Ava Truesdell

Parents: Elizabeth Heeg and Tom Truesdell

Hobbies & Interests: I have many different hobbies and interests but I especially enjoy reading, baking, and walking to my favorite coffee shop with my dog Oliver. I will do anything to spend time outdoors which usually means driving with my best friends out into the country to watch the sunset

School Activities: I am involved in band, choir, speech, theater, dance, cheer, student council, and National Honor Society. I am captain of both the dance teamnand color guard and on the student council leadership team.

Spare Time Activities: When I am not participating in an activity or working as a barista, I usually find myself with friends going on walks, watching sunsets, or listening to records. But my favorite part of my week is attending youth group on Wednesday nights!

Education/Career Plans: After high school, I plan to attend Hope College in Holland, MI to pursue a degree in elementary education.

Past Tulip Festival Particiaption: I was involved in Tulip Festival before I could even walk. As an infant, my mom would dress me in a Dutch costume so we could “scrub streets” that my dad and brother had soaked in water beforehand. Eventually, I started Dutch games and riding on the floats. In middle school, I graduated to Dutch dance and was able to march in the Volksparades as part of the MOC-FV middle school marching band. The real fun, though, began in high school when I was finally able to join Dutch Dozen and march as a color guard member of the POD marching band. I was also able to continue Dutch dancing and join the night show production. Each year, I look forward to the third weekend of May and the joy that being a part of the festival brings me!