Meet Emmalynne Shumard, Class of 2020 senior from Judah Christian High School!  Besides having a heart of pure gold and hair of a Greek Goddess, Emmalynne is about the sweetest, most positive, vibrant soul I have ever met.  We played music from the 80’s music as well as some good ole’ classic Billy Joel during her senior session and she and her mom knew EVERY single WORD, every artist, and every song.. it was crazy, I kid you not! I grew up in the 80’s and she knew the music way better than I did!  #lovedeverysecond. And lastly, I would describe Emmalynne as a “fashionista” who has more style in her little pinky, than I have had my entire life!  Capturing this beauty was a dream!

After high school, Emmalynne plans on attending ISU to major in Communications.  When she was a little girl, she wanted to be a baby doctor!  This year, she is most looking forward to her senior class mission trip to Puerto Rico, “especially since my 18th birthday takes place during the time we are going. I know it’s going to be a wonderful experience!”

Mrs. Bergfield (her first grade teacher) was one of her favorite teachers. “She was always supportive and caring for me. She was the school supervisor for after school care and I spend many a late afternoon going my homework beside her on the playground bench.  I am currently her teacher’s assistant for the second time and I’m getting to know a whole new class of first graders.  I also really enjoy my Worldviews class because of my teacher, Mr. Williams. He is like a dream movie-teacher you see in classic films. He’s always showing us movie trailers and YouTube clips to explain things. He’s done various demonstrations involving things like animal crackers and Legos, and he makes learning ancient philosophy relevant to our lives as students in the modern world.”

The school play is Emmalynne’s favorite school event because, “I’m usually in it. It’s a lot of fun to get the full experience of costumes, makeup, and tech, then get to perform everything we’ve been rehearsing in front of an audience.”

She is super active in school and participates in Student Council, Homecoming Committee, Varsity Gold (Captain), and High School Drama Club (Co-Director).   Emmalynne also volunteers at Salt and Light and attends Little Galilee Christian Camp during the summer. She loves reading and drawing endlessly!

“My perfect day would involve wearing a fantastic outfit and going on an adventure with my best friend!”

Three things on my bucket list: 1. See Hamilton 2. See Hadestown 3. Live to read the third book in the “Kingkiller Chronicles” by Patrick Rothfiss because he’s taking forevvvvver!

“I think I am most proud of the series of speech competitions I did through elementary and junior high. It’s something I’ve always had a talent for and something I’d like to spend the rest of my life doing if possible. That’s why I want to go into communications in college.”

“My hero is my mom all of the way! She is the most incredible person ever. She’s the strongest person I know and she always goes worlds out of her way for me. She understands what I go through at school and helps me through it. I can’t say enough, honestly. My dad’s the funniest guy you’ll ever meet. He can make anybody laugh and is always there to watch out for me. He holds me when I’m upset and makes me feel safe.”

FOOD and FAMILY:

1. If I could eat only one meal for the rest of my life, it would be my mom’s tuna casserole. Yes, I know, that sounds gross, but it’s literally the best thing ever. We like to have it on lazy Saturday’s and then sit down to watch an old movie.
2. The most unusual thing I have ever tasted in a Coca-Cola filled with salt and pepper
3. My favorite holiday: Does my birthday count? It’s like a personalized Christmas! Every year on Christmas morning my parents and I drink Coca-Cola from the glass bottles. This usually happens around 6 AM, so it’s not always the most appetizing, but we do it anyway.
4. My favorite family trip: Every year we go to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, because my aunt has a condo there she lets us use. It’s a wonderful, peaceful place we all look forward to every year.
5. Favorite childhood memory: Well, that’s hard because I had a pretty awesome childhood, but the one that comes to mind is the time my parents spontaneously broke out into the “Gilligan’s Island” theme song in the car.

RANDOM:

1. If you could travel any where in the world where would you want to go? Europe, so I could go to all the tiny famous countries and see actual relics from the ancient world. Also Chicago, because I’ve never been and I want to go to a museum.
2. The most daring thing I have ever done is climbing high ropes and going on rides. I’m petrified of heights, but I feel if I don’t do something once a year I’ll lose the ability to do anything at all, so I make a severe effort of will to get on zip lines and roller-coasters.
3. I like poetry, but mostly I like poetry to find me. I like to stumble across good snippets in other books.
4. Nicknames: Emma, Emma0nem, Monkey, and Scooby
5. Favorite singers/bands: I love 80’s music, 50’s music, Country music, Broadway, Classical -basically everything except modern day pop music. Recently I’ve been really in to this Christian band called the “Oh Hellos”. They’re music style is very folksy, and because there’s something like 11 people in the band the harmony’s are incredible. I love the depth they put into their lyrics and always have to think through what they mean. I love this musical that hit Broadway this past year called “Hadestown”. It’s a re-telling of the Greek myth about Orpheous and Eurydice. The music style is all jazz and very 20’s. The story line breaks my heart and all the voices are spot-on perfect. Don’t look up the ending if you don’t know it! Shout out to Billy Joel. Love his stuff.
6. Why did you choose Shelby Photography for your senior portraits? My mom spent forever searching and when she showed me yours we both agreed they were perfect.

Special thanks to Lucky Charlie on the Washington Square in Washington, IL for the three of the “looks” used in Emmalynne’s senior session including the mustard yellow sweater and jeans, Lolë vests, Lolë shirt, and the red plaid dress!  She looked incredible!

Hair: Tressa Wise

Makeup: Elizabeth Catton