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!
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