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Danielle Socier has been involved in early childhood for more years than the Bay City resident cares to admit, but the 31-year-old preschool teacher and mother of triplets said that the importance of early childhood here in Michigan became even more meaningful to her when, with her four-month old triplets at her side, she stood on the lawn of the Capitol at her first Star Power event in 2009.

“I have my master’s in early childhood and I’ve grown up with it,” she says. “I know the importance (of early childhood). But even with all that -- nothing could come close to the feeling that overwhelmed me at Star Power. Seeing all those people, everybody so excited about getting every child in Michigan a chance at a great start. To make their voices heard to the decision-makers in our state. It was amazing. It’s hard to find the words to describe it.”

Socier has had more than a professional interest in early childhood. After her triplets were born, the babies encountered developmental difficulties and she was referred to the Early On program. There her babies started to receive the occupational, speech and physical therapy they needed.

“Being a preschool teacher, I’ve seen the three- and four-year-olds that come in that needed intervention and didn’t have any. Often parents have no idea what services are available,” she says. “I realized that I wanted to find a way to become involved, so that all parents can find the help they need. I’ve found that through the Bay-Arenac County Great Start Parent Coalition.”
 
Socier and her mother, Candy Hardy, a Head Start teacher, attended their first Star Power event in 2009 when the Socier triplets, Ellie, Levi and Gracie, were about four months old. The five attended again in 2010 and will be there on May 19, with the now almost two-year-old triplets, to witness the tide of yellow T-shirts once again rising in Lansing.

Still infants when they attended their first Star Power, the little ones were almost as much a source of attraction as the bouncy house, Socier recalls.

“They love the excitement. When I’m excited, they get excited,” Socier says. “I know they won’t specifically remember because they are so young. But I’m taking a lot of photos and one day I’ll be able to show them that we were here and what we stood for will be meaningful to them eventually, as meaningful as it is to me.”
 
The second visit in 2010 was even more powerful than the first,” Socier recalls. It was an election year and Socier said legislators seemed to be paying close attention. Plus the triplets were a little more mobile. They loved eating lunch on the lawn and dancing to the music. They even got to try their footing in the bounce house.

A little unexpected excitement arose when they all had to troop over to the first aid tent when Gracie’s eye began to swell. “She got some sunscreen in it,” Socier explains.

This year, Socier is looking forward to meeting Senator Mike Green (R-Mayville) and speaking again with Rep. Charles Brunner (D-Bay City) about the wants and needs of children birth to five and their families in her community.

So be on the lookout for the Socier triplets at this year’s 5th annual Star Power event.  As their mom proudly proclaims, “We wouldn’t miss it.”

Star Power takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 19.  It is paid for by private funds.