KALAMAZOO (MICH.) Explorer Mahalia Guidry has her own cake pop business and dreams of becoming an actress. So when the representative of MasterChef Jr. asked if she would like to take part in a segment of the live show, she didn’t hesitate. Acting and baking…it was perfect!

Mahalia, a 14-year-old entrepreneur attended the live show at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo with more than a dozen Explorers and their families. The event was one of many productions offered to youth in Kalamazoo through the venue’s educational outreach initiative. The tickets provide an opportunity for youth to attend Broadway shows and other productions to help cultivate the next generation of theater-goers.

The Explorers had an opportunity to take a photo with the cast and give them T-shirts as honorary Explorers. Two of the cast members wore their shirts after the show.