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Criminal Justice major goes undercover

Evans reveals how she became Suzie Sunshine

By Randie Mayo
[email protected]
Staff Writer

Evans dons her Suzie Sunshine costume. Many may not know it, but Nicole Evans, a criminal justice major from Rome, goes by more than one name. At school she is known as Nicole, but at work she is known as Sunshine Suzie, the clown. Evans is also known to do a little clogging on the side.

What got her started in the clown business was when she volunteered to be a clown for the fall festivals hosted by her church, Silver Creek Baptist. Evans noted, �I just had fun doing it so I decided to continue to do it.�

Many children around Marietta, Rome and Cartersville only know her as Suzie Sunshine. �You�d be surprised at how many kids recognize you,� Evans said. �They�re like �I�ve seen you before!� or �Do you remember me?� that kind of thing.�

Suzie Sunshine has been seen performing in many areas of east Georgia. She has mainly performed at parties, picnics and church events. �I once did a grand opening at a Publix in Cartersville,� Evans said.

Her performance includes making balloon animals, doing magic tricks and face painting.
�My dad gets a kick out of telling everyone his daughter is a clown,� Evans said.

Nicole Evans models her Sweet-heart uniform. Another activity that Evans partakes in is clogging, which, according to Evans is �a more country version of tap.� �We like to do a Riverdance type of dance,� she said. She has been dancing for 11 years as a member of the Southern Style Sweethearts.

�I had started clogging at Midway Elementary, where they offered it as an after care school program,� Evans explained. Ann Green, the director of the Sweethearts, offered it as a class at the time. Since then, Evans has partaken in competitions and festivals with her clogging group.

�We dance at the Chiaha Arts and Crafts Festival at Ridge Ferry Park each year, but the Spring Fling in Gatlinburg, Tenn. is our big show,� Evans said.

At the Spring Fling there are dance workshops in which groups from all over learn new routines over a two-day period. On the first day there is an exhibition, while on the second day a competition is held.

�We are taught by world-class instructors,� Evans said. Members of the teams All That and Southern Bells, who instruct for the Spring Fling, have been on such shows as �Dance Fever.�

This clowning clogger plans to continue doing both for a good while. �As long as I can find someone to pay me to be a clown I will. It�s just so much fun,� she said. Evans also continues to hone her clogging skills with her group at Shorter College, where they use the facilities to practice.