top of page
Determined Dutch Girl
Academic Accomplishments
Scholarships:
[2014] Mary Ellen Lewis Scholarship
[2014] MapWorks Survey Recipient
[2015] Matthew H. Spencer Scholarship
[2015] Katherine R. Taube Scholarship
[2016] Benjamin Mericle/Family Scholarship
[2016] Mary Ellen Lewis Scholarship
[2016] International Experience Scholarship
[2016] Betty C. Kirkbride Scholarship
Consecutive Dean's List recipient
Leadership Recognitions:
-Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society
-Mapworks Survey Champion
-Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute Participant of 2016
-College of Human Sciences Ambassador
In one of my courses, AESHM 275, we brainstormed and pitched an event and retail strategy for Pottery Barn. The PDF file can be accessed for this project ->
I was selected to be one out of 8 students to represent Iowa State University at the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute. This counted towards my Entrepreneurial Studies minor.The video to the left gives an overview of our eventful week.
My Resume
Upon graduating in December of 2017, I am interested in incentive travel and event blogging. I plan to start the job search by researching companies in these areas. These types of jobs can be done from any location initially, so I would like to start the search process soon because I graduate in less than a year.
I have experience in tourism and would love to continue learning more about this sector of the industry. I also believe that creating a balanced work with life ratio is key to living a successful and happy life. I hope to learn this through trial and error as I get married and start my own family in the next year.
In addition to my love of events, I also have an entrepreneurial spirit that I has been passed down to me from my father who is a business owner. I hope to someday start my own Event Design and Styling business.
Event Experience
Bachelorette party
 |  |
|---|
As my sister's maid of honor, I planned and coordinated her bachelorette party. I made reservations for dinner, decorated our gazebo, coordinated with all of her friends for gifts, and hosted the event.
Van Gorp Wedding May 21, 2016
My sister Vanessa got married on May 21, 2016. I helped plan, coordinate, style, and design her entire wedding. Some pieces I personally helped with were the display at the ceremony on the stage as well as the tablescapes.
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Pella Fieldhouse Styled Shoot
I designed and coordinated a styled shoot to showcase local wedding vendors, and promote my dad's business the Pella Fieldhouse as a reception venue. I am now the Wedding Director for his venue and I give tours, as well as book couples wedding receptions.
Photography: Alexa Karen Photography
Florals: Shelly Sarver Florals
Cake: Karli Roozeboom
Pipe and drape: Pella Rental
Event design: Leah Blankespoor
Videography: Leah Blankespoor
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |
Tulip Princess Academy
For the second year in a row, I planned and coordinated the Tulip Princess Academy. Using my background as the 2014 Tulip Queen, I worked with the Pella Historical Society and Museum as a social media and events intern. We taught a history lesson on the history of Tulip Queens and the city of Pella, Iowa, had a tea party with etiquette lesson, a music lesson, and also hand wrote letters inviting people to the 2017 Tulip Time festival.
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
Destination Engagement Photoshoot
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |
For three months, I collaborated with Jennifer Weinman with Jennifer Weinman Photography on my engagement photos. She was my sister's wedding photographer, and will also be mine. While figuring out engagement photos, there was one slight problem: she was moving to Barcelona for a year. I came up with the crazy idea to meet her in London while I studied abroad in England for the fall since Lucas was planning on visiting anyways. She was up for it, and the rest is history. We researched locations, scoured Pinterest, asked friends and locals for advice, etc. I planned all three of our outfits which took some online shopping and local shopping while in Europe. I also narrowed down our photo locations, mapped out our schedule and route, and color coded which outfit was for which location as well as our transportation routes. It may sound easier than it was, but we pulled it off even better than we could have ever imaged. And her work is proof of how magical our day was. I literally felt like Cinderella.
56626529b975f.image
42S2
12310690_934286766662414_3977388653602118543_n
wagonride
As Co-Event Planner for Winterfest 2015, I helped brainstorm activities, coordinate vendors and entertainment, as well as oversaw my committee members. Activities on the day of Winterfest at Iowa State University included tours of the Campanile Bells, carriage rides around campus, vocal performances by student groups, cookie decorating, ice skating, karaoke, meet and greet with Elsa and Anna, as well as many other games and crafts. We saw record attendance of students and community members during Winterfest 2015. All of these activities were free of charge to all students and members of the Ames community.
Winterfest Event Planner
At Pure Bridal I worked as a Bridal Consultant by helping brides choose their dream gown. I also helped with fashion shows, promotional photo shoots, wedding fairs and shows, as well as social media marketing. This position was what I used for my AESHM 470F requirement which caused me to get even more out of the experience.
Pure Bridal Internship
bottom of page