patel – Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog

2016 Miss South Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Jia Patel Clean Water Crusader

Jia Patel (Miss South Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen) spent the past year proudly
fundraising with her family. She helped raise over $20,000 to build a
clean water well in her grandfather’s birth village in India. They also
used these funds to build a drinking water facility for the animals in
this very hot and dry farming village.

Jia was very grateful to have been able to take her South Carolina NAM
title to India this past December 2016 to see her fundraising efforts in
person. Jia plans to continue to promote awareness about the need for
people worldwide to have access to clean safe water.

2013 Miss South Carolina Princess Jia Patel donates time to help the troops and their families.

2013 National American Miss South Carolina Princess Queen Jia Patel donates time to help the troops and their families.

When the holidays were approaching Jia Patel 2013 South Carolina Princess Queen took to heart the mission of the American Red Cross’ Holiday Mail for Heroes Campaign . This past holiday season Jia helped to host a holiday party to make cards to show gratitude towards our troops, veterans and military families. This was Jia’s second year helping to host this wonderful family event. During the holidays many of us make plans to spend times with our families and loved ones however many of our service members are unable to do this because they are overseas. The Holiday Mail for Heroes Party was a heart-warming event that got everyone into the holiday spirit! Jia enjoyed donating colored paper, stickers, markers and pens and had had even more fun making cards with her friends! A night of making cards of thanks and support to those who have made sacrifices and who have served our country was a great kick-off to the holiday season!

Miss North Carolina Jr. Teen Alexandria Murphy volunteers her time at the Ronald McDonald House.

National American Miss North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen Alexandria Murphy volunteers her time at the Ronald McDonald House.

Miss North Carolina Jr. Teen Alexandria Murphy volunteers her time at the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte, NC. She helped cooked meals at the house. She loved being able to help the kids and families of the kids who are in the hospital. Alexandria and Shivali Patel, Miss North Carolina Teen Queen, also went to the Ronald McDonald House in Durham, NC. and delivered books and school supplies.

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, 2^nd place Academic Achievement, 2^nd Place Volunteer Service and 2^nd 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

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 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’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.

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 with Polly Wills the VP Advancement

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.

Shivali Patel, 2011 North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen, has been working with her project, Shivali’s 1K For 1Kid.

Much efforts and most of Shivali’s time has been donated recently to a wonderful & beautiful project called “Shivali’s 1K For 1Kid.” This project is for a kids home that extends support to neglected, abused, orphaned and such children at the “Methodist Home For Children (MHC)” all over the great state of NC. “Shivali’s 1K For 1Kid,” goal was to raise $1000 so MHC can successfully tend to the needs of a single child for a complete year. Never in her dreams had Shivali thought that she would be able to achieve so much in merely four weeks. She has raised over $1,500 by selling ribbons and getting her school, community, and long distance friends & family to help her reach her goal. The money she has gathered will help MHC to clothe and feed children in their group homes, counsel families in crisis, find homes for children with our foster families, and serve children affected by substance abuse. She has also donated approximately five to six boxes of school supplies and 60 books & bears.

2009 National American Miss Pre-Teen Shivali Patel Farewell

Hello Everyone,

Serving as your National American Miss North Carolina Preteen Queen 2009-1010 has truly been a blessing and the most rewarding experience of my life. National American Miss has provided me with so many opportunities in this past year. I have 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 overall, I have grown as an individual. This organization is not only dedicated to promoting America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders, but it is also an outlet for young women to gain confidence, experience and communication skills as they reach out to their communities.

I know Nationals held in sunny Anaheim, California is a week I certainly won’t forget. I made a ton of new friends, and did some sightseeing. I went to Disneyland and met the unthinkable creatures and characters that I had once read in a storybook. The Hollywood Tour was just as breathtaking. My family and I went to the Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Beach, and did some window shopping on the streets of Hollywood. It is truly amazing how an experience like this can be both exhilarating and humbling all at once.

To my sister queens, it has been a privilege to know you. You have all made such great role models and I know for a fact, that one day, you will reach the hills of success. To whom this year would have never been so fantastic or even possible without the one and only, Matt Leverton. Matt – thank you for all of your support and kindness- you ROCK! To the National American Miss Faculty: Thank you for putting together such a wonderful program for us girls. Out of all of the pageants I’ve been in, this one has simply been the best! Situ- Thank you for always cheering me on, making me laugh and simply just being my sister. You make everything seem so easy and fun and with you by my side, nothing is impossible. Mom and Dad- I can’t express how much you mean to me and I don’t think I ever will be able to. You have always been there for me and given me something to look forward to. I am who I am because of you. Thank you for your unconditional love, and support.
As I prepare to turn the page on this chapter in my life, I look back on my Miss NC 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 as only 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 take. Last but not least, to my fellow contestants. You are ALL winners and no matter what happens this weekend, look on it as a learning experience. To my successor, have a wonderful year and use this title wisely. For the last time, I am your reigning National American Miss North Carolina Preteen Queen 2009-1010.

Sincerely,

Shivali Ashvin Patel