Maplewood High School

I'll start out by saying that this post is a little long - but I didn't want to leave anything out!

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to visit Maplewood High School in North Nashville on behalf of Character Counts! I spent about 2 hours with the girls' basketball team and a cosmetology class. Maplewood High School hasn't made the news for its outstanding students, athletes, or leaders, but instead, Maplewood is recognized for the shooting that happened at their graduation last year, the fight at a basketball game that led to suspension from tournament play this year, and the gang and drug activity that happens in their community. Maplewood is not your typical "pageant girl" appearance, but it turned out to be one of the biggest blessings and eye opening appearances I have ever done.

It's easy to walk into a room of 2nd and 3rd graders who have an instantaneous admiration for you because you have a shiny object on your head - they hang on your every word. It can even be easy to win over your average All-American, middle-class high school student who has an after school job and a few extracurricular activities. But walking into Maplewood High School and that classroom full of girls was not quite as easy.  They did not have an instantaneous admiration for me - more like an instantaneous "who the heck is this girl?" opinion of me.

Most of these students don't live in the suburbs, or have the latest i-phone, or wear designer jeans. Right at 74% of the students at Maplewood receive free lunch and breakfast at school - the average percent for the state is about 30% per school. Many live in what could possibly be considered unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Pay-by-the night hotels are home to some of these kids. After my visit, Tom Carr, the ED of Character Counts drove me by some of these places, and it was honestly like something from a movie.

But I knew this was a rare opportunity for me to really share my passion for building character, and my passion for encouraging people to decide their own future based on the person they are, not the place where they come from.

Everyone has a story - even pageant girls - and once they listened long enough to find out that I grew up in a single-parent household, and that my dad chose not to be a part of my life, and that I worked all four years of college - they started to come around a little. Now, I made it very clear to them that I was very lucky and blessed growing up. My mom worked and sacrificed her needs and wants to make sure I never had to go without and that I never missed out on an opportunity. I have a wonderful family and support system of great people who have all made sure that I had as many opportunities as possible. By no means is my life equivocal to some of theirs, but in some ways, it was similar - and that helped open the doors of communication.

These young women are strong, intelligent, beautiful young girls who have dreams and ambitions that go to the moon and back, but unfortunately, they don't all have the same support system as me - and that's where building a strong base of character really counts.

I talked to these girls about having a strong work-ethic and how far a little hard work can go. I talked about the power of perseverance, and how I understand what it's like to have to keep trying and trying and trying after not succeeding the first time - I told them to always remember that each time they don't quite reach their goal, to look back and see what they learned along the way, and then try again. I talked about the value of respect - you have to give it first, to get it in return (A lesson my mamma taught me a long time ago). I talked about stake-holders and choices. Every time we make a decision, someone else is affected - indirectly or directly - and I asked them to sit back and think about the people in their life that their choices could impact. Who could they make proud? Who could they disappoint? Who could they hurt or help? These are all questions that everyone should think about every time they make a decision.

About half-way through my visit, some of the girls really started opening up to me, and participating in the conversation. They asked questions and talked about their lives and their hopes and dreams. And I told them, with 100% confidence that each one of them could make their dreams happen - if they worked hard for it - NO EXCUSES. They can't blame it on someone else, or who their family is, or where they live - they have to do it themselves, and they can, if they want it bad enough. I reminded them that coming from a community with a bad reputation does not entitle them to a life-time supply of 2nd chances - but more than anything, it gives them an added responsibility to set an example for their peers and younger children in that community. They have an opportunity to change the way people look at their community - if they put in the hard work, maintain perseverance, show respect for themselves and others, and make good choices that impact their lives and the lives of others in a positive way.

Visiting Maplewood and the community around it, really put things into perspective. That school and those girls are exactly why I am so passionate about Character Education and pursuing my dream of becoming Miss TN. There are hundreds of girls all across our state that need to hear that they CAN do something great, and that where they come from DOES NOT decide where they can go!


"Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece - by thought, choice, courage, and determination."
- H.J. Brown

Workshop weekend!

Well, what a wirl-wind weekend it has been! Friday night, my beautiful co-crown, Nicole Mazzio and I drove to Jackson for workshop! We went straight to the Double Tree to meet up with our wonderful directors, Rodney and Bobbie and our other co-crowns, Lacey Alford and Ivy Depew. We got up bright and early Saturday morning and headed to workshop! It is always so great to see everyone in our pageant family...a lot of people don't understand just how much of a family the Miss TN organization really is. It was also great to see girls I have competed with before and to meet the new girls who get to experience Miss TN for the first time! Everyone looked absolutely beautiful! I got to stay for the first half of workshop, but then jumped in my car and headed to Memphis to jump on a plane - there was no way I was going to miss my dear friend Lindsey Chomiuk get married!!! But Rodney did keep me updated as the afternoon session of workshop continued, and this year, I am contestant #2 - which means I get to compete in my favorite part of the competition first: talent!! I got to the airport just in time to catch my plane and finally landed in Tulsa, Ok Saturday afternoon! My mom picked me up and I changed clothes in about 5 minutes and then we headed to the church! I did a quick sound check and then finally got to see Lindsey before she put her beautiful gown on! The wedding was perfect!! They both looked so happy!! The reception was a blast....complete with good food, lots of dancing, a hot dog stand and glow sticks! Everyone had so much fun!!! We danced until our feet literally couldn't dance anymore! 4 inch heels all day long can be brutal on a girl's feet!!!!  Sunday morning I hopped on a plane back to Memphis and then drove back to Nashville!! It was an exhausting, but GREAT weekend with family and friends!!  And I started my Monday off with a great workout with the one and only Josh Rogers!!

More appearances and updates soon!!

-Kaley

"Never give up. This may be your moment for a miracle."

-Grey Anderson

Another fun week in the life of Miss Scenic City!

So, it's been another busy week so far and the week's not even over!! On Monday, I worked out with Josh Rogers, which meant my whole body felt like Jello - and what a coincidence, jello is one of my only "guilt free snacks"!! Gotta love pageant training!! On Wednesday I met with Tom Carr, the Executive Director of Character Counts! Nashville, and we spent several hours discussing Character Counts! and I got some training on Character Education and Character Counts! We also discussed plans to visit a few inner city high schools and elementary schools in a few weeks, and we discussed some fundraising ideas!! Also, for the last three days, I have spent my mornings with some very talented 3rd graders at Harding Academy who have been rehearsing for their play, "Tennessee Idol." I felt so honored that the 3rd grade teachers asked me to be a part of their preparations! I listened to mini versions of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Dolly, and Loretta, and I also saw a few NFL and PGA players that are from our great state of TN!! I loved helping the singers work on their songs!! There are a few girls that have definite Miss TN potential in about 10 years! I'm headed to Chattanooga tonight and then DESTIN for a few days of rest and relaxation before workshop!! Check back soon for more updates!!

~Kaley

"Somewhere, someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer."

-Louise L. Hay

Closing out February

Well, the last 2 weeks have been super busy - just the way I like it!! Last Monday I had the pleasure of working with the amazing hair/make-up/photography team: Kristy Belcher and Joel Green! They are an amazing team, and I love my new pictures! Then, on the 19th, I met with the board members of Character Counts! Nashville to discuss ideas and plans to incorporate Character Counts! into more schools and community programs! Immediately following that meeting, I got on the road, and headed to Bentonville, Arkansas for the weekend! The 8 hour drive is long, but I picked up my best friend Ashley Cole on the way and we sang almost every song on the Glee soundtrack until we couldn't sing anymore! (you really do meet some of your very best friends in pageants) We had a blast singing on the Court of Honor for the Miss Heart of the Ozarks preliminary! We "Rocked the Crown" with some very talented Arkansas girls! We also judged the Princess and Little Miss pageants - and those winners will accompany the Miss and Teen Heart of the Ozarks winners to their state pageants. On Sunday afternoon, we went to a wedding shower for another pageant friend, Lindsey Chomiuk, who competed in AR and OK - isn't it amazing the true friendships that are made from competing in the Miss America system? It was a long and exhausting weekend, but SO MUCH FUN! On Tuesday, I had lunch with my good friend Kendall Schulz in Nashville, and we talked about her last minute preparations for the Miss TN Renaissance pageant - and last night, all her hard work paid off and she has a shiny new accessory to wear on her head now!! I'm so proud of her hard work and determination, and I'm so glad she is going to be at Miss TN with me!! I also spent some time in Chattanooga this weekend. On Friday, I went to Battleground Elementary and spoke to a group of 5th graders about working hard, studying hard, and how important it is to do well in school!! They all have a big writing test next week and I wish them all the best of luck!! Then, Friday night, I went to Falling Water Elementary in Soddy Daisy,TN where I was the "opening act" at the schools first talent show in almost 10 years!! The kids all worked really hard on their acts and were so sweet!! I even got a marriage proposal from a 5 year old wearing a super hero shirt! Then, Saturday morning, I got my nails done by the one and only Bobbie Nation, and then Rodney and I did a little shopping! I can't believe workshop is in 2 weeks!! I'm so excited to see all the girls I've competed with over the last few years, and to meet all the new girls!  Well, I think that pretty much closes out the month of February! Lots of exciting appearances and events coming up!! Check back soon for more pictures and updates!

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

 -Ella Fitzgerald

Playing Catch -Up

Since I was crowned Miss Scenic City in October of 2009, I have been pretty busy! I was so excited to be crowned by a former "sister queen", Chandler Lawson, who is one of the most beautiful and intelligent women I know - I will miss having her next to me back stage this year!! Then in November, I was honored to be asked to Emcee the Anerican Girl Fashion Show in Franklin, TN - which benefited the Special Olympics of TN. It was a blast! The sweet little girls were so much fun to be around all day, and the event was a huge success and raised a lot of money for Special Olympics! I have also had the opportunity to attend a few other prelims this year! I attended the first Miss Rhythm of Nashville pageant in Nashville where the talented Hannah Wade Powell was crowned, and I also got to spend a little time with Savannah Ivey, Miss Tennessee Teen Princess. Last weekend, I made a trip down to Lexington for the Miss Lexington/Miss Henderson County pageant, and saw two more beautiful girls get crowned!

Since October, I have also spent several weekends in Chattanooga with Rodney and Bobbie - also known as my "Glam squad" and the MOST AMAZING directors a girl could ever have! They both are doing their very best to make sure I look the part/talk the part/and walk the part of Miss TN come June! I don't know what I would do with out them!

I also don't know what I would do with out the amzing "No Excuses", Fitness Guru, Josh Rogers! I have been working out with Josh as much as possible to get in the best shape of my life - NO EXCUSES! :) Swimsuit has always been the hardest phase of competition for me, but not anymore! Josh is helping me stay on track and get physically fit by staying on a healthy eating plan and working out everyday! No more cupcakes and movie theater popcorn for me! But I've never had a cupcake that was worth not winning Miss TN - so I know I can do this!!

Over Christmas break, I had the chance to go to Kansas City and meet with my favorite music man, Bill Wolfe. He is so talented, and such a sweet man! I love spending time with him!! His tracks are amazing, and I can't wait to hear what he's doing with my new track for Miss TN! :)

Last week, I met with three wonderful people who are on the board for CHARACTER COUNTS! Nashville, and we are working together on a few new projects to reach out to more communities and schools! I can't wait to see what the next few months brings for this amazing organization!

I think that brings everyone up to speed on what I've been up to over the last few months!! More to come soon!!