BookEnds Scrabble Challenge

This Thursday, March 8th, I had the opportunity to attend the annual BookEnds Scrabble Challenge in Los Angeles. I would like to thank Gayle Baigelman, the Associate Director, for having me at this amazing event! This fundraiser benefitted BookEnds, an organization established in 1998 that has donated more than two million books.

I really enjoyed meeting all the attendees and hearing how they are involved with children's literacy. I also had the pleasure of meeting Brandon Keefe, who founded BookEnds when he was only eight years old.

In addition to the delicious buffet dinner and silent auction, over 200 guests competed in the Scrabble competition. My partner Ashley Sacks, who is on the BookEnds Board of Directors, and I won our Scrabble game!

Ventura County International Pageant Practice

Sunday, March 4, was the last practice for the Miss & Miss Teen Ventura County International 2013 pageant. We reviewed all areas of competition and finished learning the opening number routine. A big thank you to our wonderful choreographer, Natalie Ozkilkis!

Left to right: Me, Natalie Ozkilkis, Allison Bowman

Tierra Linda Book Drive

On Wednesday, February 29th, I went to Tierra Linda, an elementary school in Camarillo, and left a box in the office for any book donations that students bring in. This book donation drive will last throughout the month of March. All of the used books will be donated to an organization called BookEnds, which distributes books to schools and youth organizations in desperate need of them.