Napiera Danielle Groves
		A Bonnie Lass Napiera Danielle Groves breathes new life into the all-grown-up Bonnie McKechnie

	Although AS THE WORLD TURNS newcomer Napiera Danielle Groves was taking over the already-created role of Bonnie Louise McKechnie, there really wasn't all that much history for her to research. "She was 3 five years ago, which makes me literally 8," she laughs of the severe case of SORAS (Soap Opera Rapid-Aging Syndrome) that struck her character while she was living in Europe.    Then her stunning smile dims slightly, and Groves adds seriously, "But she is the daughter of Duncan and Jessica, and as we well know, they were a welcome sight: an interracial relationship several years ago."    The young actress realizes that it's not so much the character's past as her sociological importance that means so much to the audience. "I believe that this is the first biracial child born on television, not that long ago," she says with a little hint of pride. "So I guess there's a little history there with Bonnie." Making It Happen Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Groves always had dreamed of being a performer. "I went to a school of creative and performing arts from seventh grade until I graduated from high school," she reveals. "So acting, music, singing and dancing have always been what I've done."    But as she began classes at Howard University, Groves decided to make a change, though thankfully a very brief one. "My first year of college, I decided I would do journalism," she admits with a sheepish grin. "And I lasted about a year. Then I went back to the arts." Born To Do It A former Miss USA contestant, Groves has experimented with television, film and the stage. "I did Bright Lights, Big City a couple of years ago at the New York Theater Workshop," she recounts. "I did a national tour of Dreamgirls as well." But this is the first time she's going to be seen by millions of viewers, and the thought staggers her.    Still, the daytime newcomer has had a lot of help acclimating herself to the soap world. "Everybody's making me feel very at home," she says, sounding almost relieved. "I've heard that it's a great show to work on. Not only is it critically acclaimed, but it's a great group of people. And then it was confirmed once I got here. Everybody's great." — Chris Eades