Sorry it took so long!!! There are some great pictures and I couldn't rotate some of the longer pictures...but oh well! =)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
“Passport to Success”
6/24/2009
As the Spokesperson for the Volunteer Center I went and spoke at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex to a wonderful group of individuals! News Channel 2 and the VC of Greensboro put together an event geared at helping individuals to prepare for a new job in case they had lost their job or were looking at finding one! I helped to give people the confidence they needed to market themselves! I worked on their handshake and eye contact as well as a “put together” appearance! I also stressed the importance of using the extra time when out of a job to find volunteer opportunities. That is a good way to help find work opportunities as well as spending your time making a difference! They had all kinds of different specialists there to help with resumes, interview, appearance, and open opportunities. It was great to see the response they had with the number of people who came to learn from the specialists they had there!!! I always enjoy working with the staff of the Volunteer Center as well helping others, so it was a great day at the Greensboro Coliseum complex!
Victory Junction Gang Camp
6/23/2009 NASCARNIVAL
Tuesday evening was a very special night for me! I had been introduced to the CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation, which runs the Victory Junction Camps! He had invited me to visit the camp in Randleman, NC. My Mom and I went to the Camp for their special night for the campers called NASCARNIVAL!! For those who aren’t familiar with the Camp, it is a camp that is geared towards children from the ages of 7 up to 15 who suffer from diseases, cancer, or any disorder that might prohibit them from a “normal” childhood experience, like going to camp! This camp was built in 2004 in the memory of NASCAR driver Adam Petty! His Dad Kyle Petty and his wife come to a lot to visit the campers! We arrived at 6PM and were given a tour of the camp by Amanda, and we visited with their new intern, Ellen! The tour was amazing; we looked through most of the campgrounds and watched a ten-minute video showcasing the difference this camp has made in the lives of over 6,000 campers since it was open! Then we went through all of the buildings, some including the “Body Shop,” their hospital with Doctors who can do everything from chemotherapy to a band-aid on a knee! We also saw the Harris Teeter pit stop, the Tony Stewart Maze, of course everything looked like a racetrack with lots of racecars!! It was so cool; we even got to see the petting zoo with the two new baby Pigs! They had an authentic Wells Fargo Carriage, as well as Taylor Swift’s (Donated by her) Pink truck! At the Carnival they had Popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, and a Krispy Kreme dipping station. They had two hot air balloons that they had the kids up in for a short amount of time! They had a pit crew there showing the kids a “real life” pit stop at a race, with the number 45 car! Before the Carnival kicks off we danced together in the dining hall! We had a great time, although I have to admit the videographer got some great footage of me looking very silly!!! I didn’t know what I was doing, the kids were trying to teach me as we went along but I think I was a lost cause!!! I met a lot of campers, signed a lot of t-shirts and water bottles but I have to admit it was a first when this cute little boy asked me to sign his sunglasses =) I loved that!!! They were so sweet, and very inspirational to me! I enjoyed my time at VJGC so much I am going back several more times throughout the rest of the summer! Every year this camp has about 2,000 plus campers and every camper per week it costs about $2500 for them to be there, but none of the campers have to pay because so many sponsors throughout the world and nationwide help to support these kids and make it possible for them to attend the camp! It was Mrs. Petty who said she wanted to have a camp where the “normal kids” were jealous of these kids, if only for a week, these kids would get to have that feeling! I have to give credit to that, because I think of all the struggles these lovely kids have to go through and they are so strong, and brave, this camp was amazing and it was all for them! I wished I could have gone to a camp that nice when I was younger! There were camp counselors and administration from all over helping with this camp, and they were great with those kids (there is a 1 to 1 ratio of camp councilors to campers at this camp)! I could go on and on about all of the things I learned at this camp, and the great job they are doing, but it truly is remarkable and something you have to see for yourself! One thing we learned is that the big VJGC sign has a heart at the top and you always know they have campers when the heart is “beating” red! A big thank you to everyone at VJGC for making my time there so special, it was such an honor to visit and I can’t wait to come back and visit again very soon!!!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
I just got back from an exciting trip to NYC!!! I had great food, fun with friends, saw some wonderful sights around the city and of course did some shopping!!! I went up with great family friends and my Mom to visit my friend Ashley who is interning in the city! We stayed at the W hotel Union Square, the staff there was fantastic! We shopped in SOHO and at SAKS! We saw the show "Billy Elliott" on Broadway and walked through Times Square! It was a very relaxing weekend and we had so much fun together! Spending time with family and friends is what it is all about! We got back just in time to spend Father's Day with my Dad! Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dad's! Enjoy the slideshow of my trip, next week I have upcoming events with the Volunteer Center! Then it will be time to head to the coast to celebrate the 4th of July and support the troops around our great state! Stay tuned!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
USO North Carolina
Monday June 15, 2009
I was honored to meet with the Vice President of the NC USO about working with the organization to support our troops! I will be visiting the RDU Center for the USO on Sunday when I fly back from NYC! I am very excited to be working with the USO for future events! This is a great organization to support these brave men and women fighting for our country! I am excited to get my calendar of events and then start doing appearances for the USO right away! Stay tuned!!!
Tuesday June 16, 2009
Trip to Charlotte to visit our friends at Reign Fine!!! Then I will be set with all my wardrobe for nationals! I am so excited!! Pictures coming soon......
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Taylor Swift Concert at Greensboro Coliseum Complex
June 12, 2009
I got to enjoy a suite at the coliseum thanks to Murphy-Wainer Orthopedics with my favorite girls! Taylor had a great performance! She thanked her fans, volunteers and soldiers fighting in Iraq! She reminded us all how we should be proud to be an American! She was on her Fearless Tour with Gloriana and North Carolina’s own Kellie Pickler! We had a great time!
Camp Wes Miller, Basketball Academy
June 8-12, 2009 Greensboro Day School
All week, former Tar Heel basketball player and friend of mine, Wes Miller held his 3rd annual basketball camp for 120 young campers Pre-K to 8th grade! Each day a player from the National Championship Team comes out to talk with the campers about their dreams and of course, the game of basketball! We had special visits from Ed Davis (#32), former Tarheel Jackie Manuel, Bobby Frasor (#4), Marcus Ginyard (#1) and of course, Wes Miller (former #22)! We had a great week, a special thanks to Dominoes Pizza in Summerfield NC, and PMI/Groundworks for Sponsoring the camp all week! Also special thank yous to the campers, parents, camp leaders, GDS and Wes for putting on such a great camp and inviting me to help and be a part of it!
Make-A-Wish Benefit Festival and Children’s Art Expo
Downtown Winston Salem, NC
June 7, 2009 1-5PM
My Mom and I went to Winston Salem to work with the 10th annual MAW festival! Outback Steakhouse had lunch set up for everyone (ribs, chicken, potatoes, and slaw) they always do a great job of sponsoring events for this particular MAW NC chapter! There was ice cream, a silent auction, and raffle prizes! A great 2-man band performed for the crowd! They also had starbucks and krispy kreme set up in the Corpening Plaza downtown Winston Salem! A lot of wish kids were there with their families enjoying all of the festivities and making all kinds of creative art-wear (like hats, jewelry, and signs)! Since it was Sunday, a lot of the Volunteers had come to not only work, but also enjoy the afternoon so I was introduced to a lot of new volunteers who work hard for MAW! I helped Don, the leader of this chapter MAW, with the raffle prizes and give away! Shortly after we raffled everything off, he introduced me to the crowd and I was able to say a few words! I always love to get to publicly speak to the crowd because I was able to thank everyone who helps make events like that possible, the staff and volunteers and all of the wonderful families and kids! This is an amazing organization, I enjoy working with them! It was a very successful event!
Stroll to Cure Crohn’s & Colitis Take Steps Event
June 6, 2009 Lake Crabtree, Morrisville NC
I was asked by one of our judges from the state pageant, Vera Morris, a former Miss North Carolina USA 1998, to help with her event with Crohn’s and Colitis Take Steps! Miss Teen NC and Mrs. NC joined me at the event as a part of the group: Vera’s Strollers! Vera had the top team there, and her family and friends were a hoot! Everyone was so nice and welcoming to us, I really enjoyed myself! The weather was great, and the 2-mile walk we did at the kick off to Take Steps felt great too! I ran into a friend from high school who has also been affected by Crohn’s Disease, and to hear how she was fighting back with this event by raising money for future research and a cure was amazing! LaDaria sang the National Anthem beautifully! The location where we were for the event was beautiful with sailboats and walking trails! It was an honor for Vera to ask us to be a part of this event with her and to celebrate the stride she has made with this organization! She is a beautiful young woman, inside and out, and I was so grateful to share the experience of the 1st annual Take Steps event in the Raleigh area!
Appearance Number 50 as Miss NC International!!!!!!! Downtown Greensboro Chick-fil-a Princess Day June 6, 2009 11am-2pm
What a great event to commemorate my 50th appearance as Miss NC!?!!! The Downtown Chick-fil-a had a great set up for all young girls to come and be a Princess for the day! They had an ice cream station, free ice cream and all the special toppings you can imagine! The Pink Cupcake was there painting the girl’s fingernails and face painting! The girls and boys also got to pick out a special treat out of our basket! And no Princess Day is complete without a tiara, so they each got a tiara to wear! Everyone there was so nice and helpful; they made me feel so at welcome! I met some very cute little Princesses too! I had a great chickfila lunch and enjoyed spending time with everyone! I even tried to get behind the counter and learn how to use the cash register so the employees could take a break and enjoy the new Chickfila Peach Milkshake…..but that didn’t go so well! Last year, Jessica Jacobs, former Miss NC MAO was there and did a great job! So I was very honored to be their Miss NC this year at the Princess Day event! Thank you Chickfila Downtown Greensboro for such a fun day!
Greensboro Children’s Museum 5K and Tot Run
June 6, 2009
My day started early with an 8am run! The Greensboro Children’s Museum is a fascinating facility geared at educating younger children with their community and new/fun ways of learning! They have cute exhibits like: Greensboro police cars and fire trucks, a small plane and a mail truck. The 5K began at 8am, and the tot run took place at 9:15! For a lot of the children doing the run, it was their first time doing something like this and it was so exciting to watch their faces and see how excited they were! I met the staff in charge of marketing, and some of the board members! They all did a great job with the event, and I enjoyed playing with the kids- the kids enjoyed trying on my crown! I even saw my friend CJ, who had asked me to come out and be a part of this exciting day for the Children’s Museum, and I am so glad that I did!
Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games
President’s Reception and Opening Ceremony & Dance
Raleigh, NC
June 5, 2009 starting at 5:30PM
I traveled to Raleigh, NC to kick off the Special Olympics Summer Games! I had a special invitation to join the President of SONC at his dinner before the opening games at St. Mary’s school in Raleigh! Then we went to NCSU and Dorton Arena to the opening ceremonies and the end of the torch run! I greeted the athletes as the entered the arena, and I walked the opening ceremony with the Guilford-Greensboro Group of the other 100+ groups and 1,200+ athletes! I walked in with the athletes, their families and friends and then continued to greet all of the amazing athletes who came in after my group! The ceremony began with an athlete doing a breath-taking performance of the National Anthem! The torch was then carried in by NC Law Enforcement Officers who had collectively raised $1.2 Million dollars towards SONC from the torch run events across the state! The whole event was dependent on volunteers! A huge thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who helped make the Summer Games possible, you all were truly amazing! The lighting of the torch completed the ceremony, then all of the athletes and their guests, moved across the complex to attend the dance-the final part of the opening ceremony! I was pleased to be working with Miss Teen NC USA, Scarlett Howell, at the event! At the dance, I made a short video clip for SONC to give as a thank you to their sponsors for doing a wonderful job! I met so many athletes and took lots and lots of pictures! I did get a chance to speak with Keith, the President of SONC before I left to head back to Greensboro! I had the best time! Enjoy all the great pictures from this event on my slideshow!
Falkener Elementary School Luncheon
June 5, 2009
As the end of the academic school year approaches, I decided we needed to have a special end of the school year party for my “little brother” and his class! Chick-fil-a and PMI sponsored the lunch taken to the class of 1st graders! I invited my parents, the wonderful staff from Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Principal and social worker and the parents of the students in James’ class! In fact, James’ mom came! The Kids and Ms. Betton-Brown were thrilled, and the lunch (thank you Chick-fil-a Wendover location in GSO) was so good! To top it off James got a special treat for having such a great year! He got so ninja turtle gear and a nerf basketball set to work on his game! I had to say goodbye to him for the summer! I will miss him! This was a great way to end a great school year and to celebrate the accomplishments of all these great, sweet students I have come to know this past year!
Gateway Education Center “Fun Day”
June 5, 2009
Gateway Education Center, located in Greensboro NC, is associated with the Volunteer Center and participates in the annual Human Race event! PTA President Jill, to come out to the center and learn about what they do for the children who go there, and the facility, invited me! They were celebrating their seniors and even had snow cones! I walked around the “pods” which were learning centers divided by age groups. I visited several classrooms geared at particular disabilities such as autism. I also visited the infant/toddler Pod, and met the amazing caregivers dedicated to giving one on one attention to these precious children. I met the 2 nurses who take care of the students, as well as the Guilford county schools maintenance team working on the school while I was there on a project I was told had been ten years in the making! So many of these students touched my heart! They each had their own unique story, and they had a beautiful soul! I loved Anna-Belle, Jill’s daughter, an inspiration to me! Jill, along with all of the other Gateway teachers, caregivers and supporters work hard to ensure that Gateway is able to take care of each student that needs to be there. These students suffer from severe physical and emotional disabilities. But they are looked at as abilities there, where intelligent teachers teach these amazing individuals how to learn a variety of skills that in a public school setting would be almost impossible. I was absolutely blown away by the impact this school had on me! I met Sean, the graduating senior, and Danny, who taught me sign language! I hope to work with Gateway in the future on several of their events at the school, as well as fundraisers to benefit the school!
June 5, 2009
Gateway Education Center, located in Greensboro NC, is associated with the Volunteer Center and participates in the annual Human Race event! PTA President Jill, to come out to the center and learn about what they do for the children who go there, and the facility, invited me! They were celebrating their seniors and even had snow cones! I walked around the “pods” which were learning centers divided by age groups. I visited several classrooms geared at particular disabilities such as autism. I also visited the infant/toddler Pod, and met the amazing caregivers dedicated to giving one on one attention to these precious children. I met the 2 nurses who take care of the students, as well as the Guilford county schools maintenance team working on the school while I was there on a project I was told had been ten years in the making! So many of these students touched my heart! They each had their own unique story, and they had a beautiful soul! I loved Anna-Belle, Jill’s daughter, an inspiration to me! Jill, along with all of the other Gateway teachers, caregivers and supporters work hard to ensure that Gateway is able to take care of each student that needs to be there. These students suffer from severe physical and emotional disabilities. But they are looked at as abilities there, where intelligent teachers teach these amazing individuals how to learn a variety of skills that in a public school setting would be almost impossible. I was absolutely blown away by the impact this school had on me! I met Sean, the graduating senior, and Danny, who taught me sign language! I hope to work with Gateway in the future on several of their events at the school, as well as fundraisers to benefit the school!
Grasshopper Family Day at the Ballpark
Greensboro Grasshoppers Family Day at Newbridge Bank Park
5-31-2009
Family day was held at the ballpark from 3:30 till about 8pm on Sunday May 31st! I was announced at the pregame after the 1st pitch! My friend the announcer, Jim Scott, was kind enough to say a lot of wonderful things about my accomplishments and volunteer work as Miss North Carolina International! He wished me luck at Miss International and said I would be signing autographs all day with Guilford the Grasshopper (sponsored by PMI)! I watched 3 innings and then I went to sign autographs! I was so overwhelmed by the line and I was so grateful to have that kind of reception! I signed hundreds of autographs, hats, t-shirts, pendants, baseballs, and took pictures! These kids were some of the cutest and sweetest kids! My friend from one of the MAW events (celebrity serve) Leah had come with her family to see me! I was able to finish signing autographs in time to see the Hoppers score 2 homeruns and win the game! I was so touched because I met so many wonderful people in the crowd of over 5800 people, and even while I was sitting in my seat behind home plate, these sweet kids were coming up to meet me and take a picture or get an autograph! I had the time of my life! I enjoyed these kids and their families! A special thank you to the Grasshopper staff, and Laura for helping me set up this event! I look forward to Tropical Jersey Night in August sponsored by PMI with all proceeds going towards Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro, a nonprofit with the Volunteer Center!
Make-A-Wish with 98.7 Simon Picnic in The Park
5-27-2009
At the end of every month radio station 98.7 has a picnic in the park at various locations across the piedmont triad that benefit MAW of the central piedmont. This was held in downtown Greensboro at governmental plaza. Sponsored entirely by 98.7, the radio station was live from downtown, and other sponsors (Volvo, the Rush Fitness Center, Greensboro Children’s Museum, and Goodwill) were set up in the plaza as well! Peppermoon Catering was nice enough to donate all of the food for the event! You got a hot dog or burger, chips, fruit, and a drink all of $0.98! You couldn’t beat that lunch deal anywhere in town! I collected money for lunch and gave out tickets for the meals purchased! We had a donations jar set up as well! We were lucky enough to have a Wish child, Savannah, and her family come and celebrates lunch with us! She had just returned from her wish, she got a trip to Disney World! The Picnic was able to raise over $2,000 in Burlington, NC and when all was said and done with lunch tickets plus donations we were able to raise $1890.36 for MAW!!! We still have 4 more picnics in the parks this summer! What a great event to help raise money to give children the chance to have a dream come true! I look forward to the next MAW Picnic in the Park, thank you to 98.7 (Miranda!) and all of the other sponsors who help put this event together, where 100% of proceeds go to the Make a Wish Foundation!
Downtown Greensboro Organization Presents Beach Music Festival with The Band of Oz
5-22-2009
Helping Downtown Greensboro.org with Beach Music Festival was so much fun! This event is held on Thursday’s throughout the summer months in the downtown city park! All the proceeds go to benefit the Children’s Home Society of Greensboro, NC; a non-profit associated with the Volunteer Center! With the help of the Band of Oz, the party had kicked off and everyone was dancing to some great beach music all night! During a break for the band, I was able to talk to the crowd of about 5,000 plus and thank them for supporting this event to help such a great cause with a great band! My parents and sister were able to come with me to enjoy Beach Music Festival, and then together as a family we went to the beach to celebrate Memorial Day! Thank you to all of the wonderful soldiers and veterans fighting for the freedom of our country and who have fought and risked their lives for us to live in the great USA!
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