No need for strenuous workouts. My sister queen Carolyn and I started the month off right by dancing our little tushes off at the MU Dance Marathon benefitting Children's Miracle Network. It was great seeing so many people supporting CMN!
My lovely sisters came too!
Too much fun!
I then had the privelege of volunteering at the Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament. Everyone there was so wonderful, and they had one heck of an introduction night to the state tournament! The place was absolutely packed.
They had me pass out special awards!
My favorite basketball team!
Dance party!
AND I got to hang out with the cheerleaders
After orientation, my mom and I got stuck in Columbia due to bad weather, but it is interesting how some mishaps can be a blessing in disguise. At the hotel, I met a little four-year-old boy named Rylan. He and his family were there because Rylan is staying at the MU's Children's Hospital. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in early December and has undergone a number of Chemotherapy treatments. He and his family are staying so positive, and are very hopeful for the future. It was a blessing to meet them because it truly finalized why I am involved in the Miss Missouri organization and why I want to give myself through service so much.
I decided to go visit my friends at Hawthorn Elementary School and make "get well soon" cards for Rylan. My kindergarten and first grade friends loved the idea and worked hard to make the cards perfect, which they were. We had so much fun making the cards. We took time to pray for Rylan and his family and discussed how important it is to count our blessings.
I cannot wait to give Rylan his cards!
After that, I headed to Zona Rosa with my good friend, Kari Gai, and collected funds two days in a row for the Mix 93.3 Mix for Kids Radiothon benefitting CMN! The sweet people of Granite City let us come inside from the bitter cold to collect and then gave us gift cards. We had so much fun and so many laughs those days.
We then went back to Mix 93.3's headquarters where we dropped off the money we made to the CMN volunteers. They are just the sweetest people!
That same day, I volunteered at Hawthorn Elementary School once again. A staff of volunteers and I made root beer floats for the kids during the science and book fair. There were a lot of neat science projects and a lot of proud kids. It was fun being able to tell kids about my Biochemistry major and how much I love science too!
The next night I was invited to attend "Night with the Stars" held by the Park Hill School District. They announced all of the scholarship winners, the successful students, and myself along with my accomplishments. I am glad I can make my old district so proud, and I am very proud of all of the scholarship recipients!
Bright and early the next day, Carolyn Cianciolo, Kari Gai and I all celebrated Greater Kansas City Day by selling newspapers with Kansas City stars on the side of the street. All proceeds go to a special needs kids summer camp, and boy was it worth fundraising for! We got to hang out with Bobby Bell (a Chiefs Hall of Famer), multiple Royals and Chiefs players, the Chiefs announcer, KC Wolf (the mascot and my seat buddy), and many other local stars. This is definitely my favorite appearances thus far!
A big thank you goes out to my mom for supporting me throughout my reign, to Angie Young for always being there to talk to when I need some stress-free advice, for Carolyn and Kari for being such wonderful friends and appearance buddies, and for all of the organizations I have listed above for including me to help make a difference. Until next time..
Love and blessings,
Alexis
