Page 105 - Iris Tennessee Teen Judges Book 2022

What can you do during your Tenure of Service as a Titleholder to impact your community? As a titleholder, I serve as a role model in every activity I am involved in and every opportunity that I am presented with. I believe that it is important to lead by example and to practice integrity. I influence my community by setting an example in the classroom, on the soccer field and basketball court, in my community and at church. Daily, I serve people with respect and love. Being able to give back to others and help in any capacity that I can is important to me.
What has been your involvement with your platform? For as long as I can remember, I have participated in activities related to the McNairy County Carl Perkins Center. One of my favorite activities is the “Angel Tree Project” where my mom and I select three children in the community who need help during the Christmas holidays and purchase gifts for them. I volunteer my time and monetary efforts to contribute to providing resources for the Center. I have also been to sponsor several fundraisers to benefit the Carl Perkins Center. I have raised money through donations and raffles. I am most proud to be able to combine my love for soccer with raising funds and awareness of the Carl Perkins Center by offering a Soccer Camp for girls Kindergarten through sixth grade. This camp not only helped me be able to give back to the Carl Perkins Center, but also to be able to mentor young girls as well. I was also very excited to be able to participate in the Carl Perkins Superhero Day for Prevention of Child Abuse. I was able to use my platform to speak to children about my experiences and use my experiences as motivation for others.
At school, I read to younger children in grades pre-k through third grade. I choose to read books to the children about anti-bullying, being kind to others, and reacting to terrible situations in life. These books are in line with my platform and personal feelings I have experienced in the past. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer my time at events to raise money for the McNairy County Carl Perkins Center. Because of my personal experience, I know I can make a positive impact on children who are experiencing mental or physical abuse.
What inspired you to first become involved in your platform?
If I were chosen as Miss Tennessee Iris Teen, I would use the title to help bring more awareness to child abuse and provide more resources statewide. I would tell my story and speak about how I overcame such a hard time in my life. With our generation utilizing social media so often, I would post parts of my story; along with data and facts about Child Abuse Awareness. I would speak with adults about how important it is to be a mandated reporter and ways that they can help children who need it. With the title, I would speak to governmental officials about their role and how important it is to not let child abuse go unacknowledged as a problem.
If you are selected as the winner, how would you mobilize and market your platform nationally? If I were chosen as Miss Tennessee Iris Teen, I would tell my story to children who are going through what I experienced. I would tell them to speak up and tell someone. Do not sit in silence and let this continue to happen. I would use the title to help bring more awareness and provide more resources statewide. With our generation utilizing social media so often, I would post parts of my story; along with data and facts about Child Abuse Awareness. The bravest people in this world have gone through trials and situations that they have overcome and I want to tell people that it is ok to speak up and ask for help. I want to spread the message of being brave enough to speak up, because in the end, God got me through my situation and you can come out of your situation braver than you would ever believe you could be.