"If you can do the arts, you can do anything!"  That principle has helped me build a strong foundation for my life. My experience with the arts began with extra-curricular enrichment, which helped my mind grow academically; it then expanded to service and leadership adventures.  As a young person I participated in six years of formal dance lessons, eight years of piano, five years of flute, two years of ceramics, seven years of girl scouting (with heavy emphasis on arts, crafts and service), eight years of band, eight years of vocal, six years of orchestra, and one year of theater!  I was the featured pianist and a vocal soloist many times with my school Chorus.  I was also the understudy for the female lead in my senior musical in addition to another solo part.  The arts gave me the opportunity to explore my creativity and talents, helped me to achieve academically, and be a leader.

Leadership and service roles have been abundant in my life.  Beginning with roles in the Girl Scouts, I was encouraged to take initiative and lead while also helping people.  I've served my community many ways:  Student Council and Sorority based service outreach and philanthropy programs, Youth to Youth/BTI, German Club, and SADD are just a few. I've hosted German Exchange Students, and have been an exchange student abroad myself.  When I went to college I was selected to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program which was specialized leadership training for only a handful of incoming freshmen.  My Sorority (ADPi) named me as their sprit chairwoman, to spread good cheer amongst our sisterhood. They also elected me as their representative to the Pan-Hellenic Advisory Committee at the University of Pittsburgh.  While teaching, I served on the Jacksonwald Learning Center School Board, advised a chapter of Amnesty International, raised money for the American Cancer Society, led teacher in- service training, managed and facilitated a community- based volunteer program, administered multiple book fairs, and run my own library club.  Presently, I volunteer my time in the school district I live in.  I am the Co- Chair for the School Store, I volunteer within the school as needed (classroom, health room, etc.), APT, and Music Association.

In high school I decided to serve my classmates as their elected representative to the EHS Student Council.  I was then elected to represent my school in a county-based student council.  The county-based student council elected me their representative to Pro- Kids of Berks County (non-profit organization focused on social issues facing children and teens).  In addition to those roles, I was also selected to participate in three annual  state student council conventions, lobby in Harrisburg as a student representative three consecutive years, and was the only student from my school chosen to attend the Albright College Summer Enrichment Program for Talented High School Students Summer International Studies Program.