CO-EDITOR’S NOTE

By Aliah Ward

The Explorers gathered in the Teen Room of the Kalamazoo Public Library to interview Consuelo Shank. As the cameras began to roll and students took notes, they gazed at her warm, welcoming smile as she shared her life and career. Shank, a PNC Bank Client and Community Relations director said it is important to “Keep it movin’” in life.

With a passion for collaboration and community, Shank partners with non-profit organizations like the Merze Tate Explorers, to fund their endeavors. While she loves her career, she said, it was not something she considered as a child. Shank first remembered wanting to become a cosmetologist. It was her job as a teller at a PNC bank that changed her path. Today, after 21 years with PNC, she continues to enjoy having a job that allows her to give back to the community she grew up in.

Once she decided to pursue a career in the banking industry, she enrolled at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. After college, she continued to rise through the ranks at PNC, got married, and started a family. Although work and family keep her busy, she takes time to relax and enjoy life. She has traveled to a variety of places, such as Thailand and the Dominican Republic, and continues makeup artistry as a hobby.

Shank says that networking is a key part of success in her field. She has worked on many projects with various groups in the past, but one of her favorite non-profit organizations to work with is the Merze Tate Explorers! Shank says the hardest part of her job is the limited funding that does not allow her to give to all who apply.

Shank is a vibrant, intelligent, and sophisticated woman who has worked very hard to accomplish her dreams. She is a wonderful role model to young girls, encouraging them to stay in school and get an education to achieve their goals.

1- Have a thirst for knowledge.

2- Walk with authority. Take your time, keep your shoulders back, and your head held high. Know who you are and know that God created you for a unique purpose.

3- Have a support system. Surround yourself with people who love and support you.

4- Know your voice. What you have to say is important and unique. Your experiences shape your voice.

Clockwise: Giovonnie Samuels poses with Explorers Sasha Hollins, Maya Daniels, Brittany Wright, Syann Hollins, Arianna Milliner, and Aliah Ward. * Explorer copresidents Nariyah Reynolds and Zydiora Jones present gifts to our guest as Sonya Hollins stands by. * Nya and Alayna Kuhn pose with Samuels.

By Alayna Kuhn

Giovonnie Samuels rushed through the doors of the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan office in Kalamazoo. She was on a mission. “Where are the Girl Scout Cookies?” she laughed. The bubbly award-winning actress arrived in Kalamazoo to deliver the keynote address and host an acting workshop for the Merze Tate Explorers’ Spring Celebration. The child actress captivated her audiences with her pearls of wisdom coupled with comedy.

Her infectious laugh and bouncy curls were reminiscent of one of the earliest child actresses, Shirley Temple. Samuels admits that it was the young Shirley Temple who inspired her to pursue an acting career.

“When I was about 3 years old, I watched that little girl on television performing, tap dancing, and singing, and I remember thinking, “That looks fun. I can do that,” Samuels told students who attended her acting workshop.

Samuels took the stage in local plays and shows before she entered Kindergarten. Her career took off when the pre-teen secured an audition in Hollywood. Aubrey Avery of Kalamazoo remembers getting a frantic call just before the young actress was scheduled to audition. He had recently moved to Los Angeles and had known the family for years. When their car broke down on the way to the audition, Avery came to the rescue.

It was that audition for the 12-year-old that launched her career in such pop-comedy shows as The Suite Life of Zac and Cody and That’s So Raven. As she matured, so did her roles. She played a sassy cheerleader in Bring it On, and a student in Freedom Writers. That role in Freedom Writers still has deep meaning for her. When asked what was her favorite role, she fought back tears.

“In Freedom Writers, I learned about personal growth. I learned how to push, even when it was hard,” she said wiping her tears.

As the students sought advice on how to break into the movie industry, Samuels shared the importance of mental health, strong faith, and loving the craft. With each role she learned something new about herself. In addition to a strong support system, she said actors have to love what they do and be able to accept rejection.

“If I didn’t get a role, no matter how much I wanted it, I had to believe that it just wasn’t for me,” she said. “I had a strong sense of myself and I knew nothing was going to get in the way of me doing what I loved.”

The

By Juliana Liggins and Aaliyah Swift

The Explorers spent Earth Day in April with artist Olivia Mendoza at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. The aspiring artist shared her passion for art and her Nature Center exhibit, “Up in the Air: Birds Navigating the Anthropocene.”

When you think of the word artist, do you think of a painter, a musician, or a dancer? We met an artist who does all her art with colored pencils. It would surprise you at how real they look!

Mendoza began taking art seriously when she was 16 years old. The Ann Arbor student graduated from high school and moved to Kalamazoo to take classes at Western Michigan University. She was just 17 years old. She later enrolled at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to study medical illustration art. Her art classes included learning anatomy to draw the insides and outsides of real bodies.

She has created art of animals, plants, insects, and even an album cover. Mendoza looks forward to more commissioned work, like the one at the Nature Center Learn more about this artist at her website: Oliviamendozaillustration.com.

The Merze Tate Explorers organization has a mission to help girls “Explore Possibilities Through Media.” Media arts can include everything from journalism to theater. Since 2008, Explorers have experienced dozens of stage performances, thanks to local theater organizations such as Miller Auditorium, the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, The Barn Theatre, and Farmers Alley Theatre.

The Merze Tate Explorers organization has a mission to help girls “Explore Possibilities Through Media.” Media arts can include everything from journalism to theater. Since 2008, Explorers have experienced dozens of stage performances, thanks to local theater organizations such as Miller Auditorium, the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, The Barn Theatre, and Farmers Alley Theatre.

These organizations have provided access to not only view productions, but an opportunity for the entire family to meet the cast and experience the behind-the-scenes of a production. Bravo!

These organizations have provided access to not only view productions, but an opportunity for the entire family to meet the cast and experience the behind-the-scenes of a production. Bravo!