"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss

"Graduation is the beginning of knowing who you are, what you are, why you are, and always knowing where you are going."

When I think back to my high school graduation, I can remember thinking to myself wow in just a few months I will be off to College and the future is in my hands.  College was a big word that scared me but was an open door to experience the world and get a quick taste of what life had to offer me!  I got accepted to UNCW and without a doubt chose to receive my education close by the beach.  I heard if you live close to the beach you learn better (Ok I made that up but I am confident it is true).  I chose UNCW not because it is close by the beach although that is a perk, not because it was close enough to home that if I needed to come home I could, but I chose UNCW because it gave me this feeling of comfort, this feeling of warmth and growth, a feeling of inspiration and encouragement, a feeling of confidence, and most importantly instantly felt like my "home away from home".  UNCWonderful as someone described UNCW is exactly what this university is.  Wonderful what a way to describe a place where you can grow, learn about yourself, make life-long friendships, connect and network with professionals, explore your inner-self, take risks, get involved, study abroad, give back to the community, experience the wonderful city of Wilmington, and receive an education that will take you so far in life!

As I look back now to my first day at UNCW, I had no clue what this chapter would be titled and how it would end but I can say that I am ready to turn the page and start reading the next chapter.  My time here at UNCW is coming to end on Saturday at 9:30 AM.  I will walk across that stage and will become a college graduate, something I have dreamed of doing and didn't know it would get here so quick.  I have been involved with numerous organizations, volunteered at Holly Tree Elementary school, worked as an Involvement Specialist at CAIC, worked as a Peer Mentor for freshmen, was the winner of an awesome dance competition "Hawk It Out", was a part of the Dance Company, and even competed for the ultimate title of Miss Greater Wilmington ( a scholarship pageant through the Miss America Program).  As I look back to all of the different pieces of my life I am so blessed to have been  a small part of so many big things!  They each have shaped me into a better, well-rounded individual and have given me a feeling of community and something I can look back on years from now and know that I left my footprints in the sand here!  Even though the waves of the ocean eventually wash the footprints away I know that they are implemented in the sand and will always have a place in my heart.  The treasures I have discovered here are like seashells in the sand, sometimes you find cracked or broken seashells but when you find those perfect ones they are the ones you hold onto and treasure for life!

As I share my Graduation day with so many friends and family Saturday, I know that this not an ending, maybe an ending to this chapter but the start of a new chapter that I hope to continue to share with others!  Although this next step in my life is scary and the world is such a big, scary place I know that with God by my side anything is possible.  The strength that I have because of him is so powerful and keeps me going every day.  My ultimate goal in life is to glorify God and share his love with everyone!

Good luck class of 2011 and start living your life :)

ABC Family Original Movie "Teen Spirit"

 

Teen Spirit set to air August 7th on ABC Family.  Be sure to tune in you may just see me along with some of the posse!  Starring Lindsey Shaw from "Pretty Little Liars" and Cassie Scerbo from "Make It or Break It".  I went back to highschool and boy what a fun time we all had from re-living highschool prom, hanging out  with the posse, and going back to school, it was a fun and memorable adventure!  The friendships that we made over those few weeks will last a lifetime, its kind of hard when you spend 10-12 hours a day with people, that you don't end up becoming good friends with them!! 

You can check out ABC Family's website to learn more about the movie! http://abcfamily.go.com/movies/teen-spirit

We are part of the "A-Team" in the movie so when you hear talk about the "A-Team" be sure to look for us!  It will be so much fun watching the movie and seeing so many familiar faces :)

You may also spot this flyer throughout the movie.



(My name is Heather lol)



“It’s beauty that captures your attention;personality which captures your heart.”

 I've always dreamed of competing on that Miss America stage.  I can remember watching it as a little girl and dreaming of one day being on that stage with family and friends all over the nation watching me as I competed for the title of Miss America.  Although that is a very BIG dream, I know that this past weekend got me one step closer to that dream. 

Although my ultimate goal this weekend was to win Miss Greater Wilmington, I think I accomplished way more than that.  Sometimes its not always about winning that crown but taking every ounce of the experience and somehow applying it to your life.  I was able by the glory of God to win talent with my upbeat clogging routine last night.  God has blessed with me with the ability to clog and I would have to give my mom credit for it too!!  It meant so much to win talent, I have worked so hard and spent numerous hours in the studio practicing my dance.  As 1st runner up I was thrilled to have accomplished so much and to have done so good for my first Miss Preliminary!  God obviously has a different plan for me and although it is hard to see that right now I know he show me the way.

A lot of girls don't know exactly what the Miss America Program is all about and I think its important that people know the community involvement, the platforms, the commitment and time that these young ladies put into their titles.  Being a beauty queen is not exactly what you might think it is.  Being a beauty queen goes beyond whats on the outside, its about having a beautiful inner beauty that shines through.  Its about being passionate about something you want to make others aware about, its about committing yourself to your job, and being a role model for little girls once like me, who watch you on tv, and want to grow up to be just like you!

"Beauty is what you feel about yourself not what you see in the mirror"  Let your true inner beauty shine! 

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Where do I even begin??  Can't believe the last time I was here was before Christmas.  I'll start with a New Year in a different country, Europe :)  What an AMAZING experience...I want to travel more!!  This was just a taste of what the world has to offer.  I met some wonderful travel friends, who I hope to meet up and travel with again; I got to experience bringing in the New Year in London, what a memorable night and one I will never be able to forget!! London was by far my favorite part of  the trip, we were there for a week and in that one week we did every possible thing you could imagine!  My highlights were: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the amazing Pubs, eating Fish and Chips, and just the fun city life!!!!  Also being able to sit in on a Church Service at St. Paul's Cathedral where Princess Diana got married was a moment that really touched my heart and gave me a feeling that words can't even begin to express.   Also while we were there we visited Businesses everyday as well.  Lloyd's of London was a very unique Business.  The structure and the way it was built showed how creative of a business it was.  Everywhere we went as a group, it must have been the clothes we wore or the way we walked but it was obvious that we were Americans!  Which at first was scary but everyone in London seemed to love Americans!!! I met an Italian, who was amazed and very jealous because we lived in the states and he wanted to move to New York so bad.  We told him we would trade places and  move to Italy.  They say the food there is just breathtaking :)  I will have to say that when you travel you really do learn more about yourself and really learn to appreciate what you have at home, your family, friends, etc. much more.  One thing I had trouble with was not being able to order tap water, which here I do on a regular basis.  I know there are many things I left out from London but there is just not enough room to put everything. 

Our next adventure was off to Belgium, where the waffles are absolutely the BEST waffles you will ever taste in your life.  I would have to say Belgium had about the best food, the restaurants there were so unique but they had such a variety of food.  I ate Mussels and Fries at a cute restaurant with some friends and we absolutely loved it!  In Belgium the buildings were built in such a distinctive but elegant way that you couldn't take your eyes off of them.  Prior to our trip I did research on the Bank of Belgium which we visited the few days that we were there. 

After our time in Belgium we visited our last destination the BEAUTIFUL Paris!  What a magnificent City :)  Of course one of my favorite foods in Paris was a Crepe with Nutella, ahh that was absolutely GREAT!!! Probably the highlight of our entire trip was being able to go up the Eiffel Tower!  That has always been on my bucketlist of things to do and I am so thankful that I was able to check it off.  If there is one thing that everyone needs to do in there lifetime I think its seeing the Eiffel Tower, what a remarkable creation and being able to look out and see what a beautiful city Paris is!!!  I was sad when I left Europe but was also very excited to get home, seeing my parents at the airport to pick me up was definitely a great feeling!  I really did miss being home and with family.  This was the first chapter to my traveling experiences and I hope to have many more. If I'm able to travel again I would without a doubt travel to Italy and Greece next.  They are two beautiful places and I would just love to experience being there!!!