Kate credits her family with being her greatest cheerleaders.

“I could not have asked for a more supportive and encouraging upbringing,” she says of the role her parents, Cynthia and Robert, have played in her life. She grew up in the historic town of Brownsville, Ore., in that state’s Willamette Valley, with an older brother and younger sister.

Kate attended high school in Oregon and then moved to Jackson, Miss., to study history at Millsaps College. “It’s a discipline that questions the past, helps connect the present and lays a foundation for the future,” she says of her favorite subject. “I’ll always be passionate about the study of history.”

Now Kate is shaping her future at a public relations firm in St. Louis, where she works to develop and execute media campaigns, write press releases, perform research, pitch story ideas to the media and coordinate events. She plans to return to school for an advanced degree, and continues to develop her public relations experience so she’ll be able to open her own firm.

She took tap lessons at the age of three, but began approaching dance on a more serious note once she entered high school, where she was named captain and choreographer for a competitive dance squad.

Kate continued as a dance team leader in college. “After graduating, I knew I couldn’t live without dancing, so I decided to audition for a professional team. I’m thankful to be able to continue my passion in St. Louis with the Rams,” she says.

Volunteer work is just as important to Kate as furthering her career, and her favorite charities to date have included the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Anysoldier.com.

When she has time off, Kate loves to travel, sing, cook, attend wine tastings and work out.

She describes performing on the football field as daunting but fun. “Working alongside the football team literally makes me feel miniature,” she says. “But I’m a huge sports fan, so working with the players fuels my enthusiasm for the game.

“It’s easy to cheer for a team made up of such professionalism and character. They are impressive athletes and caring individuals who give back to the community.”