SUMMER!

COLLEGE & VOLLEYBALL...

College "Signing" day at Liberty High School.

It's a bittersweet time at home.  Bit by bit Mom and I are working on getting me ready for college.  I am so excited and blessed to be able to play volleyball for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this fall, with practices starting early August!  The "Mustangs" are a very competitive Division I volleyball team in the Big West Conference, led by an amazing and talented group of coaches.  Head Coach Jon Stevenson is an icon in the world of volleyball, and a one-time Pro Beach volleyball player himself!  I will be studying Kinesiology, combining my love of sports, fitness, and helping people.  Check out the campus and sports programs at: calpoly.edu.





Coach Clarke.


My Bakersfield Jamba Volleyball Club coach, Tom Clarke, has been a wonderful volleyball mentor these past two years, and supportive of my efforts as Miss Teen California.  We are collecting recycling items at the gym to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  I hope this is a legacy that remains when I'm gone!

GETTING READY FOR NATIONALS!
I am looking forward to participating in the Miss Teen International competition to be held in Chicago July 25th - 30th!  My State Director, Eddie Pederson, and Producer, Dennis Cooke, have been so incredibly supportive and patient with having a competitive athlete as a state titleholder.  What a privilege it has been to work with them on behalf of the American Cancer Society, and for other causes close to my heart.  Look for updates next month!

SENIOR AWARDS & GRADUATION JUNE 2, 2011

Papa & I.

MAY & early JUNE was a happy blur of Senior activities, awards ceremonies, and graduation celebrations.  I was overwhelmed and incredibly blessed by the recognition I received from my school, community, county, and region.  Being Miss Teen California International has given me more opportunities to serve my community and an unexpected blessing was how my community responded!  In addition, what made my Senior activities extra special was sharing absolutely everything with my grandfather, Warren Carter, aka “Papa.” Even in the midst of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Papa attended every single Senior event.  His faith in unshaken and his spirit indomitable! He and my Mimi both have been my inspiration to pursue excellence in everything.  For my entire life, from my earliest memories on the farm living just minutes down the road from their ranch, Papa has been my hero. I have been told that I am reflection of him in drive, and of Mimi in appearance (& name!).  Several of the awards below recognized specifically my efforts as Miss Teen California International; I dedicate the following awards to him, and the memory of Mimi. 

Congressman Kevin McCarthy.

YEAR-END AWARDS

*Congressman Kevin McCarthy 2011 Merit Award Recipient (nominated by Liberty High School)  recognizing one student leader from each campus.  "This award is intended to honor the achievements of our communities' best and brightest, recognizing their positive achievements and inspiring all of our students to work toward their goals," explains Rep. McCarthy, R-Bakersfield.

* Named as one of Bakersfield’s 2011 Outstanding Seniors, as featured in the Bakersfield Life Magazine.  See: http://www.bakersfieldlife.com/june2011

* CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Central Section Scholar Female Athlete of the Year finalist (chosen from multiple county student population of 38,000)

* Kern County Athletes of the Year finalist for Jim Tyack Award (chosen from 22 high schools)

* PEAAK (Promoting Excellence in Athletics and Activities in Kern) Awards finalist:  Best Female Athlete, and Best Female Scholar Athlete  (chosen from 18 high schools)

* Wendy’s High School Heisman Award recipient (best athlete – Liberty High School)

* Liberty High School Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year                              

* CSF Gold Seal Graduate – Life Membership

* Mu Alpha Theta – Mathematics Honor Society; and Spanish Honor Society

* Jim Burke Ford Education Foundation Dream Builders Scholarship

APRIL/MAY - American Cancer Society's RELAY FOR LIFE!

2011 Miss Teen Bakersfield, Brooke Dickens
 & 2011 Miss Bakersfield, Michaela Beard
at our "Crowns for a Cure" booth.

     A highlight of my year was participating in Bakersfield’s “Relay for Life.”   This year it was held from Saturday, April 30^th through Sunday morning, May 1^st.   It is a culminating event for the American Cancer Society in our city each year, boasting one of the largest events held in the entire country!   My team, “Crowns for a Cure,” was led by Wendy Devers, the current Mrs. Bakersfield.  She had a busy day serving on the steering committee for the event.  My efforts were put into fundraising and I was thrilled to raise $2,408 on behalf of my grandmother, Mimi, who died of lung cancer on Thanksgiving Day of 2009, and Papa who is currently battling pancreatic cancer.

Cheering on participants of the
 "Survivor" lap.

     The most emotionally powerful experience at the event was celebrating the kick-off Survivor Lap in the morning.  Both cancer survivors and those in the heat of the battle walk, as able, or ride around the track as participants line the sides of the track to clap, cheer, encourage, congratulate, and high-five the survivors.  Cancer knows no age limit and tears flowed as you looked into the eyes of children, teens, adults and seniors alike.

     More about Relay for Life:  Each year “teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are 24 hours in length; representing the reality that cancer never sleeps. By participating, you honor cancer survivors, pay tribute to the lives we've lost to the disease, and raise money to help fight cancer in your community.

Relay began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease.. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 19 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, we are creating a world with more birthdays, a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life.”
 For more information please see:  http://main.acsevents.org/

Survivors are in purple shirts.

APRIL - Bakersfield Women's Business Conference

     On Thursday, April 28^th, I had the opportunity to serve at our local Women’s Business Conference.  The theme for the conference was “BELIEVE, INSPIRE, DREAM”  which event Chairwoman Diane White urged the attendees to do:  “I encourage you to think about what and whom you believe in and who believes in you.  Who has inspired you and whom do you wish to inspire?  What are your dreams?  How can you make your dreams become goals and then reality?”  The conference is highly esteemed and attracts a very large crowd at our convention center.
     It was truly an honor and pleasure to meet and talk with the Keynote Speaker Gloria Allred.   Ms. Allred is an attorney and a partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Allred, Maroko & Goldberg.  Her law firm represents plaintiffs in cases involving employment discrimination, including sex, race, age, physical handicap, sexual orientation, AIDS, sexual harassment and wrongful termination.  She has won countless honors for her pioneeering legal work on behalf of women's rights and rights for minorities.

     In addition to the keynote address, the conference features workshops on career change, business etiquette, fraud prevention, money management and e-marketing and social media, among other topics.  The opening speaker was humor writer Jill Connor Browne, author of the Sweet Potato Queen books and the closing speaker was Juliet Funt, daughter of Allen Funt, creator of the Candid Camera television show.

There was also exhibit space, with 120 businesses, health care providers and sellers of clothing, jewelry and fashion accessories, and live entertainment throughout the day. A popular booth attraction each year is provided by The Bakersfield Pageant Director Gayle Tape who displays and sells her stylish handbags and beautiful custom made jewelry.

For more conference information, please see:  http://optionsunlimitedbakersfield.org

An Amazing 2011 So Far

February

Returning to my roots once again!

It was a joy to be asked to return to Stockdale Christian School, my alma mater, to speak to the Jr. High School students, sharing—in part—about my journey as Miss Teen California.  Having spoken to the elementary kids about joy, I was honored and so excited to get to return as the chapel speaker on Thursday, February 10^th, 2011.  I spoke about faith, standing firm in what you believe, and making healthy choices. This also parallels my platform with Miss Teen California, supporting the American Cancer Society.  One of the verses I shared is Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” challenging the students to stand firm in their faith, especially the 8th graders whose next adventure is high school!

March

Tuesday, March 1^rd  made the need to find a cure for cancer even more imperative and urgent:  my beloved Papa was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer.  Having lost Mimi on Thanksgiving Day, 2009, this has seemed somewhat unreal, tilting the axis of our world.  He is my Dad’s business partner and he and Mimi made our family of 3 = 5.  Papa’s faith helps to sustain ours; he is ready to be reunited with Mimi, with his Savior in heaven.  Indeed, working for the American Cancer Society could not be more personal…

Presenting the first-ever graduating class at Mira Monte High School in Bakersfield!

Joining forces with my “cousin,” Gene, we spoke to more than 80 teens in two Senior English classes at MMHS on Thursday, March 24th.  I was asked to share my experiences with breaking stereotypes, being a long-time athlete having the unexpected honor of becoming Miss Teen California. [This was in line with the issues the students were discussing in class.] The California International Program is all about making a positive difference, and I was able to share my platform of making healthy choices, as well as introducing Papa—who is fighting cancer. Gene spoke about his experiences with overcoming adversity.  As a Junior in high school, Gene became a part of our family through his involvement with “Kern County Student Leadership,” a local non-profit mentoring organization started over 20 years ago by my dad, and Papa and Mimi.  Hundreds of teens on many high school campuses go through this program every year in Kern County; the change in Gene’s life is a testimony to the power of adult mentoring in the lives of teens.

For me, it’s always a challenge to speak to peers, but the students were great, both attentive and inquisitive.  It was so meaningful to have Papa there to support us both as he has inspired both Gene and I to be faithful and diligent in all of our pursuits.  The reality of cancer came home as Papa became fatigued.  We look forward to returning to Mira Monte another day to finish speaking to the Senior English classes.

April

Dream Builder Earn $500 for the Gleaners,  and the Boys and Girls Club!

On Monday, April 4, my parents, Papa, and I attended the Ford Motor Company Presentation Night where our Ford Dimension Dream Builders team was given an opportunity to share a presentation about the work my team had been doing for the Gleaners, and the Boys and Girls Club.  After a nerve-wracking project culmination presentation, then finally relaxing through the rest of the event, we received the “Above and Beyond” award for our exemplary extra efforts in community service and the betterment of Bakersfield!  Our group worked so hard and we were again lauded with the “Best in Class” award.  Each award came with a $250 prize that we were able to donate to the groups we had chosen to support. Founder Miki Hay, Director Katie Salcido, and their team offer an incredible opportunity for student leaders to stretch and grow and serve.  It was a very special honor being selected to be a Dreambuilder and I will miss the synergy of working with these talented teens!

Alex’s Lemonade Stand earns over $2,000 toward research a cure for pediatric cancer!

On Saturday, April 19^th, several clubs from Liberty High School joined the nationwide “ALS” effort to raise funds for childhood cancer research.  We donned lemon-yellow shirts, stood on street corners and hounded drivers to buy lemonade and donate to our cause.  The joint efforts of the Spanish, Math, and Key Clubs, ironically raised the same amount of money that little four-year old Alex raised with her first lemonade stand.  Please read about this inspiring little girl and the worthy effort that continues in her memory below:

“Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) shares the vision of its founder and creator, Alexandra “Alex” Scott—a cure for all children with cancer. When Alex, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday, was four, she told her parents she wanted to set up a front-yard lemonade stand. Her plan: to give the money to doctors to help them find a cure. Her first “Alex’s Lemonade Stand” raised an astonishing $2,000 in one day. While bravely fighting her own cancer, Alex continued to set up lemonade stands every year. As news spread of the remarkable girl so dedicated to helping other sick children, people everywhere were inspired to start their own lemonade stands—donating the proceeds to her cause.

In 2004 when Alex passed away at the age of eight—her stand and inspiration had raised over $1 million towards finding a cure for the disease that took her life. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by her parents in 2005 to continue the work that Alex began. The mission is simple: to raise money for and awareness of childhood cancer causes—especially research into new treatments and cures—and to encourage and empower others, especially children, to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer.”  For more information see:  www.alexslemonade.org

January Miss Teen California Blog Update

LET IT SNOW!   Thanks to the generosity of the beautiful and talented “Denverite” RaeAnne, our amazing State Director Eddie, and producer Dennis, the California Sisterhood enjoyed a quick, yet productive, trip to beautiful Denver, Colorado. I had an amazing weekend spent with my sisters and directors and it only makes me more excited for what is to come this year!

Bakersfield Prayer Breakfast.

GOD BLESS AMERICA… and Bakersfield!  On Thursday, January 20^th, at 6:40 a.m. (!) over a thousand people gathered in Bakersfield’s Rabobank Convention Center for our 31^st Annual Prayer Breakfast.  This community event is “put on by local laity to bring citizens together in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ to offer gratitude and praise to God and to pray for our community, government, and leaders.”  I was honored to be asked to give the Invocation.  I was able to spend some time with the keynote speaker, a Bakersfield native and current San Francisco resident, Patrick Lencioni, author of nine best-selling books, most notable being The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.   Mr. Lencioni was incredibly inspiring, challenging both the morning attendees, then later a gathering of Kern County high school student leaders, to walk and live boldly by faith.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB – On January 26^th my local “Dream Builder” student leadership team and I spent some time with children from the Boys & Girls Club. Here we were able to spend the afternoon interacting, playing, and doing crafts with the kids. We also were able to help inspire their creative side by designing thank you cards for the Gleaners of Bakersfield who generously donate to the Boys & Girls Club. It's always a rewarding experience hanging out with the kids, but even more of a blessing when you're encouraging them to be thankful.

PREVENT HUNGER!  On January 28^th we Dream Builders were at it again, this time working with the Golden Empire Gleaners in Bakersfield, helping to repackage a huge produce bin full of icy cold potatoes and turnips for hungry families in town.  The Gleaners is an amazing organization that helps alleviate hunger and provide food for needy persons of all ages. The Gleaners, through a network of volunteers, collect and distribute food and agricultural products that would otherwise go to waste to qualified agencies helping needy children, senior citizens, the ill, handicapped, unemployed, homeless, hungry, and families in crisis.  My team is also working on a Public Service Announcement to draw attention to this incredibly worthy local nonprofit organization.

FACTS  we all should know!
Total California population	33,871,648
% of people in poverty	13%
2002 unemployment rate	6.7%
Food insecurity rate	11.8%
Food insecurity with hunger rate	3.3%

In Kern County, approximately 31,000 people receive food monthly. Over 55 million pounds of food has been distributed through our local Gleaners in the last 17 years.

All food is distributed countywide through five programs developed over the last 17 years. As a grass roots response to the growing populations at or below poverty level in Kern County, the programs are supported by donations from local businesses and individuals, as well as gifts.

Happy New Year!

CONGRATULATIONS! The Bakersfield Pageant was bittersweet as I remembered and reflected upon a wonderful year with my sisters, Katie Cooksey and Megan Raymond. I am so blessed to have become a part of this sisterhood. As I gave up my title as Miss Teen Bakersfield and welcomed new titleholders, I could not be more excited to see the impact they will make on our community. Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss Teen Bakersfield, Brooke Dickens, Miss Bakersfield, Michaela Beard, and Mrs. Bakersfield, Wendy Devers. Cherish this year; it goes by in the blink of an eye. Thank you again to my wonderful director, Eddie Peterson, and new sister, Miss California International, Brittney Wagner, for traveling to support me!

IT’S A PARADE!  The holidays started with an exciting opportunity to ride in the Bakersfield Christmas Parade.  On Thursday, December 2^nd, my parents and I were included with a merry group of friends and family riding the Bakersfield City Fire Department’s Ladder truck.  This annual event in our city attracts a large crowd in Downtown Bakersfield, to watch a parade of floats, bands and festive entries.  With local media covering this traditional event in town, the parade marks a happy kick off to the holiday season. 

RETURNING TO MY ROOTS!  Another highlight in December was the opportunity to be the featured chapel speaker at my former elementary school, Stockdale Christian School.  I was asked to speak about “Joy,” and I drew inspiration from Psalm 100:1, Galatians 5:22, and Philippians 4:4.  The children were incredibly responsive to the questions I posed, and it was wonderful to reconnect with my former principal and several teachers.  It seems like only yesterday I was a uniformed student there at SCS, sitting and squirming a bit in chapel myself!

FEEDING THE HOMELESS:  “Flood” is a wonderful non-profit ministry in the Inner-City area of Bakersfield.  They focus on ministering to the physical, relational, and spiritual needs of the destitute and homeless.  It was a blessing to be able to work at their Christmas Event and Celebration on December 18^th.  Every child received a treasured gift, and hundreds of people were served a bountiful tri-tip meal with dessert.  We poured rounds and rounds of hot cocoa, humbled by the sweet spirits and gratitude of the families in attendance.

OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY:  On Sunday, December 19^th, we were especially blessed here in Bakersfield to host a holiday brunch, gathering three of the four current California International titleholders, a former titleholder, along with our charming and energetic Director Eddie Peterson.  People braved driving four hours+ in torrential rain to spend a few hours together. As we continue to get to know each other better, I continue to be inspired by the tireless efforts that Eddie and my sister titleholders, and their families, devote to serving their communities.

MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION:  I am having an incredibly busy Senior Year in high school, yet I pray that God gives me the strength and fortitude to use this year to truly make a difference within my community – and to serve the American Cancer Society.