I started March off in Virginia at the Stand Out Productions retreat where I got to work with the gorgeous Chelsea Cooley and the talented AT Dunn. Of course the beautiful Natasha was there and I even got to meet some of the other '09 Teens (Miss Arkansas, New Jersey, and Georgia... I had so much fun girls :) ) We spent the weekend not just practicing for the pageant, but pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones, and being the best we could be! It was such a blast!
(Getting ready for the big Jump!)
(This was right before I jumped off of the leap of fate, which is basically a telephone pole that you jump off of, I was just a little nervous... OK maybe really nervous, but it ended up being so much fun!)
This month, with the help of my school's superintendent Russ Bennett, I started a reading program at Craddock Elementary School where I spent one day a week reading the short story "Born to Read" to each of the first grade classes! I wanted to meet with the kids and not only discuss the necessity of education, but also the importance of setting and reaching goals! I was so excited (and surprised) to be met at each class with beautiful smiling faces and rounds of applause (I never imagined I would be greeted like a celebrity before!) After reading I got to spend time getting to know the kids, and they got a chance to get to know me when I answered their many questions!
March 7th- I was a guest at the Cleveland Science Museum where they created the Science Behind Beauty Lab. I spent the afternoon learning and then teaching the kids how to make soap!
On March 14th I got to spend the day at the Ohio Area 10 Special Olympics Bowling Tournament in Akron. I had so much fun meeting all of the many wonderful contestants. I couldn't believe how many people were there, not only members of the competition, but all of the people who were there showing support and cheering on the bowlers! I felt like such a celebrity, signing autographs and being asked to take pictures with everyone! I was so proud of every contestant for their hard work and determination. The most memorable part of the day was after the first group finished they ran over to me, because they said they "wanted to take their first winning pictures with Miss Ohio Teen!" Which made me feel so honored! It was so much fun, and I am hoping to work out arrangements to go to the Special Olympics state finals in Columbus, Ohio to cheer on the players.
On March 18th I celebrated my 18th Birthday!!!
(This is me with my baby brother during my Birthday dinner!)
Life as a Senior has been busy too!
(At school we've been busy getting everything organized for graduation, and these are some of my senior pictures!)
Also, throughout the month I have been meeting with my guidance councilor, Mrs. Miley, and I am thrilled to say we are getting really close to having all of the arrangements ready to start the girl talk chapter in my school district! Girl Talk is a student to student mentoring program where girls from the high school meet with girls at the middle school to discuss issues facing teens today! (to learn more visit desiretoinspire.org or if you are interested in starting a chapter in Ohio and want help feel free to e-mail me at Missohioteenusa2009@yahoo.com!) I am really excited to start this club, because I couldn't imagine going through middle school without having someone to turn to, and I want all middle school girls to have someone they feel they can talk to and trust!
