Congratulations!
Congratulations to all our Little Miss North Carolina contestants!
I had the pleasure of meeting all of the young ladies who competed this year. Each one is darling and should be commended for participating. Performing beautifully onstage and speaking eloquently in front of a group of people is no simple feat. And for these girls to do so at such a young age is remarkable.
It is my hope that each contestant left Hickory with fond memories and confidence gained from stepping up to a challenge. As I spoke with fellow High Pointer and LMNC emcee David Harb during the program, I expressed that I competed many times before ever winning a preliminary title. I hope that young girls will learn from this. Perseverance and practice count!
This week I was actually thankful for all of those 'experience' pageants from which I may not have walked away with crown but, instead public speaking and presentation lessons learned. On Thursday I addressed the General Assembly. Now, if there is ever a time to speak and present well, this is one. An opportunity to communicate with our state's leaders is a tremendous one. Our congresswomen and congressmen are doing great works and are also great speakers. My competition efforts and experience served me well in this situation!
I addressed the Senate first, then the House, each in its own chamber. A group of legislators from my Central Carolina region escorted me to the front of the room for an introduction and warm welcome. It was interesting to learn the proper protocol for beginning my remarks; there is something almost regal about following ritual, especially in a historic state building. I chose to speak about education, sharing information about scholarships awarded through the Miss America Organization and my service platform, early childhood literacy. I happily announced that I will continue to partner with Communities in Schools of North Carolina to reach elementary students. When I explained that I will visit schools in each of the organization's 40 chapters, delivering 150,000 over the year, I saw smiling faces and nods of appreciation. CIS is a relevant organization and I am proud to work closely with it to reach children, many of whom have never owned a book of their very own.
Both the Senate and the House gave me a standing ovation. And a state flag! Again, I was amazed at the support and hospitality I received from a group of people who believes in who I am and what I do, without ever having met me. I was told that my visit was one of the most exciting events to occur in the General Assembly in quite some time, for both legislators and the high school pages who dedicate a week of their summer to learn more about our state system. They should know, however, that this is one of the most exciting events to occur to me in my life!
An experience like this would not be possible had I not first put myself in a competition situation. That is why I hope that each young LMNC contestant someday realizes that she has already taken the first step towards great things. Trying is a prerequisite for success.
Again, congratulations!
Jessica Jacobs
I had the pleasure of meeting all of the young ladies who competed this year. Each one is darling and should be commended for participating. Performing beautifully onstage and speaking eloquently in front of a group of people is no simple feat. And for these girls to do so at such a young age is remarkable.
It is my hope that each contestant left Hickory with fond memories and confidence gained from stepping up to a challenge. As I spoke with fellow High Pointer and LMNC emcee David Harb during the program, I expressed that I competed many times before ever winning a preliminary title. I hope that young girls will learn from this. Perseverance and practice count!
This week I was actually thankful for all of those 'experience' pageants from which I may not have walked away with crown but, instead public speaking and presentation lessons learned. On Thursday I addressed the General Assembly. Now, if there is ever a time to speak and present well, this is one. An opportunity to communicate with our state's leaders is a tremendous one. Our congresswomen and congressmen are doing great works and are also great speakers. My competition efforts and experience served me well in this situation!
I addressed the Senate first, then the House, each in its own chamber. A group of legislators from my Central Carolina region escorted me to the front of the room for an introduction and warm welcome. It was interesting to learn the proper protocol for beginning my remarks; there is something almost regal about following ritual, especially in a historic state building. I chose to speak about education, sharing information about scholarships awarded through the Miss America Organization and my service platform, early childhood literacy. I happily announced that I will continue to partner with Communities in Schools of North Carolina to reach elementary students. When I explained that I will visit schools in each of the organization's 40 chapters, delivering 150,000 over the year, I saw smiling faces and nods of appreciation. CIS is a relevant organization and I am proud to work closely with it to reach children, many of whom have never owned a book of their very own.
Both the Senate and the House gave me a standing ovation. And a state flag! Again, I was amazed at the support and hospitality I received from a group of people who believes in who I am and what I do, without ever having met me. I was told that my visit was one of the most exciting events to occur in the General Assembly in quite some time, for both legislators and the high school pages who dedicate a week of their summer to learn more about our state system. They should know, however, that this is one of the most exciting events to occur to me in my life!
An experience like this would not be possible had I not first put myself in a competition situation. That is why I hope that each young LMNC contestant someday realizes that she has already taken the first step towards great things. Trying is a prerequisite for success.
Again, congratulations!
Jessica Jacobs
