Someone once told me that I could measure the success of my year by counting the number of children I make smile. I think that is some pretty good advice, and I've spent the last few weeks making appearances and meeting kids in my home community in Southern Indiana.
My mom always used to read stories to me before I would go to bed, so when I had a chance to visit a group at Head Start in Vincennes I read some of my favorite books to the little kids. Head Start is the nation's leading program in childhood education and care. Each year over a million people volunteer their time with Head Start and I was proud to bring them some of the magic of Miss America Organization. The children got really involved in the activities and really enjoyed the stories. When I asked them to make the sounds of the animals or the sound a train makes, the kids lit up with excitement. After story time I let them touch my crown and ask questions about what I do as Miss Northwest Territory. They loved my crown. There were a few kids who would merely tap it, but others were more confident and would grab it with both hands and practically pull it off my head! I thought it was really cute how fascinated they were with my crown, but I have to always remember "My crown is in my heart, not upon my head."
Trunk or Treat on Hart Street was lots of fun! I was in front of Dr. Snider's office for this halloween tradition in Vincennes. There were so many kids, and lots of adults, too. I got asked if I was a real princess or if I was the girl from Tangled. As it turns out, a girl with long hair and a crown can only be the real Miss Northwest Territory, and I had lots of fun handing out pretzels and vitamin B gummies. It was freezing cold, even for a princess with super powers, but it was totally worth it to see some adorable little kids. I think my costume awards would have to go to the twin babies in sock monkey outfits. So cute!
With my outstanding teens Brianna Barnes and Audrey Furgeson by my side, I was thrilled to be in the annual Vincennes Christmas Parade on historic Main Street. Not only were my outstanding teens at the parade, but I got to ride with Princess Gia. At the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant, Gia Baracani-Thomas was my princess, and now we get to ride in parades together and make appearances. I'm so glad my teens and princess were there - I love them to death! We had a dancing snow man and a dancing polar bear helping us pass out candy along the parade route, and my 2012 Nissan Murano was sponsored by my good friends at Memering's Motorplex.
You don't have to be a princess or a titleholder to make a difference in the life of a child. Make a child's day by supporting the work of the Children's Miracle Network. Look for the balloons wherever you shop or make a donation today by searching for my name at missamerica4kids.org
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