Pageant Stories – Page 8 – Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog

2009 National American Miss North Carolina Princess Cailee Calabrese working hard to raise support for our military.

Once again Cailee kicked off her “Movies for Military” in the fall and was able to collect over 646 DVDs and 100 puzzle books for our troops.

Once again Cailee kicked off her “Movies for Military” in the fall and was able to collect over 646 DVDs and 100 puzzle books for our troops. In fall of 2009 she collected over 200 DVDs so she was quite proud that she was able to more than triple that in 2010. Cailee and her family do so much with the project on a ongoing basis that they have officially registered the trademark “Movies for Military.” They are just beginning the new year and already have collected over 45 DVDs and 40 puzzle books.

In September 11th Cailee also participated in the Freedom Walk at the Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC where she spoke to over 600 participants about her project and received a standing ovation from the two star Major General Rodney Anderson which he initiated. In October, State Representative Rick Glazier came to her school to give her a special acknowledgment for her project. At Christmas time, Cailee also sponsered a military family.

National Ameircan Miss Georgia Pre-Teen making a difference in the lives of our four legged friends!

Volunteering is a big part of the National American Miss pageant and it’s also a large part in the life of our Georgia Pre-Teen queen, Chelsey Bennett. Chelsey spends her time giving a helping hand at her local humane society. As you can see below the job is more than just playing with puppies, Chelsey is hard at work doing the dirty jobs..way to go Chelsey!!

Making A Difference With Old Shoes

Olivia Wright Making A Difference With Old Shoes and National American Miss Pageants

olivia-shoes This past weekend I got a couple of emails from families who have been in our pageant about a new charity that has been started by a contestant from the National American Miss Pageants. Olivia Wright, age 10, has numerous pageant accolades and titles including state photogenic, casual wear modeling and actress winner along with being a national ambassador. But even cooler than that is that Olivia has started a charity call H.U.G.S. (Help Us Give Shoes). Here is an excerpt from her website (http://www.tennesseehugs.org/)

Hi! My name is Olivia Wright… welcome to my website all about my community service project, Help Us Give Shoes — or, just H.U.G.S.! I am so happy you stopped by ! It is my hope that as you check out my page, you will be inspired to go out and see where YOU can help make a difference in our world!

I am a ten-year-old girl who one day is going to be a doctor and missionary, helping people all over the world. Until then, I spend my free time volunteering for organizations I love. Some people would like me to believe that I am too young to make a difference, but I know that kids my age can make a difference. I have also learned that giving is it’s own reward.

As you can see Olivia is an amazing kid!

Olivia-I am so proud of you. You are inspirational to me and everyone around you!

Matt

Please visit Olivia’s website at http://www.tennesseehugs.org/

Madeline Monlux Speaks Her Mind To Portland’s Mayor

: National American Miss Pageants

Recently Madeline Monlux, National American Miss Pageants Portland representative met with Mayor Tom Porter to speak about the importance of youth volunteering.

Even at a young age Madeline is very passionate about volunteering and getting both kids and adults involved in their towns, cities, and communities.

Jurnee Jackson-National American Miss Jr. Pre-Teen Oregon Cover Girl honored by the City of Redmond

Jurnee matt-2 Jackson, National American Miss Pageants Jr. Pre-Teen Cover Girl from Oregon was recently honor by her home city of Redmond, Oregon for a month long volunteering campaign she did with the local fire department. In a letter of appreciation sent to Jurnee, the Redmond Fire Marshal wrote:

“Jurnee, you were always polite and excited to be here; and we all appreciated your help and eagerness. It was especially nice to see your outgoing manner matt while working.” “You are a bright young lady and it is easy to see why you were crowned.” matt-3

This past summer Jurnee participated in the 4th of July parade, met with her county commissioner and continues to promote fire safety in her communities and surrounding areas. We are all so very proud of Jurnee!

~Matt

National American Miss South Carolina featured in American Girl

matt-4 Our 2007 National American Miss Princess Queen, Aria Surka, has recently been featured in the American Girl catalogue. Aria is a fantastic kid and was a great representative for her state at our national pageant. Not only does Aria model, but she is very involved in her school and volunteers in her community.

Most recently she was featured as the cover model for Smile Makers a division of the Staples office supply company. matt-5 matt-6

Friends, Family and More at National American Miss

NAM Girls with Jason Earles from Hannah Montana. Photo Credit: Brett Davis

When I speak with people who are unfamiliar with our program, I tell them how National American Miss is about so much more than crowns, banner and trophies. Its about letting these kids know that no matter what, they have our unconditional love and support. We should take every opportunity to raise these kids up, to celebrate them and truly show them how special and wonderful we think they are. When I speak at orientation, I talk about the three goals that we have for each of the kids: 1) To gain self-confidence and self-esteem; 2) To have a family fun weekend; and 3) To make new friends.

As I have written in the past the best part of my job is seeing the contestants faces light up with pride and joy. When they come off stage they are standing taller feeling more confident, knowing that they tried their best! The letters the I receive from parents and contestants alike speak of amazing pageant stories. Parents tell me how their daughters are more out going now and are ready to try new things.

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In a time when none of us have enough free time its easy to let the things that we take for granted fall by the wayside. Whenever we get crunched on times, what’s the first thing that most of us cut out: family time. We live a hectic, fast paced society where kids are busier now than they ever have been in the past. Its school, then practice, then dinner at the drive thru, then dance class, just for her to end the day falling sleep while doing homework. Our goal at the pageant is to create moments for the family to have fun together: go to the pool, have dinner together, take a family picture.

This past January I was invited to a wedding of a former contestant. While at the wedding I quickly realized that her maid of honor was a former contestant as well. Years ago while at the Washington State pageant these two women met. They fostered that relationship and over time it grew into an enduring friendship. This is just one of the many stories that I have and have heard of the years. Many of the kids that have participated in our program have made life-long friends at National American Miss. I like to say that you have the chance to meet your college roommate or even your maid-of-honor!

~Matt

National Amerian Miss-Facebook, YouTube and MySpace

Here are some great places to meet other families that have participated in National American Miss from all over the country. Feel free to leave a comment, post a question or show us your pictures from NAM.

Click here to see our Facebook Page

Click hereto see our MySpace Page

Click here to see our YouTube Page

Janet Ivey-National American Miss Emcess Wins Emmy!

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And the winner is…Janet Ivey!

Last night the Mid-South Emmy’s awards ceremony took place in Nashville, TN. Our pageant friend and emcee Janey Ivey was nominated for 2 Emmys, Informational/Instructional Program and Informational/Instructional Series. Janet is the founder, creator and host of a show the airs on Nashville Public Television called Janet’s Planet. A dynamic and fast-paced series of one-to-two minute spots are created for kids ages seven to ten. They focus on scientific and historical facts and events. You can also catch her on her website for Janet’s Planet.

This was not Janet’s first Emmy. She was honored with her first Emmy 1997 for her roles as co-writer and on-camera talent for The Opryland Kid’s Club Video. She also won an Emmy in the Best Children’s Video Category. In 2003, Janet won another Emmy in the Children’s Educational Category for her Janet’s Planet productions.

Janet has been an emcee for National American Miss for the last 3 years in the states of South Carolina, Tennessee, Oregon, and Kentucky. We are all so proud of her and all of her work to improve the lives of kids!

~Matt

Lacey Fitzgerald Countdown To The Crown for Miss America!

The Miss America Pageant is just around the corner! This year is a very special year for one of my National American Miss staff members and dear friend Lacey Fitzgerald, Miss Missouri. Many of you have met Lacey over the years at the open calls, the workshops and the pageants. Lacey’s platform is Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Mentoring Advocacy. She has spent the last year traveling to every corner of the Show Me State speaking to a variety of organizations and schools. As Miss Missouri, she is also the official ambassador for the state’s Anti-smoking campaign for kids.

Currently you can see Lacey on TLC’s “Miss America: Countdown To The Crown”. The pageant will air live on TLC on January 24th at 8/7c.

Go Lacey, we are all so proud of you!

~Matt