When she left Normal, IL, to pursue her dreams, few outside our community knew who she was. In fact, she wasn’t even known by most of us locals before she became a sensation as a finalist on “American Idol.” Since the age of 9, 20-year-old Leah Marlene has been playing free concerts at the Uptown Normal Circle to sparse crowds at events such as the Sugar Creek Arts Festival or the Sweet Corn Circus. She was hardly a headliner at the time, but on a beautiful day in May of 2022, it was a little different … I was among the crowd of thousands who stood to cheer the return of our hometown hero! Leah had captured the heart of America as a top-three finalist on “American Idol.” My daughter had been watching Marlene since her first audition on “American Idol” and was a smitten 9-year-old fan. Robert and I aren’t big fans of the show, but it was a rainy day, and we needed something to do. So, we started watching the most recent season, and we also became intrigued by a quirky girl from our town with an incredible voice. Over the months, along with millions of other people, we found ourselves won over by her charm, voice, and stage presence! Along with millions of other viewers, we watched her transform into a star. Leah’s most famous song is “Wisher to the Well.” It contains lyrics like “Don’t waste my time, just read my mind,” “Here’s my two cents, better use it wisely,” and “Don’t forget that you’re working for me.” Those words struck a chord with me and how there’s often a misperception about my role when working with my clients. Some might think the role of a financial advisor is to simply choose an investment vehicle to grow their money. Much like the lyrics of the song, they might expect to just fork over their investments with little input and just watch their balances grow. The reality of the process is quite different. I’m not a mind reader, and part of the process is collaborating with my clients to choose the best path to help them achieve their goals. Only then can we work together as a team to build their future. While the process may not be as glamorous as a Hollywood reality show, I have witnessed many of my clients’ dreams realized. And while they may not have a parade to celebrate, I’m personally always excited to share in the moment! A Hometown Hero Watching Leah Marlene’s Dreams Come True
SUDOKU
SOLUTION ON PG. 4
–Krista McBeath
309.808.2224 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator