Hi Everyone! I apologize for the wide gap in blog posts! I am coming up on the last few weeks of my college career. That, along with my crazy Miss Minnesota life, has me running a bit behind! Take a look at what I have been up to!
April was Autism Awareness Month!
As I mentioned in a previous blog, I facilitated a discussion at Governor Dayton's mansion to discuss key issues related to the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community. Senators, state representatives, members of the Department of Health, and of course, Governor Dayton and members of his staff, were present at this meeting on March 29. The forum happened to be held on the same day the Centers for Disease Control released its new statistics. I cannot possibly express to you how astonishing it was to wake up that very morning with a "Breaking News" text message telling me that the prevalence of ASD was now 1 in 88. The timing was appropriate to say the least, and it certainly emphasized the growing need for services and opportunities for employment for people with ASD. Thank you, Governor Dayton, for giving me the opportunity to share my personal experience and my concerns with our political leaders.
I also had the wonderful opportunity to speak at the State Capitol on April 2, 2012, National Autism Awareness Day. Other speakers included both political leaders and families touched by ASD. The number of people who attended the rally spoke volumes about the impact of ASD on our state.
I also had the wonderful opportunity to speak at the State Capitol on April 2, 2012, National Autism Awareness Day. Other speakers included both political leaders and families touched by ASD. The number of people who attended the rally spoke volumes about the impact of ASD on our state.
I also spent the month of April promoting ASD Awareness through social media and by interviewing with numerous radio stations, including Minnesota Public Radio, KMSU, KTOE, KDUZ, and KTWIN. Karen Wright from KMSU radio is also an advocate for ASD because of her son, Grant, pictured below.
I had the pleasure of promoting both The HopeFULL Company and Autism Radio this month. The HopeFULL Company makes food pop kits and recipes for people who struggle with eating problems. During the month of April, The HopeFULL Company donated 20% of the proceeds of their sales to Autism Radio. Click the Autism Radio link to hear my March interview with Paul Cimins on Hope Saves the Day.
I gave a "Wellness Event" presentation about the issues surrounding the growing prevalence of ASD at St. Olaf College on April 25. Over 75 students were in attendance.
I also hosted a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" fund raiser for Awesome Club, the social skills program for students with ASD that I founded in 2008. Thank you to Stephanie Smith and the rest of the St. Olaf Autism Awareness Committee for organizing this event! I had fun being a gameshow host!
I gave opening remarks about the importance of supportive, dedicated special education teachers at the Autism Society of Minnesota State Conference on April 27, and I supported Trevor at his first book signing, which also took place at the conference on April 28.
The Adventures of Charley McChooChoo by Trevor Davis
Trevor hosted his first book signing at the Autism Society of Minnesota State Conference on April 28. Check out the YouTube promo video for more information about the first book of his series The Adventures of Charley McChooChoo, entitled "Danny and the Whistling Engine" (written by Trevor Davis, illustrated by Lochlin Anderson, and edited by yours truly!). To learn more about Trevor, his book series, and how you can purchase "Danny and the Whistling Engine," visit his website: www.CharleyMcChooChoo.weebly.com. I am so proud of Trevor for pursuing his dream of becoming a best-selling children's book author! He has accomplished the "author" part of the deal; the "best-selling" part is now up to you!
Awesome Club
May 10 was my last day of Awesome Club. I cried. For those of you who don't know, I founded Awesome Club, a social skills program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2008. It started with 4 volunteers working with 4 middle school students. We now serve over 30 children at two different schools. Never in a million years did I dream that this program would flourish as much as it did. The kids are absolutely amazing. Watching them build friendships and grow and develop through this program has been so rewarding. Thank you to all of my incredible volunteers, especially Noelle Waldschmidt and Nick Hoverstad who took over leadership for me this year, for the work they have done to make Awesome Club a wonderful experience for all involved. Also, thank you to Lisa Weis and Candace Hard of the Northfield Public School District, for being wonderful teachers who truly care about their students. Families like mine appreciate teachers like you!
Senior high schoolers and college students!
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
On April 19, I performed and spoke at the Walmart/Sam's Club Appreciation Day for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. Thank you, Walmart and Sam's Club, for all you have done to improve the lives of children facing medical challenges!
The next evening, a Dance Marathon for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare was held at St. Olaf College. Thank you to the St. Olaf Volunteer Network for organizing the event!
I attended a Bowl-a-thon, hosted by Marriott Hotels, to support the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals on May 6. Thank you Marriott for your generous support of Gillette Children's Hospital!
I already blogged about my experience at the Bridesmaids Ball fund raiser in Duluth, but I recently received some fun pictures I thought I would share!
Other Appearances
My dear friend and mentor, Donnell Rank, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I attended the Bling Ball fund raiser to support her in her battle with with this disease on May 7. Donnell is one of the strongest women I know. She is smart, talented, and the most beautiful bald women I have every seen! Donnell started out as my voice coach when I was 16 years old, and since then, we have developed a beautiful relationship. She is like family to me. Please pray for Donnell's recovery.
Thank you to my girls, Caitlyn and Samantha, for coming to support my dear friend Donnell.
I emceed the Eco. Logic Fashion Show at St. Catherine's University on Saturday, May 12. This fashion show showcased some incredible talent from up-and-coming designers! Thank you to my friend Yevette Willaert, a talented designer herself, for arranging for me to come!
Miss Minnesota Scholarship Program
The Tracie Joy McBride Organization held its annual scholarship fund raiser on April 14 at Redeeming Love Church in Maplewood, MN. The McBride family founded this organization in memory of their loved one, Tracie, who lost her life at 19 years of age. The mission of the Tracie Joy McBride Organization is to keep Tracie's memory alive through the support of an organization they feel best exemplifies who Tracie was, the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Program. The Tracie Joy McBride Organization has provided thousands of dollars in scholarship money to young women involved in the Miss Minnesota program. This organization specifically provided the scholarship money I received from being a Preliminary Talent Award Winner and Quality of Life Award Finalist last year, as well as being named Miss Minnesota 2011. Thank you to the McBride family for supporting the Miss Minnesota Scholarship fund.
While the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Program maintains its tradition of providing scholarships and personal growth and development for the young women involved, it is also moving forward with great momentum under the leadership of the new Board of Directors. Be sure to like our new Facebook fan page! Follow me on Twitter (MissMN2011) to get the play-by-play of pageant week in June! Tickets to the Miss Minnesota pageant June 14-16 can be purchased on our official website. You can even choose your seat and print your ticket at home! Order today to come see for yourself who will be Miss Minnesota 2012!
Other Happenings at St. Olaf College
I have been busy doing homework, learning new vocal pieces, taking quizzes, writing scientific manuscripts and preparing for final exams. In less than two weeks, I will graduate magna cum laude from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. At the end-of-year Senior Chemistry Major Banquet, I received the Academic Achievement Award for having one of the top GPAs in the senior class of chemistry majors. I always get the nerdy awards!
Next year, I plan to switch gears and attend St. Cloud State University to do some academic work in the area of Mass Communications. My goal is to have a successful a career in broadcast journalism and performance. I am looking for any and every opportunity to sing, emcee, or intern with a television or radio station. Please contact me if you have any leads!
At St. Olaf, I am also a member of Blue Key Honor Society, which consists of only 1% of the student body. This year, we successfully planned two three-day blood drives for the American Red Cross. We also organized a panel on Living a Life of Worth and Service. I served as the moderator of this panel, which included professors, alumni, and the Vice President of Student Life, Greg Kneser. Blue Key also had its end-of-the-year banquet to award the seniors their blue cords to wear at graduation and to have one last hurrah before we face the real world and dedicate ourselves to living a life of service to others.
"A ZU YIIHPETON...Serving I Live."
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