Meghan Casey, 20, who owns and operates Rocky Mountain Puppets, uses her ventriloquist skills to entertain about 200 children and adults Tuesday during her first of two shows at Durango Public Library. At age 5, Casey began dabbling with ventriloquism. By age 11, she was performing. Now, she performs 100 shows a summer and uses the money she earns to help pay for her college education. Casey, in her junior year at Colorado State University, is hoping to become a doctor, and she wants to use ventriloquism to help teach children about health and proper nutrition.

Ventriloquist Meghan Casey, 20, entertains about 200 children and adults with her puppets during her first of two shows Tuesday at Durango Public Library.