Page 58 - Tennessee Teen Volunteer Judge's Book 2022

What has been your involvement with your platform?
My greatest involvement with my platform has been working with the Lights, Camera, Fashion
Program which benefits St. Jude. Through this program I was able to learn more about
planning, organizing, and executing a variety of fundraisers. I was able to raise over $1700 for
St. Jude by selling handmade jewelry, launching a social media donation drive, and sending
donation request letters to family and friends. My favorite fundraiser was a sing-off that I
hosted, raising over $1,000 for St. Jude. In addition to fundraising for St. Jude, this program
also allowed me to reconnect with a former softball teammate that is a current patient at St.
Jude, Grace, as she was featured in our show. Learning about her struggles allowed me to better
understand how cancer impacts the lives of the patients and their families. This new perspective
further fueled my desire to raise funds for St. Jude and put an end to childhood cancer.
What inspired you to first become involved in your platform?
If you are selected as the winner, how would you mobilize and market your platform nationally?
How would you utilize social media in order to positively further your position as a titleholder if you are selected as the winner?
I was inspired to establish “Abby the Advocate” to benefit St. Jude as my platform based on two
major life experiences: a major loss and a bully. After the loss of my grandfather to cancer at a
young age, I felt the emotional struggle of losing a family member to cancer firsthand. My family
always made it a priority to support St. Jude in honor of my grandfather. Secondly, I faced a
major bullying experience and that inspired me to advocate for those who may not be able to
experiences to make a positive impact on my community and the patients and families of St.
Jude.
advocate for themselves. My platform has allowed me to use what I learned from two difficult
I plan to market my platform through social media campaigns, allowing me to reach a larger
audience and promote my platform nationally. One way that I plan to fundraise is to continue
my local benefit concerts and or open mic nights that have proved to be so successful to date. I
will secure venues at a state level, then expand nationally, which will allow me to share my love
for singing with others while raising funds for St. Jude.
As Miss Tennessee Teen Volunteer, I would make it a priority to showcase the ways that Miss
Tennessee Teen Volunteer has helped me in each of the S.E.R.V.E principles throughout my
journey as a titleholder. One of my goals would be to destigmatize the pageant industry by
connecting with my audience through positive posts, showing that pageants are so much more
than just a crown and pretty dresses. Social media would also allow me to share my story of
facing my giants to overcome fear and self-doubt. Personal growth, inclusion and community
service are at the core of the Miss Teen Volunteer organization, and I would be honored to share
and be an example of the mission of Miss Tennessee Teen Volunteer. I would also consider it a
privilege to share my love of St. Jude across the state and implement more fundraisers to reach a
broader audience. I cannot wait to show Tennessee how the Miss Tennessee Volunteer system
has allowed me to grow and improve myself and in turn to positively impact my community.