Humble and personable are just a couple of the words one could use to describe Erin Roeske. With a smile always on her face, Erin has danced her way through life, helping others along the way.
As a child, Erin was game for anything. Playing softball, basketball, and soccer, she kept a busy schedule.
Erin explained, “My parents always guided me to try new things, be the best that I can be, and dream for whatever I wanted.”
In sixth grade, Erin tried out for the dance team and things took off from there. She left the balls and jerseys behind and threw on a tutu. She danced for both the Boone Grove Middle School and High School dance team. She also took classes at United Dance Arts ranging from hip hop to jazz, lyrical, and ballet.
She now balances a job at Culver’s, earning her college education, volunteering, and dancing for the Valparaiso University Dance Team.
Erin is currently a sophomore working towards a nursing major at VU.
“My mom always worked in the hospital atmosphere and I’ve always had a passion for helping others. Nursing seemed like a no-brainer,” Erin said.
As a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Erin has philanthropy and volunteer hours she happily completes. Her sorority recently held a carnival to raise money to support children learning to read.
Erin also spends her Friday mornings at Hilltop Neighborhood House, volunteering with the toddlers. After enjoying her time spent with the children so much, she decided that using her nursing degree for pediatrics was the way to go.
“Helping others allows you to meet so many wonderful people and you get so many awesome opportunities. It is extremely rewarding.”
With a mindset like that, it is no wonder why Erin was nominated to be a Valpo Life in the Spotlight.
This summer, Erin won Miss Congeniality at the Porter County Fair Beauty Pageant. Contestants practice the entire month prior leading up to the big show. Competing in two-minute interviews, business attire, hobby wear, evening gown, and impromptu questioning, the ladies of the Pageant get to showcase all their hard work.
Erin explains, “I just wanted to see what the fair was all about and I thought the pageant would be a really good way to experience that. I like to help out in the community and I thought this would be a great way to be more involved.”
Judges look for someone who is a good friend, enjoys the presence of other people, is charming and agreeable, and is an overall compassionate person for the Miss Congeniality award and Erin certainly meets the standards!
Erin said, “It was an incredible experience and I am blessed to have been a part of the ten best days of the summer. It is definitely something I will keep and remember as a part of me for the rest of my life.”
Erin is also very active in the Valparaiso Nazarene Church. She has been on two mission trips with the church’s youth group, further exemplifying her selfless nature. Her first trip was to Long Island, New York where she helped with post-Hurricane Sandy relief. She spent ten days restoring homes for victims of the disaster.
“The days were long and hard, but totally worth it,” according to Erin.
This last year Erin went to Flint, Michigan to help with the Forge Flint Project. The organization restores homes in the rough areas of the town.
Though Erin has a challenging class load, she still manages to help others in numerous ways. Her never ending list of ways she has selflessly volunteered and her amazing personality that rightfully won her Miss Congeniality are why Erin Roeske is our Valpo Life in the Spotlight.