let's light the night.

     After the Columbus Day Parade, it was off to the Light the Night Walk at Midland Beach! The Light the Night walk benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an organization close to my heart. It was such a powerful and moving experience, being their among all the survivors, families, fighters, and supporters. Everybody is so positive and hopeful, it is so contagious. Some of the people I met left me speechless; they are so strong and courageous and have accomplished great things and overcome many obstacles. 

      Each walker receives a balloon with a light in it. At the start of the walk they ask you to raise your balloon if you are a survivor, fighter, or a supporter of fighting against cancer. When people raised their balloons at the end, in a promise to stick together, it gave me chills to see so much drive and determination. At the end of the walk, walkers put their balloons on the fence as a symbol of hope and light. The fence was so bright and symbolic of all the people we have lost to cancer, the people fighting, and the families and friends who are here to join the cause. It was such a beautiful sight, and we really did Light the Night.

      I volunteered in the VIP tent with teams that had raised over 10k. I got to meet the lovely St. Claire's cheerleaders who did a phenomenal job fundraising. I also got to reconnect with my SI Pageant Queens, Jamie Macchia, Miss Staten Island 2012, and Alexa Moley, Miss Richmond County's Outstanding Teen 2012. These girls are fabulous and were part of the Miss Staten Island's Angels team that raised money in memory of Dominic LaForgia, a former SI Tech student who passed away from leukemia. 

     I also got a chance to speak to many of the other volunteers there. I love talking about National American Miss and reversing a lot of the stereotypes people have about pageants. When I tell people what NAM is, how it has changed me, and what it does for girls all over the country, everyone is surprised. They always tell me that it is so great to see "good" pageants for girls that are emphasizing the right values. 

     That night it hit me, my appearances accomplish so much more than I even realize. I get to support great causes, help great organizations, change stereotypes about scholarship pageants, meet inspirational people, and feel a sense of accomplishment and bliss. It is healthy for my soul to give back to others and give back to a fabulous system that has changed me forever.

"Always render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be." 

-Og Mandino

-Shelley

Columbus Day Parade!

     My sister queens and I had the honor of walking in the annual Whitestone Columbus Day Parade! It was such a prideful parade, full of spirit, music, and color. This is one of the many fun bonding experiences you get to have with your sister queens. When you all have walked a couple of miles in those sky-high Steve Maddens, posed for pictures at almost every street corner, goofed off with the girls and their mothers, help a jr. pre-teen prepare for her math test, gotten a police escort back to the start of the parade, and gotten to eat at an awesome pizzeria with some of the most talented girls in New York, its impossible not to become sisters in a day. 

     My dad and I got lost on our way to the parade, so Grand Marshall, former state Sen. Frank Padavan quizzed me on the date Columbus discovered America. I got it right. Thank you second grade songs. ("Columbus sailed the ocean blue, on October 12th, 1492") And it doesn't hurt that October 12th happens to be my birthday!

    We also had the honor of meeting Councilman Dan Halloran, members of the Associazione Nazionale Alpini Sezione di New York, Italian American Association, and Italian-American Veterans from the Air Force and Navy.

    The amount of Italian pride was absolutely awesome to see! It is so touching to see people connect with their heritage and culture in such a spectacular way. I think that being in touch with your roots is a great way to discover yourself and your identity. I was honored to be a part of this awesome celebration! 

"In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips."

  ~Author Unknown

-Shelley

S.P.A.R.K. at the YMCA!

On September 28th, S.P.A.R.K. Core Team member, Danielle and I went to the YMCA on Staten Island and did a workshop! It was an awesome event! 

We told the kids that if they were good, Miss New York Teen would come and read to them afterwards. We did some great activities, and because they were great, Miss NY Teen did stop by and read Chrysanthemum to them. We had a great discussion about goals and dreams, and what makes us special.

The kids were so excited and receptive and when we asked them what they had learned, it was evident that they had gotten our message that they were special indeed. The kids were so adorable! 

What I love about S.P.A.R.K. is that we can tailor our workshop for all age levels and environments! 

To start your own S.P.A.R.K. chapter at your high school or university, you can contact sparkselfesteem@gmail.com !

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SPARKSelfEsteem

on Twitter: @SPARKSelfEsteem

on Instagram: @SPARKSelfEsteem

"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy. "
-Rabindranath Tagore 

-Shelley

the countdown begins.

NATIONALS is in about 2 months!

I am so utterly, completely, beyond excited for the chance to meet some of the most spectacular, talented, accomplished, and giving teens in the entire nation. 

This is my newest addition to my computer desktop:

This countdown is not towards a competition, but towards an experience. 

My last NAM nationals experience was in 2005, and it changed my life forever. However, as an eager 10-year-old, I spent most of my time in California in awe of everything from the Disney roller coasters to my new ball gown. 

This year, I will be an 18-year-old, ready to learn, explore, and discover more about myself, my limits, and my ambitions. Being among inspirational teens is so empowering, and then getting a chance to meet adorable and eager princesses, jr. pre-teens, and pre-teens and share your own experiences with them and help guide them is such an honor. (S.P.A.R.K. connection anyone?)

But most of all I am excited to be able to spend time with my family, meet new friends, and get every girl excited to SPARK a change in somebody's life. 

So much to prepare for mentally, physically, and pageant-ally too of course.

"First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do."
Epictetus

Shelley Jain

reflect.

I will never forget my own 9/11 story.

     I was let out of second grade early, we all waited in the courtyard, confused and excited that school had let out early. Then some of the older kids started talking about hearing bangs, the teachers refused to tell us anything, and all we could do was wait on. One by one parents started to pick their kids up and when my mom picked me up, I asked her what happened.
     I remember her telling me that something terrible happened, but she didn't know everything so we had to wait until we got home.
     At home the TV was on and everyone was glued to the set. We watched as the second plane hit the second tower. I remember being scared and confused. We watched the towers fall, the country almost reach a stand-still, the fierceness of ever single person who refused to let this tragedy knock them down.
My uncle ran through the door and started screaming about what he had seen first-hand, en route to the Manhattan via the Staten Island Ferry - a plane crashing into the Twin Towers.
     The news stayed on in my house for hours, as my family followed the stories of the innocent men and women that lost their lives, brave men and women that valiantly risked and gave their lives to ensure the safety of others.
     I remember learning for the first time how much hate was in the world, how some people tried to hurt others because they didn't see eye to eye, how quick your life could be over. I remember hearing the sad stories, the miracle stories, the happy stories. But most of all, I remember the sense of resilience that filled my house, my school, my city, my state, and my nation - never will we forget the tragedies that took place 11 years ago, and never will we be weakened by them. We will not, can not let anything tear us down, for we are New Yorkers, we are Americans, we are taller, we are stronger.

     I am proud to have the honor of representing the great state of New York and the great New York City this year. Born and raised in New York City, I am honored to call myself a true New Yorker and proud of how we have stayed united and strong through all the attempts that have been made to abolish our resolve. We have learned to reflect upon what our true priorities in life are, and reflect upon what it means to be an American.

When we reflect on the events that transpired, it makes us stronger.

Never forget the people that gave and give their lives for our freedom and safety everyday and every night. 

Never forget the power of unity, the importance of friendship, the necessity of love.

Never forget September 11, 2001.

Never forget.

Reflect.

Shelley Jain

my favorite things.

I love NAM and I love making little kids smile. 

Combining two of my favorite things at the NAM New Jersey Pageant was so much fun!

My first appearance after my crowning, this was certainly memorable. I was only able to stay for the Princess pageant due to the hectic life of a college pageant queen. However, the Princess division is my favorite division of girls to talk to (they are probably the most adorable things that roam the Earth), so I felt a little better about heading back to the college life.

My favorite thing to do after a princess pageant is go inspire the little girls clinging to their mothers and fathers and looking so sad that it makes your heart melt. I march right up to them and ask if I can have to honor of taking a picture with them when they are ready (so far my success rate is 100%). I tell them my own NAM story about trying and never giving up. I also congratulate them on everything they have learned this weekend. They start off in reluctant  acceptance with my encouragement, but then are convinced of their own future by my own NAM story of almost a decade.

That is one of the core values of S.P.A.R.K. -  teens raising self-esteem in young children through positive influences. I try to connect with the girls and give them some encouragement for the future, and each time parents chime in with me about never giving up and pursuing your goals. I am so thankful to the way National American Miss changes the lives of girls and their families all over the nation - creating not only inspired individuals but individuals with a sense of purpose and action. These girls are the future and NAM does amazing things to change their lives for the better. I am so honored that I can contribute in even a piece of the positive influence of a girl's NAM experience. 

I don't think anything will replace the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction I get when I leave a younger child with a light of inspiration and wonder in their eyes at the limitless possibilities of their future. If I can raise somebody's self-esteem by even a notch - I know that my work and life is heading in the right direction.  

I think everyone, especially teens have the power to positively impact somebody's life. I believe in the power of a mentor - the power of hope and dreaming. I know that every teen who has the opportunity to give back to their community by positively impacting somebody's life is blessed with the ability to change a life. That kind of opportunity cannot afford to be missed, and it can most certainly be created. Making a positive influence starts with creating a positive mindset. It starts with believing you have the power to make a difference. It starts with YOU.


SPARK on.

Few of the girls I had the privilege of making smile at the NAM NJ Princess Pageant. 

(There were lots of high-fives and hugs before and after the pictures shown below.)

Getting to reconnect with some lovely NAM queens:

"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight."

-Phyllis Diller

Shelley Jain

reflections.

     When I look back at the pictures from this year's National American Miss Pageant, I think of how much I have changed since my first NAM Pageant in 2004!
      I still get a little bit of butterflies before I go on stage, but when I am on that stage it is complete, utter comfort and bliss.
      This year was different for me because I knew that this was the last time I would be stepping on that NAM New York stage at the Brooklyn Marriott as a state finalist. My focus was so different this year, so strange. I wasn't there to win, I was there to prove to myself, to reinforce, that the young woman I had grown into was confident, poised, articulate, calm, passionate, friendly, and willing to step out of her comfort zone to take a risk that would make a positive impact. And the fact that I wanted to have some well-rounded and positively influencing fun before I started a grueling 8 year journey on my path to becoming a physician.
     NAM was all that and more.
     Maybe because it was my last year and my mind was more nostalgic and absorbent, but every emotion, experience, and event stays etched in my mind with a type of clarity that makes me marvel in wonder. The people I met, the thoughts exchanged, the moments I shared this weekend - everything reaffirms why I love NAM so very much and why I keep coming back home to my NAMily.
I don't think I have ever been so relaxed and at peace at a pageant like the way I was that weekend. It didn't even feel like a competition- it just felt like a bunch of girls getting together, getting dressed up, and inspiring one another. (Which I guess it technically was.)
      When my name was called as the Actress Competition Winner, I knew that I had shown the judges my true personality- my corny, silly, outgoing, and passionate personality. That was the moment I knew that I had exceeded my expectations.
Winning the title of Miss New York Teen was just the icing on the cake and it absolutely means so much to me. The fact that I was given the responsibility to represent some of New York City's finest and fiercest teens is so humbling. I am so excited with everything that is lined up for the upcoming year.
     The biggest thing I will remember this weekend are the girls I got to know and spend time with and that took the time to come up to me after the pageant and give me some great words of congratulations and encouragement. The most special one was when a new friend told me that she wasn't even upset that she hadn't won the crown because it had gone to someone as deserving as me. I was so honored and humbled. That was my true win that weekend, gaining the friendships of some passionate, bright young ladies who I am so proud to call my friends.

Just of a few of the lovely ladies I am honored to call my friends.

You can make a new friend but you can't make an old one.
~ Tom Bodett

Shelley Jain

books, and bags, and bears! oh my!

One of my favorite things about being Miss New York Teen 2012 is being able to continue to do great service projects in my community!

My first service activity was donating over 2,000 books and school supplies, that were donated by National American Miss New York contestants, to my nonprofit organization S.P.A.R.K. 

The supplies were then sorted and donated to various organizations around Staten Island including Against Da Grill, where underpriviledged children received the school supplies and books just in time for school to start.

Thank you to NAM New York Contestants for their generous donations.

I love National American Miss because of it's emphasis on community service. Because each contestant can make a difference by donating a book or bear it really highlights the fact that you don't need a crown or a banner to make a difference. I truly believe that. Anybody can make a difference if they want to. That's why S.P.A.R.K. has endured. I will stick with S.P.A.R.K. far beyond my reign and pageant career. And thats the beauty of National American Miss: Girls empowered enough to make a positive difference in the world and the lives of others, long after they step off that NAM stage. 

(Please excuse the messy garage and lack of good pictures. Family wedding madness may have contributed to lack of creativity and planning ahead in the picture documentation process.)

"Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy."  

-Mahatma Gandhi 

- Shelley