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Grimes shows off 'Top of the World' pride in Las Vegas magazine

August 10th 2:31 pm | Tommy Wells Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

Samantha Grimes knows a thing or two about showing spirit and promoting things.

A former high school cheerleader, the 22-year-old works in public relations specialist for Magnetic Public Relations, a Las Vegas-based company that promotes events that feature celebrity stars such as rapper Drake.

So when the opportunity arose for Grimes to shed some light on one of her favorite places, she chose her home ... Barrow.

Grimes appeared in the July edition of the Las Vegas' monthly magazine "Vegas Seven" as part of a feature entitled "My Object of Affection." The regular piece in the magazine features Las Vegas residents showcasing items close to their hearts.

For Grimes, an appearance in the publication happened by accident through a meeting at church.

"The feature came about quite spontaneously," she said. "I was at church and noticed the person sitting beside me was a writer that I had once met at a client's gathering. We briefly spoke after the service and laughed at the coincidence."

Grimes didn't have to wait long to see the writer again. The following day, she emailed her and asked if she would be interested in being featured in Vegas Seven's style section.

"I, of course, thought that it would be cool to focus on Alaska and the knick-knacks that my family brought with them to Las Vegas," she said.

According to Grimes, the writer loved the concept and set up a quick photo shoot ... two days later.

In the photo that accompanied the feature, Grimes is shown with numerous Native objects, including a pair of mukluks, a parka and an ulu.

"I was thrilled to be featured in such a great local publication," said Grimes, the daughter of Monica Grimes and stepfather Michael Donovan - both former employees of the North Slope Borough Police Department who retired and moved to Las Vegas after their daughter completed school.

"I am proud to have grown up at the top of the world, and am happy to shout out Alaska when given the opportunity," she said.

A former volleyball player and cheerleader, Grimes graduated from Barrow High School in 2008 and then enrolled in college at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

At university, it didn't take Grimes long to become notices. Shortly after enrolling, she met a member of the university Rebel Girls dance team, who encouraged her to try out.

"She encouraged me to come to a private try out," said Grimes. "I went, and was completely out of my element, but got a call the same night that practice started the next day. So I danced with the university Rebel Girls, performing at all basketball and football games and competing nationally, from 2008 to 2010."

Grimes was also working hard away from the dance team. Shortly after enrolling she changed her major from International Business to Integrated Marketing Communications and began interning at local companies - sometimes as many as two at a time - to gain experience. She was hired by Magnetic Public Relations on a part-time basis in 2011, and then joined to company as a full-time employee earlier this year, while completing her final semester in college. She graduated from university with a bachelor's degree in May.

Grimes said her career is an exciting and challenging.

"I regularly work celebrity events, organize video and photo shoots, and get great coverage for our roster of clients," she said. "It is not the regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is one of those jobs that people would kill for."

"The past four years have been such a surreal experience," she said. "I've danced in front of thousands of people, on ESPN and in crowded arenas. The night before my college graduation, I was running a red carpet for recording artist Drake at TAO Nightclub."

"I am so very blessed to have come from such a small town at the top of the world to starting a very exciting career in Las Vegas," she added.

 

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