Category: north carolina

Shivali Patel, 2011 Miss North Carolina Jr. Teen Farewell

Shivali Patel, 2011 National American Miss North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen Farewell

Winning the 2012 Miss North Carolina title from a shocking one hundred and thirty six intelligent, talented, and beautiful ladies was a miracle. First, as your National American Miss North Carolina Junior Teen 2011-2012, I gained innumerable opportunities. I had the chance to touch the lives of many, and make a difference in one way or another. I have made lifelong friends that I will forever treasure and honor. I have been able to promote America’s greatness and encourage its future leaders. I have served as an outlet for young women to gain confidence, experience and communication skills as they reach out to their communities and I have become a role model to many by simply living what I profess: “the greatest thing any one person can do is to give unselfishly to others without expectations of any reward.”

I began my year with an appearance at the Georgia State Pageant with the crowning of my sister queens. From there on, there was not a day off from work! I volunteered at Senior Homes, spoke at Alumni meetings, fundraised for Orphanages, participated in walks, lead the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society walk, helped with fitness awareness, and started three personal projects: Shivali’s K’s for Kids for the Methodist Home for Children, Bonds Between Generations, and My Books and Bears Drive inspired by National American Miss itself; and much, much more! I traveled overseas and donated money, books, bears, chocolates, and clothes to various areas and organizations in India as well. Never in my imagination had I dreamed of having so much fun and being able to interact with the world at the same time! Then, before I knew it, it was time for Nationals! I know Nationals held in sunny Anaheim, California is a week I certainly won’t forget. From Disneyland to the Hollywood Tour to the excitement of National Weeks – it was both rewarding and educational at the same time. I was even honored to bring home a spirit stick, 2nd place Academic Achievement, 2nd Place Volunteer Service and 2nd Place overall! It is truly amazing how an experience like this can be both exhilarating and humbling all at once.

This past year has honestly been the best chapter of my life. I would like to take a moment to thank all of those wonderful people who helped to make it possible by supporting me in my endeavors and sometimes as I put it – “dealing” with my bad habits! Firstly, a huge thank you to Matt Leverton for dealing with my habit of submitting things in after the deadline, for organizing this life changing event to start with, and for turning my life into a Cinderella story! Honestly, thank you Prince Charming! Nothing would have been possible if it were not for you. Thank you to the National American Miss Faculty for helping me from day one by giving me tips, selecting wardrobe, and injecting inspiration into me. Thank you to Brittany and Patricia for being the two best bold, brilliant, and beautiful big sisters from another mother I could ever ask for! A shout out to my sister queens – it has been a privilege to know you and to reign with you. See you in 2013! And finally I would like to thank my family and God for blessing me with a happy fairytale life.

Now, as I prepare to turn the page on this chapter in my life, I look back on this experience as one of personal growth, opportunity and a foundation on which I will build my future. As my year comes to an end, I know my journey has only just begun. Riding in parades, making appearances, and doing community service with my embedded crown and banner is something I will miss doing, but I will not forget that this title has opened many doors. I look forward to the upcoming journey with great anticipation. To the people of North Carolina, thank you so much for a wonderful year. I am truly grateful and blessed to have represented you in every step I have taken.

And to the contestants, no matter who takes home the crown this year, remember there is always next year! To my successor, have a wonderful year, use the title wisely, and welcome. Welcome to the (National American Family!!) NAMily(:

Shivali Patel, 2011 Miss North Carolina Jr. Teen

Cailee Calabrese, Miss North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen, works hard collecting DVD’s for our troops.

Cailee Calabrese, North Carolina Jr. Pre- Teen Queen went to The Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion.

Cailee Calabrese, North Carolina Jr. Pre- Teen  went to The Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion. She has spent many hours collecting DVD’s for our troops.  She has already collected over 150 DVD’s for our troops. She really enjoys working hard to give back to the troops. She has even received a few emails from soldiers thanking her for her efforts.

Shivali Patel, NC Jr. Teen Queen helped at Light the Night Walk.

The annual Light The Night Walk in Downtown Raleigh occurred Saturday, October 9,
2010 and October 22nd, 2011 at the Halifax Mall. Shivali Patel, the
National American Miss North Carolina Junior Teen 2011 volunteered befor and during the event. She was a tremendous help to the
team and played an important role in helping to execute a successful Light The Night Walk.

The annual Light The Night Walk in Downtown Raleigh occurred Saturday, October 9,
2010 and October 22nd, 2011 at the Halifax Mall. Shivali Patel, the
National American Miss North Carolina Junior Teen 2011 volunteered befor and during the event. She was a tremendous help to the
team and played an important role in helping to execute a successful Light The Night Walk.

The money raised with Light The Night supports The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s
mission to cure blood cancers and improve the lives of our patients and their families.
Seventy-three percent of our total expenses supports research and local patient services
such as family support groups, financial assistance and education programs. The Society
invests more than $71 million annually in blood cancer research. Included in that
tremendous figure are projects totaling more than $6.8 million at UNC-Chapel Hill and
Duke University. Since its founding, the Society has awarded more than $600 million in
research grants. This important science has doubled and tripled the survival rates for
blood cancer patients in the last 40 years. One Society sponsored grant has led to great
achievement through the discovery of the “miracle pill” Gleevec, keeping one type of
leukemia, CML, in long-term remission.

If you would like additional information about the Society or the North Carolina Chapter,
feel free to contact us at 919-367-4100 or visit our Web site at: www.lls.org/nc.

Shivali Patel, North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen volunteers at the Methodist Home for Children.

Shivali Patel , the National American Miss North Carolina Junior Teen volunteers at the Methodist Home for Children (MHC). They were thrilled that Shivali wanted to support theirprogram in several different ways. She did her research about their needs and she made a commitment to raise money, raise awareness and contribute in-kind items to MHC. She is an awesome young lady!

Shivali Patel , the National American Miss North Carolina Junior Teen volunteers at the Methodist Home for Children (MHC). They were thrilled that Shivali wanted to support theirprogram in several different ways. She did her research about their needs and she made a commitment to raise money, raise awareness and contribute in-kind items to MHC. She is an awesome young lady!

Shivali’s first goal was to support MHC’s 1K for 1Kid program by raising money to support a child in care for one year. She started her project in July and hit the ground running! She not only surpassed her goal but helped raise nearly $2,000 to support two children in MHC’s care. Her commitment to get out in the community and ask for donations and gifts is amazing! Shivali has put in more than 120 hours, going door to door, business to business asking for support to reach her goal. She didn’t take no for an answer and received gifts from $1.00 to $100.00. They, MHC, were most impressed when she even got the Mayor in Raleigh, NC to support her efforts!

In addition to raising money for their ministry, she asked fellow contestants to collect stuffed animals for our underserved children at their preschool. Shivali delivered big garbage bags full of stuffed animals to the kids at the center one day. She also used extra funds raised to purchase hygiene items and school supplies for our older kids – something she felt passionate about since teens in foster care are often forgotten about.

Shivali has an incredible philanthropic spirit! Her enthusiasm for volunteering and follow through on her commitment is admirable! MHC is proud of her efforts and of the positive way she approached her service to MHC. There are few youth in the community who truly stand out like Shivali. Her determination and drive will serve her well in the future. Her outstanding volunteer service to Methodist Home for Children is greatly appreciated.

Shivali Patel, North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen works with the town of Cary’s Spruce Program.

Shivali Pate, North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen works for the Town of Cary’s Spruce Program. She also volunteered for two different projects with the town.

Shivali Pate, North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen works for the Town of Cary’s Spruce Program. She also volunteered for two different projects with the town. At Kids Together Park, she helped haul the materials for and resurface a playground for special needs and handicapped children. This included shoveling the mulch-like material, transporting it in wheel barrows, then dumping and spreading the material to resurface the assigned areas. Also for our Town-wide Fall Litter Sweep, she helped organize and lead a litter sweep at her school campus of Athens Drive High School. This included advertising the event, organizing 14 volunteers, picking up the supplies, managing the safety and productivity of the sweep, picking up litter, and then reporting the results. She collected a total of 360 pounds of litter for proper disposal. In everything she has done she has been diligent and dedicated in her service and she is a pleasure to work with.

Cailee Calabrese, North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen, works hards for “Movies for Military.”

Cailee made her trip to give to the Troops to drop off the DVDs and puzzle books that she collected. She also visited the Warrior Transition Battalion where she distributed some DVDs to put in their movie room. Cailee has donated and collected over 1200 DVDs and 300 puzzle books since she started her own organization 3 years ago.

Cailee with the troopsCailee made her trip to give to the Troops to drop off the DVDs and puzzle books that she collected. She also visited the Warrior Transition Battalion where she distributed some DVDs to put in their movie room. Cailee has donated and collected over 1200 DVDs and 300 puzzle books since she started her own organization 3 years ago. Cailee was also proud to have met General Carpenter on our way to California who was just coming home from Afghanistan who took his picture with her and commended Cailee on her organization because he
appreciated the DVDs he received while stationed there. She also made a visit to Wesley Pines nursing center where Cailee called bingo for the residents. Cailee also adopted a military family for Christmas again this year.

“Movies for Military” is well its under way in that she has already collected 30 DVDs for our troops. Cailee is very proud to in her words “to give a gift back for protecting us.”

Shivali Patel, National American Miss 2011 North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen volunteers at the Jordan Center.

Shivali Patel 2011 North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen volunteers with the kids at the Jordan child and enrichment center.

Shivali Patel 2011 North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen volunteers with the kids at the Jordan child and enrichment center. The Jordan Center helps families give their children the best possible start in life, providing full-day childcare for children ages six weeks to five years.

The Center also provides consultation to other community childcare programs throughout the state, and training to those who work most closely with children: parents, childcare providers, educators, and administrators.

Alina Galvan, National American Miss North Carolina Pre-Teen Queen, worked hard to raise money for our wounded troops.

National American Miss North Carolina Pre-Teen Queen Alina Galvan presented a check to the wounded warriors along with a representative from Chic Fil A. Alina teamed up with Chic Fil A to do a Spirit Day to raise money to benefit the wounded warriors.

Alina Galvan presenting check to our wounded troops.National American Miss North Carolina Pre-Teen Queen Alina Galvan presented a check to the wounded warriors along with a representative from Chic Fil A. Alina teamed up with Chic Fil A to do a Spirit Day to raise money to benefit the wounded warriors. Alina and Caliee Calabrese(Miss N.C.Junior Preteen) did the spirit day together to show the troops that they are appreciated. Alina is the founder of “Letters Of Thanks”. Alina’s father is in the Army and she is also the grandaughter of a Vietnam Veteran!The military life has been a big inspiration to her work as an avid volunteer for our troops. She says she is thankful for their sacrifices for our freedom!

Cailee Calabrese and Alina Galvan, National American Miss North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen and Pre-Teen Queen work with local residents at Wesley Pines and our Military Heros.

National American Miss Jr. Pre-Teen Queen and Pre-Teen Queens, Cailee Calabrese and Alina Galvan called bingo for the residents at Wesley Pines.


National American Miss Jr. Pre-Teen Queen and Pre-Teen Queens, Cailee Calabrese and Alina Galvan called bingo for the residents at Wesley Pines. The residents enjoyed the girls so much they wanted them to come back again. The girls were also honored to be invited by the Wounded Warriors battalion on October 17th to meet with them and asked if Cailee would bring some DVDs to stock up their movie house. There are 600 wounded warriors currently at Fort Bragg and the commanding officers were very impressed with the projects that the girls do to support our troops. This is Cailee’s 3rd year for her Movies for Military and we are so pleased that the troops are benefiting from her project. Also, they are getting 600 goody bags ready along with cards to deliver to our brave men and women who fight for our freedom. During that time they will be doing an awards presentation for our soldiers.

Cailee Calabrese North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen gets the Presidential Volunteer Award.

Attached is a picture of Cailee, North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen meeting with U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre for her Presidential Volunteer Award.

Attached is a picture of Cailee, North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen meeting with U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre for her Presidential Volunteer Award.