The Time for Giving

With the Holiday Season fast approaching, I have been participating in a wide variety of community events!



November 13, 2010- Dallas Help the Homeless Walkathon & 5K

Pleased to volunteer with Rainbow Days, I was deemed a "hat decorater." I never thought I would have so much fun decorating hats out of brown bags. It was a chilly morning so I was glad to have a hat, made by one of the volunteers, on my head as well! Although I didn't physically participate in the walkathon or 5K, raising homeless awareness and funding for my Dallas County was as enjoyable as ever.











November 20, 2010 - Uptown Village Joy Parade

Right in my hometown of Cedar Hill, I participated in the Uptown Village annual Joy Parade. I was honored to represent the Cedar Hill High School National Honor Society, in which I am proudly the Vice President. Advocating four pillars: Leadership, Scholarship, Character, and Service, The National Honor Society is recognized nationwide as one of the most prestigious high school organizations. Walking through Cedar Hill and shedding a little Holiday joy to my very own community members, I definitely left with a smile on my face. I absolutely love the Holiday Season!



November 22, 2010 - Sonic Grand Opening

Assisting in the Grand Opening of personally one of my favorite places to eat, Sonic, I was excited to get to work with a Sonic Coney and Cherry Limeade. Possibly one of the most memorable times I've ever had, I can't begin to express how much fun it was walking around Hulen Mall in Fort Worth with a giant hot dog and cherry limeade. After an exhausting day of work, I was satisfied by a real sonic hot dog and cherry limeade.







December 3, 2010 - Santa's Helpers Toy Drive

It's not Holiday Season without TOYS! After donating 25 activity and coloring books to the WFAA Channel 8's annual Santa's Helpers Toy Drive, I was proud to hear that my hometown of Cedar Hill collected the most toys. With an astounding number of over 550 toys, Cedar Hill made a difference in hundreds of children's lives this Holiday! Thank you WFAA for hosting such a giving event!



Give what you have.  To someone, it may
     be better than you dare to think.
                                - Longfellow



Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Holiday! 

Appearances!

As Miss Teen Dallas County International, I have been pleased to participate in a few community events already.

September 2010- Volunteering at Autumn Leaves

                              

A regular visitor to Autumn Leaves, Alzheimer's and Dementia nursing home, I have the pleasure in seeing the senior citizens of my community lighten up with just a single visitor. I love playing bingo, watching the news, and just chatting with the friendly occupants. I always leave with a couple words of wisdom.


September 18, 2010- North Texas Teen Volunteer Fair

I attended the 2010 North Texas Teen Volunteer Fair. I not only got the opportunity to learn about the nonprofits in my area and get involved with a variety of causes, but it warmed my heart to see other teenagers taking the imitative to make a difference in their communities.

September 24, 2010- State Fair of Texas Opening Day Parade

I was pleased to be invited to participate in the State Fair of Texas Opening Day Parade with the current Miss Teen Texas International, Sydney Datcher.

October  9, 2010- Country Day on the Hill

Making an appearance in my hometown of Cedar Hill, I visited Country Day on the Hill. Country Day on the Hill has been a tradition in Cedar Hill for several years, where the citizens of Cedar Hill come out and enjoy a day full of activities, food, and good music located right in the heart of Cedar Hill. I was thrilled at the opportunity to go into the petting zoo and hold the small farm animals!

October 16, 2010- Buddy Walk

I was honored to be a dignitary at the 2010 Tarrant County Buddy Walk benefiting children with down syndrome. Having volunteered at the Special Olympics a few times before, I was absolutely thrilled to participate in a walk around the beautiful campus of UT Arlington with some of these children. Leading the walk with Miss Texas United States and Mrs. Fort Worth International, I took advantage of chatting with some of the self-advocates. It's amazing how much these children grow and learn with just a little encouragement! I loved talking with them and learning about their hobbies, likes, and activities; not to my surprise we share many common likes including, swimming, dancing, and spending quality time with family. After the walk, I enjoyed going around the game stations and spending time taking pictures, dancing, and doing activities with the children. Doing this Buddy Walk was an amazing experience and it opened my eyes to the little things in life we often neglect to give any attention to, such as, a Saturday outdoors, a big bear hug, or even a simple smile.

About me

Howdy!

I am honored to be your Miss Teen Dallas County International 2011. I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to make an impact in my community with such an honorable title.

I am currently a 17 year old senior at Cedar Hill High School. Always having a desire to be in a leadership position I am the National Honor Society Vice President, World Culture Club President, and BPA Secretary. Born and raised a Bangali- American I am always “on the go”, from study groups to my internship, I find very little free time. But with the rare free time I do acquire, I love to volunteer for my community and Distressed Children and Infants International, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty with the power of knowledge. I pride myself in sending impoverished children back to school and opening their eyes to a hopeful and bright future.  As a committed full time volunteer for DCI,  I devote many long, hard hours to this program. First generation born and raised a proud Texan, I posses a great deal of passion for Bangladesh and third world countries.

With this passion, I have founded a scholarship program benefiting the young girls involved in the DCI program. Learning Creates Futures- Lora Chowdhury Foundation was formed in an effort to create more opportunities for underprivileged children who are given the opportunity to attend school through DCI. Kick started on July 23, 2009, my 16^th birthday, Learning Creates Futures has been awarded on July 31, 2010 to the first recipient. Being a merit-based scholarship, a young lady is chosen annually based on her academic results from the previous year.

With my recent trip to Bangladesh, I awarded this scholarship to Narayoni- my personal sponsored child in DCI for the past 5 years. I strongly believe that awarding this scholarship will not only give a young girl an opportunity to attend college and further her education, but this will also motivate the other children involved in the DCI program to persevere throughout the year in hopes of winning the scholarship in the following year. Learning Creates Futures not only includes a scholarship but comes packed with an extraordinary prize pack, including a crown, necklace, and a purse full of goodies. A young girl should be poised, intelligent, and sophisticated. Working to make this world a little brighter, I enjoy opening up opportunities for children who never could believe. Remember, no dream is ever too big!