A Month in the Life

There was a palpable buzz on the floor after "Jump Start" and before the "Frontrunner Focus" segment. Frontrunner was simply a focus on Apostolic Youth making a difference in unusual or creative ways by following God's calling on their lives.


The big surprise was Kathleen Herles, the voice of Nick cartoon character "Dora the Explorer." The arena erupted when she was announced, and as soon as the session was over, she was mobbed by well-wishers wanting an autograph or picture together. Happily, brave Donnie Willis whisked her to safety, then to the side stage for a short interview with moi, then back to safety. It was a bit mad, frankly.


Kathleen voices 3-4 hours a time, often by herself (without other cast members in session), though now she does a lot of Dora products as the episodes are on hiatus. She' sweet, grounded (the family prays before each acting/voice tryout to ensure it being God's will), and passionate about serving God and her cool youth group in Long Island. (In fact, as soon as her interview with Bro. Gaddy ended, she sped past her VIP seating to sit with her youth group buddies about 7-9 rows back.)


She came to NAYC to enjoy it as just another high school senior, though I doubt she did after the interview. Too many recognized her. (One Mom came up to me, desperate to find Kathleen because her little girl had Dora flip flops on and wanted to get them autographed.) The press around the side stage was a little mad as well, keeping a tense Donnie Willis (to the far right of our picture) on stage just in case.

Labels: Dora, Kathleen Herles, NAYC, Youth Congress