Page 37 - Iris Tennessee Teen Judges Book 2022

What can you do during your Tenure of Service as a Titleholder to impact your community? I will use this opportunity to be a role model within my community and an advocate for foster children. We must all remember that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. I will continue to volunteer and provide treasure to these children at the most vulnerable time of their lives.
What has been your involvement with your platform? With my desire to help foster children, I have collected over 100 new and pre-loved suitcases, backpacks, and totes throughout my community. I want to continue to impact as many foster children as possible by providing them with a “Suitcase of Hope”.
What inspired you to first become involved in your platform? I babysit foster children in my hometown. I, along with my whole family, have fallen in love with each of the children. It has been an eye opener for me as I have seen how much they crave and welcome love and affection. I knew that I had to raise awareness to help other foster children in Tennessee.
If you are selected as the winner, how would you mobilize and market your platform nationally? I plan to continue my work with “Suitcases of Hope”. I will also educate people about the need for and importance of providing for these
children. Unfortunately, social services do not have the financial means to purchase suitcases or duffel bags to pack a child’s meager belongings before being sent to a foster home. I believe that to truly change these kids’ lives we must first meet their basic needs and show them that we care.
How would you utilize social media in order to positively further your position as a titleholder if you are selected as the winner? I get excited thinking about being crowned the next Miss Iris Tennessee Teen Volunteer because it would allow me to establish a larger following on social media to promote “Suitcases of Hope”, as well as educate my generation that we must show compassion, kindness, and generosity to others. Furthermore, I would be dedicated to promoting the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Program across the state sharing about education and volunteerism.