Although she is a mom-described "total girlie girl," Riley Galica has no fear. Whether she's volunteering to help out at daycare, meeting new friends or singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" karaoke-style at her mom's cousin's wedding, Riley is fearless when it comes to self expression.
"She will bust out in song and dance at any moment in time," says Nancy Galica, Riley's mom, who works as a product manager for Wells Fargo.
Riley's favorite Milwaukee places are the Betty Brinn Museum and Gymboree, where she celebrated her second birthday -- which was Curious George-themed -- last May.
"Riley also loves being outside, playing in the park and going to movies at the theater where popcorn is a special treat," says Nancy.
Born in Chiquimula, Guatemala, Riley came to the United States when she was just under 5 months old. Coincidentally, she became an official U.S. citizen this past year over Fourth of July weekend. Nancy is the Vice President on the Board of Directors for Latin American Adoptive Families of Wisconsin (LAAF-WI), and many of Riley's friends are in this group.
However, her best friend is a little boy named Adam who lives in West Bend, but Nancy says that even though her daughter can hang with the boys, she is sugar and spice down to the bone.
"Riley is a total girlie girl. She hates bugs. And she likes to wear dresses and spin around and dance," says Nancy.
Nominate your kid to be OMC's next "Mini-Milwaukeean of the Month!"
Every month, we'll select one Brew City babe (suburban kids are also eligible) and write a little article about him or her. Then, Mom or Dad can forward the article to friends and relatives -- three cheers for cyberspace bragging rights!
Contest requirements:
1. Kids entered in the contest must be between the ages of newborn and 6 years old.
2. Kids must be nominated by a family member.
3. Family must live in the Metro Milwaukee area.
Note: Preference will be given to kids photographed in a recognizable Milwaukee setting or wearing Milwaukee/Wisconsin gear.
So, e-mail your favorite digital photo to us, the name and age of your child and your name. If we pick your mini for the month, we'll email you back and ask for more information for the article.
E-mail molly@staff.onmilwaukee.com and type "Mini Milwaukeean" in the subject line. There is no deadline for this contest.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
