Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization Picnic

Went to Tygart Valley State Park in Grafton, WV for a picnic organized by Barb Brunetti, President of MWVSO. The food and fellowship were great, and I left feeling very thankful for the investment that these women have made in me over the past four years.

Republican Summit

Since I was Princeton the night before, I was able to eat breakfast with an old friend and former Miss West Virginia, Summer Wyatt.  We met at Cracker Barrel and caught up in between eating the eggs, bacon and biscuits!

 

From there, I traveled to Charleston where I spoke at the WV Republican Summit.  This was a conference put on by Governor Eisenhower’s Internship program for individuals interested in pursuing a career, or involving themselves in the race for public office.  I was fortunate enough to speak and spoke about being from a political family, campaign since I was 12, interning for Congresswoman Capito’s 2006 Congressional campaign, being appointed to the White House Advance Team and then working with Sarah Palin.  After talking about some of my experiences, I talked about how I had a goal to be Miss West Virginia and it took me 4 years to accomplish that goal.  I said “I know many of you might have a goal and that goal might be to be a sitting congress person, graduate high school or college with honors, participate as a staffer for a national campaign but you are never going to accomplish those things without hard work.  It isn’t going to be easy, some days you are going to feel like giving up, but if at the end of the day you can’t see your life without achieving that goal or being in that place, then it is worth pressing on through the hard times.  I did and now after 4 years of exactly that, hard work, I have accomplished one of my lifetime goals…..but will probably run for office too!  They laughed….

Princeton Elks Camp

I went to the Princeton Elks Camp that is put on by the Elks Association for special needs campers.  Again, I am amazed at the generosity and hard work that is put into a camp of this kind.  The camp director and President of the Elks Association told me “Most of the time this is the only week all year that the parents of these campers gets to have a vacation or time alone with each other.  These campers are all 24/7 care children to these parents and they are very appreciate to have time off while their child enjoys the time being with their peers.  These are the unsung heroes that never get the recognition that they deserve…but don’t expect any recognition or even want it…they just want these kids to feel like they are, loved and cherished in society.

 

I arrived around 5:30 and ate dinner – pizza and fruit – with the campers.  It was one campers birthday and for 13 years he has been celebrating it with the many other Princeton Elks campers.  So we had cake and ice cream to celebrate in style.  It was the last night of camp.  Everyone was signing each others shirts with special sayings or just a signature and I guess mine was a hit J  

When the campers sign in on Monday morning they are asked what they would like Santa to bring them.  The Elks camp purchases the requested items and at the end of the week the campers receive “Christmas with Santa.”  These campers don’t ask for iPod’s, video games, or expensive clothes or shoes.  One camper asked for a new pair of jeans and shoes, the other asked for a portable CD player, one asked for a CD, etc.  There were 79 campers and each camper got the exact gift they asked for~  HOW COOL?

 

After everyone opened up their gifts we had a farewell dance where an old acquaintance of mine sang T-R-O-U-B-L-E~  Always a great time when being with the Elks association!

Camp Mountain Heart

Cedar Lakes was hosting the Camp Mountain Heart camp this week, and I was invited to attend the Power Park baseball game with the campers.  What a tremendous time we had!  All these kids have a heart condition of some kind (pacemaker, heart surgery, aortic valve, etc.) and there is a benefactor from Morgantown who makes this camp a possibility.  Made some new friends and spent several hours of down time being “interviewed” for a MySpace page of one of the campers.  Didn’t realize I was that interesting, but they pulled information out of me I’d never even thought of!  Was able to sing the Star Spangled Banner to open the game - took me back to those high school days when I got to sing for the basketball games and thought I was a star! 

 

Supreme Court Child Abuse and Neglect Training

Spent two days in Wheeling receiving training on child abuse and neglect issues.  I was in great company, as there were a variety of attorneys receiving CLE credits, social workers, etc. in attendance.  Made several new contacts to promote my platform and realized that while I am developing my knowledge base every day, there is still much to be learned, and even more to be done!  I am continually impressed with the quality and dedication of our professionals in this area to the children of our state. 

1st PASS Meeting

WV PASS (Partnerships to Assure Students Success) is the entity that funds the school tour for Miss West Virginia.  Their grant, along with the Henry J. Reynolds Anti Tobacco campaign pays the expenses for Miss WV to speak at a minimum of 120 schools throughout the state.  Went to the capitol and met the people I will be dealing with throughout the year, and we went to the Governor’s office to have the luncheon and PASS presentation.  It was so enlightening to see all the various programs that are affiliated with PASS, and to see the dedication of these teachers and educators to continually challenge the students with the latest technology and resources available.  Didn’t realize I was to give a speech there, but I’m getting better at “winging it,” and was able to pull it off.  Hats off to Jack Wiseman and the PASS team for all they’re doing throughout the state – it will be an honor to represent them in any way.

Energy Express Celebrity Reader

Went to Mason-Dixon Elementary School to read to the Energy Express kids there.  What a great group of kids!  They have such inquisitive minds and are so fun to be with!  They had a time trying on my sash and crown, even one little boy who watched and watched while the girls tried on, and then he comes over and says, “Well, if you really think I should, I’ll go ahead and try it.”  So cute!  Felt blessed that they included me in their day and I was able to get to meet them.