Enjoy this video I put together, the quality isn't very good but the video is worth it!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Pictures from the Article
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| Summerfield resident Julie Tesh, Miss North Carolina International, has engaged more than 60 public appearances since being crowned in February. |
Article in the NWObserver
This is an article in this weeks Northwest Observer that features my Volunteer work as Miss NC!
See the bottom of this post for more information!
Miss N.C. International finds joy in volunteering
by Alicia Cosgrove
While many little girls dream of someday donning a pageant queen’s crown, Summerfield’s Julie Tesh, Miss North Carolina International, wasn’t inspired to enter the pageant life until she was a freshman in college at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
“I’d never thought about doing pageants before,” says 23-year-old Tesh, who will graduate in December with undergraduate degrees in political science and communications. “I just jumped in, and I happened to do well, and I kept doing it. It’s been great.”
The platform-based International Pageant System was a perfect fit for Tesh, who says her volunteerism began even before she entered high school. Crowned on Feb. 28, Tesh has already logged over 60 public appearances, including the Stokesdale Holiday Parade, Summerfield Founders Day parade and, most recently, being honored at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base for the Independence Day celebrations. She happily takes any opportunity to promote her platform:
“My platform is volunteerism, trying to engage new volunteers and get them to come to volunteer centers, as well as maintaining existing volunteer forces … trying to teach people that they have the power to make a difference. I’ve been working with nonprofits like Make-a-Wish, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Special Olympics.”
Tesh also volunteers in the Mentoring of Children of Prisoners Program, and works weekly with a child whose father is currently incarcerated. She volunteered in Washington, D.C., from August to December 2008, where she served as an intern in the legislative branch, then in the executive Office of the President in political affairs. Previously, she interned at U.S. Congressman Howard Coble’s office.
“I really credit Howard Coble with helping me catch the political bug,” she says with a laugh. “He was just wonderful.”
On July 19, Tesh departed for Chicago to join other American and international competitors for the Miss International Pageant, which is the equivalent of the Miss Universe competition in the International system. She was a top-10 finalist in the event as well as the favorite online contestant award winner. Before that, though, she took special joy in playing a crucial part in a Make-a-Wish child’s dream of meeting a princess. On July 12, decked out in princess attire from head to toe, she visited Brenner Children’s Hospital to crown the child an honorary princess.
“Doing things like that – it’s an example of the types of opportunities I have as Miss North Carolina International,” she says. “I would have never had that opportunity otherwise. I only have a year to be Miss North Carolina, and when I give up the crown, I want to be able to say that I was the best Miss North Carolina that I can be.” Tesh says every event has taught her a life lesson as well as provided more motivation to continue with her volunteer work after her year as Miss N.C. International is over. “It’s very humbling, and I’ve just been so lucky,” she says.
“I’d never thought about doing pageants before,” says 23-year-old Tesh, who will graduate in December with undergraduate degrees in political science and communications. “I just jumped in, and I happened to do well, and I kept doing it. It’s been great.”
The platform-based International Pageant System was a perfect fit for Tesh, who says her volunteerism began even before she entered high school. Crowned on Feb. 28, Tesh has already logged over 60 public appearances, including the Stokesdale Holiday Parade, Summerfield Founders Day parade and, most recently, being honored at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base for the Independence Day celebrations. She happily takes any opportunity to promote her platform:
“My platform is volunteerism, trying to engage new volunteers and get them to come to volunteer centers, as well as maintaining existing volunteer forces … trying to teach people that they have the power to make a difference. I’ve been working with nonprofits like Make-a-Wish, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Special Olympics.”
Tesh also volunteers in the Mentoring of Children of Prisoners Program, and works weekly with a child whose father is currently incarcerated. She volunteered in Washington, D.C., from August to December 2008, where she served as an intern in the legislative branch, then in the executive Office of the President in political affairs. Previously, she interned at U.S. Congressman Howard Coble’s office.
“I really credit Howard Coble with helping me catch the political bug,” she says with a laugh. “He was just wonderful.”
“Doing things like that – it’s an example of the types of opportunities I have as Miss North Carolina International,” she says. “I would have never had that opportunity otherwise. I only have a year to be Miss North Carolina, and when I give up the crown, I want to be able to say that I was the best Miss North Carolina that I can be.” Tesh says every event has taught her a life lesson as well as provided more motivation to continue with her volunteer work after her year as Miss N.C. International is over. “It’s very humbling, and I’ve just been so lucky,” she says.
for more information on this article go to:
www.nwobserver.com
Note Two Changes from the written article:
I haven't been to Brenner's Children's Hospital, yet, the Wish was granted with Make-a-Wish foundation at Graylyn Manor in Winston Salem, it did involve Brenner's because the Wish Child that we were making a Princess and having a Princess Party for was a patient at Brenner's.
Also, note the difference between the International System and the Miss Universe system, they both have competitors from around the world but the Universe system is more widely known (because it is owned by Donald Trump) and the International system really focuses on Platforms and making a difference! I am really proud to be an International titleholder!
HABITAT NIGHT at the Ballpark!
Every year in late August, my Parents Company (PMI-Pest Management Systems) sponsors a “Thirsty Thursday” at the Newbridge Bank Ball Park with the GSO Grasshoppers! It is called Tropical Jersey Night and all of the players wear “tropical jerseys” and those are auctioned off during the game for a postgame meet and greet with the signed jerseys to the winners of the silent auction! All of the proceeds from this night go to Raising Roofs, Builders for Habitat for Humanity! Tonight was particularly special because Habitat built a doghouse for Miss Babe Ruth, the Black Labrador, and icon of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, not to mention I was able to throw out the first pitch! Pre-Game, My Dad was able to thank everyone for coming out to support Habitat, a non-profit organization that he has been volunteering with since the beginning of the Raising Roofs Program! Also, a huge thank you to the announcer and “microphone man,” Mr. Jim Scott, he always does such an amazing job and said so many nice things and I was so pleased he announced that I was a top ten finalist and favorite online contestant award winner at Miss International! Also a special thank you to all of the help from the Grasshopper staff, including Spaz and Donald Moore, another great night for Greensboro Baseball! Another special Thank you to Bayer Environmental Science for financial support of the sponsorship and Hydra Solutions and their creative staff for our fantastic new logo and designs! We had the party deck and invited a lot of the Builders Association members, friends and family to join us with a special presentation at top of the 6th with a message from my Dad (the President and founder of PMI) and the unveiling of our new logo for the next 25 years of putting “Pests to Rest,” in the Piedmont Triad area! It was an exciting night, and my first pitch was a “good throw” I was told! The Hoppers won and we are still coming up with a grand total for how much we raised for Habitat! Last year we raised almost Ten Thousand Dollars, so lets hope that despite the (almost) bad weather, we still had a full house and raised that much or more! This event has become a highlight of the baseball season, and it is great to have a group effort in giving back to our community! I have been keeping a journal of all of my appearances and events as Miss North Carolina and I am humbled to say that Habitat Night was my 75th Appearance in this great state! So….Enjoy the video and picture slideshow I put together! Thank you for another great PMI/Builders Night for Habitat!! Can’t wait till next year!
SCHOOLHOUSE PHOTO SHOOT
Last week I was asked to be a model for the SCHOOLHOUSE photo-shoot in Durham, NC! I had sooooooo much fun! All of the models (there were 9 of us total) were so nice! We had a great time! And the staff at Schoolhouse was "top notch!" The clothes represented several universities-we modeled all types of cute clothes for: ECU;APP;NCSU;UNC;DUKE;HARVARD;YALE;WAKE FOREST! The clothes were so cute, I wanted all of it! They were very preppy and different, I loved the style they represented, the creative designer Colleen was fabulous and the Schoolhouse staff (Rachel and Christie) were so great! The makeup looked awesome (thank you Camille) and the hair looked sooo amazing (Thank you Patricia and staff)!! And I can't forget the great work out of the awesome photographer-Keith, not only was your work phenomenal but you were so great to work with and a lot of fun! They were thrilled that Miss NC International was a model-so we took some pictures for my blog together and they used my "superlative" with my beautiful crown on for "Most likely to be homecoming queen!" It was such a cute idea, we all had superlative pictures in the the clothes and we took group shots together as well product shots individually! We did outside location shots as well as being inside this amazing old warehouse for a cotton mill, it was a beautiful old place! I will put more information up when the pictures are on the websites for selling the clothes- because everyone needs some schoolhouse clothes to represent their favorite schools! But a huge thanks to everyone who was there for the two days we spent shooting this great stuff, I had a great time and we took some great pictures!
On Aug. 12, I made a surprise visit to the RDU USO Center! It was my Mom's first time visiting the center and getting to meet all of the great staff and wonderful volunteers who help! There were about 40 to 50 Marines there coming from a camp out in CA for basic training to boot camp and heading to Camp Johnson in Jacksonville. They were great!!!! Every single new friend I made in these fine young men, just had the absolute best personalities and I really enjoyed the stories they told me and finding out where they were from and how honored they were to be defending our country! I saw some of my favorite volunteers-Don and Mary! And before I left I was able to tell them how much I appreciated their patriotism and what they were doing for our wonderful country, and how much I loved the USO!
The next day on 8/13/2009, I went back out to the Victory Junction Gang Camp for their final NASCARNIVAL of the year! WOW! I just love this place and everyone there! They are amazing people, doing amazing things for children all over the world who come here to go to camp! This week the children had TM Disorder, which is a neurological disease. This is the only camp in the entire world that can offer recreation and fun to these children! Their families were there with them, so it was a lot of fun to see their interaction together for this fun night! Again, they had the giant hot air balloons, the Krispy Kreme dipping station and popcorn, cotton candy, and a band! I met so many new friends, like Peter and Bridget! They were both a Hoot, so funny! And taller than me, which they all loved to point out-"even with my high heels on," they would say! Amanda took my Dad and I on a great tour of all of the grounds, and he loved it! We saw the pit crew again, they were all extremely nice! And of course we made it in time for the dancing after dinner! These kids really are the "World's Greatest!" Thank you VJGC for another wonderful time!
Saturday was a big day for me~ I went out and helped with two fundraisers! In the morning I went to the Make A Wish Fundraiser at OCharley's in Greensboro! They donated breakfast food and it was all you can eat pancakes, juice, coffee, bacon and sausage for $5.00 for MAW! All the great volunteers were there helping! It was from 8 to 10 AM and with breakfast and donations we made over $1,000! And I was so honored to make a donation to them from the check I received from winning the award for favorite online contestant at Miss International! Then I went to Raleigh, where downtown at RAY-PRICE Harley Davidson they were having their annual USO Freedom Ride! I saw a dog on the back of a Harley with goggles and a helmet on-it was soooooo cute!!! I met so many great people and had the privilege of sitting on a Harley for some pictures! WOW-what a bike! Everyone there was so nice and welcoming, and they helped the USO raise over $15,000 for the troops! Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who came out (in the HOT weather) to help! It was a great weekend!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Appearances During Nationals that you will see in the pictures.....
We had such a great time as a Group traveling to the Boys and Girls' Club of Chicago and getting to participate in arts and crafts with a lot of the inner city children. They are doing great things with programs to help these children, we had a great time! We also we to the Navy Pier and had an Extreme SpeedBoat ride on Lake Michigan! We had an event at the Skokie Library where we all donated a book to the Library's children's department. We had countless dinners, lunches and practices together, we had a great and exciting pageant and an unforgettable Coronation Ball!
Appearances since Nationals.....
As I returned home as Miss North Carolina International I couldn't have been more proud! I did a better job than I did at Miss NC and I made so many new friends and a lifetime of memories! But none the less it was back to work!!! On Saturday August 1st I went to the Downtown Park in Greensboro on behalf of Big Brothers and Big Sisters for their "Girl Power Event 2009." It was a fun day for Little Sister's and their "big Sisters" to have together. While the girls and their mentors ate lunch I was able to talk with them about the importance of following their dreams and never giving up! I gave them a motivational speech based on the challenges I have faced in all aspects of life and how perseverance and determination can help you soar to success! They had an afternoon filled with dancing and learning different ways to express themselves, I told them find something you love to do and are good at and just reach for the stars, no dream is ever too big!!!
On August 3rd, I went to Raleigh/Garner area and helped the USO of NC work with the local YMCA's to stuff 475 bags (in 45 mins I might add) for the troops! I met several vital USO Volunteers and directors! I also got to speak with the kids about the importance of the United Service Organization and how important our troops are, and how we need to support them in their continued fight for our freedom. It was great! I also got a great tour of the USO office at the RDU HQ! I met a few soldiers coming in for a break, I saw the facility and learned about the history of the USO!! Started in the early 40's by FDR, the USO has the longest continuously running office in the world right here in NC- in Jacksonville at the base. WOW!! Very impressive! The USO is completely free to soldiers and their families and everyone there made me feel so at home, so I know they do a great job for our young men and women in the service! I went back out to the USO in Raleigh for their 5th Birthday Party! They had a big celebration at the General Aviation Terminal at RDU in Raleigh! I had my USO hat on and enjoyed a great piece of cake! I met with the President of the USO, who was there for the event! There were so many tremendous Veterans there who told stories and helped the USO as a volunteer, I can't thank them enough they are not only true American Heroes but also the true meaning of Patriotism. Again- this event was just full of terrific Volunteers! Thank you for having me as a guest at such a special day! Also found out that the USO is moving to the new terminal at RDU in 2011!
On Friday August 4th I went as a key speaker to the Service Learning Impact Camp for the Volunteer Center! As a spokesperson for the VC it is always nice to help them with their specific events! There were so many young kids at this camp that I was able to help them by sharing my stories of volunteering. I was able to set an example to them of the importance of volunteering! I made sure they heard some of the emotional stories and the thousands of people I have talked to about volunteering and making a difference! No act of kindness is too big or too small, everything makes a difference if it is helping the life of someone else. The Volunteer Center holds this great camp once a year at the end of the summer for students ages 14 to 19 for them to learn about service learning projects: this year was the project of ending hunger. The volunteer center in Greensboro alone (8 total in NC) works with over 174 non profit organizations, when you look at the bigger picture with the 400 action centers nationwide and 12 in international communities then you can really see how the thousands of non profits can benefit from the millions of volunteers answering the call to service each year! These kids did a great job all week and it was pleasure to speak to them on behalf of the great strides being made by the Volunteer Center!
I am also having the privilege of making special bags to send to Iraq for 12 young men and women! I am so excited and with the help of my Aunt and Grandpa I was able to put some really great stuff and some sweet notes in there to let them know how much we appreciate their dedication to the United States Military! Stay tuned for more on that each week!
On Saturday I went to the Greensboro Coliseum for Market America's International Convention. They had a different non-profit there everyday of their 3 day event, catering to a whopping 20,000 people! I went to help Make-A-Wish foundation! I spoke on behalf on MAW and the importance of their donations! We were able to raise $1,200 dollars in small donations by the people at MA Cares and that will go towards making a wish come true for a child with a life threatening illness. It is a miraculous organization with great volunteers and wish families that I saw and spent that day with at the coliseum complex! Together we had a terrific Saturday for a great cause! Thank you for all of your support of this foundation!
Got another busy week ahead of me!! Stay Tuned for more events and pictures from last week!
Oh and one more thing- a BIG HUGE thank you to JAIME at REIGN FINE in Charlotte for the best wardrobe at Nationals!! I couldn't have loved anything more!!! You did an amazing job for helping me get it all together and feel great about wearing it!!! Also a big thank you to MONKEES of Irving Park and SIMPLY MEG's of Greensboro, and Ashley of LUSH DESIGNS and LITTLE BLACK DRESS of Greensboro for helping me to have the best wardrobe!! You all are more than just friends all of you are family and I love you guys so much!!! You do a terrific job!!! See you all very soon!!!!
Miss International 2009
I hope everyone enjoys seeing all the great pictures from the national competition in Chicago! I want to Thank everyone for all their help!! I couldn't have done it without all the support from my family and my friends- and the prayers! Of course I have to thank my heavenly father without him, nothing would be possible. First of all-my Mom for being there through the whole thing and making it possible to even compete! She was my rock that week, without her being there and to help do my hair (ha ha)I would have been lost! Mom, I can't thank you enough, you gave me life and you help me to prosper. You are an amazing woman and you have set such a great example for me on how to live my life, I owe you so much. I just hope that one day I am half the person you are now, thank you for everything you have and are doing for me, I truly couldn't do it without you. i love you so much. Also my Dad and sister for helping me and being there at the Pageant! I love you more all more than anything.
JOY- you were terrific and congrats on Director of the Year! You do an amazing amazing amazing job with the NC team! We are so lucky to have you by our side and as a friend, well more like family now!!! I love you!
LaDaria- you are a beautiful woman on the inside and out!! Thank you for helping me prepare for the pageant and what to expect! Christina and Wendy-I had a blast with you all week (ya'll are a hoot!) there wasn't a dull moment that is for sure right down to the burnt popcorn!!! Christina I am so proud of you, girlfriend you did an awesome job!! Keep up the great work on your platform, I know your sister would be so proud of you and all your doing to help other children who are going through what she went through. Progress will be made because of all you are doing for her cause. You are an inspiration.
To my family and friends who came to see me at the pageant, and to EVERYONE who helped me make it there (I wish I could list all of you, but the list would go on and on) I feel so blessed to have so many amazing friends and family in my life that make me feel so special and loved, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I won Favorite Online Contestant thanks to all of you voting online to help me, so for that among the thousands of things you have all done for me now and over the years-I am forever grateful. I love each and everyone of you.
To the International Pageant System and Staff, and the Richardson family- I have never felt so at home with any pageant until now. Thank you for your hospitality during the competition and the entire year, you all have done an amazing job and are too kind. Thank you for your help and for a great experience. The Production staff and the Pageant staff were top notch! It was an honor to compete! I hope to see you all again very soon! You have an amazing Miss International 2009 and I can't wait to see all the wonderful things she will do with her platform! Most importantly thank you for making it possible for all the state titleholders to make a difference through their platforms! There really cannot be a better system and a better staff or director than this one!! I love you all, and have felt as if I have known you my whole life, I cannot say thank you enough!
To all of the wonderful contestants and new friends I now have from Chicago-oh my gosh you girls were all just fabulous! Thank you for the memories and the pictures we all took! I left Chicago feeling like I had had the absolute best time and that would not have been the case if I hadn't met each and everyone of you! To my three musketeers-you girls are awesome, I love you! I was so honored to compete with all of you from all over the world who have done so many wonderful things in your state and your communities! Keep up the great work in your platforms! Each state I know is proud to have you all as a representative, you are all so beautiful, nice and accomplished, and you are all making a difference in our world!
To Jayna, Former Miss International 2008, you are one of the most beautiful women I have ever been privileged to meet. You have such a kind heart and I saw that all week, you just loved people and we all loved you! You set the standards high for all of us, and I can't thank you enough for doing that. You have such an impact on all of us, I know you had one on me. You have truly made a difference in so many lives and I thank you for your hard work and for being such a beautiful person-inside and out. Thank you for making this week a great week for all of us!
To Erin-our new Miss International 2009! You did a FABULOUS job!! They couldn't have picked a more deserving winner! Thank you for helping me get ready backstage-my hair would have been a mess if it weren't for you! I hope you make to most of your year and have a great time doing so! You will make strides for Go Red for Women and you are a beautiful queen- and I couldn't be happier for you! I was honored to be in the Top Ten Finalists next to you! I will never forget your crowning moment, congratulations for your great week in Chicago!
To the Volunteer Center, Hands on Network, POL, and all of the amazing non-profits(Make-A-Wish, Big Brothers, Big Sisters; USO of NC; Special Olympics of NC; Habitat for Humanity;Urban Ministries, Red Dog Farm, and so many others!!!) I have had the privilege of working with since being crowned Miss North Carolina it is an honor to continue helping promote my platform as Miss NC and as Julie. This has been the most amazing year and it will only get better from here. I look forward to all the future events and work we will do together. I really believe in all we are doing to promote volunteering and making a difference, together we have made a difference. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity.
SO-I am sure I might have left out some thank yous-and if I did I am so sorry but just know that I can't say enough thank yous to everyone who has helped me get to this point! I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. This has been the most amazing experience, and I have loved every minute! thank you, thank you all for everything.
Stay Tuned for more exciting events coming up!!! Check the state blog as well for event dates and updates on appearances!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
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