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Volunteer delivers ‘Olympic’ performance  by Cindy Abole Public Relations In an Olympics filled with fanfare, judging controversies and political shenanigans, stood many lofty moments as the world’s attention focused for 17-days at the awe and spectacle of athletes competing from the 78 nations. But not all of the attention in Salt Lake City focused entirely on Olympic events. The city is headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), who played host to an inquiring world challenging church history and beliefs. The LDS responded in a positive, respectful way. Dee Dee Squires in front of the Olympic torch at the Rice-Eccles Stadium. Enter MUSC Children’s Hospital's Dee Dee Squires, a guest relations representative, who responded to a church-wide invitation to provide her media experience and public relations expertise in Salt Lake City during the 19th Winter Olympic Games. Squires and fellow Charlestonian and LDS member Liz Sharp joined a staff of  300 experienced church media people as staff of the LDS news resource center at Temple Square during the games. With an estimated 10,000 international press expected to converge upon Utah’s largest city and its Olympic venues, the church saw it as a great opportunity to play hosts to the world. For Squires, the invitation was an opportunity of a lifetime. She has worked specifically in church public affairs for nine years and is a member of the Charleston first Ward, which includes the West Ashley area. “Part of being an active member involves devoting personal time and resources to your calling in the Church,” Squires said. “Going to Salt Lake during the Olympics was equal to serving a mini-mission.” While in Salt Lake City, she helped escort and register members of the national and international press. “This became an amazing opportunity for me. The experience was both thrilling and exciting,” she said.  Squires began her journey on Feb. 5 for a 12-day visit. She and Sharp worked full days at Temple Square. Their evenings and free time were spent with new friends and attending athletic and Olympic Arts Festival events. They were hosted by Ann Keith, a member with Sharp at the Mount Pleasant ward, who is serving a full-time mission at church headquarters. Among the many highlights of her trip included a rare visit to the Salt Lake Temple and watching a stirring musical performance featuring guest conductor John Williams, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the International Children’s Choir on Feb. 9. She also saw a number of Olympic venues: the ski jump, giant slalom run and witnessed the preliminary round of women’s hockey featuring Finland and China.  “It was exciting to be there—a place for two weeks that became the world’s center of activity,” Squires said. “It was so incredible to be among so many people in a real spirit of peace and camaraderie.” Visit Squire's Web site for stories and photos at http://www.geocities.com/squiresd2002.