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KIDS WHO CARE
Emma Grace Markham
Bethany Cole
FOR EMMA GRACE MARKHAM,
BEING IN MOTION, IN ONE FORM
OR ANOTHER, HAS ALWAYS
BEEN A PART OF HER LIFE.
Born in Washington State into a military
family as the youngest of four children, Emma
Grace lived in Germany and was able to visit
a large portion of the world as a young child.
Beginning at the age of two, she began to
develop a deep love of dance that continued
through childhood. While her traveling
eventually stilled as she set up residence in
Clinton, her dancing ambitions continued to
propel her through childhood and adolescence.
It was this affinity for dance that eventually
led her to work alongside and help inspire the
Down syndrome community in the metro
Jackson area.
When Emma Grace arrived at Clinton
High School, Lindsay Pardue, a family friend
who babysat Emma Grace as a child and is
now a special education teacher at CHS,
encouraged Emma Grace to utilize her gift
and love of dancing to become involved
with The Buddy Center. The Buddy Center,
located in Ridgeland, is a place where
“buddies” can attend and participate in a
variety of classes such as handwriting,
painting, dance, and others. “It is an incredible
resource for all who are impacted by Down
syndrome,” says Emma Kate. The Buddy
Center was designed by the Central Mississippi
Down Syndrome Society, whose overall aim
is to provide individuals and families with
Down syndrome community and inclusion.
While in high school, “I decided to be a
helper in [Mrs. Pardue’s] class,” recalls Emma
Grace. “And I loved it! Mrs. Pardue was a key
component in helping the vision of the Buddy
Center come to life, so when she asked if I
would like to teach a dance class, I was so
excited.”
Last September, Emma Grace, along with
her friend Haddie Heindl, began teaching
Saturday dance classes at The Buddy Center.
“We both look forward to it each week,” she
says. “ Dance is my greatest passion, and to
have the opportunity to share it with so many
wonderful people filled with genuine joy is
something I will forever be grateful for.”
Outside of her work at The Buddy
Center, Emma Grace is involved in a number
of school activities, including being a member
of Clinton Attaché since her ninth-grade
year, and a part of the Legends Dance
Company. She is also a participant in
numerous clubs, such as National Honor
Society (serving as president), Student
Council, Anchor Club, Fellowship of
Christian Athletes, and others. Additionally,
she has been recognized as a Hinds County
Distinguished Young Woman.
As her high school career concludes,
Emma Grace is looking towards the future
with dancing in mind. “Next year I plan on
pursuing dance and hope to receive a BFA in
dance performance and choreography,” she
says. This fall she will focus on auditioning
for nationwide BFA programs. Although
Emma Grace is excited about the next
chapter, she will inevitably miss Clinton, and
the annual town events that made for lasting
memories. As she says, “My favorite thing
about Clinton is our traditions.”
Reflecting on the desire to give back and
invest in others, Emma Kate credits her
mother, Krista Markham, and her grandmother,
“Mimi,” with inspiring her to
maintain a compassionate and service-oriented
posture in life. “Two of the most influential
people in my life are my Mimi and mom,”
she explains. “My Mimi reminds me each day
to have compassion for others and encourages
me to have a servant’s heart by her example.
My Mom teaches me to have strength and
persevere through any situation I face, and
she reminds me that if you are determined
enough, you can create a solution for every
problem.”
To learn more about The Central
Mississippi Down Syndrome Society and
The Buddy Center, visit: www.cmdss.org
Hometown CLINTON • 19