Youth Empowered to Succeed!

I finished my first full week of pharmacy classes!  I am in class anywhere from 3-7 hours a day learning about biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, pharmaceutics, and pharmacy calculations.  I really enjoy it and continue to make new friends every day! 

Starting pharmacy school has given me an even greater appreciation for the education I received at Ouachita Baptist University!!  I am so thankful for the professors who intentionally guided me, challenged me, and effectively communicated the material so I could be ready for success.   As a high school student, I didn’t realize the importance of choosing the right college.  Thankfully, I couldn’t have found a better university!  If you want to pursue a career in the medical field within a Christian environment, Ouachita Baptist University will prepare you with valuable academic skills!

Tuesday, I returned to my old stomping grounds… Stuttgart!  I was invited to speak at the YES (Youth Empowered to Succeed) Banquet for Arkansas and Prairie counties.  Beth Prine has spearheaded this effort for 13 years while fighting for public grants and private donations.  I admire Mrs. Beth for taking so much interest in my generation and persevering when it seems impossible! 

After my favorite meal of poppy seed chicken, I took the podium for my first public speaking appearance since giving up my crown.  I truly have missed it!  It was so easy to share my passion for smart choices that will empower our youth.  Mrs. Beth specifically asked me to speak on my commitment to abstinence until marriage and my promise ring from my dad!  I ended the talk by reminding everyone that once we respect ourselves, others will begin to respect us.  Once we gain respect, we have opened wide the door of influence!  Don’t underestimate the power of influence!
Posing for a picture with the peer leaders! 

Mrs. Beth Prine and me

On Saturday, we headed to the lake to celebrate my birthday a week early!  Several of my friends joined us for lunch and a boat ride.  It was so relaxing and fun!  I am determined to do well in pharmacy school without excluding the fun experiences of life!

In the pageant world, Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen Laura Leigh Turner competed in the Miss America Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando!  After Laura Leigh swept every category on the state level, we thought that she would do well at the national level… but you just never know with national pageants!  You can’t assume anything!  Needless to say, I was ecstatic to hear Laura Leigh announced as preliminary talent award winner on Wednesday night after she tap danced in a red jacket and white glove to a Michael Jackson song!  Then, on Saturday night she was the last one called to the top 12, top 10, and top 8.  When the announcement came, Laura Leigh was announced 2nd-Runner-Up to the new Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Rachel Wyatt from South Carolina!  Congratulations!!  

Laura Leigh is in pink, to the right of the winner 

Coincidentally, our current Miss Arkansas Sloane Roberts competed in the Miss America Outstanding Teen Pageant in 2008, won a preliminary talent award, and placed 2nd-Runner-Up to Miss South Carolina!  Sloane was in Orlando this week for the Miss America Orientation, where she met all of the contestants competing for the crown.  I can’t wait to hear about her week!
Photo from 2008:  Sloane is in purple, to the right of the winner

Make sure you keep up with Laura Leigh's blog as I expect her to post about her MAOT experience in the next week!  :)

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