Author:
Kristen Abshire, Teen Miss Lafayette Parish
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Date Posted: 01/ 1/04 10:53pm
In reply to:
was it true about the queens though?
's message, "why was the post about that Ha-Ha pic removed?" on 12/31/03 1:53pm
When I've been asked about my title, this is how I have answered these questions. All of these titles are brand new titles, and are associated with a festival, a charitable organization, etc. Majority of all of these titles were to close to their respective upcoming events and therefore had no time to hold an "inagural" pageant therefore, the naming of queens. When I was asked to be "interviewed" for consideration of my title, I was very honored. I was told that I would basically set the standard of what my successor would be expected to do with this title and that I would be responsible for going out and promoting this pageant. My pageant to name my successor is March 6 at Acadian Village.
I was considering giving up pageants because I did not feel satisfied in what I was doing. I wanted to not only represent a title but I wanted to do something with that title and to help others. When I was called and told I had been chosen to represent this first year I was so thrilled and I felt as though I had won the biggest pageant of my life. With this title came a platform I had to choose and begin working fearlessly and effortlessly for. In my defense, I did not know Veronica or Ms. Becky until the day I was interviewed by them. I was referred to them by another queen because she knew I wanted to "work for a cause", not just be referred to as a "beauty queen". A crown and a sash are just that. These two things do not make the queen. It is what you do with this crown and sash.
I can honestly say I am honored, priveledged, and feel total gratification for the opportunity I was given by Ms. Becky and Veronica. I have traveled nearly 5,000 miles during my reign, I have helped raise over 5,000 dollars for the American Cancer Society, I have visited school aged children and read to them during literacy week, I have visited children in a local cancer hospital, I have met local dignitaries, I have met famous singers, I have spent time with the residents of the Alleman Center, I have worked with the Miles Perrett Center and I have traveled speaking about Peer Pressure and Bully of students in Schools.
This title has opened so many doors for me and I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity. My life has truely changed but, most importantly, I know how lucky I am and I cherish the life GOD has given me. You see, the two platforms I work for are both issues that I have had first hand dealings with....Cancer and Bullying in school. This title has in essence given me the courage to stand before my peers and talk about things that have happened in my life. Things that I never thought would happen to me. My friends have also seen what I do and they have traveled with me to visit cancer patients, etc. They too have a different outlook on life and do not take the little things for granted.
In my honest opinion, I feel that being "chosen" for a particular title was in no way a wrong thing and makes me no less than a queen who competed for her title. If anything, it was harder for me because I had to do this all on my own. I had to get over my shyness and get out there and make this title known so that when it came time to announce the pageant festivities to name my successor, people would be familiar with this title. All of the queens in this group have done the same or more of the type of work I have done. I am proud of what I have done and I am very PROUD to be associated with the teens and women of this group. I do owe a lot to this group. We came together as total strangers but are leaving as so much more than that....we are crowning our successors this year and we will leave this group as BEST FRIENDS. Will crowning my successor end my charity work....NEVER!!!! I am 16 years old and have realized that I had something missing in my life and because of Ms. Becky and Veronica I have found that missing puzzle piece. Because of my experiences this past year I am going to college to be a pediatric nurse and I want to work with children who have cancer.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion...but what Ms. Becky and Veronica have done by "naming" their queens for this inagural year was not wrong. I guess you could say I "chose" to be free publicity for the production company they were starting. Would I change anything I've done this past year? NEVER!!!! I am very proud of what I have accomplished and I will say this. I have teen girls calling my home wanting to know how they can run for my title. The word about what we have done and what this group stands for is out there.
I want to personally invite you to my pageant on March 6 at Acadian Village where we will crown the new Lafayette and Lafayette Parish Queens. Come and see what my title is all about and why I'm so proud of what I do. I can promise you this...you will not have dry eyes by the end.
Thank you for allowing me to express my opinions.
Sincerely and with best wishes,
Proudly representing the heart of Cajun Country and the Lafayette Association of Retarded Citizens, I am your reigning Teen Miss Lafayette Parish, Kristen Abshire.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!
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