You never really know how good you have it. It's so easy for us to complain about the pea sized problems in our life that seem like mountains at the time. Our lives are too precious to complain about what we don't have, when instead, we need to start counting our blessings on what we do have.
Today I took a trip to the Ronald McDonald house in Indy with some of the Miss and Teen contestants to help serve breakfast to the families at the House. If you don't know this already, I was a Riley kid at a point in my life. When I was 5, I had to have kidney surgery and was at Riley for quite some time. While I was there, I had an amazing nurse named Pepper. The faculty and staff there were phenomenal. They really made me feel like I was a kid and not a patient; I still remember that to this day, and that was 15 years ago!
While at the House, we had to opportunity to chat with some of the families as they made their way through the breakfast line. I met a sweet little boy and a gentleman from South Africa, they were both very nice to talk to. Although we didn't get to talk a whole lot to the families, we knew they were grateful. Just seeing them really put things into perspective for me. I'm really thankful I got the opportunity to do this today, and I hope everyone has the chance to do something like this one day, too. I can't wait to go back in June :)
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
The Class of 2013
Last night I attended the last local pageant of the 2013 season. Can you believe it? Time has really flown by. I know that it's hard to remember who is who in the Pageant World, but don't worry. I've got you covered. Below is a list of what girl is holding what title. I can't wait to see them all at Kickoff on April 28th!
- Miss Limberlost........................................Caitlin Moore
- Miss Harvest Homecoming........................Rebecca Davis
- Miss Northeast..........................................Kaitlin Karr
- Miss White River.......................................Gabrielle Bunn
- Miss Northwest Territory...........................Alyssa Slater
- Miss Three Rivers Festival..........................Taylor Knox
- Miss South Central.....................................Courtney Jurick
- Miss IPFW.................................................Okara Imani
- Miss Indiana State University.......................Kyla Eubank
- Miss Vincennes University............................Laura Merida
- Miss Metropolitan........................................Hannah Clingan
- Miss Southern Heartland..............................Lauren Mnayarji
- Miss Central................................................Gracie Lyons
- Miss South Bend.........................................Megan Layne
- Miss Kosciusko...........................................Shana Patel
- Miss Crossroads to America........................Presley Moreland
- Miss Ball State University.............................Megan Thwaites
- Miss Banks of the Wabash...........................Ayanna Sykes
- Miss West Central........................................Christen Lord
- Miss Purdue University.................................Lexie Costa
- Miss Indiana University.................................Terrin Thomas
- Miss Collegiate Indy.....................................Marisa Beaty
- Miss Fort Wayne..........................................Lindsay Carden
- Miss Elkhart County.....................................Emily Mischler
- Miss Hoosier Heartland................................Brittany Winchester
- Miss Haynes-Apperson Festival....................Zarah Mumaw
- Miss Duneland..............................................Rachael Bazzell
- Miss Collegiate North...................................Sunee Fleshman
- Miss Huntington............................................Sara Alford
- Miss Indiana South........................................Erin O'Brien
- Miss Heart of Indiana....................................Gretchen Reece
- Miss Wabash Valley......................................Audra Casterline
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Could 1423 be our new lucky number?
We often hear about bullying in the news and some of us think that it's something that only happens locally or just statewide. In reality, it happens NATIONwide. This is some serious business that deserves some serious solutions. Are we doing what it takes to stop this nationwide epidemic? Are we taking a step in the right direction? They say it only takes one person to make a difference. But, yesterday, it was more than just one person.
Danielle Green from West Lafayette went to the Statehouse in support of House Bill 1423 on Wednesday. For those of you who don't know what this House Bill is, I'll give you the skinny: House Bill 1423 requires school districts to track and report the nature of bullying incidents in an annual performance report. It also requires school employees, volunteers, and students to be educated on bullying prevention and schools would have to share information on bulling investigation procedures with students and parents.
Now that you know all of that, you should also know how effective this House Bill will be. Educating teachers and students is an extraordinary step in fixing the problem of school safety and violence.
Angel Green, daughter of Danielle Green, the woman you read about a little earlier, committed suicide because of bullying. She wrote a note to her mother stating "P.S. it's bullying that killed me. Please get justice." Guess what? She was only 14.
Danielle wasn't the only mother in this stand, Lana Swoape, mother to Tori, who, like Angel, committed suicide because of bullying when she was 15.
It's important for us to see the severity in bullying. Over 73% of people are bystanders to bullying. Kids lead by example and it's dire that we target those kids. I truly believe that if we all stand together, we can do this, we can conquer this. House Bill 1423 might be our saving grace.
Danielle Green from West Lafayette went to the Statehouse in support of House Bill 1423 on Wednesday. For those of you who don't know what this House Bill is, I'll give you the skinny: House Bill 1423 requires school districts to track and report the nature of bullying incidents in an annual performance report. It also requires school employees, volunteers, and students to be educated on bullying prevention and schools would have to share information on bulling investigation procedures with students and parents.
Now that you know all of that, you should also know how effective this House Bill will be. Educating teachers and students is an extraordinary step in fixing the problem of school safety and violence.
Angel Green, daughter of Danielle Green, the woman you read about a little earlier, committed suicide because of bullying. She wrote a note to her mother stating "P.S. it's bullying that killed me. Please get justice." Guess what? She was only 14.
Danielle wasn't the only mother in this stand, Lana Swoape, mother to Tori, who, like Angel, committed suicide because of bullying when she was 15.
It's important for us to see the severity in bullying. Over 73% of people are bystanders to bullying. Kids lead by example and it's dire that we target those kids. I truly believe that if we all stand together, we can do this, we can conquer this. House Bill 1423 might be our saving grace.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Surprise Homecomming
It's not very often that you're a witness to something amazing. But, in my case, this weekend I was.
I took a trip to Chicago for the very first time this weekend. The first day there, I decided to take a train to downtown East Chicago. As I was waiting to get on the train, I noticed a beautiful pregnant woman with what looked to be her mom and dad and her in-laws waiting to get on the train, as well. I couldn't help but overhear the woman say that this was her first time to Chicago and hoped that she brought enough money. I told her that this was my first time, too, and we talked a little bit, and I really thought nothing of it.
As I was turned talking to my friend, the train we were to get on came rolling in. There were people getting off the train, and I noticed a man in his Army greens getting off the train with some luggage, the soldier was coming home. In the bustle of people getting on and climbing off, I also noticed the pregnant woman drop to her knees in surprise. There were tears flowing down her face in shock. The soldier was her husband! Her family had told her they were taking her to Chicago, and instead, her husband came home from Afghanistan.
The man who looked like her dad (which I later found out it was) came over when he saw me crying. It was such a moving moment. The woman found out she was pregnant a week after her husband left, her dad told me, and she is 6 months pregnant. I walked over and congratulated the woman, and shook the man's hand and told him how thankful I was for his service. He told me he graduated college with a degree in engineering and never imagined he would be defending his country. He said somethings in life that are unplanned, or come as a shock to us, are the best moments in life. What amazing words, I thought.
I just had to share this moment with you all. The weekend in Chicago was so much fun, but this was the best part, by far. We don't know how fortunate we are when it comes to safety in the US. These men and women leave their families, friends, EVERYTHING to fight and defend our country. I plead with all of you reading this; when, or if, you ever see a service man/woman, take time and thank them. You won't regret it.
I took a trip to Chicago for the very first time this weekend. The first day there, I decided to take a train to downtown East Chicago. As I was waiting to get on the train, I noticed a beautiful pregnant woman with what looked to be her mom and dad and her in-laws waiting to get on the train, as well. I couldn't help but overhear the woman say that this was her first time to Chicago and hoped that she brought enough money. I told her that this was my first time, too, and we talked a little bit, and I really thought nothing of it.
As I was turned talking to my friend, the train we were to get on came rolling in. There were people getting off the train, and I noticed a man in his Army greens getting off the train with some luggage, the soldier was coming home. In the bustle of people getting on and climbing off, I also noticed the pregnant woman drop to her knees in surprise. There were tears flowing down her face in shock. The soldier was her husband! Her family had told her they were taking her to Chicago, and instead, her husband came home from Afghanistan.
The man who looked like her dad (which I later found out it was) came over when he saw me crying. It was such a moving moment. The woman found out she was pregnant a week after her husband left, her dad told me, and she is 6 months pregnant. I walked over and congratulated the woman, and shook the man's hand and told him how thankful I was for his service. He told me he graduated college with a degree in engineering and never imagined he would be defending his country. He said somethings in life that are unplanned, or come as a shock to us, are the best moments in life. What amazing words, I thought.
I just had to share this moment with you all. The weekend in Chicago was so much fun, but this was the best part, by far. We don't know how fortunate we are when it comes to safety in the US. These men and women leave their families, friends, EVERYTHING to fight and defend our country. I plead with all of you reading this; when, or if, you ever see a service man/woman, take time and thank them. You won't regret it.
Monday, March 25, 2013
New Title, New Journey!
Hello, there! Wow, it has been awhile since I've posted something, so it feels great to get into the swing of things. Let me tell you a little about what has been going on in my life since the last time I posted:
I won Miss Crossroads to America, which, like Miss Northwest Territory, is a prelim to Miss Indiana. This is my seventh year in the system as a whole (4 years in teen, 3 years in miss). I am so blessed to hold this title, and my director is amazing! My sister queen is Ayanna Sykes, and she is Miss Banks of the Wabash. She is a lovely girl, as are all the other girls competing this year. My teen, Brianna Stewart, is pretty awesome, too, and I can't wait to see her compete in the Miss Indiana Outstanding Teen pageant in June. I know she will do phenomenal.
Other than getting ready for my journey to Miss Indiana in June, I have been doing a scholarship through Indy Laser Center, which is a platinum sponsor of the Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant. If I win, I a get $1,000 scholarship, which, as a full-time college student, will come in handy! I have a video that I made with the help of an awesome friend, and below, is some info on how and where to vote for me. You can vote everyday until April 14th, and, the best part is, you can vote on any device that has internet access once everyday! I really hope you visit the site, vote for me, and check out what other great offers Indy Laser has to offer. Happy Voting!
Here is the link as I promised!
Indy Laser Contestants for a Cause
Love,
Presley
I won Miss Crossroads to America, which, like Miss Northwest Territory, is a prelim to Miss Indiana. This is my seventh year in the system as a whole (4 years in teen, 3 years in miss). I am so blessed to hold this title, and my director is amazing! My sister queen is Ayanna Sykes, and she is Miss Banks of the Wabash. She is a lovely girl, as are all the other girls competing this year. My teen, Brianna Stewart, is pretty awesome, too, and I can't wait to see her compete in the Miss Indiana Outstanding Teen pageant in June. I know she will do phenomenal.
Other than getting ready for my journey to Miss Indiana in June, I have been doing a scholarship through Indy Laser Center, which is a platinum sponsor of the Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant. If I win, I a get $1,000 scholarship, which, as a full-time college student, will come in handy! I have a video that I made with the help of an awesome friend, and below, is some info on how and where to vote for me. You can vote everyday until April 14th, and, the best part is, you can vote on any device that has internet access once everyday! I really hope you visit the site, vote for me, and check out what other great offers Indy Laser has to offer. Happy Voting!
Here is the link as I promised!
Indy Laser Contestants for a Cause
Love,
Presley
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Five things every contestant should pack for their week at the state pageant in Zionsville
State week is almost here, and in just a few days I will move into the official host hotel for a week of fun and excitement. I can't wait to get settled in my hotel room, talk to my roommate and meet all of the 32 contestants competing for the state title and a chance to go on to the national pageant.
State week is an adventure and everyone has a different packing strategy, but the one thing everyone agrees on is that organization is key. The 32 contestants have a busy schedule of appearances and preliminary competition and we want to look our best all week. For those of you PresBlog readers who are on a contestant's support team, you know how things look on move-in day. Lots of gowns and dresses, tons of suitcases, and pretty much just general chaos sort of like getting on a cruise ship.
Here is a list of my top five things every contestant should pack for state week:
State week is an adventure and everyone has a different packing strategy, but the one thing everyone agrees on is that organization is key. The 32 contestants have a busy schedule of appearances and preliminary competition and we want to look our best all week. For those of you PresBlog readers who are on a contestant's support team, you know how things look on move-in day. Lots of gowns and dresses, tons of suitcases, and pretty much just general chaos sort of like getting on a cruise ship.
Here is a list of my top five things every contestant should pack for state week:
- Bottled water. Staying hydrated is important no matter what you are doing, and state week is no different. With temperatures in the 90s on check-in weekend, we can count on a hot summer week in Zionsville. Make sure you have at least 2 bottles for everyday we are at the hotel.
- Lip gloss. We call carry it, but it is also easy to forget in the rush of getting out of the house to head to Zionsville, so be sure you pack at least one of your favorite lip gloss. Not a bad idea to bring a few, so you can leave one at the hotel, carry one in your bag and leave one at the PAC.
- Bandaids. Bring a few bandaids in different sizes and keep a few at the hotel and at the pack. These come in handy when you need to cover and cushion a blister.
- Makeup removing wipes. Cleaning your face and removing all of your makeup at night can make a huge difference for your skin, so love the skin your in by keeping it healthy and happy by removing all your makeup before you go to sleep. Plus these handy makeup removing wipes are a great mid-day refresher.
- Bobby pins and contour clips. Shakespeare wrote "my crown is in my heart" and I believe that, but I also know my crown will come flying off my head if I don't have a couple pins or clips. The 32 contestants make a lot of appearances, including my favorite at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, and those kids love to see all of us wearing our crowns.
Team Presley fans at state week should look for my family to get buttons, badges and signs to show their support at the PAC and around Zionsville. It is going to be a great week and I can't wait to see all of you at state week 2012!
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