My City August 2021

MYSUCCESS

RYLIE THANKS HER PARENTS JOHN & TIFFANY DEWLEY FOR THEIR CONSTANT SUPPORT ON HER JOURNEY.

living a normal life. But when she was 13, she had a teen heart test that re vealed new issues. Rylie was re-diagnosed with a heart murmur and mitral insuffi ciency. “My heart is not able to pump blood to my body the way it should,” she says.

“I’ve met so many talented women. It is an amazing experience.” Rylie Dewley

“Right now, there is noth ing they can do but in the future, I may have to have a valve replacement.” Through the Start Heart Smart program, Rylie speaks to other teens all around Michigan about her experi ence with heart disease. She also started a program called Cares for Cardiac, which raises funds for care pack ages that are donated to kids at Hurley Medical Center, University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital and also to the Washtenaw County

Courts. The care packages contain a teddy bear, differ ent heart-themed gifts and a little note from Rylie to let the patients know she is thinking about them. Rylie’s talent is, of course, baton-twirling. She started taking lessons at age five with a group in Davison and then switched to Twirl-M’s Baton Twirling in Walled Lake. She attends competitions and is still taking lessons there. Being crowned Miss Michigan’s Outstanding Teen means a lot to the young

woman. “I was shocked!” she exclaims. “Having all the hard work pay off is so amazing. The other contestants were so talented, so I was really sur prised with the results.” She credits much of her success to the support from her extend ed family. “My mom, dad, sib lings and step-parents have all

helped me get to where I am today,” she admits. “I wouldn’t be here without them.” Right now, Rylie is looking forward and excited to be competing in Orlando. “I’ve been doing this since I was ten years old!” she exclaims. “I’ve met so many talented women. It is an amazing experience.” x

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