Read Erin's first-hand account of the show and see photos from the set below!

Watch Erin on The Martha Stewart Show

Read Erin's blog on the Martha Stewart Dreamers into Doers web site

I am truly humbled to have been chosen as a winner in the Martha Stewart Dreamers into Doers Contest. As soon as I heard the good news from Brian Laskey, my nominator, there was a whirlwind of activity and communication from Martha Stewart’s staff. They coordinated a film crew to tape our program in Indianapolis, visiting our partner elementary schools and universities to interview several of our participants, capturing the program in action. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

The Martha Stewart team also facilitated logistics for my trip to New York City for the live taping. I traveled to New York City with my supportive husband and felt fortunate to have Brian and his fiancée Stephanie there as a part of the experience.

When we arrived at the studio at 8 am, there was already a crowd of people lined up outside (two hours before the show started) hoping to get tickets to be a part of the studio audience. After going through security and meeting the segment producers, we were escorted to the dressing room. I was led to another area of the building for an interview on the Martha Stewart radio show, which was a perfect warm-up for the television segment. After finishing the radio interview, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast that only Martha Stewart could provide: fresh yogurt, blueberries and oats along with Martha’s signature cappuccino. No detail was left unturned, anywhere.

Next, I was whisked away for hair, makeup and wardrobe. Being made-up by professionals was certainly a treat. After I was deemed camera-ready, the producer took me on a quick tour of the studio so I could get an idea of where I would be taping. He also briefed me on some of the questions I might be asked. I was equipped with a portable microphone, and seated in the audience, with instructions that they would let me know when to approach the front of the set.

Joey Kola, Warm Up Artiste, was there to excite the audience and entertained everyone with clapping, dancing and music. Martha began the show by sharing that our audience was the most excitable group they have seen. As I watched our segment begin, I began to tear up watching the video of College Mentors for Kids the Martha Stewart staff had created. When it was my turn to be interviewed I was excited to share the great work of College Mentors for Kids with a national audience. Looking out at the 200 plus faces in the audience and knowing there were about 4 million more people watching at home was exciting!

Martha was great and made the interview very easy. I answered her questions and was absolutely shocked to hear that they had actually found Jonathan, the child I had mentored when involved in College Mentors for Kids at Purdue. I was so touched that they had taken the time to track him down; I found it impossible to hold back the tears. Only later did I learn that searching for him was not easy and they had only located his family the night before the show.

I started mentoring Jonathan when he was in first grade and to hear his grown-up voice was overwhelming! Reconnecting with him was a wonderful surprise and I cannot thank Martha Stewart and her team enough for providing College Mentors for Kids with this highly visible opportunity. The $10,000 award will ensure 10 children visit a college campus 20 times this year, providing them access to a positive role model and exposure to the opportunities of higher education.

I am truly passionate about the mission of College Mentors for Kids and love the work I do. I will never forget this experience and cannot thank my staff, the Martha Stewart crew or our supporters enough!