Age: 24
Years with Team: 3rd year on team, 2nd year as captain
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Education: Graduate of Texas Christian University
Major(s): BS in Computer Science

Awards & Honors: Wells Fargo/Martin Luther King Jr.  Minority Scholarship, President of the Iota Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Texas Christian University Chancellor’s Inauguration Delegate

Occupation: Technical Administrator and Editorial Assistant at Washington University, Artistic Director of Ashleyliane Dance Company, Dance Instructor

Your career goals:  I hope to obtain my Master of Fine Arts, expand my dance company (Ashleyliane Dance Company) and build a web design business.

Hobbies: Choreographing, dancing, reading, figuring my way through logic puzzles, experimenting with Photoshop and Dreamweaver, listening to music

Favorite childhood memory:  I enjoyed playing make-believe games with my sister and pretending to own my own dance studio.  Even though we are 7 years apart, she always took the time to play with me (and I know she enjoyed it), and I will always remember that!

Something interesting about you or your family others may not know:  My family is very close-knit and we often work as a unit.  Some people can’t seem to understand the way we operate because we are all so different in personality, but yet our strengths and weaknesses often balance.  My grandmother is very selfless and is often opening her door to many people. My mother is very creative and always has a way to make anything look and feel exciting. My sister can work a crowd and keep everyone on task.  I am just lucky to be related to them! 

Five things you would like to accomplish in this lifetime:

1. Land a major choreography gig
2. Win a choreographer’s showcase
3. Expand my dance company
4. Visit St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
5. Start a monthly magazine for African-American young women

One word to describe yourself: Ambitious

What is the first thing you would do after winning the lottery?  Pay off my student loans! 

Interesting places you have visited: Seoul, South Korea

What is in your CD player right now?  Elisa—Then Comes the Sun 

Something you feel very strongly about:  I strongly believe that all children should grow up with an appreciation for the arts.  Participating in the arts allows children to express themselves creatively and boosts self-confidence and academic performance.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 
I wanted to be an author of children’s books for a very long time and then wanted to study journalism. 

Your favorite subject:
Elementary School – English/Language Arts
High School – Creative Writing: Short Story
College – Web Design/Scripting

One movie that you could watch over and over: Jurassic Park! 

Your favorite charity:  The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Favorite childhood cartoon:  Bugs-Bunny

As a role model, what do you hope children will learn from you?
I hope that children, especially young girls, look at me as an example that you can do anything that you want if you work hard, stay positive and believe in yourself.  People hear these words all the time and don’t realize how many people just give up or settle for less.  If you think you can, and believe you can, you will.