Up with 'perfect plan'

BAXTER - Anna Struss' "perfect plan for her future" was crushed when she graduated from Brainerd High School in 2000.

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The bubbly student, who was born with music in her blood, was going to travel around the world with a high-energy musical production - Up with People - after high school. Unfortunately, the Up with People tour was canceled four weeks before Struss was to depart.

Now, nearly 10 years later, the BHS graduate has moved forward with her perfect plan to be a part of the cast of an upcoming Up with People tour. Struss was accepted into the program and will leave July 12 for a six-month tour.

According to the Up with People Web site, it travels with a purpose, performs for thousands and impacts communities. It exists to spark people to action in meeting the needs of their communities, countries and the world while building bridges of understanding as a foundation for world people. Up with People participants performing arts as they travel through three continents.

Anna Struss went through items that were donated for a garage sale scheduled Thursday through Saturday on Memorywood Drive. Proceeds from the sale will go toward Struss' programming fees for an Up with People tour. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey» Purchase reprints of this photo.

Struss, who is currently living with her parents, Gregg and Jayne Struss of Baxter, said Up with People wants to make a difference in the world and give people hope. Struss said being a part of Up with People and helping others means even more to her now because of today's economic woes.

"It (Up with People) impacted me so long ago," Struss said of an Up with People performance. "To help others focus on a solution and what's good in their life is a good thing ... My faith is important to me, and even though this is not a Christian organization, I believe in this program and I'm excited to see how God works through it."

When Struss attended an Up with People concert in Grand Rapids at age 3, she reached out to an Up with People participant interacting with the audience who took Struss' hands and brought her on stage, where Struss danced and sang into the microphone, her mother said.

"Anna was born to dance and sing," Jayne Struss said. "She was always singing and she still is.

"It's a destiny thing (for Anna to be on tour with Up with People). Besides her music talent, one of the main questions Up with People asks is 'Do you have a passion for people?' And that is just her."

Anna Struss smiled Friday as she talked about going on a six-month tour with Up with People. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey» Purchase reprints of this photo.

Struss was involved in music since fourth grade. When Struss was in high school, Up with People came to Brainerd, which is when she first applied for the program. When the tour was canceled, Struss attended Central Lakes College in Brainerd and then Minnesota State University, Mankato, majoring in music industry. She graduated from Mankato in 2005 and later began working at the Hearth Room in Baxter.

With the poor economy, Struss lost her job and couldn't find work. With Up with People still in her mind, she called the organization and asked if she could work for them. Struss said they told her that they prefer to hire people who've been involved on their tours, so Struss applied and was accepted.

Struss, now 27, will first travel to Denver for four weeks to train. The tour will first travel to states in the southwestern United States, to Mexico, and then to Europe for 10 weeks.

How to help

A garage sale will run Thursday through Saturday at 14234 Memorywood Drive in Baxter. All proceeds will benefit Anna Struss.

A yoga and pilates beginner's class is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Living Word North church on Highway 371 North. A free-will offering is requested.

Monetary donations may be mailed to Struss' parents' home at 6613 Riverwood Rd, Baxter, MN 56425.

For more information call Struss at 821-1151.

Struss has to raise $14,250 for program fees, so she has been busy raising money. So far, she has raised $7,000 and will receive an Up with People scholarship. She has two upcoming fundraisers planned: A garage sale that runs Thursday through Saturday at 14234 Memorywood Dr., Baxter, where all proceeds will go for the tour; and a yoga and pilates beginner's class at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Living Word North church on Highway 371 North, with a free-will offering for the class.

"I'm not worried about raising the money," Struss said. "I'm believing it will come in. My goal is to raise $18,000."

Those interested in donating to Struss may mail a donation to her parents' home at 6613 Riverwood Rd, Baxter, MN 56425. Struss said she plans to write to those who make a donation, giving them tour updates.

Struss said she's not afraid to leave home for six months. She's excited for the Up with People opportunity and to meet new friends.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.