March 17^th

My Destination Imagination team placed 3^rd in the District Competition! I am so unbelievably proud of them. No one, including the coach, had ever participated in Destination Imagination before, except for me! They learned so many valuable lessons during our time together including: team work, patience, appreciation, time management, and thinking outside the box. All of these lessons I hope to continue to instill in these children and others. They now know how to make a difference in life. I am so proud and happy to be part of their growth.

Also, I traveled to Virginia Beach, on March 1, all in one night to see the Miss Southeastern Virginia Pageant! It was so great see Stephanie and her daughters, Prentiss, Ashley, and of course all the fabulous contestants! Congrats to the Miss Southeastern Outstanding Teen, Miranda Harrison!

I am excited to spend a whole week with those girls in June!

I went to JB Watkins Elementary School in Midlothian, VA March 7 to celebrate Dr. Seuss Read Day. It was so much fun reading to all the children with Prentiss. In the last classroom, all of my Miss Greater Richmond sisters, except for Madison, gathered together to read to speak to them about the importance of reading. It truly was a wonderful morning and it progressed to a wonderful evening. That evening, I appeared at the Winchester Country Club along with Madison VanDuyne, Miss Apple Blossom 2008. I played “Vanna White” for an auction fundraiser showing items for bidding and encouraging bidders. Over $8,000 was raised that evening for the Wayside Theatre of Middletown, VA.

A newspaper article about my choice to pursue and become Miss Greater Richmond’s Outstanding Teen was published last Tuesday, March 11! It looks great and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Mrs. Lowe did an amazing job with the publication. I would love for everyone to take a peek at the article if you get the chance. The link is on my homepage.

I have a special personal community service project, entitled “Zandra’s Zebras” where I will be giving stuffed zebras to children in the pediatric center at my local hospital. I hope to get this launched soon. I am also helping with the Loudoun Street Mile Run on June 21 by securing prizes for our winners from the local downtown mall merchants. Anyone who would like to donate gift certificates to Applebee’s, Olive Garden, Panera, or Red Lobster is welcome to contact me through Miss Greater Richmond. All of the proceeds from the Loudoun Street Mile will go to support my platform- The Shelter for Abused Women and Children.

I have been very busy being a teenager lately! I have had the Standards of Learning tests in 11^th grade English, The National Latin Exam, and lots of tests and quizzes as well. Not to mention, I started at a new job, in addition to keeping my old one! I am now working at a local boutique, called “Mint Boutique” and Rita’s Italian Ice, where I have worked for over a year. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming weekend when I will be traveling to Clendenin, WV to visit a friend’s family. A little getaway is exactly what I need!

I look forward to writing the next edition in two weeks. Please feel free to email me at missgtrrichmond@yahoo.com if you’d like to! Have a great week!