Tremendous news!

I received the most wonderful Christmas surprise this year. On Christmas Eve I received a call from Mrs. Webb who was my fifth grade teacher and possibly the most influential person of my past. This particular teacher was the first person that opened my eyes to my potential and believed in me when I felt no one else did. A majority of the self confidence I have today stemmed from the year I spent in her classroom. That year was a very pivitol year for me as it was the year that my parents went into drug rehab. I was ashamed of my upbringing and did my best to hide it from others but I knew deep down that Mrs. Webb knew the truth. The most wonderful part of it all is that I never felt that she judged me for my parents mistakes, and she ultimately helped me to see that their mistakes didn't limit the possibilities of MY future. I kept in contact with Mrs. Webb for a couple of years after graduating from her class but eventually we lost contact. It wasn't until later in life that I realized just how much she did impact my life. Looking back I now realize that by her pushing me academically that year it eventually gave me the confidence necessary to continue pushing myself to reach all other goals that I've had since. I received proof that hard work pays off, and that you can do anything that you truly put your mind to, when I walked away as the top student in my fifth grade class.

Ever since making the realization that she impacted my life in a much bigger way than I initially realized, I've been attempting to track her down so that I could thank her for all that she did for me. I was unsuccessful for over a year. She had since retired and no one at the school had, or would, offer any contact info. A couple weeks ago I realized why I was having such a difficult time locating her; it because I had her first name incorrect and seeing that teachers are known primarily by their last names, this makes sense. I opened a new book and the main characters name was Joan and it hit me that my teachers name was Joan and not Judy as I previously thought! I then restarted my search and with the help of my sister we had a great lead on the first day! She was discussing with a patient at the doctors office that she worked at how important it was for me to locate Mrs. Webb and the lady asked for my teachers name. By the grace of God this woman knew of Joan and said that she would attempt to get an address for her. Within the week I had an address and sent a letter off with the hopes that she would remember me (it's been 16 years since I was in the fifth grade!), but even if she didn't I felt that it was important for her to know that her years spent as a teacher were important and that she changed my life forever. Unfortunately the address was no longer current but although it took a few weeks the letter made it's way to her hands on Christmas Eve!

Speaking to her was wonderful. She remembered a lot about me and it was really nice to to share with her what I've been up to, and to update her on how wonderful my parents are doing. I'm truly looking forward to rekindling our friendship. We are already planning to have dinner together in the near future.

After our chat I received this wonderful email from her:

Hi Tiffany,

It was wonderful and I was so surprised to get your letter on Christmas Eve. I told my husband that your letter was my Christmas gift. Yesterday I had a chance to look you up on the Miss International pageant website, and I must say that you and your story are VERY impressive. I am so thankful and grateful that your life with your parents has turned out to be good. They are to be commended for turning their lives around; and I'm trusting that they had the help of God in their battle.

Tiffany, what you've written about your fifth grade year is humbling for me. I saw so much in you, and my heart went out to you; you were talented and brave-such a little adult. I loved you and reached out to you, but I never dreamed that the little bit I did could ever mean so much to you. Thank you for your encouragement, Tiffany. Thank you, Jesus, for using me as a vessel to help influence a precious fifth grade girl at Munsey in such a big way.

I hope we really can get together. I'd love to hear about your family, schooling, interests, everything!

Love you,

Joan



I am so grateful that our conversation meant as much to her as it did to me.

God is great.

My Match

I've made it my mission to use my year as Miss California to promote the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program. In theory I think most agree that mentoring benefits children facing adversity, but unless witnessed firsthand I’ve noticed that while people do realize that it’s important that these children be mentored, they don’t feel compelled to personally step up and make a difference in a child’s life by offering them that positive influence. I’ve decided that my year will be spent trying to make the personal connection that is needed. I plan to show people an insider’s view of a real match between a Big and a Little and prove through example that the program is essential and continue emphasizing that there is a immense need for mentors. In most cities there are waiting lists of over 100 children and the program is unable to function without these much needed mentors.

My personal match:
My Little’s name is Tania and she and I were matched when she was seven years old. She was incredibly shy and introverted and she had a really difficult time making and retaining friends and often found herself as the target of bullying. I spent our first couple of visits trying to get her to open up a little. It was clear that it wasn't common for her to open up to those outside of her immediate family and that this was going to be a trying task. I was incredibly relieved and excited when I showed up at her school to pick her up on our third hangout and she spotted me from about 50 yards away and her face lit up and and ran full-speed over to greet me. From the day forward there has never been a quiet or awkward moment. Our visits are filled with stories, giggles, updates, and lots of playing. Our typical outings include simple things like bike riding, sand castle building, swinging at the park, arts/crafts, playing air hockey at the arcade, bowling, baking/cooking, going out to lunch/ice cream, water balloon tossing contests, Xbox Kinect dancing, tossing a football around, frisbee, playing tennis, and silly dancing and loud singing to her favorite artist Katy Perry. Being a 'Big' is not hard work... it's fun! For me personally being a Big Sister has been a wonderful treat because I lost my childhood to my patents addiction and hanging out with my Little is allowing me to experience the world through a child's eye for the very first time.
I've watched Tania grow so much in the last couple of years. She has become significantly more confident, she has an easier time making friends, and her grades have improved. Being a mentor doesn't require you to be able to teach math equations, but it does include being a cheerleader for your Little and always encouraging them to do their best. My mentor helped me to see my potential and I'm proof that having someone believe in you can be life-altering.

I'm going to post pictures and updates on my match from time to time so that you too can witness the changes that mentoring has on a child's life, and hopefully it will inspire you to make the decision to become the positive influence that a little boy or girl in your town is waiting for.

My VERY FIRST parade.

December 8, 2012 I experienced my first parade ever as a titleholder, and what a cool experience it was to do it as Miss California.  Prior to the parade starting I took pictures and signed autograph after autograph for little girls and at that moment I thought that would be the highlight of being in a parade. As we turned on to the first stretch of the parade though a middle-aged woman yelled, "Oh my gosh, look! Miss California is here!," and the elderly male who was with her stood up and said, "Thank you SO much for being here!" I was in disbelief.  I've never felt more blessed to be in the position I'm in. Having never been in a parade as a titleholder prior to this experience I didn't quite know what to expect. I thought perhaps little girls and adolescent boys would be excited to meet Miss California, but never in my wildest dreams did I think that so many adults would appreciate my attendance so much.  This will positively be a memory that will forever live in my heart!