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Friday, August 9, 2013

the journey has just begun



My journey with National American Miss started nine years ago when I was a shy, scared junior pre-teen. Over the course of almost a decade, I have learned and grown in ways that I could have never imagined. This time with NAM has truly been a journey and I have grown up with the best NAMily that anybody could ask for. As I spend my last time on the NAM stage, I know that my journey has just begun and NAM has set the foundation for so much yet to come.

Looking back on this past year, I can truly say that it has been one that is life-changing. From being crowning Miss New York Teen 2012, starting my first year of college (my first of eight as a BA/MD student), helping rebuild my hometown after Hurricane Sandy, competing at the National pageant in California, traveling to a remote village in India for a study abroad program, getting to advocate for my platform: SPARK: Students Partnering and Reaching Kids (facebook.com/sparkselfesteem), and serving on a medical brigade to impoverished communities in Nicaragua, I have had a whirlwind of a year!

My travels, appearances, studies, performances, and experiences this year have been so poignant and powerful. I have been able to complete service projects such as SPARK workshops in elementary schools, donating over 7,000 books to various charities, rebuilding my hometown, Staten Island, after Hurricane Sandy, and volunteer at various charitable walks and events. I was honored to appear at parades, the Debi Rose Women in History Ceremony, the Miss New York Pageant, EBC Radio, and other community events.

This journey is truly process of growing and evolution. Win or lose, the most important thing is what you learn and how you grow. It doesn’t take a crown to change the world, it takes willpower, determination, and dedication. I hope that the NAM experience is one that you can take with the mindset of a true winner: a young lady that comes to challenge herself, grow, and befriend some of the most talented and impressive young women.

I am so thankful for National American Miss for giving me the chance to represent and organization whose mission and ideals I believe in and be a role model for young girls. To all the NAM staff, my family and friends who made this year so amazing, I am forever grateful for everything!

With sparkles and service,

Shelley Jain
NAM Miss New York Teen 2012






Saturday, December 1, 2012

Nationals 2012!!

Nationals was one of the most exciting weeks of my reign! I think being a teen, I was able to remember, retain, and gain a lot more from the experience. I can absolutely say that I am so blessed and honored to have been chosen to represent New York and get a chance to meet some of the most amazing girls in the nation.

The most poignant memory I have is when Megan's name was called as the National Queen, all the girls literally leapt out of their seats and ran to the side of stage and began screaming on top of our lungs. We all didn't care that we had just lost, we were so absolutely proud of and thrilled for this beautiful girl who had just defied all the odds and captured one of the most coveted crowns in the nation. She is a reflection of what a NAM girl truly is and is so genuine, sweet, and deserving and we are all so excited to have her represent us this year!!

That being said, each girl in the NAM Teen Queen Class of 2012 was so deserving of the national title. I am so honored to call these girls my sisters- they have accomplished so much in their communities, academically, and spiritually. They are so inspiring and uplifting. I had such a great time spending the week with them, whether it was exploring Disneyland, goofing off at rehearsals, or keeping ourselves calm backstage. These girls truly embody the qualities of National American Miss!

I was so honored and excited to be a Top 5 Spokesmodel competitor and talk about S.P.A.R.K., (check out our FB Page or our Beta Site: www.sparkselfesteem.org ) win Volunteer Service Award for my work with S.P.A.R.K., Best Resume, and the NAM Alumni Essay Contest for my reflections on the power of my great NAMily.

As I shift my focus to my future endeavors, I know that my time with National American Miss will remain a part of me that I carry everywhere. I am so thankful to this organization and I am so glad I could give back them as a state queen. My last year may not have ended in the national crown, but I don't think I could have asked for better memories, friends, and experiences to top off my time at NAM.

To find pictures of my Nationals experience, you can check out the Facebook Album which has a few pictures from my time there! ;)

But here are my favorite pictures from Nationals:

At Disneyland we met a few princesses and got to make THEM feel special. :)
Belle and Ariel!

Rapunzel! 

This one never fails to make me smile- these girls are so beautiful inside and out!




For appearance opportunities and requests contact shelleyjain94@gmail.com!
For SPARK workshop requests visit www.sparkselfesteem.org or email sparkselfesteem@gmail.com! 



"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it 

happened.” ― Dr. Seuss


-Shelley

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Countdown!

It's been hard to keep up with the blog with Nationals prep, finals, and packing for my exciting study abroad! So here is a squished up version of my countdown to Nationals:

1 day left: 

This year's 2012 state pageant! 






2 days:
Last year's, 2011, state pageant where I placed 2nd runner up!



3 days: 

State Pageant 2009 where I placed 1st runner up! 



Wednesday, November 14, 2012

4 days!

2008 New York Jr. Teen Pageant where I was 2nd-runner up! 





Tuesday, November 13, 2012

5 days!


5 days left until I leave for Nationals! This was my 2005 Nationals experience. It was one of the most exciting weeks of my life. I met some of the most amazing girls that really changed my life. 
Though I didn't win, I walked away with some amazing life skills, memories, and friends. Here's hoping to another fabulous nationals experience! 




-Shelley 

6 days!


There are 6 days left until NAM nationals! 
This picture is from the 2005 New York Pre-teen Pageant- the night that my life changed in a way that is greater than I could have ever imagined. That year was one of the most motivating and inspiring years of my life. Not only was I reminded of the success of perseverance and hard work, but also of the power that an individual can have in the lives of others. 
I met some of the most amazing young women and learned from their great experiences. I realized my spark: helping and empowering others. That was the most important thing of the entire year and really set the foundation for S.P.A.R.K. today. 
Being able to be a role model in my community really opened my eyes to service and all that I could offer- even as an eager and ambitious 10-year-old. That was also a crucial element in my development- realizing the importance of service and giving back to others. 
This year made me fall in love with an organization that still holds my heart today. Thank you National American Miss for giving me the best NAMily a girl could ask for. Thank you for helping me grow confidence. Thank you for helping me define myself and become the young woman I am today!



"Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness."  - Oprah Winfrey

-Shelley

Monday, November 12, 2012

7 days!


There are officially 7 days til NAM's 10th Anniversary Nationals!
I am so honored to have the opportunity to attend this year. 

Every day this week I will be posting a picture of a special moment in my NAM journey. Here is a picture from my first pageant: the 2004 NAM New York Pageant! 
I competed against my sister, Shreya Jain, and placed top 25. She ended up winning the state title and we headed to Anaheim, California for our very first NAM Nationals.
So much has changed since then. This was really the night that changed the rest of our lives. 

I am so beyond grateful to National American Miss and everything that they stand for. 
Happy 10th Birthday National American Miss!




-Shelley 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

veterans day

Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served and are currently serving! 



"Because all of us believe and understand in the fabric of the common bond of why we call ourselves American is to care for the men and women who wear the uniform; and when they take off the uniform, we care for them when they are veterans." 
-Steve Buyer 


-Shelley 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

someone else needs it more.

Hurricane Sandy #2
NOTE: Yes, I am from Staten Island, New York. The very Staten Island being mentioned on every news channel and paper as a victim of Hurricane Sandy's damage. Luckily, my family was safe and sound and we didn't suffer any damage- just power loss for a few days. Unfortunately, a lot of our friends and loved ones did lose a lot. Please comment below with your email, message me on Facebook, or let me know somehow if you are interested in donating or volunteering with the relief efforts.

"Oh we will survive without it, there is probably somebody else that needs it more!" was the trending statement of the day on Staten Island's Midland Beach on Sunday, November 4th.

My dad and I were at a donation center in Midland Beach helping sort donations as they came in. Once we had enough, we loaded up the van with some food items, clothing, supplies, batteries, flashlights, blankets, hats and gloves and drove to affected areas to give out supplies. Luckily, my dad had waited a mere 2 hours for gas (yes, that is relatively short compared to some of the other wait times at gas pumps) the night before so we were all ready to go!

That is one of the biggest issues I have observed of Hurricane Relief efforts- getting the supplies where they need to go. Shelters and centers have tons of donations, but the people that need them usually do not have the means to come and get them. That's where we come in! With gas and a van, we were able to drive around Midland Beach and hand out supplies to families.

This was so rewarding and challenging. I had just come back to Staten Island from college and was just witnessing the damage firsthand. Houses had been tipped over, demolished, mutilated, removed from their foundations. Some areas were still flooded. Piles and piles of garbage, wreckage, and ruined wood and furniture covered the streets. And this was after 5 days of cleaning and rebuilding. It's not that we as a city were ineffective, it was just such a large project, that it took so much time and energy to accomplish.

Families were so grateful and caring. They truly believed that because they were alive they were considered lucky and most didn't really think they to be helped. They thought we could better serve our time helping "somebody who needs it more." But it's hard to say no to a persistent volunteer and a whole new pack of batteries and cleaning supplies. They were so humble and resourceful in their pickings that we would have to convince them that it was okay to take both a pack of paper towels and a box of tissues.

I remember my dad and I squeezing into dead end streets and meeting people who were being skipped by many volunteers because of their inopportune locations- their incredulous gratitude was so memorable.

As we were driving around, we saw some amazing  things: volunteers in boots and gloves just walking door to door and offering their manual labor, families carrying cups of coffee and bagels to give out to victims as they stood out in the chill, trying to salvage their basements and houses. There was so much spirit and community that day. It was so powerful and such a life-changing experience. Volunteers of all ages and types coming together to rebuild a community is such a beautiful thought and such a vividly stunning reality on Staten Island. It's amazing if you actually think about it: business that have lost a full week's worth of profits are still giving back to the community by donating free food and supplies to victims that were affected by Sandy! It is so inspiring to see that there is so much good in our community!

It was unreal to see the National Guard and army trucks crawling through the streets. It gave everyone so much pride in our community and hope for the future. Mixed in were troves of orange clad people running to houses- they were none other than the New York Runners. There were so many volunteers from all over the state, country and world, just doing whatever little they would to make an impact.

As much as I want New York and Staten Island to go back to normal, I was not supportive of the decision to hold the New York Marathon and was proud that it had been postponed to a much later date. In the face of a tragedy, our community has to come together and become strong to become normal, not put up a front for a day and then go back to rebuilding tomorrow. And being able to volunteer with many of the would-be-marathoners was pretty fun! We even took one aboard the van with us and he stuck with us for the rest of the day, helping run supplies from our van to the houses!
There is a great Facebook page that fostered the movement to have the marathoners instead run with donations on Staten Island: https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkRunnersInSupportOfStatenIsland 

It was so unreal to see the damage first hand and speak with victims who had swam to safety, waited on rooftops for safety, saved a life, lost a loved one, etc. It was hard, but so so so rewarding to be able to help them and give back in the slightest.

The gas lines are still long, the damage still there, the wounds still fresh, but the spirit was stronger than ever. I am still in awe of the optimism, perseverance, courage, and hope that Staten Island possesses. I am so proud to call myself a true Staten Islander.












"To desire and strive to be of some service to the world, to aim at doing something which shall really increase the happiness and welfare and virtue of mankind - this is a choice which is possible for all of us; and surely it is a good haven to sail for." 
-Henry Van Dyke

-Shelley





Saturday, November 3, 2012

you can take away our home, but you cannot take away our heart

Hurricane Sandy Post #1 (#1 out of a possible 4)
NOTE: Yes, I am from Staten Island, New York. The very Staten Island being mentioned on every news channel and paper as a victim of Hurricane Sandy's damage. Luckily, my family was safe and sound and we didn't suffer any damage- just power loss for a few days. Unfortunately, a lot of our friends and loved ones did lose a lot. Please comment below with your email, message me on Facebook, or let me know somehow if you are interested in donating or volunteering with the relief efforts.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many New Yorkers, were left without power, water, and shelter. Many schools on Staten Island are being used as shelters and are full of families and pets. As we slowly return to normalcy, it is absolutely amazing to see the community coming together like this.

This past weekend was so absolutely full of emotion, heart, spirit, and lots of energy. On Saturday, November 3rd, S.P.A.R.K. volunteered at the Wagner High School shelter on Staten Island. The most striking thing is the large sign turning away clothing donations and volunteers encouraging people to bring the clothes to other areas where clothing needed more. It is so impressive that so many people have stepped up to rebuild our community.

From various donations to S.P.A.R.K., we were able to bring coloring books, colored paper, crayons, and books for the children that were staying at the shelter. The kids were so full of spirit and life even though they had been in the shelter for days. They loved hanging out with us and talking to us about their experiences. I was surprised as to how well these kids were reacting. They really were being supportive to all the volunteer efforts and making sense of their situation. It was hard to see what some of the families had gone through and are going through, but their spirit resonated.

Feel the Beat Productions of Staten Island, NY brought their DJ, characters, face painting, and dance moves to the kids for free to lift their spirits. Violet Dominguez, a professional dancer and fellow pageant sister, also taught some of the children a dance lesson. Everyone was so full of energy and enthusiasm, it was a great way to lift the spirits of the kids and give them some time to let loose. Whether it was the hula hoop contests, dance offs, face painting, coloring or sharing stories, they kept all the kids engaged and excited. It was really a great, rewarding night.












"Sandy, you can take away our home, but you cannot take away our heart."
-Staten Island, NY

-Shelley

Sunday, October 21, 2012

making strides.

On Sunday, October 21st, I volunteered at the Staten Island Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Clove Lakes Park! It was such a beautiful day for families, friends, survivors, and women to get together for a great cause.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is very dear to my heart for many reasons. One of them is that with a family member fighting through breast cancer today, it so inspiring to see so many women tell their story and share how they overcame their struggles.

Another reason is that for my sweet sixteen, I chose to raise money for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. A sweet sixteen is a coming-of-age. It's a time when you transform into a young woman. Along with my family and friends, we raised over $2,000 for breast cancer research, treatment, and awareness. The day of the walk, we should up to find Sweet Sixteen decorations everywhere! It happened to be the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer's 16th year on Staten Island. It was such a fun coincidence!

This year, I was behind the table volunteering by asking walkers to sign a petition to Congress to continue funding for cancer research. It is a movement called "Power of the Purse."It was great to see so many people sign the petition and share their own stories so that Congress can see what a positive impact their funding has had on cancer patients and their families.

The entire event was so movement and inspiring. Being able to talk to people about their experiences was so powerful. I cannot thank National American Miss for helping me develop my communication skills. Being able to share these experiences with people is so special to me.

I had such a great time Making Strides! For more information on how you can donate please visit:
http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MSABC_FY13_FindAnEvent


Here is a little information from the American Cancer Society:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is a little less 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 36. Breast cancer death rates have been going down. This is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier and better treatment. Right now there are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
For more information about breast cancer, how to find it early, and how to join the fight to end the disease, visit cancer.org/fightbreastcancer or contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 anytime, day or night.
Since Making Strides began 20 years ago, breast cancer death rates have declined more than 32 percent.















“I'm inspired by the people I meet in my travels--hearing their stories, seeing the hardships they overcome, their fundamental optimism and decency. I'm inspired by the love people have for their children. And I'm inspired by my own children, how full they make my heart. They make me want to work to make the world a little bit better. And they make me want to be a better man.” 

― Barack Obama

-Shelley 


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

shining in the rain.

     On October 7th, my sister queens and I headed to the Lindenhurst Oktoberfest to raise money for the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition. Though it starting raining, it didn't stop our fun and fundraising efforts! We had our fair share of pickles, coffee, rain, and wind, but also got to advocate for this great organization!
     We were interviewed by the Lindenhurst Patch:
http://lindenhurst.patch.com/articles/video-photos-lindy-enjoys-oktoberfest-2012-despite-rain#video-11655376 (you can find us towards the end of the video!).
     This was also the first time that ALL 6 sister queens were together: Amya, Joli, Dominique, Katie, me, and Kira. We even met little Gracie who is competing in her first NAM pageant next year.
  We had a blast raising money for the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, being a part of the festival, and getting to bond with one another!












“And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.” 

-  G. K. Chesterton


 - Shelley