Stuttgart School Visits

This morning, I had the priveledge to speak to St. John's Lutheran School. I attended St. John's as a child and always value opportunities to return to this school. I spoke to about 40 kids in grades 1-5. The audience was a little younger than what I expected so it was a great challenge to speak to this age group. They were so attentive, respectful, and interactive. I had a great day at St. John's!

1st and 2nd grade

silly face!!

3rd, 4th, and 5th grades

This afternoon, I spoke to a class at Stuttgart High School. It was a very informal setting with only a few students, but I fully appreciate the opportunity! I brought photos of celebrities who are known for the mistakes they have made. I quizzed the class on Tiger Woods, Martha Stewart, Micheal Vick, Jamie Lynn Spears, and more celebrities. We talked about their mistakes, consequences that followed, and overcoming the mistake. We can learn a lot from the mistakes of others!

CMN Fundraiser!

The fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network was a HUGE success!! The amount raised at Larry's Pizza this past Thursday was $792.42!! The total amount of money I raised for Children's Miracle Network this year came to a grand total of $1442.42!! I am thrilled to be donating this amount to CMN and know that this donation could make a difference in the life of a child!

Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization that financially assists families that cannot pay their children's medical bills. The organization, founded in 1983 by the Osmond family and John Schneider, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT. CMN has established a partnership with 170 hospitals in the United States and Canada.

My beautiful princess, Riley!

The DBS girls worked very hard all night. They deserved a dinner break when the crowd weakened!

A THANK YOU belongs to the following:

Larry's Pizza for hosting and contributing to the fundraiser!

Delta Beta Sigma for serving and cleaning!

JR and the radio station, businesses around Stuttgart, and Stuttgart Rotary Club for advertising this fundraiser!

The Stuttgart community for supporting this fundraiser and eating pizza!

Rotary Club of Stuttgart

Yesterday, I was asked to fill in at the Rotary Club meeting since the scheduled program speaker had to cancel in the last minute. I gathered my thoughts quickly and prepared to speak. I always enjoy speaking at the Rotary Club and connecting with the community!

I spoke about my platform, "Second Chances." I explained why I am passionate about mentoring and giving second chnaces. The crowd seemed very interested in my service at the Promise House and I was so happy to speak about it. The newspaper was present, and I look forward to seeing an article in the paper tomorrow!

Me and Mr. Wade Hosman

I also promoted my upcoming fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network. The fundraiser will be held this Thursday, May 20 at Larry's Pizza in Stuttgart. All customers will enjoy the dinner buffet as normal, but the difference is in the service. Volunteers will serve pizza so that 100% of the tips go to Children's Miracle Network. I hope to see you at the fundraiser!

School Visit!

On Wednesday, I visited a school in Osceola and was delighted to speak to the girls in grades 8-12. I spoke about my platform, "Second Chances." More specifically, we talked about choices, consequences, second chances, and lessons learned from mistakes. The principal also asked me to speak about abstinence, one of my favorite topics. While speaking about abstinence, I showed two visuals that demonstrated the meaning of purity and the chances to contract STD.

I enjoyed speaking to this group of girls so much! Girls are always more fun than a mixed audience. They were very welcoming and excited to meet me. Before the day was over, I asked every girl to tell me her plans post-high school. Good luck to all of the girls in Osceola, and it was truly a pleasure to visit the high school!

Arkansas Prayer Breakfast

In April, I was given the wonderful opportunity to speak at the Arkansas Prayer Breakfast. This event was held at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion in Little Rock, AR and the tickets were sold out! The crowd consisted of hundreds of politicians, educators, businessmen, etc... all of which are considered difference makers throughout Arkansas! The prayer breakfast is an opportunity for leaders across the state to gather and refocus on serving Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful morning!

I gave a two minute speech after an introduction by Senator Tim Wooldridge. I asked the adults to "believe in my generation and realize the potential that lays before us." I challenged them "to invest in young adults, because we desperately need their wisdom, insight, leadership, and encouragement."

Speaking at the Governor's Mansion

Governor Beebe in the bottom right corner

Mrs. Becky Horne, me, Josh Groves, and Dr. Rex Horne (President of Ouachita Baptist University)

My family: Dad, Mom, me, Josh Groves, and Senator Bobby Glover

I also promoted the Arkansas Student Leadership Forum, a weekend forum that allows for college students to engage in conversations concerning the leadership skills of Jesus Christ. In order to attend, you must be nominated by the president of your University. Once at the forum, students hear from multiple Christian professionals and fellowship with outstanding student leaders. I fully enjoyed the forum when I attended during the fall of 2009!



I am excited about the leaders that will rise from my generation! I will continue to spread the message, "believe in my generation!"

Inspiration

Last year (my sophomore year in college), I wanted to compete in Miss Arkansas again. I poured my heart into it and when I didn't exactly meet my goal... I crumbled. My self-esteem and confidence shattered, and I struggled through a few months of incredible insecurities. I decided that I needed to be stretched, and pulled outside of my comfort zone. I needed to be in a situation where only God could strengthen me and recreate my identity. That's when I applied to work as the summer intern at the Promise House...

The Promise House is a shelter for pregnant teenagers in partnership with the Arkansas Southern Baptist Convention. I lived in the house 6 days a week. I scheduled fun activities and bible studies for the girls... but the friendship is what mattered the most.

It took almost three weeks for the girls to accept me as a friend. We didn't understand each other at first. They came from a different family and school situations than me. They were also expecting babies, something that I knew very little about. They taught me things I didn't know about boys and music and cars with rims and UNO and Degrassi tv shows and crazy things! Sometimes, the girls didn't get along and not everything I did was not appreciated. It wasn't an easy summer.

But what I learned from the girls is priceless. They valued true love. True friendship. I valued the time I had with them picking out clothes for their babies, tie-dyeing, eating late night snacks, and encouraging them. Before long, the girls would say that they missed me when I would take a day off. They would always show me what they sewed in sewing class or clothing they got for their babies. Because I showed them love, I had influence.

I would post more pictures, but I am not legally allowed to post pictures of the girls. :(

So What? I made friends with girls that had many mistakes. They were now in a situation where they would become a teenage mother. Some girls would not have help from the baby's father or her immediate family in raising the child. The girls were graciously given many baby items from the Promise House, but eventually they would have to work to support their child. And what about school? college? career?

I intentionally began asking questions about their future. If they didn't have answers, at least I provoked them into thinking about it. I encouraged the girls before and after labor. I still keep in contact with my girls. Although, I don't call as often as I should... I love them still. I realized that these girls need second chances. These girls need mentors to empower them to move forward. These girls need encouragement when life is quite difficult. These girls won't have a bright future unless they are given second chances for family, school, jobs, and friendships. They need second chances...

no...

We all need second chances! We all have moments in life where things are difficult because we goofed up... and this is the lesson the girls taught me. I now strive to empower youth in need of a second chance. I now look for opportunities to mentor youth in crisis. I now encourage others to give second chances. I now appreciate all of my second chances. I now spread the message to believe in my generation even though we may not meet expectations. I now focus on the possibilities of the future. I now believe in second chances!

Blog Initiation

Hello! I am so excited about this new blog and the possibilities that will follow! This will be fun!


In March, I was crowned Miss Cotton Belle with an invitation to compete in Miss Arkansas 2010. I am tickled pink about competing this summer and cherish the opportunities that it entails. The most fulfilling aspect of competing in Miss Arkansas is the challenge to promote a personal platform. I have chosen a platform entitled "Second Chances: Empowering Youth to Rise Above." What a powerful idea... lobbying for students to be given second chances. I am so excited!

Miss Cotton Belle 2009, Miss Cotton Belle 2010 (me!), Miss Arkansas, Miss Cotton Belle Outstanding Teen 2010, and Miss Cotton Belle Outstanding Teen 2009

Me with Miss Arkansas



I hope to blog often to keep you updated with how my platform develops. I will soon post another blog describing how I chose this platform and why it is personally significant. But before I log off, I must mention the most important second chance that I have ever been given! Although I am royally imperfect, Jesus Christ has given the ultimate sacrifice so that I may have a second chance. He paid for my imperfections so that I may experience grace, love, power through the Holy Spirit, and eternal life! That is the foundation of my platform. Although I do not deserve a second chance, Christ has given me a second chance! "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10