WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE THE CW14 STAR?

In less than 40 hours we kick off the voting of Round 2 to determine who stays in the CW14 Star search!  I am feeling excited and incredibly blessed to be in the competition still, surrounded by great people, and just experiencing the goodness of day-to-day life.

So, the question has come to me in multiple ways, but the hardest-hitting question is when it's asked: "Why do you want to be the CW spokesperson."  As opposed to questions "why are you right for the position" or "what do you like about the job", the question of what I want really hits home.

I want to get past cliche talk, but in so many ways it is a dream in the making.  To entertain, bring smiles to people's faces, it's something I guess I've always been able to do and enjoyed doing.  From earlier years of life, I suppose I saw this as something that would happen when I grew up.  As a kid you don't really think anything through in detail, but more importantly, as a kid you knew how to dream and dream nobly and dream big!

As this dream has taken shape, I've had the privilege of entertaining audiences on stage as comical and villainous leads.  In film I've been given the opportunity to act, but also to direct.  Whether creating a character or creating a world or a story, there is something extraordinary and supernatural about creating something.

To jump into television as the potential CW spokesperson is a different experience and consequently, a different challenge.  This is me, striving to be articulate, on the ball, and still me.  I noticed a change over the weekend, where this role on TV feels a lot more natural, and I hope it translates over the air waves well.  It is with sincere gratitude I thank the people I've been working with, who've made me feel comfortable and welcome at the studio and in the CW promotions.

So, back to that question of "Why do you want to be the CW spokesperson?", I can honestly say I think it's where I'm supposed to be.  Or as the head of Paul Mitchell-The School in Green Bay told me last Friday, "I started this up eight years and haven't worked a day since.  When you love what you do, you never work a day of your life".  An opportunity like this spokesperson job comes only once in a while. 

I can say in my lifetime, I've had a few of these great opportunities--most recently, working as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the local YMCA.  So many days I've left work knowing I have the best job, best boss, best co-workers and patrons.  In the dead of winter, I spend my days in 80 degree temps while the rest of Wisconsin shovels out.  I am one of the few people who can wear shorts and sandals to work, soak in the hot tub, swim any time, drink coffee, chat with interesting people and listen to my favorite oldies music--all in a day's work. I have the satisfaction of knowing the small sacrifices I've made like staying up on CPR training and exercising daily can and has made a difference in the lives of those who need me.

To leave a job I enjoy and am passionate about and leave the people I care about could only come about at a time when I feel convicted that the moment is right to take the next step to where I'm supposed to be, in a career, in the dream and in the gift of self.

I hope I can use all these opportunities and blessings, and offer something good to the world with them.