Saturday, March 30, 2013

Mentoring is fun, not work!


People frequently ask me what my Little and I do when we hangout. They also often mention that they fear that they would run out of things to do together as a match if they became a Big, or that it would occupy too much of their time. I've attached some photos of our typical outings which prove that the possibilities are endless and that mentoring is fun and definitely does not feel like "work"! Children simply need someone that they can count on; someone to be their biggest cheerleader and a reliable friend.























Friday, March 29, 2013

2013 Bakersfield pageant update and photos.

I really enjoyed visiting with friends, family (thank you Uncle Josh for making the trip over from Visalia!), my Bakersfield pageant sisterhood, and my Mrs. CA sister-queen, Shana Smith, at the 2013 Bakersfield pageant. Sitting in the audience was so surreal. It was the first time since 2004 that I sat in the audience and didn’t play an active role in the pageant.  I previously held the title (2007 Miss Bakersfield), worked as a committee member for several years, and then later was a judge for the pageant, so as you can image it felt equally as odd and it did relaxing to sit and enjoy the production.

I was unquestionably impressed with the contestants that graced the stage that night. They were elegant, beautiful, well spoken, and most importantly the camaraderie was evident amongst the contestants. Congratulations to the 2013 titleholders: Miss Teen Bakersfield Brittany Louey, Miss Bakersfield Jamie Swetalla, and Mrs. Bakersfield Jennifer Maddern.


Ladies, I hope that this year is everything that you dreamed it would be! You are already making a difference in your community and giving your platforms a stronger voice. Keep it up. I know that you will make Bakersfield proud.

For more information on the pageant for Teen and Miss California International produced by Crowning Glory Productions you can visit: http://CrowningGloryProductions.com and for information on the Mrs. California International pageant produced by Peterson Productions visit: http://www.californiaitl.com 


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

A very special lunch date!

On Monday I had the opportunity to finally come face to face with one of the most influential people of my past, my mentor and fifth grade teacher. Words cannot describe how wonderful it was to see her face and catch up after being apart for almost 15 years.
This particular woman proved to me just how important and life-altering it is to have a positive influence in your life when faced with adversity. Having that encouraging someone to count on likely makes the difference between a child following in their parents footsteps in that destructive path, ultimately continuing the cycle, or choosing to use their misfortune as a learning opportunity to better themselves and their future. Thanks to the positive influence that I had during those very challenging years I chose the latter and am stronger, wiser and better prepared for my future because of the trials that I faced.
While visiting we discussed how we came into each other’s lives and now looking back it strengthens my faith that God had a hand in the placement of her in my journey. She was in fact my fifth grade teacher but she was not the teacher I was originally given. I was assigned to another teacher and then Mrs. Webb was hired on to work at my elementary school a month after school began. Several students from every fifth grade teacher were moved to join her class and by the grace of God I was one of those few students that were picked. What is even more peculiar is that Mrs. Webb only taught fifth grade for two years in her entire career as a teacher, she instead preferred to teach kindergarten and first grade; what are the chances that I was lucky enough to get her for one of those two years? Looking back it seems nothing short of a miracle.
Mrs. Webb: I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for teaching me to believe in my potential; for proving to me that the sky is the limit when a dream is backed with heart, determination and perseverance; for continuing to show me now in adulthood what unconditional love for another person truly means; for promising to be a life-long friend and confidant for the foreseeable future; and most importantly for still encouraging me set goals and for helping me reach them. I will never truly be able to thank you enough for the difference that you have made in my life. My promise to you though is that I will use the tools that you have instilled in me to impact another child’s life. You have proven to me that simply being a cheerleader for a child can make a vast difference in their future. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me see my potential and for encouraging me to never give up on it.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Bakersfield Pageant 2013

Tonight my sister-queen, Shana Smith, and I will be making an appearance at the Bakersfield Pageant with our California crowns atop our heads. This is special for several reasons. First and foremost it's special to us both because six months ago we were crowned as the California representatives here in Bakersfield, CA! It will be so surreal to to sit in the audience watching the Bakersfield girls shine with our California sashes on. Secondly, and just as significant, is that I was born and raised in Bakersfield and this is the pageant and director that sparked my passion for pageantry. It was seven years ago that the Miss Bakersfield crown was placed atop my head. As that sash was being draped across my body I realized that perseverance and hard work do pay off! That was the day that I realized that I could do anything that I put my mind and heart into! That crown led me to many successes in life, including my most recent accomplishment of being crowned Miss California. I hope that the ladies on that stage tonight realize just how significant the journey that they are on truly is. Big things are coming their way!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Photoshoot with Kenny Baker Photography


Kenny Backer is so gracious!
Kenny Backer was the official photographer for the Miss Ventura County International pageant when my sister-queen, Bryana Inouye, and I were crowned. Part of our prize package included a free photo shoot with Kenny Backer Photography. We had such a great time at our original shoot with him! Later he graciously offered to do a less formal shoot with us at no cost. Of course we took him up on the offer and last month we met at the beach at sunset and had a very fun session! The photos included in this post are unedited, medium resolution photos. I absolutely can’t wait to see the high resolution/edited photos. Kenny is an amazingly skilled photographer, especially in outdoor shoots. Check out that picture-perfect view behind us.
Kenny, I cannot thank you enough for giving me and my sister-queen this amazing opportunity. We will forever cherish this experience and these photos. You have a heart of gold!
KennyBacker.com

Photoshoot with Trish Higgins Photography

I had a wonderful time at my photo shoot with Trish Higgins Photography last month. I can always count on Trish to delivery beautiful photos. She took my head shots for both the Miss California International pageant (I received the photogenic award, THANKS TRISH!) and the Miss International pageant which will be this following July. We laughed and shared heartfelt stories while taking hundreds of photos. Always a good time when we get together <3
TrishHigginsphotography.com