Santa Joe Ho Ho Express
Miss Three Rivers, Bailey Wilson volunteered at the Santa Joe Ho Ho Express. Each kid was given $50 to spend on Christmas for themselves. "They were given $50 and free reign of Walmart... with someone to help they stay in budget." And that is where Bailey comes in. She spent the afternoon with the three girls (pictured to the left) helping them pick out what they wanted to buy with their money, making sure they stayed in budget, and sharing this very special Christmas moment with them. They spent the morning shopping and then enjoyed subway for lunch. Once they got back in Weiser they had the option of wrapping the presents they had purchased before heading home to celebrate the holidays with their parents. Bailey said, "It was a great experience and I loved being able to help. I think my favorite part of the trip was finding the talking puppy that one of my little girls had been wanting for months. Being able to see her face after we found it was priceless and she didn't let go of it the rest of the time!"
Just a peek into Whitney's Adventures!
At the Twin Falls County Fair!
Handbags of Hope drive for Dress for Success
With Mr. Sam Haskell during Miss America's Outstanding Teen week in Orlando!
The new titleholders in the Magic Valley!
After Party for Miss America's Outstanding Teen!
Mountain Home Air Force Appreciation Days
Shelley Spud Days!
Miracle Treat Day with Dairy Queen!
The New Miss Idaho Falls!
Alive After 5
A Warning to Teenagers Before They Start Dating
"Start Strong Idaho, a program of the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, works with experts in health and youth programming. It also enlists students who have overcome abusive relationships — an umbrella term for emotional, physical or sexual violence.
They include Laura Hampikian and Sara Hope Leonard. Each girl longed to escape family turmoil by creating what she imagined would be a stable romance.
Ms. Hampikian is now 20 and a confident college sophomore. But in the eighth grade she turned her life over to the bottomless neediness of her boyfriend, who threatened suicide if she left him, began cutting himself, and told her about his family’s violence. She did not realize she was slipping into a fog, detaching from her friends. Pleading with him on the phone nightly until 3 a.m., she believed it was her responsibility to keep him alive.
Ms. Leonard, 17, is a vibrant high school senior. But a few years ago, when her family was living in California, she did anything to please her bristling, possessive, ninth-grade boyfriend.
When her family moved to Boise, Ms. Leonard was so desperate to hold onto her boyfriend that she had them split a set of handcuffs and each wear half, symbolizing their attachment. She obeyed his rules: no giving out her number to boys; no group dates. She completely isolated herself in her new city.
It took both girls a year to extricate themselves from the relationships. When Ms. Leonard graduates from college, she plans to counsel sex-trafficking victims. Ms. Hampikian has been speaking out about healthy teenage relationships as a contestant in the Miss Idaho pageant."
You can read the full post here.
They include Laura Hampikian and Sara Hope Leonard. Each girl longed to escape family turmoil by creating what she imagined would be a stable romance.
Ms. Hampikian is now 20 and a confident college sophomore. But in the eighth grade she turned her life over to the bottomless neediness of her boyfriend, who threatened suicide if she left him, began cutting himself, and told her about his family’s violence. She did not realize she was slipping into a fog, detaching from her friends. Pleading with him on the phone nightly until 3 a.m., she believed it was her responsibility to keep him alive.
Ms. Leonard, 17, is a vibrant high school senior. But a few years ago, when her family was living in California, she did anything to please her bristling, possessive, ninth-grade boyfriend.
When her family moved to Boise, Ms. Leonard was so desperate to hold onto her boyfriend that she had them split a set of handcuffs and each wear half, symbolizing their attachment. She obeyed his rules: no giving out her number to boys; no group dates. She completely isolated herself in her new city.
It took both girls a year to extricate themselves from the relationships. When Ms. Leonard graduates from college, she plans to counsel sex-trafficking victims. Ms. Hampikian has been speaking out about healthy teenage relationships as a contestant in the Miss Idaho pageant."
You can read the full post here.
Miss Magic Valley Teaches Kids About Bullying Awareness
Deidre Edmunds, Miss Magic Valley 2011 spoke to Sawtooth Elementary School students on Friday morning. She's teaching the importance of standing up and stamping out bullying.
Edmunds chose bullying as her platform for the Miss Magic Valley competition. A lot of it is based on personal experience. "When I was younger, I was bullied a little bit, but I didn't really realize what it was, I didn't feel the need to tell anyone and bullying has increased hugely in Idaho," says Deidre Edmunds, Miss Magic Valley 2011. Edmunds' goal is do a presentation in each of the schools within the Twin Falls School District.
To see more, click here.
To see more, click here.