During the month of December I had so many opportunities to spend time and promote my title as Miss Broken Arrow's Outstanding Teen 2012. I had an opportunity on December 3rd to participate in the Broken Arrow Christmas Parade. The weather was not deciding that it wanted to stay sunny, so we hoped and prayed that it would at least hold off until we had finished the parade and guess what? IT DID! I was pretty excited about that. Even though it was a little bit chilly, I loved being able to connect with the community of Broken Arrow and represent them as a young woman and leader in their community.
On December 16, I volunteered at the Assembly of Broken Arrow's Christmas Gift Give Away. This particular event was an evening that families around the Tulsa area came and received a meal and a present for each of the children along with some entertainment. It was so much fun! At the end of this event i asked the family if i could take some pictures. They agreed and we took some really cute pictures. In one of them i even put my crown on their daughters head and they thought that that was special. I was so glad that i was able to make this Christmas special for that little girl.
Going back to November I had a chance to visit the John 3:16 Mission in downtown Tulsa on the 27th and serve for the Homeless and visitors there. First, we had to set the tables, bring spoons and knifes out on the table along with plates, napkins and a slice of Pumpkin pie in front of every seat. Also, the staff there asked the volunteers to bring tea or water and set it also with every seat. Second, they asked for 3 volunteers to serve in the kitchen while the visitors had chapel and ate their meal. I volunteered along with my two friends. I had a blast taking their food and putting it into the trash can, handing the tray to one of my friends who rinsed the tray and handed it to her sister, my other friend, to put it in the dishwasher. And yes I got food all over me along with water my friend splashed while rinsing the trays. We were in and out of there in less than 2 hours. I would encourage everyone to volunteer and you can be surprised how you can make something so simple so much fun.
Going back to November I had a chance to visit the John 3:16 Mission in downtown Tulsa on the 27th and serve for the Homeless and visitors there. First, we had to set the tables, bring spoons and knifes out on the table along with plates, napkins and a slice of Pumpkin pie in front of every seat. Also, the staff there asked the volunteers to bring tea or water and set it also with every seat. Second, they asked for 3 volunteers to serve in the kitchen while the visitors had chapel and ate their meal. I volunteered along with my two friends. I had a blast taking their food and putting it into the trash can, handing the tray to one of my friends who rinsed the tray and handed it to her sister, my other friend, to put it in the dishwasher. And yes I got food all over me along with water my friend splashed while rinsing the trays. We were in and out of there in less than 2 hours. I would encourage everyone to volunteer and you can be surprised how you can make something so simple so much fun.
This month, Miss Broken Arrow Dani Delso and I were asked to go to the LoneStar restaurant and talk to the costumers about giving donations to Children's Miracle Network. We raised over $400, which is an amazing amount for this type of event! The restaurant was so impressed they asked us to come back and do it again so that we could help the Children's Miracle Network to a greater extent on behalf of the Miss Oklahoma Organization. It's no wonder that the Miss Oklahoma organization is nationally recognized because they are strongly supported but the state and local communities. We absolutely could not do it if local businesses did not believe in the success of the Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen contestants.
Last but not least, I wanted to attach some photos from a photo shoot that was donated to us by Hope Toliver Photography and Amaranth Collection. They gave us the ultimate treatment, makeup and hair services, photos, and styling services. We were able to use the beautiful accessories provided to us by Amaranth Collection and get some great practice modeling in our crowns and gowns. :) It is with support from businesses like these, that Miss Broken Arrow and myself are able to experience such great opportunities throughout the year.
I hope all of you had a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
