Americorps, Learn & Serve, Vista, and Seniorcorps

Leader with Campus Crusade for Christ, mentoring at Southwest Missouri State University and in Slovakia. 

Mentored with YouthFriends, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, D.A.R.E., and youth in church. 

Magna Cum Laude Graduate of Southwest Missouri State University. Salutatorian of Lawson High School Graduating Class of 1995.

American College Dance Festival Choreographic Excellence Award. Inertia Dance Company.

Platform: Mentoring Today’s Youth
Being raised by a single mother and overcoming many hardships, including living on welfare, depression, and abuse, I am a living example of the importance of mentoring. I have experienced the relationship between personal connection and positive choices, therefore I give my heart, my voice, my time to raising awareness for the importance of mentoring and challenging others to take action. I believe to mentor someone is to personally connect with him/her, affirming them in the person they were created to be and guiding them in decisions they face. So many young people have no one investing in their lives on a personal level, which is why the need for mentors is so strong.

As an advocate for mentoring, I will consistently reach out to individuals, organizations, schools, businesses, and churches to deliver my message. I will distribute a brochure with resources for mentoring. I will work diligently to help Missouri meet its promise to the youth by challenging everyone to take action through mentoring, creating mentoring programs, and supporting those programs. There are actions everyone can take, and I intend to challenge everyone to take those actions. Mentoring strengthens the heart and soul for everyone involved, and I believe the hearts and souls of people are the only thing in life that are eternal. Isn’t that worth our time?

For more information on mentoring, check out these great websites: