'Tis the Season to be Jolly

Speaking at the Child Rights Convention at Yale

Wow, I cannot believe I am already complete with my first semester of college at The University of Texas at Austin. This semester brought me some interesting and wonderful experiences. Being a full-time student and Miss Teen Texas International is definitely eventful. The beginning of the semester took me across the nation as I traveled as a national spokesperson for Distressed Children and Infants International. It was an honorable experience being a guest speaker at the Child Rights and Sights Convention at Yale University. As I spoke about my passions of education, child rights, and equal opportunity, I was humbled by the esteemed guest the conference.

Honored to be standing next to DCI Goodwill Ambassador and acclaimed actress Babita at a DCI Dallas fundraiser

 

Mingling with kids at DCI Chicago's Benefit

The beautiful Kim Cung

This semester I even made an appearance with a good friend and Miss Texas Collegiate, Kim Cung. Kim is a fellow longhorn (of course because UT is the best school) and an admirable young lady! We had a chilly and fun time at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk in Austin, TX.

 

 

As the semester began to dwindle, I will admit I was crunched with studying. However, I always made time for my best buddy, Arianne. I was so excited to get involved with the UT Best Buddies program this year; best buddies unites college students to special needs residents around Austin to create a welcoming and fun environment for all of us to participate in numerous activities and events! Last week Arianne welcomed me into her apartment to help her and her family decorate her Christmas tree. Meeting Arianne’s parents and just sharing that afternoon with them was truly remarkable and I know the bond between Arianne and I is unbreakable. She is quite the young lady, believe me!

Looking back at the semester brings great memories to mind but my travels and experiences do not end there! Recently, I have been frantically packing for my month long trip to Bangladesh where I will not only get an opportunity to revisit my previous scholarship recipients, but I will also be privileged to expand on the orphanage library with the help of the Texas Bengali Students Association and work side by side in the DCI Health Care Clinic with my very own sister, a third-year medical student. 

Keep an eye out for my next blog entry to learn more about my adventures and work abroad!

Dancing with girls at the DCI orphanage in Bangladesh, Spring 2011

A Walk to End Alzheimer's

These signs were so helpful to direct everyone to the walk!

After volunteering at Autumn Leaves, an Alzheimer’s and Dementia residence home for the past year, I was ecstatic to join in the on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday November 12. Held in Fair Park in Dallas, TX, the event had an outstanding turn out. It was amazing to see so many supporters for Alzheimer’s research. As various teams made shirts, signs, and even umbrellas, the joy and enthusiasm of fighting this cause together radiated it from everyone’s face. 

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Since 1989, they’ve mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk^®; now, they’re continuing to lead the way with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s — the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.

It was such an honor to meet these amazing  ladies!

I, along with Mary Wahler, Miss Dallas County United States 2012 and Vivian Ta, Miss Texas United America 2011, loved getting everyone’s blood flowing before the 5K walk with some awesome dance moves, like YMCA, Cupid Shuffle, and Cha Cha Slide! The DJ was exceptionally marvelous and played some great music to keep everyone pumped up throughout the entire event. He brought back some great old school memories with some of my all-time favorite songs! I definitely had to give him major kudos for that!

I was literally saying "YEAH!!!"

But my absolute favorite part of the entire morning was spent with the wonderful Sandy James, Mrs. Tarrant County International 2012. It was the most joyful experience encouraging the walkers at the finish line! The smile on everyone’s faces gleamed as we high-fived them and cheered them on! Walkers ranged from infants in strollers to Alzheimer’s patients themselves in wheelchairs; we even had canine supporters as well! 

In memory of everyone who's lost a mom to Alzheimer's

I love cute little girls!!

The beautiful Sandy James and I

I am so thankful to have been a part of such a great and successful event

Thank You, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Dallas!

Best Buddies Halloween Carnival

My buddy Arianne loves to wear my sash!

Halloween is a creative and fun holiday to celebrate, especially with a “best buddy”!

Best buddies is focused on providing friendships for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
On Sunday October 30, I was very excited to be a part of their Halloween carnival. This event was created to give the Buddies a chance to experience the holiday in a sociable and inclusive setting.

I was matched up with my buddy Arianne in late September based on a personality survey. Although we had been chatting on the phone and occasionally going out for a meal, the Halloween carnival truly allowed us to bond by dressing up, playing board games and doing arts and crafts.

Held at the University of Texas at Austin, the best buddies Halloween carnival gave many campus organizations an opportunity to come out and sponsor a game or booth. It was a joy going to the different stations with my buddy and also seeing a lot of friendly faces and classmates.

Arianne pinned the stem on the pumpkin!

Although I wasn’t too great at pinning the stem on the pumpkin, Arianne and I found our niche at the cake walk and craft stations. I came home with lots of candy, treats, and crafts to hang around my cozy dorm!

  

Yummy! Lots of candy in our goodie bags!

We were great at the crafts table!

I look forward to the next Best Buddies event!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes

“Say Boo! to Diabetes” On Sunday October 30 I was thrilled to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for a Cure in Austin, Texas. With my fellow longhorn and Miss Texas Collegiate, Hoang-Kim Cung, I walked 2 miles around the beautiful Mueller Lake Park to fundraise and raise awareness for Juvenile Diabetes. 

Why Walk?
“As many as 3 million Americans* have type 1 diabetes, a disease that strikes suddenly at any age, lasts a lifetime, and carries the constant threat of deadly complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation. JDRF's mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Until a cure is found, JDRF is also committed to working tirelessly to develop new and better treatments to improve the lives of people who have type 1 and keep them as healthy as possible. Thanks to dramatic research progress, a cure is now within our reach.

The Walk draws people together in a healthy activity for a worthy cause, raising money to help find a cure for diabetes. It's fun for families and builds camaraderie among company employees. Above all, it's an event you will feel good about being a part of.”

It was a joy to spend my chilly Sunday morning amongst hundreds of friends, family, and supporters of juvenile diabetes research. The event also had many fun games, healthy snacks, and vendors! I truly enjoyed saying “boo” to juvenile diabetes.

KRHC Halloween Carnival

Halloween is always an exciting holiday for children to dress up in fun costumes and most of all trick or treat! The Kinsolving Residence Hall Council at UT Austin holds an annual Halloween Carnival for the children of UT employees. This Halloween Carnival provides a safe and fun means for children to play games and trick or treat around the residence halls on Whitis Court. As a wing representative and a resident at Kinsolving, I was very excited to be a part of this event in more than one way! After many long hours of preparations, planning, and decorating the 5^th floor as the Wizard of Oz, I had a blast leading children through the halls and seeing all the fun decorations! The parents are always very appreciative of the Halloween Carnival and watching the kids have a great time through the residence halls is very enjoyable!