Rotary Club Presentation

On December 21st, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at a Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Sunrise meeting about the children's book club I started. I am so grateful to be able to advocate for literacy throughout my community! In addition, I participated in the Rotary's white elephant gift exchange and ended up with a digital camera keychain and digital photo ornament. It was such a great morning! Thanks to Joe Joyce, President of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Sunrise, for inviting me.

Camarillo Christmas Parade

On December 10th, I was in the Camarillo Christmas Parade. This was such a fun experience! I'd like to thank the Rusnak Audi dealership in Westlake Village for graciously lending their convertibles. I really appreciate it!

Camarillo Christmas Tree Lighting

On December 2nd, I made an appearance at the Camarillo Christmas Tree Lighting with my sister titleholders - Tatiana Juarez (Junior Miss Ventura County International 2012), Allison Bowman (Miss Ventura County International 2012), and Jennifer Morris (Mrs. Ventura County International 2012). We helped out with the grand opening of the store Rock This Town, as well as passed out cookies and wished passerbys a merry Christmas.

Magic Tree House Book Club

Forty-two million adult Americans can't read, and that number is increasing by 2.25 million people annually. Because of this, I have been trying to increase the literacy rate through the children's book club I started over the summer. By making crafts and playing games related to each week's book, the children begin to associate enjoyment with reading. I am so proud to have helped the children find or continue their love of reading.

This Friday, November 27th, we covered the 23rd book in the Magic Tree House series, Twister on Tuesday. In this book, the characters Jack and Annie study a familiar poem - "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." To coincide with the book, the children and I decorated wooden stars, made out of popsicle sticks, with markers, stickers, pom poms, and buttons. I even attached some string, so the craft doubled as an ornament for the holidays.

Magic Tree House Book Club

On Friday, October 28th, I ran the weekly meeting for the Magic Tree House Book Club.

To coincide with the 19th book in the series, Tigers at Twilight, the children worked on a variety of crafts - making a monkey, tiger, and lotus blossom.

Moorpark Country Days Parade

This Saturday, October 1st, Jennifer Morris (Mrs. Ventura County International 2012), Allison Bowman (Miss Ventura County International 2012), and I were in the Moorpark Country Days parade. A big thank you to Rusnak Audi in Westlake Village for allowing us to borrow their beautiful convertibles. The parade was a lot of fun, and as you can see from the pictures below, some Girl Scout Brownies asked to take their picture with us! They were adorable.

Magic Tree House Book Club

September 30th was the first Magic Tree House Book Club meeting at our new location, the Miller Family YMCA. I am grateful to the YMCA for graciously offering their facilities. Thank you so much! All of the children really enjoyed discussing the 15th book in the series, Viking Ships at Sunrise.

Acorn Article

On September 22, I was thrilled to open up the Acorn and find an article about my community service platform, the Magic Tree House Book Club. This is a children's book club that I started at my local library and continued at the YMCA. I am so proud of the positive impact this book club has had on all the children, and I hope that this program can continue even after I graduate. You can view the article at http://m.toacorn.com/node/70186.

California Coastal Cleanup Day

On Saturday, September 17th, Allison Bownman (Miss Ventura County International 2012) and I volunteered at Marina Park, picking up trash for the California Coastal Cleanup Day. This is an annual beach and inland waterway cleanup that takes place all over the state. Allison and I had such a fun day, knowing that we were making a difference in our community.

Miss Teen California Intl Pageant

On Saturday, September 10th, I drove to Downey to compete in the Miss Teen California International pageant. It was a great opportunity to advocate for my platform of children's literacy through the Magic Tree House Book Club.

I was so inspired by the work all of the young ladies are doing with their community service platforms. Everyone is truly making a difference! I made many amazing friends and had an unforgettable experience.

After rehearsal, I came back to the hotel room to find that my mom had decorated it with streamers and balloons. I am extremely grateful for my supportive family and friends.



 My Gala Dinner dress



 
 



My interview suit





Allison Bowman (Miss Ventura County International 2012) and I in our opening number dresses



California International Pageant Orientation

On August 15th, Allison Bowman (Miss Ventura County Intl 2012), Tatiana Juarez (Junior Miss Ventura County Intl 2012), and I arrived at the Embassy Suites in Downy for the California International pageant orientation. It was so great meeting all of the girls from around our state and hearing about their different community service platforms. In the pictures below, you can see my sister titleholders and I at the hotel. We're all really excited for pageant weekend!!

Magic Tree House Book Club

Last Friday, I held my weekly book club at the Newbury Park Library. We did crafts and games related to the 8th book in the Magic Tree House series, Midnight on the Moon. In the pictures below, you can see the space buggies we made out of grapes, celery, and carrots. You can also see the game we played; the white balloons were meteorites that the children tried to prevent from touching the ground.

I really enjoy each meeting because I get to see the joy and excitement the children have for reading. In addition, people keep telling their friends about the book club, and our program is continuously growing. 

Ventura County Fair Parade

Saturday, August 6

Allison Bowman (Miss Ventura County Intl 2012), Tatiana Juarez (Junior Miss Ventura County Intl 2012), and I were invited to be in the Ventura County Fair parade. We rode in convertibles, smiling and waving to everyone in the community. People were shouting out congratulations, clapping, and waving back. The excitment in the crowd was contagious. It was my first parade, and I had so much fun! I was extremely excited because my aunt, uncle, and cousins were visiting from Northern California and were able to come see me in the parade.

Magic Tree House Book Club

I founded the Magic Tree House Book Club at my local library. At weekly meetings, I discuss the book with the children, ask discussion questions, and lead crafts and games related to that week's book. This past week, I wore my crown and sash to the book club meeting! You can check out my other blog at magictreehousebookclub.blogspot.com to see what we've been doing at each meeting and maybe get some ideas for starting your own Magic Tree House Book Club!

Fiesta Days

This weekend, July 10th and 11th, I volunteered all day at Fiesta Days in Camarillo with Jennifer Marshall (Mrs. Ventura County Intl 2012), Allison Bowman (Miss Ventura County Intl 2012), Tatiana Juarez (Junior Miss Ventura County Intl 2012), and Bryana Inouye (1st runner up in Miss Teen Ventura County Intl). We modeled dresses from Alayna's Bridal and Formals and passed out flyers for the store. I also had the opportunity to talk to girls about our community service pageant and see if they would be interested in competing in March. Although we all worked hard, the day was also a lot of fun! During our break, Tatiana Juarez, Bryana Inouye, and I went on a few of the rides and went shopping. I bought a necklace that has a real four-leaf clover inside it. Hopefully my necklace will bring me lots of luck when I compete at the state pageant!