Isn't She Lovely!

Congratulations Michelle! One of my best friends came out to Vegas to support me at Mrs. US. So it was my time to return the favor. She had always wanted to give a pageant a try in spite of her fear of being on stage. So in two month’s time she crammed all the pageant knowledge she could and this weekend she competed in a state Mrs. International competition. She was lovely and she did such a great job on stage. Many of the ladies had done other pageants before so she was in great company. In the end, she won People’s Choice. She was so proud that she had, “SURVIVED,” being on stage. Now, as for whether she will ever do a pageant again?? Chell had a great experience which is all I wanted for her. So here’s to Michelle-my Queen.
Pictures:
1) Michelle no far right with some of the other Mrs. delegates
2)Pre-pageant. Rona, Chell's hubby, me,and Chell's mom all anxiously wait!
3)Michelle post pageant in her evening gown.

Know More, Do more!

I was honored to MC the kick off of a major campaign here in Chicago called, "Know More, Do More." Nielsen, the Chicago Police Dept, and Chicago Public Schools have started a new program to combat Teen Dating Violence. This is the first year for the program that is peer-assisted. Each high school will eventually have a group of students who will volunteer their time to creating their own campign to spread education in their school about dating violence. 1 in 5 teen girls will become victims and 40% of teens girls say they know of someone who has been a victim. The program also is aimed at teens working to end violence in general as many times students know what is really brewing in school and can help keep it from becoming national news. The program will start in several chosen schools who recieved grants. There are more than three hundred thousand students in CPS so this is a great way to reach all of them.I also had the chance to introduce an emotional one-woman play called, "The Yellow Dress." It was based on the experiences of several victims of dating violence and hit home with much of the audience. In a time when school systmes are being criticized, CPS is moving forward. I have pictures from the event, but they are WAY too dark due to stage lighting.