She’s loved the pageant experience from the first time she followed her older sister onto the stage. “It’s terrifying and amazing,” Addison said. Winners seek the scholarships that range from a few thousand dollars to full college tuition. In addition to talent, each contestant must be able to converse intelligently about real-world issues and develop a mission statement and cause for which to advocate. Not surprisingly Addison’s platform emphasizes the importance of arts in education. She’s found experience in choir and theater improves academic performance and mental health and produces well rounded individuals.

 

Addison serves as choir president at Reagan this year, a position that involves running the choir council, planning events and outreach to the middle schools, keeping choir facilities in order, and communicating with directors Mary Cowart and Gavin Magee. It’s a big job – but Addison’s up to the task. She’s prioritized making new students and incoming freshmen feel welcome and ensuring events are fun. The choir has hosted lock-ins at a local trampoline park and at Lifetime Fitness that break the ice. Her last hurrah as a senior will be helping plan the choir’s trip to Ireland next summer.

 

Addison sings soprano two in Reagan’s top Chamber Choir, which participates in the annual Madrigal Festival drawing students from all over the state. She’s also part of Reagan’s Soundsations show choir, where studentsperform intricate dance moves while singing. The entire month of December is booked with office parties, retirement communities, and country clubs. “It’s amazing! I love it so much,” Addison enthused. “We do lifts and flips. It pushes me a lot.” 

 

Despite her immersion in Reagan’s choral program, Addison’s favorite Reagan memory involves the theater, which she considers her second family. “I auditioned for this tiny, funky little show in the Black Box Theater and fell in love with it,” she said. She just concluded her performance as Amy in Reagan’s production of Little Women last month.

 

Addison hopes to become a nurse, an interest inspired by her father who’s a medical equipment sales representative. She counts AP Biology as “the most interesting and fun I’ve ever had in an academic class.” She credits her close relationship with her family as preparing her to go out and make a positive difference in the world – “to be happy, healthy and kind.”