I got an email in the 2017 saying there was a South Dakota State University college student who loved country music, and she was interested in an internship at a radio station.

She showed up on a freezing South Dakota day wearing a dress. Maria always wears a dress and a smile that says "I don't take life to seriously, but I have the courage to follow my dreams."

I think the two go hand-in-hand. Pursuing the things you love can be a painful and difficult process. The ability to laugh eases the bumps in the road, and makes the journey enjoyable.

I laughed a lot in the early mornings with this girl.

Maria is in that age group of people that society to often questions their work ethic. Maria was an intern on our radio show, a nanny, and held a part-time job at a tea shop.

She did all this while managing to work on, and complete her first EP. She works hard, and hustles the things she loves.

The EP project she started two years ago features 6 original songs Maria wrote and recorded with trips to F5 SoundHouse.

"I had just graduated high school and had no idea who I was, what I wanted or where I wanted to be. So, I did the only thing I knew how to do - write," explained Maria. "This EP was my lifeline over the past two years. I'm so proud of this record. Thank you F5 SoundHouse for turning songs I wrote on guitar on my bedroom floor into everything I wanted."

"For two years, these have been more stories and now I give them to you."

I'm bummed out she won't be spending the summer with me again this year at the radio station, but I am excited she keeps checking items off her bucket list.

In two weeks she is heading to Nashville to be an intern with Black River Entertainment. She is bringing her love of life, and country music to Tennessee a state that offers much better year round dress weather.

Support a dream chaser and download her album Maria Hassel today.


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