Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen's Birthday Bash

                  After helping with Special Olympics, I headed down to El Dorado Springs, home of Miss Missouri 2011 for her and Kensie's birthday party. While I was there I got to: taste El Dorado Spring's water, which tastes like a mouthful of pennies, in case you're wondering, tour the town through a scavenger hunt that Sydney had put together, sign pictures, enjoy cake, and meet Cassidy-Raye, a little girl who bennefited from CMN. It was amazing to meet yet another child who was helped by CMN and to hear her story. I loved the idea of bringing gifts that were for CMN.

Special Olympics

Torch run at opening ceremonies

The athletes compete in three events, here we are after the last event. We didn't want to be a distraction, so we didn't wear our crowns until then.

Allysa gave me a rubber duck wearing a tiara at the end of the meet. She won it in Victory Village for me.

Allysa in the softball throw. All the volunteers are so helpful, look at the coach beside her!

The softball coming at the camera!

Explaining the OT program to my buddy and her family. She had everyone there! Younger brother, grandpa, aunt, mom, dad!

he earned his medals in swimming

Victory Village, look at the frog hop!

Allysa in the 50 m run

               Helping out with Special Olympics was one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences that I have had! At the beginning of the day, I got to meet up with my buddy, Alyssa. I helped her to check into her events: standing long jump, softball throw, and the 50m run; then I got to watch and cheer her on as she competed. Her smile was HUGE when she won a medals in all of her events: a bronze medal in the 50m run and softball throw, and a silver medal in the standing long jump.
              After Allysa's events, we headed to Victory Village to get out of the baking sun. Victory Village is like a carnival for the participants. After playing one of the games, Allysa won me a rubber ducky that had a crown on it! She was so sweet!! :-)

Mentoring

Look, I am on a poster in the shop!

Cecilia

I helped to start a mentoring program that goes along with my platform. Two girls are paired together; older girls, like me, are the "big sisters," while the younger girls are the "little sisters." The participants in this program get together for six hours of volunteering each month. This program emphasizes building confidence, poise, and the understanding of how important it is to volunteer! My little sister's name is Cecila and I look forward to watching her grow this year!

Mall Modeling

Modeling for Deb Store

With Jenna Wahlren, 2012 Little Miss East Hills

Volunteer to Keep America Clean

It's time for spring cleaning! And time for Keep America Clean programs all across the US.


You can go here for organized events in the Kansas City area, Volunteer today

For other areas, check out this map.

You don't have to participate in an organized event, organize your own, or just go out and pick up trash in your own neighborhood. It's good exercise, and you'll feel good about helping our environment out.

CMN Bake Sale!

Bake Sale on April 15 in Hannibal with sister queen, Emily Wood.

Off and Running, Track Season!

Ann Marie came to cheer our team on at our Conference meet.

Track season is here in full force, so I invited a local long distance runner, with lots of impressive accomplishments, to visit our jr high and high school track teams. Ann Marie Brooks Chappell most recently competed at the US Olympic Marathon Trials. She was a cross country Missouri state champ and holds several Big 12 records. She's even in the MU Athletic Hall of Fame.

I ran the 3200, 1600, 800 and the 400 of a 100-100-200-400 relay.

Our winning 100-100-200-400 relay team.

Doll Club Views Wedding Clothes from 1886

It was Friday the 13th at the St Joseph Museums, Inc. (happens to be #5 in a list of the "7 Most Horrifying Museums on Earth") and Doll Club had their monthly meeting. Right afterwards, a paranormal group came in to investigate. I wonder what they found. Don't worry, we don't hold Doll Club in that part of the museum!

This meeting we saw wedding apparel from the collections and made items for the dolls' hair that might be worn to a wedding. 

Special Guest, Flat Stanley!

Seventeen girls attended, here are some with our Special Guest!

One of the girls made her doll a sash, reads Pageant Queen, and has a crown drawn on it. She also made a crown and bouquet.

Happy Camper Scamper

My cousins from Minnesota and me before the run.

BJ and Gregg, after the run. They host the Kjo morning show and support Camp Quality with this run and a radioathon. Gregg also volunteers time coaching a local high school cross country team, hence the run!

my prize medal and tshirt, a welcome addition for my collection

photo by seekcrun.com

Over spring break I got to run a 5K for Camp Quality. Camp Quality is a non-profit camp that provides year round support for kids with cancer. Each June they host a camp for the kids; during the camp they get to participate in a ton of activities and get medical support. The run raised over 46 hundred dollars for the camp. I was so glad that I got to support the camp by running because I learned that the camp need over 1,500 dollars per child for the year round support that they give. 

The run was held the Saturday before Easter, and unfortunately, the weather wasn't wanting cooperate. I ran over three miles in the pouring rain, but ended up taking first in my 19 and under age group, and taking first in the women's division. 

Edit to add: Here is a story on Camp Quality from the News-Press, 

Learn more about Camp Quality here. 

State Orientation!

               Yesterday, I got to travel to Mexico, Missouri for MMOT Orientation! I had a great time catching up with all of my friends, and meeting new Outstanding Teen titleholders. Kensie had an amazing speech to the contestants about how to have your best week at state.
              I also learned of ways that I can fund raise for CMN! I will be hosting a bake sale with all proceeds going to CMN and I am going to try to get with my school to let me do a fundraising activity there, too. If you want to donate money to CMN, you can get a hold of me by email at: mmotheartland@gmail.com