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My early life was spent on a farm in northeastern North Dakota, 13 miles from the nearest town, Walhalla, where I also attended school. We were a farming family that focused on grain crops, but we also had a good number of chickens and beef cattle. We always had a few cats and an adored family dog. I feel a strong connection to this earth because of spending so much time working in our large garden and mowing our acreage. I now enjoy working in my vegetable garden and keeping native plants at our home in Brookings as a way to tie myself to my childhood.

My parents, Bruce and Cathy, were a strong influence in my life. From an early age, I helped my dad in the shop, and he designed and we built air-seeders as a family. He was known as the "man who could fix anything", and often other farmers would stop and ask his advice. My dad also served on the Walhalla school board for as many years as I can remember. He showed me that it was important to be involved in public service, and served his country in the National Guard as a young man.

My mother kept an organized home and taught me how to sew, can food, and to care for my elders. Often on our way to and from town, we would stop and visit with an elderly neighbor, and my brother, sister and I would enjoy a home-made treat.

My parents began their farm from scratch, and early on we lived in what most would call sub-standard housing. When I was three or so we moved into a nice trailer house and then built our own home when I was 12. I recall gluing the rafters in the Quonset, and dad allowing us to nail shingles on the roof. Inside, we helped our mother with staining and finishing the wood work. I have always had a love of architecture since I was allowed to work hands-on with building our own home.

As a child I had ample time to think as I rode the bus 45 minutes to and from school. We also had few close neighbors, so had to occupy ourselves. Apparently we never claimed "we were bored" as mom and dad would find something for us to do. The three of us kids would spend hours writing radio shows, recording them, and acting them out. My dad was a great storyteller and would make up tall tales for my friends and I to enjoy at my birthday slumber parties. I'm certain this is the reason I love theatre and writing children's stories so much.

My parents continue to impact my life even after they have been gone many years.

School was a great experience for me, as my teachers cared about us individually. Each one of my 19 classmates seemed to find something to build on in their early lives. In my senior year, we had the first foreign exchange student our town had ever had; my life long friend Mimari, from Japan. It is because of this experience that I now work with Rotary Youth Exchange students.

With the help of my teachers, and the influence of my oil-painting, farm-wife grandmother, I applied at a private art college in Denver, Colorado, and was accepted. I attended this immersion-style technical school for two years, receiving an Associate's Degree in graphic design. The education I received with this program allowed me to begin what has been a 20+ year career in graphic design. I chose to call South Dakota my home 15 years ago because of an opportunity to work in Mitchell, SD, as a graphic designer at Trail King Trailers. I have worked for advertising agencies, in-house for various industries, and at both NDSU and SDSU.

My husband, Dan, and I moved to Brookings 13 years ago with his family business, Merchant Job Training and Safety. During our first years in Brookings, I worked at University Relations at SDSU, and then as a web designer for CyberSource. We now have three children; Lucas, 16, Parker, 10, and Courtney, 8.

I have operated my own graphic design studio for over 8 years, and have worked for a broad range of industry. I've created dozens of logos, printed pieces and web sites that help clients to communicate their message. My latest venture is writing articles and books for children, and I hope to become a published author soon.

My husband and I have made many efforts to be involved in the community in order to meet people and to help make life more enjoyable for all of us.

I spearheaded the successful effort to start the Brookings Community Theatre nearly 9 years ago, and continue to help in many ways, including volunteering as the Education Coordinator. I am an advocate for the arts and served on the Brookings Arts Council for six years, and donate design time and artwork to the Friends of the Arts. For many years, I have served as a weekly youth mentor at our church and enjoy being a chaperone on their mission and ski trips.

The first public office I held was as a member of the Brookings School Board from 2003-2008. It was a great privilege to serve in this capacity and I feel very close to the K-12 process because of this opportunity.

FInally, as your state senator, this incredible journey has contiued and I promise to respect people's opinions and to work across party lines to keep South Dakota move forward.