Titleholder Clean Up

One of the unfortunate results of the Fourth of July is a lot of garbage and firework debris left on our city's beautiful beaches.  This year Miss Jacksonville, Sydney Keister, decided to hold a titleholder clean up.  Any and all pageant titleholders were welcome to come.  So bright and early (7 am) we met her on the beach and began the work that would help keep our beaches clean and a safe place for the animals that live there. 

I loved getting the chance to support my sister queen's platform "Keep America Beautiful" but I also learned from this experience.  I had no idea that every year it takes so many volunteers to help keep the beach clean.  I have gained a new appreciation for the beauty I took for granted before. 

My brother and sister (who is my Sunshine Princess) got into the clean up mode too.  They didn't want to leave until every scrap was picked up.  And I bet they never leave trash anywhere anytime after this experience! 

Thanks for inviting us Sydney!

Busy Day with my Princesses

Today I helped my Sunshine Princesses get started on decorating their banks that will hold the change they are collecting for Children's Miracle Network.  The banks are supposed to reflect the theme of the Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant this year which is "Cirque de Crown" so we thought we would start with the bright colors of the pageant logo.  We cut up tissue foil and glued them on the boxes we bought for the banks. 

 

  It was messy, but fun!  We had to scrub the glue off our hands to get ready for our fundraiser for Promise to Kate Foundation.  For three hours we worked a topping bar at Kilwin's Ice Cream and gave out yummy fudge samples.  All of the proceeds, which totalled $200, will go to PTK! 

Kate loved her ice cream!

What a great day!

People's Choice Award

During the Miss Florida Outstanding Teen pageant one lucky contestant is chosen to be a part of the finals night, one of the top eleven contestants, by the People's Choice!  How can you vote?  By going to this website and giving me your vote! 

Each vote costs $1 and all the money goes to the Miss Florida Scholarship Organization. 

You can find me by scrolling down alphabetically to my title, Miss Ponte Vedra Outstanding Teen and giving me your vote! 

Thank you for helping me on my journey to become Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2013!

On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!

Do you like to run?  Have you ever tried a triathalon?  Have you made a Promise to Kate?  Then mark your calendar and send in your registration now for the Atlantic Beach Lifeguards 4th Annual Community Challenge!  All athletic levels of competitors welcome.  The 5K run is for all ages! 

Check out the information by clicking this image!

Princess Time

I love spending time with my Sunshine Princesses and since they've spent so much time helping with our Promise to Kate Junior Board  and raising money for Promise to Kate, I thought it was time to spend a little time pampering them. Today they went with me to the nail salon

Princess time

 

 and we had a great time choosing colors and getting designs painted on our nails.   Since we didn't want our fun time to end soon, we also went out to have some ice cream together. 

Our first serious topic of conversation was the upcoming princess fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network.  Each year, the titleholder's Sunshine Princesses and Princes ask people to donate spare pocket change to add together to make a big change in the life of a sick child.  My girls are planning on asking their friends and teachers at school for a start, but we are continuing to plan different ways to get as much change as we can for them to bring to the Miss Florida pageant in July.  Go girls!  I will support you any way I can. 

Come Join Us!

Calling all kids!  The Promise to Kate Junior Board is open to ANY kids that are interested in joining!  I've had a few more kids ask me, how do you get on the Junior Board?  Well, you just let me know you're interested!  Email me vholtsman@gmail.com  The great thing about our group is that there are opportunities to jump in and do something with a group fundraising event or do your own.  We have had several members do lemonade stands or other self-started events.  Every penny counts and goes into the hands of people that can make a difference. We have all made a Promise to Kate, if you want to join us...let me know!

Pageant Preparations...

My sister and I last year

This year, I will be competing for the title of Miss Florida Outstanding Teen 2013 on July 12 - 13 in St. Petersburg, FL.  I will also be attending and supporting my sister "Miss" queens who are competing July 9 - 11 for the title of Miss Florida 2013.  Each night when I attend the "Miss" preliminaries and each night following my own competitions all titleholders are expected to be dressed in semi-formal wear.  So...if you do the math....that's is a LOT of dresses to shop for!

Today I was fortunate enough to meet with the owner, Thressa Anderson, of Thirty Three Star on Third Street in Jacksonville Beach.  I had a great time trying on her beautiful selection of dresses and making enough choices to be ready for my competition week!  They have a huge selection with beautiful dresses!  Thanks for all your help today Thressa, I can't wait to sparkle and shine in my new dresses all week at the Miss Florida Pageant in July!

Thanks Thressa!

Help us win $1000 for Promise to Kate!

The Junior Board for Promise to Kate has entered a contest on SignUpGenius.com to win $1000 that would go directly to the foundation.  This contest runs through June 2nd, but the challenge is to remember to visit the page every 24 hours to vote again and to get all our friends, family and supports to help us vote!  I made a little card that I keep by the computer to remind myself to vote.  Can you help us?  Please share...and share again!  Click here to vote!

Children's Miracle Network

Miss America and Miss America's Outstanding Teen support and do all they can to raise money for Children's Miracle Network. As an Outstanding Teen titleholder I want to do all I can to support this organization, but it is also important to me because my little Kate benefits from this organization through Wolfson Children's Hospital here in our hometown of Jacksonville.  If you can help me meet and exceed my goal of raising at least $100 I would appreciate your support.  I'm already halfway there!  Here's the link to donate.  Thanks in advance!

Support Children's Miracle Network

Surprise!

As I was walking out my front door on my way to school this morning I had a little surprise....
Look what landed in my yard overnight!  We were flocked!  I loved the flamingo flocking fundraiser that Promise to Kate foundation has been doing but I had no idea I would have a flock land in MY yard!  LOL  My little brother and sister loved it.  They have named all the flamingos and want them to stay forever. 

We were flocked!

Bake Sale at Kindergarten Round Up Night

Many of the kids in the Promise to Kate Junior Board attend Chets Creek Elementary School.  Each year the school does a "Kindergarten Round Up" one evening in April for kids that will be coming to school there in the fall.  We thought that might be a good place to set up a table for a bake sale!  So my awesome Junior Board members baked and wrapped cookies and brownies and some brought cupcakes. 

We greeted the sweet new incoming kindergarteners with smiles and many families not only bought baked goods, but left donations as well.  We raised over $200 that night! 

In our first 6 months as a group, this Junior Board has raised over $1500.00 for Promise to Kate foundation.  WOW!  I keep reminding the kids that every dollar will help scientists with research and hospitals with treating kids with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy and similar health problems.  They may be small but these kids are making a BIG difference.  Go PTK Jr. Board!  Can't wait to see what we come up with next!

Mochi Night Fundraiser

Have you ever had delicious Mochi frozen yogurt?  If not, you don't know what you are missing!  And you never know what new flavors or topping will be there the next time you go.  Yummy!  A personal favorite.

The Conte Family

Then I found out that our neighborhood Mochi was allowing groups to have fundraising nights.  The Promise to Kate Junior Board and I set up our first Mochi night several days ago and it was a hit!  My sunshine princesses Lexie and Lauren were there thanking people for coming and asking them to put their receipts in the bucket for us to get 20% profit of the evening's sales.  Many other Junior Board members stopped by to help, buy some Mochi for themselves and also spread the word.  Even Kate's family came by to enjoy some Mochi!

The wonderful owner of Hodges Pointe Mochi, Patti Bethea, let us know the next morning that we made over $500 for PTK!   That was a tally of the 20% of receipts from the evening as well as a generous donation from Ms. Bethea herself.  Thank you so much!  We will frequent Mochi often and hope to do another fundraiser with you in the future!  And thank you to all our sweet friends and family that came out to support us.  More photos from the evening are here.

And I just have to ask...what's your favorite flavor?  My mom and I love Taro...

Sunshine Princesses

The Sunshine Princess Program is a part of the Miss Florida Scholarship pageant.  It is designed to mentor young girls from the ages of 5 to 12 before they reach competition age.  The girls are mentored by the titleholder that chooses them as their princess.  Last year, my little sister was my princess.  She enjoyed doing work with my platform, Promise to Kate foundation, making appearances and participating in the fun during Miss Florida week.

Hat parade and meeting Miss Florida, Miss Florida Outstanding Teen and Miss America Outstanding Teen

Performing on the stage with Miss Florida and all the other Sunshine Princesses from the state

So this year, I of course continued to have my sister Lexie as a princess, but each girl can have up to five so two of Lexie's friends are joining us.  Meet Josey and Lauren!

My two NEW princesses!

They are so cute and have already jumped in being big helpers during PTK Junior Board activities such as our recent Brucci's pizza night fundraiser! 

Yesterday my three cute princesses had a playdate.  I could not stop laughing when my mom showed me their dance video.  It totally shows their personalitities.  Enjoy!



Just Dance - Beautiful 

Brucci's Night for PTK

The Junior Board for Promise to Kate wants to do all they can to make money to give the hospital and scientists to find a cure for Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.  The first official group fundraiser we planned was a dinner night at Brucci's Pizza.  Basically, the way it worked was the manager gives the wait staff the night off on Tuesdays and your fundraising group can serve, take orders, bus tables and clean up and you get all the tips for the night.   

The PTK Junior Board (and their family team of helpers) arrived for the dinner shift last night at 5 pm.  This picture shows the first shift, more helpers continued to arrive!

Promise to Kate Junior Board

We were so BUSY all night we barely had time for more photos but here are a few of the crew in action.

And one of the sweet little Kate we made a promise to...

The kids on the Junior Board ROCKED!  They were so sweet to all the customers asking to refill drinks, taking orders and cleaning up.  The owner of Brucci's said we did a FANTASTIC job!

And guess how much we raised?  $740.00!!!!!!

One especially special moment of the night for me was when my little brother, Chase (9 years old) told me he had written a speech to give at the restaurant.  I had to explain that it was probably going to be too loud for everyone to hear him but that I would post it on my blog.  Here it is:

In case it's too small for you to read, here's a translation (with his spelling):

Thank you for coming tonight but remember all the tips will go to the fodation Promise to Kate.  And the tips will go to Wolfsen Children hospital.  Now I will tell you a little bit about Kate she a little girl who has a very rare disease which is mitonic-musculers-destephey that disabels her body that is not as strong as us so please make a Promise to Kate and help this girl be like us.  thank you

This group of fabulous kids takes their Promise seriously.  Won't you join us?

Flamingo Flocking!

Promise to Kate recently kicked off a new fundraiser called Flamingo Flocking!  Basically, there are flocks of cute pink flamingos that can be "sent" to someone's yard if you pay to "flock" them.  And all the proceeds go to Promise to Kate foundation.  How fun is that? 

It costs $25 to flock a friend and the flamingos will migrate away after 48 hours.  They arrive with a sign stating that the owners of the house have been "flocked" by Promise to Kate.  Help us raise more money to find a cure for Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy and have a little fun.  Click HERE to go to the page to arrange your flock today!

 

THINK PINK!

FCAT Writes

       I arrived promptly at school early and ready to write on this past Tuesday morning, thoughts were swirling throughout my head at what kind of prompt was going to be thrown at me from our state writing test. When I opened up my booklet,  my prompt read:  Suppose you had the chance to interview anyone. Who would it be and why?  Well,  my heart dropped and I sank low in my seat with a weight above my head because at that moment I really didn't have a clue who I should write about. About ten minutes of sitting and narrowing down the choices I had in my head I decide to write my essay about the wonderful Heather Whitestone.  For all of you who don't know, she is Miss America 1995. But wait there's a catch, she isn't only a past Miss America but she is the first and only deaf woman who has won the so glorious title of Miss America. I chose Heather because I had recently done a project on her for one of my classes and knew a plethora of information about her. Everything from service events she took part in to all the schools she attended to get the best education that she could. I can honestly say I had so much fun writing this essay thanks to Heather for being so inspiring !

Getting Geared Up for Picture a Cure!

Yesterday was a Promise to Kate - Junior Board work day to get ready for the big night - Picture a Cure!  We tied ribbons and cards on water bottles, counted out bunches of M & Ms in little baggies and stuffed gift bags.  But with all of us there working it was done in no time!

All of this will be seen at the big Picture a Cure fundraiser!  Last year was lots of fun for kids and adults as well as good food and many items up for bid on silent auction.  Check it out, I have my tickets, do you?

Wolfson One to Grow On Birthday Celebration

I've written before about my commitment to do whatever I can to support Promise to Kate Foundation, and Wolfson Children's Hospital is one of the organizations we support with the money raised.  This is a busy fundraising time for Wolfson Children's Hospital.  During their One to Grow On celebration they are having a variety of fundraising activities but the telethon was a great way to get the fundraising started!

During our time manning the phones little Kate had fun helping answer the not ringing phones to practice.  She said, "Hi, I love you, goodbye." That girl has phone manners!  I enjoyed getting to meet the news anchors and families of other children who have been touched by the amazing doctors, nurses and support staff at Wolfson Children's Hospital.

This year as a part of the One To Grow On celebration, Kate Conte was chosen as one of Wolfson's 55 children to benefit from their care in the past year.  Kate and her family were honored at the annual birthday celebration that followed the Ultra Marathon and other runs raising money for the hospital.  I was honored to be there to meet other families with children honored as one of the "55" and to help hand out the medals in the recognition ceremony.  What a special day and a special group of people.  Special thank you to my sister queens for coming out to support!

Read It Forward

Read It Forward Jax is a program from Duval County Public Schools that promotes reading for students in all grades.  When they had a recent fundraiser at Chick-fil-a restaurants around the city, the media specialist from my old elementary school asked me come help her meet and greet kids.  What fun!  The kids had a great time listening to stories, bouncing in the bounce house and doing some fun reading activities.  I'm glad I got to help support such a great cause!

Colorful Delivery to Wolfson Children's Hospital

I posted a few months ago about a coloring book drive I was doing for the children staying at Wolfson Children's Hospital.

With the help of friends, family and the students at Chets Creek Elementary I collected 778 coloring books, crayons and toys for the kids!  Thank you to everyone who donated even one book!

Yesterday I spent three hours going to each room with a patient at Wolfson.  Some kids were too sick to even sit up but I spoke with them and picked their favorite character coloring book to leave at their bedside for them to color when they felt better.

I think my favorite moment of the day was getting to visit with a two year old little boy that was staying in the oncology unit.  He was sitting on his mom's lap and laying his head on her chest but when I showed him the coloring book and hot wheels car I had for him he sat up and smiled.  That sweet smile made my day.  I know that the surprises made his day a little brighter.

I hope to spend time volunteering again at Wolfson in the near future!  The One to Grow On celebration is coming up soon!