Girl Scouts Troop #340

It would be an extreme understatement to say that I LOVE meeting with Girl Scouts troops! On Monday, January 23rd I spoke to a group of Union 4th graders. The girls were just bursting at the seams with enthusiasm and had fantastic input about my platform.

Most of Troop #340

Each was eager to answer my questions or respond with an example of various forms of aggression! We spoke about bullies, targets and kids in the middle – with each willing to define and explain how they saw the roles. They were wide-eyed and all ears as I spoke – allowing me to be vulnerable in my experiences.

I was impressed with the maturity of these nine and ten-year-olds, and the solutions we brainstormed for them to use at school and in other social settings. Several had tales of seeing relational aggression occur often with special needs students, and were unsure how to handle the situation as a bystander. They felt compelled to stand up for these victims, but unsure of what words to use or how to say them.

This struck a chord with the teacher inside of me. Many of my students have special needs ranging from speech impediments to autism. I know my students may need additional support in the future, which compels me to reach more groups to empower them with the ability to stand up against relational aggression.

Afterwards, the girls had many great questions! The #1? “Are you married?” They were floored when I said I was not, and explained that unmarried women under the age of 25 are allowed to compete for the chance to win scholarships and the title of Miss America. This completely baffled them – until one spoke up that she didn’t want to get married until she was 28! (Power to you, girlfriend! Maybe I can steer her towards a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies too!!) They were curious about my talent, college (all are planning to obtain higher education – holla!), and most importantly the crown. Does it have diamonds? Are those crystals? Do you have to give it back? Can I keep your crown? How does it come off?

I had such a wonderful visit with this troop and I can’t wait to see the impact they make in their schools. Thanks for the invitation, Girl Scouts Troop #340!

A few additional photos for the girls – Thanks again!!

The Beginning

…is always the hardest part! Setting up the new blog has been a struggle – themes, finding free headers that actually fit the size needed, and widgets…oh my! Now that the initial words have been typed and I think there is some sort of organization, we can truly begin.

On Saturday, January 22nd I was awarded the opportunity to serve as Miss Sooner State 2011. That chilly Oklahoma Saturday was not my first rodeo, and after consistently going home from local pageants as the 1st or 2nd runner-up, I had made my peace with whatever path God had created for me. Fortunately, His plan and mine were in line that evening and I know I was provided the title of Miss Sooner State for so many reasons!

As Miss Sooner State, I look forward to the endless possibilities which are ahead. Though June 11th is a mere four months and four days away, I am not one to be slowed or deterred by a short time frame. Last year I was so overwhelmed by the daily demands of being a sorority President during the once-in-a-lifetime Centennial year, trying to find time and space to exercise, eat well and practice a tap dance in a 60-year-old sorority house, and maintain the grades I expected of myself. The time slipped away so quickly and when looking back I was not able to completely enjoy and live life to its fullest potential.

This year, so much has changed. I am in my last semester of college and have had a job lined up since November – working as an inner-city Early Childhood teacher in Tulsa through the Teach For America program. After living in the dorms and moving straight into a 91-girl-filled sorority house for 2 1/2 years, I am in a small house with three other girls, off campus….and with my very own kitchen! During college, I have always maintained the kind of lifestyle where my friends saw me dashing off to meetings and often leaving one early to make it to another. This semester, I am taking a mere thirteen hours and have decided to allow the younger generations to take the lead where I left off on campus.

I am blessed to be Miss Sooner State, not just because my platform hits home for me, but because of the wonderful and positive people who will be by my side the whole way. Miss Sooner State is not like other Miss America Organization pageants, as it does not have a board of directors to fundraise, schedule events and appearances for their title holder, or offer years of experience. Though this sounds daunting, I am the luckiest girl heading to Miss Oklahoma because I have Selby by my side. Selby is my director or “mentor,” as the Miss Oklahoma Organization is calling her, and no amount of money or time could ever be greater than what she has already offered in our short time together – support. As a young twenty-something, Selby lives in Houston, but we BBM (Blackberry Messenger) at least twelve hours out of the day. She offers great advice, positive feedback, and I already know that we will be very close friends.

Selby also proposed the idea for a fundraiser to help with the costs of competing for Miss Oklahoma.  Scentsy is a line of wickless home fragrances that melt in special “Scentsy Pots.” It is a great alternative to candles, and more powerful than any candle I have found! Not only do they smell great, but they also make perfect gifts! Selby’s favorite is Skinny Dippin’, which I’ll be ordering now. I love Gingersnap, Toasted Caramel Sugar and Vanilla Walnut. If you order through the link below, 40% of the profits from your purchase will benefit Miss Sooner State!

Scentsy For Miss Sooner State

This is just the beginning, but keep checking back as I will be discussing more about why I became involved in the Miss America Organization, what I am doing as Miss Sooner State, and how you can become more involved!

P.S. If you know what a widget is, or how to use such a thing, let me know!