Page 79 - Tennessee Teen Volunteer Judge's Book 2022

What can you do during your Tenure of Service as a Titleholder to impact your community?
As Miss Tennessee Teen Volunteer, I will make an impact by continuing to implement Best Buddies programs in schools and communities all throughout Tennessee. I will promote and emphasize the importance of inclusion to young children in an effort to foster an early understanding that all kids need to know they have a friend and a feeling of belonging. I will continue to show children with disabilities that they are perfect in every way and to never let anyone make them feel differently.
What has been your involvement with your platform?
For the past two years, I have been serving as the President of the Best Buddies Chapter at Arlington High School. I am driven to continue to lead from the front and show my fellow students how important it is to make and build strong relationships with students with special needs in our school and beyond. I have worked hard throughout these years to not only support my buddies, Alex and Andrew, and understand their struggles, but I have also helped create and strengthen the relationships between other students and their buddies. I have also created and coordinated a plan to start a Best Buddies chapter in my local elementary school because I am convinced that the sooner we introduce our kids to the importance of making sure everyone is included, the more success we will have building strong and lasting relationships with children with disabilities in the future.
What inspired you to first become involved in your platform?
I have always had a love for working with those who have special needs. My love started when I was six years old when I became friends with a boy who lived down the street from me. His name is Ethan, and he is autistic. I saw him live his life so big; doing everything that he loved and having so much fun every day. But, I also saw his struggles and how he was on occasion treated differently than others. Ever since then I have wanted to help these kids feel special and included.
If you are selected as the winner, how would you mobilize and market your platform nationally?
If I am chosen to take on the job of Miss Tennessee Teen Volunteer, I will continue to share my stories and the successes that this program brings to those who participate in it. My stories and friendships are powerful and can show people the amazing work this organization is achieving because of the wonderful friendships being formed. I know that this program can change lives, just as it changed mine, and I want to share it with others across Tennessee. I will proudly stand as the voice of Best Buddies and as an advocate for these children who deserve to be treated with kindness, love, and acceptance.
How would you utilize social media in order to positively further your position as a titleholder if you are selected as the winner?
I will continue to advocate for children with disabilities by sharing easy ways to include them in daily life and how to best support them. I will continue to use my social media to be able to reach people everywhere and to provide help to anyone looking for ways to be inclusive. I will use social media to help fundraise for events that promote inclusion and advocate for people with disabilities. I will continue to share my photos and stories to show everyone all the happiness and wonderful things that Best Buddies brings.