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Friday, May 3, 2024 3 Brooklin Town Crier done, she is closing the door on musical theatre, at least for the time being. Off to college Post secondary schooling in pursuit of a business program at Durham College beckons. That and a continuation of her elite volleyball at the school. "I want to get a business degree but the volleyball is important. I'm pretty serious about it." With the Rebels club, she recently competed in the U18 provincials in Waterloo. They didn't earn a medal though she managed to watch some of the Rebels U11 Tano team games that did capture silver. "It was such a weird feeling watching those kids," she says. "I was just there cheering them on and I used to be one of those kids looking up to the bigger girls. Now here I am." While she balances college volleyball and business courses, her singing won't be neglected. "I'm putting singing lessons on hold for a while. But I want to see what I can about furthering the singing and getting my voice out there. I'd like to make it a career. It is challenging. But I don't want to be normal. I'm always striving to be different." Musical options The one thing she admits may be a barrier, for now anyway, is her lack of ability to play an instrument,. She's tinkered with piano and guitar and recognizes that getting back to one of those at some point would help. As well, singing with a group is another option to consider though she says she's not yet found the right people. "It's still a thought, a dream." "I'm starting to realize you can't sit around and wait for something to happen," she says. "Nothing's going to just fall into your lap. You have to go get it." Docherty feels she's "just working through the process" in pursuit of a college diploma in business, volleyball excellence and a singing career that is about to blossom. continued from page 2 Dancing in Footloose with co-star Eric Miller The young Jessica in early volleyball days.