Feeling #FAVulous
March 23, 2024
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting the #FAVulous directors from @thefavgroupinc for the upcoming Miss Virginia USA pageant along with the current Miss Virginia USA Ashley Williams and a couple Miss and Teen contestants (shout out to Erin Houston & Alexa Rodriguez).
It was so fun to connect in person and hear about everyone's own pageant journeys as well as what led them to Virginia. I shared how competing in pageants helped pay for my medical school tuition and more about my platform Healthy Habits: encouraging health literacy, accuracy, and advocacy. My story as this year's Miss Charlottesville USA was also recently featured on CBS19News:
Afterward, Miss Virginia USA wanted to see my new children's book, which teaches kids about preventing the spread of medical misinformation online: An Apple A Day: Unraveling Online Myths For Kids. Get your copy here!
The Meet & Greet was hosted at Reflections - Prom and Pageant Shop in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They had some pinterest-worthy backdrops that made for great photo opportunities.
The FAV Group is well versed in pageant production, bringing their mantra of Focus, Authenticity, and Value to life. They even have a GLAM girls experience where girls ages 6 to 13 can join in on the fun during pageant week while building lifelong skills. From interviews and rehearsals to meeting current titleholders including Miss USA and the opportunity to win their own crowns, it is never too soon to begin this #FAVulous journey. Learn more here.
I cannot wait for pageant week. Competing is more than just about winning the crown, sash, and title. It's about connecting, inspiring, learning from, and empowering others. There was so much energy and excitement, I know it's going to be a #FAVulous production. Tickets on sale soon!
NBC29News: Teaching Kids Healthy Habits
March 14, 2024
I had so much fun as Miss Charlottesville USA visiting Moss Nuckols Elementary School to read my children’s book An Apple A Day: Unraveling Online Myths For Kids. As part of my Miss Virginia USA competition platform Healthy Habits, I am teaching children all about online safety to prevent the spread of medical misinformation.
After the reading, I taught them how to write a prescription by having them draw and color in an apple on a prescription template. They handed me the "script" to ensure an expert weighs in (getting my doctor’s signature). Once signed, they brought it over to the "pharmacist" to fill the prescription (handing in the “script” to get their apple). The activity was a hit and the kiddos loved it!
In addition to bringing my book, I brought some goodies including erasers, Dr. Seuss learning flash cards, crayons, and stickers.
And all the children lined up to try my crown on!
It was so wonderful that @anahitajafarytv and NBC29 News were there to capture each moment and show just how meaningful the event was for the kids. One of my favorite parts about competing in pageants is the community outreach and connections we build along the way.
In addition, Mitchell Sasser from the Central Virginian was there to interview me and put together a great article about the children's "visit from royalty." Click HERE to read.
I cannot wait to read my book to more children at schools around Virginia and inspire the future generation to pursue STEM disciplines. Get your copy today on Amazon!
My first children's book!
March 4, 2024
Surprise! My first children’s book is officially published.
So excited to announce my book “An Apple A Day: Unraveling Online Myths for Kids” is now available on Amazon - get your copy today (ebook and print available).
I wrote this book as part of my platform for Miss Virginia USA - Healthy Habits: encouraging health literacy, accuracy, and advocacy. The story takes you on a colorful, fun, and informative adventure about the importance of differentiating fact from fiction. Through rhymes and visually engaging illustrations, readers are both entertained and educated.
Engaging Illustrations: Vibrant playful artwork makes each page stand out in memorable and captivating layers.
Ages 4-9: Designed for children between 4 and 9 years old, this book offers age-appropriate content in a fun rhyming pattern that is perfect for beginner to intermediate readers.
Scavenger Hunt: The end of the book tasks readers to go back through the pages and find as many apples as they can.
Parent-Approved: Moms and dads love the values and themes this book teaches their children in preparing them for future online activity.
Miss America 2024
January 18, 2024
The crown was shining bright as it brought the magic back at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida.
As a forever Miss America state titleholder, Sarah inspired me to compete in Miss America pageants during medical school. Not only did the scholarship money help pay for my tuition but the experience helped shape me into the woman and doctor I am today.
From personal and professional development, to interview and networking skills, community outreach, public speaking, and wardrobe building, this system prepares participants for their future. Learn more about how to compete in pageants HERE.
Everything came full circle when I got to meet up with my pageant sister who won the state title during my year competing - @megancooleyirving!
The four points of the crown are service, style, success, and scholarship. Recently a fifth one was added and I could not agree more: sisterhood. There truly is a lifelong bond that forms between these incredibly talented, smart, beautiful women who are trailblazers, entrepreneurs, and game-changers.
There was so much beauty, brains, and talent on one stage, from passionate discussions on topics like education, politics, and healthcare, to opera singing, Latin dancing, and more. Congratulations to your new Miss America, Miss Colorado Madison Marsh, 2nd lieutenant Air Force Pilot and Harvard graduate student who just made history as the first active US soldier EVER to be crowned Miss America. Her monologue about earning a pilot's license at 16 years old was so powerful and I am excited to see what she accomplishes next in her new role.
And to your Miss America's Teen, Miss North Carolina's Teen Hanley House. In addition to being the first North Carolina delegate to win the national title, she also received the Miss America Ladies Who Launch Scholarship for her Passion to Profit business empowering young entrepreneurs.
I cannot wait to step into my pageant shoes again as I compete for Miss Virginia USA as part of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageant system.
Proving you can serve beyond the uniform (or in my case white coat), with crown, sash, and stethoscope in hand, I’m ready to break down barriers and dismantle stereotypes. Here's to inspiring all the little girls out there with big dreams to become even stronger women with powerful vision.
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