Meet Jurnee Carr - Miss Teen International 2011

“Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this." –Esther  4:14. Four days ago, my dream came true as I was crowned Miss Teen International 2011. It still feels like I am in a dream! I am beyond blessed to be able to represent the International Pageant system and be a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, along with promoting my platform Jurnee’s Journey: Helping All God’s Creations and The Humane Society of the United States. To kick off my year, here are some fun facts about me!

At the prime age of five, many events impacted my life. Entering kindergarten, being elected homecoming princess, and learning how to properly write sentences were significant in my growth as a student and child. One of the most influential events in my five year old life was joining a basketball league. Even though the ball was bigger than my face, learning how to dribble a basketball was a piece of cake. Since then, I have played various sports such as volleyball, golf, track, football, and of course, basketball. I am a starting varsity guard for my high school’s basketball team.

Daxx, 8, (center) and Jaecee Rae, 6, (right)

My father, James “Junior”, and younger brother, Daxx, are golf pros! I love playing 18 holes with them on Sunday afternoons. My mother, Whitney, and younger sister, Jaecee Rae, chauffer us around on the golf cart. Some of my favorite sports teams are the Tennessee Lady Vols, Atlanta Braves, Tennessee Titans, and the Miami Heat. Sports have helped me not only learn how to work with a team, but how to perform my best and be a leader.

When I’m not dribbling a basketball, I’m reading. I absolutely love to read! Yes, I am a Twilight fan (Team Switzerland) and always will be! The Notebook is another one of my favorites that I have read seven times; it never gets old! If you’re searching for a book to read, I highly recommend The Listener by Terri Blackstock. She is a fabulous author and this book has a message that speaks to us all. In addition to reading, I enjoy researching. Anything that I find interesting or want to learn more about, I research it in depth. One of my favorite things to look up is history. I am a history nerd!! History fascinates me because everything is connected. While history foreshadows the future, some things are just plain strange. For example, Napoleon devised his battle plans in a sandbox and some Ancient Egyptians paid their taxes in honey. Told you it was odd, but to me, it’s quite intriguing! In addition, I enjoy studying the French culture and speaking as much French as possible. I am not completely fluent yet but I am working as hard as possible to get there! J’adore France!

Aside from sports and reading, I enjoy working out, doing as much volunteer work as possible, traveling, collecting, watching movies, babysitting my younger siblings, and pampering my 3lb 11 0z. Chihuahua, Chi-Chi. I drive a darling silver PT Cruiser and am very thankful for it. Shout out to the ones who gave it to me-Mom and Dad! You rock! Speaking of family, I have a total of 18 cousins. Needless to say, holidays are always fun with them! I especially enjoy baking brownies (with nuts) with my Granny Allen and cousins.

Another interesting fact: my name is pretty unique. It is derived from my mother and father’s names. My father goes by Junior and my mother’s name is Whitney. They combined the first part of my dad’s name and last part of my mom’s name to make Jurnee. My middle name is Allena which is my mother’s maiden name with an “a” at the end. Kudos to Mom and Dad for originality!

When I graduate high school, I plan on attending Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, majoring in Religion and specializing in Youth Ministries. My goal is to obtain a Doctorate in Divinity.

 I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me and what He has planned to accomplish through my reign as Miss Teen International.

Blessings,

Jurnee Carr
Miss Teen International 2011

Color Day Themes: The Great Gatsby

Today, we pay tribute to the 1920's with an inspiration board perfect for all you Gatsby lovers. The Great Gatsby has been one of our favorite books for years and, with the new Baz Luhrmann movie (with an all-star cast!) rumored to begin shooting this September, we can bet we'll see a resurgence of 1920's fashion and style in the upcoming year. So, break out the art deco, pearls, feathers, drop waist gowns and cloche hats and create an extravagant and lavish look that would be sure to please even Gatsby himself. 

The Great Gatsby - 1920's Themed Inspiration Board

1, 5, and 12. 100 Layer Cake | 2. Marney Cakes | 3. Divine Jewel | 4. BHLDN | 

6. The Vintage Wedding Dress Company | 7. okbbaru | 8. Katrina Hope | 

9. My Little Fashion Finds | 10. Michelle Rago | 11. Thoughts and Plots | 

13. Oh So Beautiful Paper | 14. Project Wedding | 15. Weddingo |

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Hit the Ground Running

My first focus as Mrs. International will be to help The NASCAR Foundation with the annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award.  In October, we will be announcing the finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award.  From October through November, the finalists will be featured in an online vote and text-to-vote campaign with NASCAR fans voting for the volunteer they would like to receive the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award.

Three (3) Finalists will receive:  (1) A $25,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to a children’s charity of their choice (must be a public registered, 501c3 tax-exempt organization in the United States). (2) An expense-paid trip* to the NASCAR race weekend in October 2011 as part of the award recognition process and in recognition of the person as a finalist for the award, and (3) An all expense-paid trip* to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week in Las Vegas in December 2011 (finalists may each bring one guest), as well as a child (and child’s parent/guardian) that benefit from the finalist’s designated charity.

One (1) Winner will receive:  (1) An all expense-paid trip* to the NASCAR race weekend in October 2011 as part of the award recognition process and in recognition of the person as a finalist for the award. (2) A $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to a children’s charity of their choice (must be a public registered, 501c3 tax-exempt organization in the United States). (3) A 2012 Ford Explorer, and (4) An expense-paid trip to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week in Las Vegas in December for the Winner and one guest to receive the reward, as well as a child (and child’s parent/guardian) that benefit from the Winner’s designated charity.

Additionally, I will be helping raise awareness for the 300+ charities who were nominated for this award by making personal appearances and media interviews.  I invite you to “like” the NASCAR Unites page on Facebook and my new Facebook page, Mrs. International 2011, Janet Bolin.  To learn more about the NASCAR Unites campaign and The NASCAR Foundation, please visit NASCAR.COM/foundation. 

Janet Bolin

My Crowning Moment

Being the first name called for Top-12 made it a little less nerve racking for me b/c I didn't have to wait, listening to one name after another be called-hoping I'd made it!  I've been there, I know what it feels like for MY name and title not to be called.  But with that said, my name was called, my blood was pumping.  I was so excited I forgot to go to stop at center stage to get my picture taken before walking to my position in the Top-12 line up.  I just walked to the tape on the floor that said "1". Missing that cue to me meant I had to get the next one.  So when the announcers said, “Thank you” that was our cue to walk off stage and get ready for on-stage interview.  I turned to my right and bolted off stage.

Back in the dressing room I realized Mrs. Minnesota and myself were the only two from Group A who had made it into the Top-12, so we had to rely on each other to help with zippers.  My on-stage interview suit was a cream and gold Jovani which I had used as my interview suit at my state pageant. 

Back up two flights of stairs and in the line-up, the stage manager quickly directed us to our places.  I took a moment to breathe and relax.  I took a body check to make sure my legs weren’t shaking.  I felt very calm.  Too calm.  I had been given the training to visualize my speech and embrace the opportunity to share my platform with an audience who may not know anything about who I am or my charity.  I relish moments to talk about The NASCAR Foundation, so I was overwhelmed with the joy of having this opportunity.  I was in the moment! 

On-stage question was over.  Back down in the dressing room I realized the audio was being broadcast in our dressing rooms.  I listened to each of the contestants talk about their platform and it made me so very proud to have been part of this group of amazing finalists.

Fitness wear was next and I was back up the stairs.  As I was waiting, my sister queen, Mrs. South Carolina Elizabeth Malvasia came and found me and gave me a big hug and told me how great my answer was on-stage.  Elizabeth and I were crowned together as our state pageants were held at the same time.  Over the course of the week, we bonded even more and were each other’s go-to for honest advice on all the little things like hair, make-up, fitness poses, speeches and everything else under the sun. 

As I turned around to walk to my place I encountered more contestants who told me they loved my on-stage interview.  I was shocked that contestants I may not have even had the chance to get to know very well were giving me thumbs up, hugs and well wishes!  That instantly gave me an extra jolt of energy for the fitness wear competition.

During the fitness wear competition I kept thinking of how great it felt to know I had my family in the audience, and also my new international pageant family – my sister contestants – were also cheering for me.  I always say “strength in numbers” no matter what the situation. 

Next was evening gown.  I come down the stairs into the dressing room and all my sister queens from Group A, including Elizabeth, were there on the ready to help me with anything I needed.  Love them all.  They were still cheering me on and also Mrs. Minnesota.  It’s like the tunnel at an NFL game when the players are lined up on either side giving you high fives as you are introduced.  I will always remember that moment. 

I love my Sherri Hill gown and felt like a royal princess in it.  Being a former bridal wear model, it is fun and exciting to play “dress up” and wear some of the most beautiful gowns in the world.  Needless to say, evening gown is my favorite part of the competition.  My husband and I don’t get to dress up a whole lot, so he too looked like a million bucks in his Armani tuxedo. 

That was it.  The competition was over.  There was nothing else I could do.  I had given my all and performed at my best.  Waiting in the wings for the crowning was great because I could actually watch the amazing performances and enjoy them without thinking of the competition.  It was over!

Walking back on-stage, I did another body check to make sure my legs weren’t shaking.  The announcers didn’t waste any time announcing the court.  Fourth runner-up was called, not me.  Third runner-up, not me.  Each name called, I prayed it wasn’t my name because the only time I wanted to hear my name was as the winner.  When that moment came, I think I remember turning to Mrs. Illinois to verify it was my name, looked into the audience at my director Joy Pfister, and then wasn’t sure where I was suppose to walk.  But I saw my husband and Shannon Devine and just walked towards them.  Then I looked at the judges and thanked them for the opportunity.  And then I remember looking into the audience to find my mom and my friend Kelly and wave at them.

I will be forever be grateful for all the people who God put in my life to help prepare me for this pageant.  My week at the Mrs. International Pageant was more than I had hoped for by networking with other business professionals all who have exceptionally creative marketing minds, and the strength and passion to make a difference.  Those who didn’t walk away with the crown were inspired and energized to have the opportunity to come back next year and compete again.  For me, I am inspired by their passion and honored to represent all of them, as well as myself and my charity, as their Mrs. International 2011.

Janet Bolin