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I will now be hosting my blog from that site. Thank you!

www.shenANNIEgans.com

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After-School Awesome.

I was recently asked to model in the “After-School All-Stars San Diego Celebrity Fashion Show,” which benefited kids in after-school programs and sports. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have parents who believed in after-school activities. My mom enrolled me in dance class when I was three and I was hooked through college … and still am. Practically every day, I would leave school and head to the dance studio, where I would stay all night, dancing, socializing, doing homework. I grew up in the studio and loved having my “dance friends” who were often a comforting, hysterical relief from middle and high school drama. And of course, I loved, loved, loved my dance teachers. They were my second family.

I didn’t realize it then, but my parents struggled to afford my passion, even though they never let me know it. Competitive dance is an expensive sport — lessons, costumes, shoes, traveling, competition fees. My parents never complained and never threatened to pull me out, even though they were hurting from the costs. It’s something that humbles me in a way I can’t explain. You see, I don’t think I’d be who I am without dance. Dance gave me self-confidence, discipline, pride in my craft. It taught me life lessons.

Hope you enjoy the modeling pictures below. I had a blast chatting with the kids and learning about THEIR passions — everything from creative writing to basketball to learning to be a DJ. Kids expressing themselves through sports and hobbies? I can’t think of a better cause to support.

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Brilliant.

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This is work?!

Tonight, I had the privilege of interviewing ESPN’s Chris Berman, Hall of Famers Michael Irvin and Marshall Faulk and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell … all while raising awareness for Huntington’s disease. Pretty sweet night of work. :)

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So You Think You Can (Touchdown) Dance?

We all know Mike Tolbert can dance in the end zone, but how about in a dance studio with some choreography? Check it out!

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Soles4Souls Distribution

I had the chance to cover a very cool event for the Padres — the “Soles4Souls” distribution. The Padres teamed up with local businesses to help underprivileged children get new shoes. How rad is that?!

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Next stop, LGPA?

I just had a ridiculously good time with this segment. :)

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At the 2011 Emmys …

… with the rest of the Union-Tribune staff.

I was nominated for a story I did on Chargers running back Ryan Mathews.

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Amen.

“It doesn’t happen all at once, said the Skin Horse. You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” –The Velveteen Rabbit

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OMG! Shoes.

Here’s a video I did with Padres’ eighth-inning specialist (and huge NIKE guy) Mike Adams at the NIKE ShoeZeum in San Diego. Super fun to watch Mike reminisce as the shoes brought back memories.

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