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 

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

I'm Voting.

     National American Miss teaches girls about the values and ideals of being a good citizen, role model, and individual. About being confident in yourself and your abilities. Not be ignorant of your flaws, but embrace them and be on a path to fix them. To grow and learn from each experience.
    This empowerment is especially important in this election year. We should be ready to stand up for what we believe in and go out and have our voice heard. We should be informed, aware, and prepared. We should, if you can, register to vote!
     I am so excited that the year I turned 18, I am able to vote! I even made some of my friends register when we were near a booth at the park. I really believe that each person should be able to have a say in their future.
I challenge all the contestants, families, and friends to get informed, take a stand, and take the pledge:
https://www.facebook.com/cnn?sk=app_195983790531602
 I'm voting! Are you?

got books?

If you have any new or gently used books, donate them to S.P.A.R.K.'s annual book drive! 

If you cannot make it to Staten Island, email us at sparkselfesteem@gmail.com for a S.P.A.R.K. chapter near you!

ebc radio interview.

     I had the honor of bring interviewed on EBC Radio about National American Miss and my work with S.P.A.R.K. (Students Partnering and Reaching Kids)! 

     Radio Guru Kulraaj Anand was so awesome and hospitable. It was such a fun and interesting experience being on the radio! We talked about the benefits of National American Miss, my work with S.P.A.R.K., and my own advice to teens. 

     He was so impressed with my speaking skills (Thank you National American Miss!), that I even recorded a commercial for his radio station! 

Thank you EBC Radio and Kulraaj Anand for having me and S.P.A.R.K. on your radio show! 

Check out www.facebook.com/SPARKSelfEsteem to start your own S.P.A.R.K. club chapter! 

"An image is not simply a trademark, a design, a slogan or an easily remembered picture. It is a studiously crafted personality profile of an individual, institution, corporation, product or service."
-Daniel J. Boorstin

-Shelley

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