{image1}Robyn Derzon lives in Glendale with her three siblings and her parents and attends second grade at Parkway Elementary School. This weekend, she will play "Addy" -- the African-American doll in the "American Girl" series -- in The American Girl Fashion Show at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.
The program showcases the styles of girls yesterday and today with historical and contemporary fashions from American Girl, showing how generations of American girls have used clothing to express their own unique style and personality.
"In the show I'll walk down the runway and wear a (Addy) costume and try to show what the doll is all about," says Derzon, 9.
Although she claims to be nervous about her modeling debut, Derzon says she feels confident that she and Addy have a lot in common. The American Girl Web site confirms this.
"Addy had to rely on a lot of courage as she was determined to be free in the Civil War during 1864. Addy's world is full of hope and wonderful friends and family. If there is one thing that Addy understands, it is the value of freedom," reads the site.
Like Addy, Derzon was also granted freedom, but in the form of a supportive family. Last year, everything in her world changed when Alan and Dalyn Derzon adopted her, along with her two biological sisters and a brother. Interestingly, the couple was married in Children's Court at the same time the adoptions of their four children -- ages 9, 10, 10 and 13 -- were finalized.
But like a happy child should, Derzon focuses on other similarities between herself and Addy, which are the things that have mattered in a 9-year-old's world for centuries.
"We both like to talk, we both have our hair in braids and we both like Christmas," says Derzon. "I mean, I used to like Christmas. Now I'm Jewish."
The American Girl Fashion Show is Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, March 20 at noon and 3 p.m. at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. The cost is $35 per adult and $30 per child, which includes the fashion show, refreshments, party favors and a tax-deductible contribution. Please specify first, second and third choices of date and time. For more information, call (414) 967-8388.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
