Wee She in every issue
Story by Ashley Elvington • Photographed by Laura McBryde Gainey
Allison Brewer
Lucy Rhodes
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leven-year-old Allison Brewer is the outgoing daughter of Jason and Teresa Brewer
E
Allison also enjoys swimming, which is one of the many activities in
of Florence. Described as energetic and joyful, Allison is the oldest sister of siblings
which the girls participate during their families’ annual Fourth of July cel-
Anders, Abbott, and Abigail. Some of her favorite hobbies include drawing,
ebration at Knife Island. This celebration, created in 1974 as an annual
reading, sewing, cooking, and dancing. Allison dreams of one day earning
picnic, has been a tradition in Lucy’s family for years. The Rhodes have had their riv-
her pointe shoes in ballet and becoming a chef at a five-star restaurant. “I love to cook!
er house since 1970, during which time it belonged to Lucy’s great-grandparents and
I was inspired when I started helping my mom in the kitchen. It was then that I realized I
grandparents. Several years ago, they invited the Brewers and both families have been
had a passion to cook.” Mom Teresa shares, “Allison inspires me by excelling at so many
attending this special summertime gathering ever since. During the mornings while
things. I think she is so well-rounded. I am looking forward to seeing where her future
they are there, Allison and Lucy participate in a golf cart decoration contest, of which
takes her. I know she will be successful in life, and it will be fun to see her as a mother
they have been the undefeated champions for the past four years. Allison shares, “We
one day.”
decorate the golf cart, and then we line up at the starting place with other contestants.
Although she anticipates her future, Allison is in no hurry to grow up. “I believe I
When they say go, we ride around as if we’re in a parade. We pass by the judges as they
should use the time I have as a child to be a child.” While she’s growing, so is her faith in
look at our carts to determine the winner. About 10-15 people enter the contest. It is
God. This is thanks in part to her inspiration - the late Chrissy Conner. “She had such a
super fun, and we enjoy it a lot!” Each year, the girls have chosen a patriotic theme with
strong belief in the Lord and that you can do anything through Him.” Life can be quite
American flags, stars, stripes, streamers, and anything red, white, and blue. They also
a ride as you grow older, but Allison is enjoying it so far, especially with her best friend,
connect a trailer to the golf cart that holds their siblings, as well as Lucy’s cousins. Each
Lucy, in the passenger’s seat.
child wears a patriotic outfit and/or accessory, and they throw candy into the crowd.
Allison met Lucy when they were toddlers in 2005 during story time at the Florence
After the golf cart contest, there’s a cookout by the Little Pee Dee River. Then, it’s time
Public Library. The two girls weren’t even a year old when their moms became friends,
for some fun activities, including river volleyball, corn hole, a watermelon eating con-
and Allison and Lucy would often have play dates. Now that they’re older, the girls enjoy
test, balloon toss, and fireworks. With their creative thinking, the girls came up with
playing at each other’s houses and creating fun new games and ideas. “At Lucy’s house,
the idea for a lemonade stand one year after the fireworks display. Lucy’s cousins also
we tried to redesign her room. At my house during our sleepover on Memorial Day, we
assisted in the “business” venture. The girls have been successful so far and hope to
made a restaurant. We served red, white, and blue waffles with red, white, and blue
continue the stand this year and in the years to come, as a growing part of this family
whipped cream!”
celebration. The girls’ parents have been motivated to keep the Knife Island summer
Ten-year-old Lucy is also described as outgoing and energetic. She is the daughter
tradition alive due to the excitement of Allison and Lucy. Both girls look forward to the
of Joey and Cheryl Rhodes of Florence and the oldest sister of Brady and Tenley. Like
celebration each year, as they spend quality time with each other and their families,
Allison, Lucy has a strong faith in God. Some of her passions include loving animals and
making memories along the way.
being an entrepreneur. Mom Cheryl shares, “She is always trying to find a way to make
During the summertime, Allison also enjoys participating in the Horizons Gifted and
something she can sell to earn money!” One of her biggest dreams is to one day own a
Talented Art Program, summer dance classes at the School of Dance Arts, and Family
horse so she can partake in one of her favorite hobbies - horseback riding. She also en-
Fellowship Week at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Lucy enjoys being a part of the Florence
joys reading, baking, and making crafts. Once she enters college, she hopes to become a
Summer Swim Club, participating in church camp, going to horseback riding camp,
collegiate swimmer. Inspired by her coach, Kinsey Brand, Lucy strives to do her best and
attending Vacation Bible School, and spending time at the pool. This summer, she will
to push herself at practice to master the sport. Lucy aspires to work in the field of tech-
be attending her first overnight camp as well as an overseas trip with her family. There
nology when she grows up. Her REACH Technology teacher, Mr. Camlin, has encouraged
will, of course, be many sleepovers and hangouts between the two girls as well.
her in this. “He introduced her to the newest technology and what is on the horizon.
According to Allison, her childhood has been fun simply because Lucy has been her
She wants to work in technology because she thinks it’s fun, and there is always some-
friend. Lucy echoes the sentiment, as she always has fun with Allison by her side. It is
thing new to learn or invent.” Bill Gates and Stephen Hawkings also inspire Lucy, as she
her hope that they both will be able to attend the same middle school next year, have
believes they used their intelligence to craft inventions that changed the world. Cheryl
some classes together, and participate in the same clubs so they can spend more time
admits, “We are enjoying seeing her begin to push herself more to improve herself in all
together. No matter where their lives take them, it is comforting for both the Brewer and
areas of her life, and we know that she will find success in whatever she does.”
the Rhodes families to know that these two girls have each other.
JULY 2016
SHEMAGAZINE.COM