My journey began on October 8, 2011 when I was given the job as Mrs. Virginia International 2012. What a journey it has been. The many opportunities which have allowed me to speak about my platform Take a Stand B.R.A.V.E. (Be yourself, Resist the bullying, Achieve your best, Value your future, Encourage others) along with being the national spokesperson for SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere). I have seen a difference among our youth and schools after I visit. I hear how they have started programs against bullying/cyber bullying, mentor programs, and or bullying task force. I truly see that my family and our efforts are making a difference in the lives of our youth and that is the destination for my journey.

“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself.”

~Harvey Firestone






Friday, July 13, 2012

Facebook fuses emotion to its anti-bullying efforts

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/12/tech/facebook-cyberbullying-update/index.html

I'm thrilled that Facebook has finally come on board and developed a way for teenager's to be able to report negativity/ cyber bullying on Facebook. This will help us lower the statistics on Bullying and save lives. We can and will prevent Bullying. 

Thursday, July 12, 2012


Looking for a speaker on bullying and youth violence prevention? Mrs Virginia International 2012 will be happy to come to your school or community organization to speak on those topics and on SAVE!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Izzy International scouter from Taiwan June & July 2012

We had the wonderful opportunity to host Izzy at our home for the weekend. Izzy is an International scouter with the boy scouts in Taiwan. My husband Stuart hires an International scouter every year for the scout camp. We were thrilled to have Izzy with us. She is a wealth of knowledge and getting to learn from her on the differences of our cultures was just amazing. The kids really enjoyed learning how to count in Mandarin and how to use some of their toys. 
Izzy teaching the girls how to use chopsticks

Izzy enjoying Fondue

Izzy talking to the kids about toys in Taiwan

Izzy excited about meeting a "queen"


I may not be real royalty but I am the Queen of Virginia 
Izzy asked to try on the crown

"The Crowning Moment' 



Izzy teaching Addison Taiwan songs
Izzy teaching the twins on how to use Whip-Top

Monday, July 2, 2012

SAVE- Conference in New Castle, PA (6/19/12)



 

Thank you to SAVE chapters of Lawrence County, PA for inviting me to come and speak. Amy and Belinda, Thank you for having such passion for our youth. 
Ian, Sydney, Madison, Clarence, Dawn, Denny, Kristyn, and Ashley, 
I enjoyed it so much having the opportunity
 to learn from each of you.  












SAVE students 
Belinda, me, Amy 


SAVE students  participating in an activity 
  
        speaking to SAVE students