Albany's Newly Crowned Tulip Queen!

AMDA would like to congratulate our 2012 Alumnae Kate Bender on being crowned Albany's 2013 Tulip Queen in May. The Tulip Queen serves as Albany's Ambassador for one full year of reign. She and her court will spend that year involved in volunteer projects, including the Mayor Jerry Jennings' Literacy Campaign, which strives to promote the value of reading to children. The Tulip Queen and Court have teamed up with the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region to create a trust fund for future Tulip Queens and Courts to award grants to local literacy organizations. Each Queen and Court develops initiatives to further their goals and attends numerous events throughout the year focusing on education and community awareness.

Kate Bender, Age 18, Slingerlands - Tulip Queen

Kate is a freshman Business major at Siena College. Through the Siena Bonner Service Leaders Program, Kate works as a recruitment and outreach intern for the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York. She helps teach English to local refugee students and volunteers as a Girl Scout leader. Kate is a co-host of WVCR's Change Makers radio program and is an active volunteer with the American Cancer Association, the Teresian House and Refugees & Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus. Kate is a part of the Siena College dance team and loves to spend time with her friends and family. As a 2013 Tulip Court member, Kate hopes to establish sustainable programs for the Mayor Jennings Literacy Campaign in order to empower local youth and help to create a close-knit community.

Congrats Kate!!! You are an inspiring young role model to all AMDA Dancers. We are so lucky to still have you as a part of the AMDA family!!