Lauren Alaina, runner-up on Season 10 of 'American Idol,' has been putting in lots of work hours lately and is 'Growing Her Wings' in all sorts of ways, including spending a week with Special Olympics athletes in South Korea.

Recently, the growing country star traveled to South Korea to attend the Special Olympics World Games. Before she left, Alaina told the Times Free Press, "I'm the Special Olympics ambassador (Special Olympics Project UNIFY Ambassador for North America.) It's going to be freezing cold, but think it will be a really fun time."

As an ambassador, Alaina assists Special Olympics’ efforts to raise awareness and change the attitudes of toward people with intellectual disabilities. It is a high honor for her to play such a vital role in inclusion, and one she is highly passionate about. "I have been involved with the local chapter in my hometown since I was in 6th grade. There is nothing that makes me happier or inspires me more than spending time with the athletes," she says (quote via Special Olympics).

The 18-year-old, who made her debut with 'Wildflower' in 2011, continues to make huge strides forward in her music career, with numerous stops at some of Nashville's most iconic locations this weekend. On Friday (Feb. 21), Alaina will be singing at the Grand Ole Opry, and on Saturday she'll be signing her album at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The rising country star will finish off this impressive weekend taping an episode on the PBS cooking show 'Sing for Your Supper' at the Ryman Auditorium, which will be airing this fall.

Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, and Ryman Auditorium...all in one weekend? Sounds like there will be lots of exciting future news from this ambitious and highly talented singer -- and hopefully a sophomore album coming soon.

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