Saturday, March 28, 2009

On Spring Break but still in school

I am just winding down my spring break which means I have had the last week off from school. Unlike most college students on spring break, I spent most of my time in school anyways, high school that is. I visited Olympia high school last Friday, North Thurston high school on Monday, Rochester high school on Wednesday and Black Hills high school on Thursday. I was able to give a presentation about diabetes to the health and family planning classes. I also attended lunchtime and set up an informational table with Wendi, my director so we could spread the word to high school girls about the scholarship opportunity through the Miss Thurston County Scholarship Program. I can’t believe that less than 2 years ago I was in high school. I miss it. It was nice to go and visit with the students. I had a good time with them and the teachers were a pleasure to work with as well. Thank you Jennifer Bush at Olympia, Brad Quarnstrom at Rochester, and Bonnie Sinclair at Black Hills for allowing me to speak to your lovely students in class.

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On Monday after Olympia High School, Wendi and I went around the community to a few of the sponsors of the program to thank them. We visited Plato’s Closet, Infernos Pizza, Minuteman Press, and the Olympia Grocery Outlet and gave them the program book with their ad in it. Thank you for your support of the Miss Thurston County Scholarship Program. Without you and all of our other sponsors the contestants and I would not have received such great scholarships.
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At the Grocery Outlet
I also had the great opportunity to speak at the Kiwanis club of North Thurston, which was fantastic. I enjoyed the company of a group of people who really care about the people in our community. I had breakfast with them all at the Hawks Prairie Restaurant in Lacey at a bright and early 6:30am! The oatmeal was good, but the people were even better! Thank you so much!
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The Safeway store off of Yelm Hwy and College Street has always been gracious in letting me fundraise outside their store. I am proud to say that I raised $200 sitting outside of the Safeway store from customers who donated to me walking by. Thank you so much to the store and to the customers in helping me raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network and for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I would also like to thank the Bellingham Grocery Outlet, where I work when I am at school, for assisting in my fundraising goals by sending me a check for $100!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Pageant-filled weekend!

On Friday I visited the Boys and Girls Club of Lacey. It was a new club, but the same fun and excitement I get when I have visited the Tumwater club. I spent a couple hours hanging out with the kids, coloring pictures and playing games. One of the kids named Cameron even drew a picture of me when I wasn’t looking. It was so cute!
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On Saturday my director, Wendi and I did a two-a-day pageant visit. We went to the miss Pierce County and the Miss Whatcom County pageant back to back. I know that the two are far from each other, but I couldn’t resist! I love visiting pageants and this is the last one before the Miss Washington Sweeper. Since I go to school at Western Washington University in Whatcom County and I was a former contestant last year in the Miss Whatcom County pageant, it was nice to go back and visit and see how much has changed over the past year. Congratulations to Jackie Mendez, Miss Pierce County 2009 and Chandler Batiste Miss Whatcom County 2009!
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Hanging out with other title-holders at Miss Pierce County

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Looking Good!

Wow its March already! With finals week coming up and all the excitement, I barely took a breath to realize. Last weekend attended the Weddings With Joy – Prom store opening, which is right here in Thurston County. It was so fun to spend the day trying on dresses with Miss Washington Janet Harding, Miss Moses Lake Samantha Przybylek, and Miss Colombia Basin Danielle Henry. Angela from Weddings with Joy is an amazing lady and was gracious enough to let us all borrow her dresses for the Miss Grays Harbor pageant that evening! Thank you so much Angela! I look forward to working with you in the future! If you have the chance you should drop in at Proms by Weddings With Joy on the corner of Lilly and Pacific Ave in Olympia by the Car Toys. There’s something for everyone!
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Miss Grays Harbor was lots of fun! I always enjoy the time I get to hang out with other local title-holders. And boy did we look good in our dresses!! Image Hosting by PictureTrail.com
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This past Saturday I got to be a part of an event in my hometown of Yelm. It was the Yelm High School Dollars for Scholars auction. As a recipient of this same scholarship when I was a senior in high school, I am so thankful I was able to represent this wonderful program again. I spent the evening modeling a beautiful gold and stone necklace for people to bid on. I also acted as the “vanna” for the almost-live auction and it was lots of fun. Since Yelm is the hometown of our Miss Washington, of course I got to spend a little time with her too! I am always amazed at the amount of scholarship dollars raised at this event. Good luck Yelm High School Seniors! You deserve it!
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Until next time
Miss Thurston County 2008
Sharise Nicole Williams