More Than Just Talk...

Heading in to the office, crown and all!

This afternoon was spent at CASA Lake County.  I sat down with our Executive Director, Terri Zenner Greenberg; Dir of Communications and Development, Joanie Bayhack; and a few board members. It was the first time I had been to the office since becoming Mrs. International.  Although I normally would go it alone, I had my daughter with me.  It’s that time of year when summer camps are done, school has not started and sitters are on vacation.  Ali was a gem during the two hours of meetings and we were able to get a lot of work accomplished.

Some of my favorite people from CASA Lake County

You will often hear me say how much I love the enthusiasm everyone at CASA Lake County has for CASA!  The support they are offering me is having such a positive impact on my year as Mrs. International.  Today we discussed what’s been taking place with the program and we talked about what plans need to be made.  It was a great way to figure out how to most effectively help our Lake County office that has already offered so much to me personally and to the abused and neglected children we serve.

Be the change!

Amy Gregorio 
Your Mrs. International 2013
 www.CASALakeCounty.com

My Goals

My platform is my life. It effects every choice that I make on a daily basis and has completely altered the way I view my health. Had I not even become Miss Teen Arkansas International I would still be working just as passionately as I am now.

Heart disease effects everyone, big or small, young or old, male or female. Whether or not we realize it, every one of us know someone who has been directly effected by it. Heart disease is all around us, we just don’t always see it. Nor do we see how easily it can often be prevented.

So, my mission has always been the same: to educate, raise funds, and raise awareness. These are my three basic steps to helping others lead a heart healthy life.

I have already been working intimately with the American Heart Association and had the opportunity to work with the staff on some of the largest events in Arkansas for this organization. Now, I am working to join with events all across our nation and even over seas!

The American Heart Association has a goal: by 2020, to improve the cardiovascular healthy of all Americans by 20 percent, while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.

How are we going to do this?

1. Education. About heart disease, how it can be prevented, and how to live a healthy lifestyle. Though schools, communities, businesses and families.

2.Raise Funds. For the American Heart Association so that they may be able to continue their research for the new treatments for heart disease, as well as continue their many programs aimed towards education and awareness.

3. Raise Awareness. Of the American Heart Association and its many programs and partnerships such as: Go Red For Women, Hoops For Heart, Jump Rope For Heart, NFL Play 60 Challenge, My Life Check and, my favorite, the Alliance For A Healthier Generation.

Obesity has been found to be one of the root causes of several diseases, including heart disease. It can cause not only heart disease and stroke, but high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and asthma as well as many other diseases.

In 2005 the Alliance for a Healthier Generation was founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation as a response to the growing rate of childhood obesity. It’s goal is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and to empower children to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The frightening reality is that this generation could be the first in history to live shorter lives than their parents because 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese. That’s a scary thought.

By working with schools, companies, communities, healthcare professionals and families the Alliance is transforming the conditions and systems that lead to healthier kids. Together we are leading the charge against childhood obesity.

With the title of Miss Teen International, my reach has been broadened and I now have the foothold I need to work on a national and international level with the American Heart Association. There is much to be done and not very much time to do it, so new events and ideas are still piling in! I’ll keep you posted on all of our progress so stay tuned!

Much love,

Haley Pontius

FAQ

As I have interacted with a variety of current and future contestant over the past year, I am frequently asked, “How do you make yourself standout next to so many fabulous women?”  The answer is not found in a magic face serum, hair product or brand name designer.  The answer is based in your commitment to your platform.  Your connection should be more than a casual relationship.  If you are new to volunteering don’t be afraid to ask for a challenging assignment.  The deeper your experience the richer and more sincerely you can speak about it.

If your volunteerism is based on walking to support a cause, make sure you take the time to speak to other walkers and learn their stories. Make connections and support their efforts. Create a network of supporters and encourage them to follow and support your cause!

If you are raising money for a cause, take the time to visit the headquarters and meet the directors.  Make sure you get a sense of what motivates them and how the funds are used.  Ask if you can participate on a project team or specifically how you could help, outside of a one-time event.  Be creative, perhaps you can organize your own event to support your cause. Make yourself a part of that organization in any consistent way.

The more time you spend with your organization, the more prepared you will be during the interview to express you passion.  You should have at least one quick story that explains why you selected your organization (Quick meaning, 3 sentences or less). Don’t give away all your information in one big breath. By giving the listener little bits of interesting facts about yourself throughout the interview it will keep them interested and drawn into your conversation.

And remember, it is a conversation. You should conduct yourself in a professional interview style but still show your personality, charm and wit. Don’t be afraid to use your hands to gesture and laugh at yourself if you make a mistake or get tongue tied. As I always say, be yourself! Don’t worry about being perfect, there is no such thing.

Good luck with your preparations!

Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012

International Queens in the News!

Mrs. Iowa International 2013, LaSheila Yates

Mrs. Iowa International severed as a guest columnist for the Southeast Iowa STEM Newsletter to promoto her platform, engaging underrepresented populations in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives. She provides some good tips for cross-cultural engagement STEM.

Mrs. Kansas International 2013, Tina Pulley

Mrs. Kansas International 2013 is Overland Park's Tina Pulley (Kansas City Live)

http://www.kshb.com/dpp/entertainment/kcl/entertainment_kcl/mrs-kansas-international-2013-is-overland-parks-tina-pulley

Mrs. Louisiana International 2013, Laura Valenti

Mrs. Louisiana International 2013's "The SHE-Selling Column" (What Now Magazine)

Mrs. Louisiana International pictured at the Go Red Fashion Show (New Orleans Magazine)

Mrs. Minnesota International 2013, Andrea Bennett Xiong

Woodbury Woman Becomes Mrs. Minnesota International for 2013 (Woodbury Patch)

http://woodbury.patch.com/blog_posts/woodbury-woman-becomes-mrs-minnesota-international-for-2013#photo-13724283

Mrs. Northwest International 2013, Brandy Wendler 

Pageant winner, an RN, set to discuss celiac disease (Arizona Daily Star)

http://azstarnet.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/recipes/pageant-winner-an-rn-set-to-discuss-celiac-disease/article_929b20f7-5318-5621-a962-325500095a09.html

Mrs. Northwest International 2013, Brandy Wendler was featured in the newsletter for the Southern Arizona Celiac Support group.

Mrs. South Dakota International 2013, Shannon Rook

Mrs. South Dakota International 2013, Shannon Rook featured in this past month's issue of She Magazine on pages 9, 24 & 25!

Get to know a local celeb parent: Shannon Rook, Mrs. South Dakota International (The 'hood Magazine)

Miss New Jersey International 2013, Jenna Drew

Photos: Miss International Hoboken conquers state and Celiac disease -- now heads to international stage (The Jersey Journal/NJ.com)

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/03/miss_international_hoboken_con.html?fb_action_ids=10104201863917914&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

Miss New York International 2013, Jesse Ladoue

Miss New York International 2013, Jesse Ladoue was featured on the homepage of the Syracuse Crunch website for dropping the ceremonial first puck!

Mrs. Tennessee International 2013, Ashley Wise

Ft. Campbell Spouse Crowned Mrs. TN International (Clarksville Now)

http://www.clarksvillenow.com/pages/16073976.php

Phoenix Society Board Retreat in Chicago

In a previous blog posted back in September, I wrote about my personal views of the importance and responsibility of serving on a board of directors. This post is going to take those views a step further and highlight the value of a board retreat.

The weekend before Thanksgiving, I flew into Chicago for a Phoenix Society Board Retreat, which we have done every year around the same time and in various parts of the country. The reason for such a meeting is to give directors the ability to focus on an organization with a deeper and more thoughtful contemplation. Sometimes it is simply difficult to accomplish the leadership responsibilities of a board within an hour or two structured meeting. This is the opportunity to brainstorm and consider strategy or changes in strategy, as well as, any other topic deemed important and timely to the organization.

Directors usually travel to a location that is neutral, central if possible, and will have minimal distractions. Agenda and document preparation is important, and the more prepared everyone is when they arrive, the better the outcome. It is also imperative, in my humble opinion, that the attendees find the time to enjoy themselves and develop as a cohesive group outside the meeting space, with a nice dinner, an activity, or some other fun event. We usually host a dinner with the directors and as many staff or management as possible, which has helped to build a very nice working relationship.

This may be quite elementary information to many of you, but unfamiliar to others…and I would challenge anyone interested in participating in a charitable or community organization to view the responsibility as an honor. If you are passionate about the cause; the time you spend, the energy you give, and the financial commitment you make to the best of your financial ability will come back to you in spades!

Best wishes to all,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Asian and Australian Tour Announcement

In the spirit of inclusion, this blog is a reprint of the press release announcing an international tour of Asia and Australia. If you are reading this blog, believe in the values and mission of the International title, have an interest in the goals stated in the release, or simply want to have an excuse to see the world and meet some phenomenal people, please know that you are invited!

MRS. INTERNATIONAL 2012, SARAH BAZEY,

ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL TOUR THROUGH

ASIA AND AUSTRALIA

 

Join Sarah on this journey of connecting people around the world

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Minneapolis, MN) – November 20– Mrs. International 2012, Sarah Bazey, announces the release of her itinerary for an international tour of Asia and Australia. The January 2013 tour will highlight Bazey’s three stated goals of; honoring the Mrs. International title, sharing a message of living a heart-healthy life, and connecting the burn survivor community worldwide.

The tour is scheduled to kick off in Los Angeles, California on December 31, 2012, and will include visits to Tokyo, Japan; Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China; Manila, Philippines; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Sydney, Australia; and Honolulu, Hawaii, before returning to Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 19, 2013.

Bazey’s Harvard Business School classmates are especially recognized for their assistance with hosting and development for the tour, while the American Heart Association, World Heart Federation, and the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors have also offered valuable support and encouragement.

For specific Asian and Australian tour itinerary details and event information, preliminary May 2013 European tour details, and information about how to participate in either tour, please visit www.sarahbazey.com.

Tour Goals:
Upon being crowned, Bazey stated, “As Mrs. International 2012, it is my privilege to represent the title and all that it embodies; elegance, integrity, commitment to family, accomplishments of married women and a devotion to charitable causes. It is often said that a crown can open doors, but it is my hope that this very special crown will open borders.”

Beyond the crown, the true mission of the International Pageant System is to make a difference in the world, which is exemplified by its national alliance with the American Heart Association and its “Go Red for Women” campaign. Bazey will share the message of living a heart-healthy life throughout the United States and with World Heart Federation members abroad.

Bazey, who was severely burned in a helicopter crash in 1994, will also promote her platform of burn awareness and education on behalf of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. “It is my mission to connect the burn survivor community throughout the world – including the family and friends of burn survivors and the medical community – to help others as they journey through the pain and fear associated with these injuries,” she states.

Sarah Bazey:
    A Harvard Business School graduate and an accomplished business professional, Bazey is the owner and president of Minneapolis-based Simplex Construction Supplies, Inc. She proudly serves as vice president of the National Board of Trustees for the Phoenix Society, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering burn survivors through support programs, education and advocacy.

Since 1995, Bazey also has served as a volunteer to help burn patients at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.  In 2001, the Phoenix Society launched its Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery (SOAR) program and Bazey has continued to volunteer at the hospital through the SOAR program.  Additionally, she has been a keynote speaker for the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress, which was held this September in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This year’s conference featured co-Board of Trustees member, J. R. Martinez, a burn survivor and veteran of the Iraqi War and winner of ABC Television’s 2011 season of Dancing with the Stars.

Mrs. International Pageant System:
The Mrs. International Pageant is the only platform-based system and is owned and operated by International Pageants, Inc., which also operates the Miss International and Miss Teen International competitions.  Mrs. International showcases married women from ages 21 through 56 and includes their husbands as an integral part of the event.  For more information visit www.mrsinternational.com.

Warmest Regards,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Free Arts Minnesota – Art Heals Breakfast!

 

I was a table host at the 2012 Art Heals Breakfast for Free Arts Minnesota. A group of my biggest supporters and loved ones joined me very early in the morning to get an exclusive look at Free Arts MN programs, statistical outcomes, personal testimonials, and even a live poetry reading by a few of our junior high youth.

 

Pictured above is my mom and dad, my long time fairy godmother Cheri Kennedy, mock interview judge and back- up-mother Marcia Anderson, Carolina Reyes former Miss Minnesota International, current Mrs. Saint Paul International Andrea Bennett-Xiong and husband Tou Bennett-Xiong, and Nicole Berg my new pageant friend. I was so blessed to have a table full of people who have made such a difference in my life over the past year. I was excited for them to lean about the Free Arts MN programs from someone other than myself, and I am sure they were too! I can talk about the benefits of art for days, but it is a whole different message when it comes from the youth who have experienced our mentoring first hand.

 

Here is one of the young men who shared how Free Arts made him feel in a spoken word, poetic rap form. He didn’t stop smiling for one second while he was on stage.

 

The next youth speaker had quite a story to tell. Her father sexually abused her for many years of her life with no outlet or help of any kind.

 

Here are Tia’s words….

"...I think that Free Arts is an amazing program. It has helped me and changed my life, and I have witnessed it do the same for my peers. It is a great way for me to connect with my peers when we all work on a project together. Some of them struggle with projects, others dive right in, but almost everyone creates something every time. I don’t know what my day treatment or my life would look like without my involvement in Free Arts.
There are many reasons why Free Arts is great. One reason is that I know there are other kids like me who do not have the resources or support they need to create art. There are also kids who have trouble expressing themselves, and Free Arts teaches them to do that. Finally, Free Arts is great because it is made almost entirely of volunteers. It is good to know that they choose to spend their time with us every week. It is good to know that someone thinks we are worth their time, and that they want to share their passion with us.
I know that this program has a deeply profound effect on all those involved. I like to think it is a necessary part of our community. I believe that art is an important part of life, and whether or not someone loves art, it is still important to experience it. Free Arts helps bring art to those who may not have had the opportunity to make it before.
I am forever grateful to Free Arts for reigniting my love of art. I think, and hope, that other children get to experience everything I have with Free Arts."

 

Watch this video for details about Tia and other youth talk about their experience with Free Arts MN.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A249ACW-frQ&feature=player_embedded

 

 

I always get choked up hearing the kids speak about how their outlook on life has changed because of Free Arts MN. I am so proud to be able to represent an organization I believe in so much! This year was very successful and I can’t wait to see what Free Arts MN has in store for next year! Thank you to my friends and family who attending this event with me. Each one of you is a blessing and I appreciate all you do and your continued encouragement.

 

ART HEALS!!

XOXO,

Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012

My Reign

Wearing a banner and a shiny tiara make people take notice. Little girls giggle, little boys smile, and even skeptical adults take a moment size you up. There is nothing more fun in those moments than to learn their names and pose for a picture to capture one life touching another!

If you consider the physical size and weight of the Mrs. International crown, which I would describe as large, heavy, and impressive, it could be argued that the responsibility of the title itself is in direct correlation. Therefore, it seems to me the goals and dreams for my reign this year should be ambitious, and reflective of the spirit of those who have worn the crown before me, as well as, the International Pageant Family.

Here are my goals and dreams for my reign as Mrs. International 2012:

1. To represent the International Pageant System and all that it stands for with an emphasis on the responsibility of truly touching lives around the world. Because I believe everything happens for a reason, it seems clear to me that the combination of current and former International Participants, connections through the Phoenix Society for burn survivors, and my personal relationships throughout the world with Harvard classmates create a network for which I feel compelled to utilize.

2.To promote my platform of Burn Awareness and Education, however, my focus can be as broad as sharing a message about overcoming adversity. More specifically, as a burn survivor myself, promoting the Phoenix Society and a message of “Dare to SOAR, your attitude in life almost always determines your altitude.”

3.To promote the Go Red for Women campaign on behalf of the American Heart Association, as I reach out to people both within and outside the United States. In my humble opinion, a message of thinking heart healthy should have no borders.

Whether it is a wave and a smile or a keynote address, I will do my best to leave a positive and lasting impression wherever I go. If you have read this blog, and our paths cross…please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with me, as my father always told me to trust how people behave, not what they say…and it is my hope you will find my actions match my words.

After my Tiara Magazine interview with Madi Cole

With love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Plans for 2012

The most common question I have been asked since returning to my hometown of Dothan, Alabama is: Has it finally set in that you won yet? Actually, I think it has! The past few weeks have been a whirl-wind of parties, photo shoots, and LOTS of unpacking. Now that I am finally settled back in, it’s time to get to “work”!

My plans as Miss Teen International 2012 are to continue my work with the Miracle League and Shane’s Inspiration. My big goal for the year is to create a promotional video for the Miracle League to show at speaking engagements and to send to news stations so that more children and families can learn about and enjoy the benefits of playing baseball! I hope to involve players, buddies, volunteers, directors, and family members so that I can capture the perspective of everyone involved in the program. I was also recently invited to visit the Miracle League National Headquarters, which I am extremely excited about! I will, of course, still continue to attend monthly Play Club sessions on Dothan’s Shane’s Inspiration playground. Also, baseball season begins in the spring, which means that Miracle League sign-ups are just around the corner. I encourage you all to find a Miracle League program or Shane’s Inspiration playground to become involved with. It has been, by far, the most rewarding experience of my life!

Also, I cannot wait to begin working with my local chapter of Go Red! Although the International system’s partnership with the American Heart Association focuses primarily on heart health for women, everyone is affected by heart disease! Over fifty percent of children with Down’s syndrome are born with various types of congenital heart disease.

While I am extremely excited about being able to wear the International crown, I am most excited about all of the doors my title has already opened for me! Thank you all for the support you have already shown me!

Love always,

Caroline Crowley

Burn Awareness & Education with the Phoenix Society

The Phoenix was a mythical bird that lived 500 years and when it was consumed by flames, only to rise again from the ashes more beautiful than before. The scarlet and golden Phoenix bird is synonymous with rebirth or recovery and is often connected to healing and peace.

In 1963 a man named Alan Breslau was severely burned in a commercial airliner crash, and in 1977 he founded the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors with a vision of ensuring that every burn survivor, their loved ones, and caregivers have the necessary support on their road to recovery. Today the Phoenix Society is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is the largest organization of its kind with a core belief of offering support from someone who has truly “been there” and can provide the hope needed for recovery of mind, body and spirit.

As a burn survivor myself, I started volunteering at Regions Hospital Burn Center in St. Paul, MN just months after my release from the hospital in 1995. My first act of volunteering came quite unexpectedly…as I was cleared to return to work and on my way to the office, when I heard the breaking news that a 19 year old male was severely burning in an aviation accident and taken to Regions Hospital. I turned my vehicle around and drove straight to the hospital without any thought. It was as if my body took control. When I arrived, I found a distraught mother, father and twin sister in the waiting room.

The hours I spend talking to them about my own experience and the care I was given gave them hope. They were afraid and rightfully so, however, being able to see me stand before them, show them my scars, and my determination to move forward with my life bonded us forever.

The Phoenix Society later implemented the Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery (SOAR) program in 2001, for which I was promptly trained. I was later asked to serve on the National Board of Trustees and today hold the position of Vice President of the Board. It has also been my privilege to promote the efforts of the Phoenix Society through speaking engagements with the World Burn Congress, American Burn Association and various Community Organizations both domestic and abroad.

Giving the keynote address at the World Burn Congress in Cincinnati, Ohio in September of 2011.

More than a million burns occur each year in the United States. Burns do not discriminate and can happen to anyone at any time. Unfortunately, many burns are preventable and it is also a mission of the Phoenix Society to advocate for prevention whenever possible.

As I shared with the fabulous Mrs. International Pageant Class of 2012 and their loved ones, I sincerely hope anyone reading this blog who knows a burn victim or may find themselves suffering from a severe burn injury will not hesitate to reach out to the Phoenix Society www.phoenix-society.org or contact me directly mrsinternational2012@gmail.com.

With love and gratitude,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012