GIRL POWER DECEMBER 2013 | Page 16

Anyone can make their dreams happen if they have the drive and are willing to put in a lot of hard work. We constantly get pressure from girls in magazines and by our peers. A lot of us feel as though we are never good enough and are consistently looking for ways to better ourselves. I constantly struggle with this issue and still do, but what has helped me is knowing that God put time and effort to design me this way and if I keep changing the way I look then I will lose the uniqueness that I have. I think uniqueness and confidence is the coolest and most beautiful thing to have. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? To never give up on my dreams. I want to be practical, but I also don’t want to live a life of regret. I have always had such a huge passion for the arts What do the holidays mean to you? Does your family have any unique traditions? I absolutely love the holidays! I love that they bring such a happiness and joy to everyone. Every time the holidays come around I just want to bake all the time! I love sweets and desserts and making little festive treats. and to think of never trying to pursue them just breaks my heart. How have you obtained the self-confidence it takes to perform in front of large crowds? I still get nervous with auditions and before shows. It’s always kind of scary, but what amazes me is that once I hit Twitter: @_madelinemarie Instagram: @madelinedennison facebook.com/ maddiedennison that stage all of that goes away. You’re portraying another character, so it’s not even you anymore. I wouldn’t even call it nerves... It’s an adrenaline rush. There is no better feeling than performing, for me. I am more comfortable playing someone else, than I am being myself sometimes. Overall, you just have to really love what you do. There is nothing I love more than to surround myself with friends and family that I love. Every year my family and I attend the Christmas Eve service at our church. I love being surrounded by people that love the Lord like I do and singing Christmas songs.