Page 58 - Iris Tennessee Teen Judges Book 2022

What can you do during your Tenure of Service as a Titleholder to impact your community? As your new Miss Tennessee Iris Teen I would make it a priority to visit schools, classrooms, and local government meetings to talk about better sex education in our schools. 2022 statistics show that Tennessee is 10th highest in the nation for unwanted teen pregnancies and I believe this is partially due to poor sex eduction taught in our schools. By having better health classes we can help prevent unwanted pregnancies, diseases, bring awareness to predators, abuse, and a better understanding of their bodies. By doing so I believe I can make a positive influence not only in my community but in the great state of Tennessee.
What has been your involvement with your platform? In the past three years I have held several fundraisers for St. Jude including raffles, teaming up with local small businesses, “raisin rabbits”, and utilizing social media to help fundraise my push-up challenge . Throughout my efforts I have been able to personally raise over $14,000 and contribute to over $200,000. I have held card drives at local schools for the patients at St. Jude as-well as promoted virtual card drives. In addition I have given patients personal care baskets, cards, and t-shirts for awareness. This past month I participated in “ Push-Ups for my St. Jude Family Change”. I feel it is important to educate about others about those who are affected by childhood cancer and the progress St. Jude has made in combating this disease by speaking to schools, local groups, and social media.
What inspired you to first become involved in your platform? Since a young age I have been involved with fundraising for St. Jude, but it wasn’t until four years ago I was affected firsthand by childhood cancer. In the past four years three people close to me were diagnosed with preadolescence cancer, two of which are fatal. Seeing how cancer took over my friends and families lives, I want to prevent anyone else from experiencing such. In December of 2020 I suffered from a small stroke and had white legions in my brain; after months of uncertainty I could finally rest assured. Going through this hard time in my life made me become even more grateful for research hospitals, like St. Jude. My goal is to end childhood cancer to prevent others to go through such a scary disease.
If you are selected as the winner, how would you mobilize and market your platform nationally? As your new Miss Tennessee Iris Teen I would use my platform to spread awareness for childhood cancer. Starting off I would hold a press conference to speak about the impact of childhood cancer and the work St. Jude has done to combat it. Then, I would ask all the title holders to participate in a card drive for the nurses, patients, doctors, families, and workers at St. Jude. In the fall I would host a 5K fundraiser in Jackson to benefit the hospital. At Christmas time I will use social media to ask for donates in order to create custom care packages for patients. Lastly when I travel for state pageants I will speak to others about childhood cancer and how they can help.
How would you utilize social media in order to positively further your position as a titleholder if you are selected as the winner? In today's world I think we all need a little more positivity, and my social media would be just that. That being said, I would provide a daily uplifting quote to inspire others. Additionally I would showcase a new titleholder every week by hosting a virtual interview, highlighting their service, and spreading their platform. Lastly I would reach out to girls in order to gain interest in becoming apart of the Miss Volunteer America family.