Check out some of the official NAM National Titlholder's headshots...

Meet The 2011-2012 National American Miss Princess Bernice Chau

Tiffany: How did you get involved in National American Miss?

Bernice: I was introduced and encouraged by former Florida state titleholder's Elizabeth Tran and Kirsten Perry. 

Tiffany: How did you prepare for the National Pageant?

Bernice: I practiced my introduction in the car and my mom asked me some questions for interview.

Tiffany: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Bernice: Be yourself, stay positive and smile with your heart are the best advices I ever had.

Tiffany: What quote, motto or scripture best descries you? 

Bernice: Her smiles is contagious!

Tiffany:  What are your plans for the future?

Bernice: I want to be a good student and good dancer.  I will be in my first dance competition in March and I hope I will do well.

Tiffany: What activities are you involved in?

Bernice:I am a competitive dancer and member of Teen of Green.

Tiffany: What do you like to do for fun?

Bernice:I like to play with my friends, play video games with Dad, and making accessories (friendship bracelet, hair bows…) with Mom.

Tiffany: What is one item you can’t live without? 

Bernice: I can’t live without my sleeping bear.  I need her when I go to bed.

Tiffany:  Who is your role model?

Bernice: Elizabeth Tran, The 2010 National American Miss Florida Jr.Teen, is my role model because she is smart, kind and beautiful.  Also she is the former of Teen go Green.

Tiffany: What is your favorite TV show? 

Bernice:My favorite TV Show is Good Luck Charlie because it is so funny. I always watch this show with my Mom and we can’t stop laughing once the show starts.

Tiffany: If you had three wishes what would you wish for?

Bernice: I would wish for no gravity, to travel all over the world and to be straight A student.

Tiffany:If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

Bernice: I would want  want to visit safari in South Africa and watch all the wild animals and take a lots of pictures.

Tiffany:What is your definition of a NAM girl?

Bernice:NAM girl is kind, smart, true, modern, positive and beautiful…..

Tiffany:If you were stranded on a deserted island what three things could you not live with out?

Bernice:The three things that I must have are water, my DS and my sleeping buddy.

Tiffany:What is your most prized possession?

Bernice: The most prized possession for now is my tablet.  I play games and do my on line homework every day. 

Tiffany:How would your friends describe you? 

Bernice: They would say she is cheerful, charismatic and creative.

Tiffany:How are you making a difference in your community?

Bernice: I work with Teen go Green, and I tell everyone how important we need to learn recycling.

Tiffany: If you could go back in time and be at any historical event what would it be? 

Bernice:I would like to attend the grand opening for Disney World.

     Tiffany:If you could go back in time and meet one person, who would it be and why?

Bernice: I would like to meet Martin Luther King because I did a report about him at school and I got A+.  I really proud of myself and would like to tell him about this.

    

  Tiffany:If you could be famous for something, what would you want to be famous for?

Bernice:I would to be a famous dancer.

    

 Tiffany:What is your favorite book? And why?

Bernice:It was the Foot Book by Dr. Suess.  It was my first book that I could read out loud by myself when I was five.

     

Tiffany:Where is your favorite place to shop?

Bernice:My favorite shops are The Children Place, Justice and H & M.

            

Tiffany:Who or what inspires you most?

Bernice: My Mom and Dad

Tiffany:What have you learned about yourself since competing in pageants?

Bernice: I have learned to work hard to pursue my dream.  Also I need to stay focus and concentrate to accomplish my goal.

     

Tiffany:What advice do you have for future NAM girls?

Bernice:Be yourself and keep smiling!!

     Tiffany:What do you plan to do with your title this year?

Bernice:I will try to involve as much community service as I can and tell everyone about National American Miss.  Also, I will cherish the time with my all sister queens.  I already miss them so much.

   

 Tiffany:Tell me about yourself.

Bernice: I am the only child in my family, and I am a 2^nd grader.  I love to laugh and dance.  My dream is to perform on Broadway.

Meet The 2011-2012 National All-American Miss Princess Josephine McDowell

Tiffany: How did you get involved in National American Miss?

Josephine:I met Katy Jones, former 2009 Miss South Texas Preteen, at an introductory meeting to NAM.  She read books at my mom’ child care center.

Tiffany:  How did you prepare for the National Pageant?

Josephine: I skyped with my coaches.  I practiced with my parents and brother.  I also practiced in front of my parent’s friends.

Tiffany:  What is the best advice you have ever received?

Josephine: To Have FUN!!!

Tiffany: What quote , motto or scripture best describes you?

Josephine: Be silly!

Tiffany: What are your future plans?

Josephine:To get a house

Tiffany: What activities are you involed in?

Josephine:Volleyball, gymnastics, swim team, and softball

Tiffany: What do you like to do for fun?

Josephine: To play with my friends

Tiffany:What is one item you can’t live without?

Josephine: My American Girl Doll, Kanani.

Tiffany:Who is rolemodel?

Josephine:My brother, Dylan

Tiffany: What is your favorite TV show?

Josephine: iCarley

Tiffany: If you had three wishes what would you wish for?

Josephine: I have everything I want.

Tiffany: If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

 Josephine: Las Vegas

Tiffany: What is your defintion of a NAM girl?

Josephine: An amazing rolemodel

Tiffany: If you were stranded on a deserted island what three things could you not live with out?

Josephine: chicken nuggets, toys, friends

Tiffany:How would your friends describe you?

Josephine:Nice and caring

Tiffany:How are you making a difference in your community?

Josephine:By helping others and being caring and nice

Tiffany:If you could go back in time and be at any historical event what would it be?

Josephine: I would like to be at one of Martin Luther King’s speeches.

Tiffany: If you could go back in time and meet one person who would it be and why?

Josephine: My Great Grandmother because I was named after her.

Tiffany:If you could be famous for something, what would you want to be famous for?

Josephine: For writing a popular song

Tiffany:What is your favorite book? And why?

Josephine: "Butterfly Buddies" because I love to read!

Tiffany:Where is your favorite place to shop?

Josephine: Justice For Girls because it has fancy dresses. 

Tiffany:Who or what inspires you most?

Josephine: My mom and dad

Tiffany:What have you learned about yourself since competing in pageants?

Josephine:I keep trying my hardest.

Tiffany: What advice do you have for future NAM girls?

Josephine:To work their hardest and have fun!

Tiffany: What do you plan to do with your title this year?

Josephine: Do volunteer work and help others.

Tiffany: Tell me about yourself.

Josephine: I am nice and caring.My mom always says I’m smart, I’m funny, and I’m beautiful!

NAM Texas Titleholders Make a Difference in their Community...

The 2011 National American Miss Texas Titleholders voluteered their time at the Tarrant County Buddy Walk. Together these girls help make a difference in the lives of others.

NAM Queens often become life long friends!

Tis The Season...

National American Miss Staff Tiffany Saylor and LaKishia Edwards

Yesterday the National American Miss Staff took a day off from the National Office to volunteer at the Houston Food Bank. We had a great time volunteering and giving back to our community. The Houston Food Bank is on of the leading organizations to fight hunger. It was so rewarding to make a difference. Every time I volunteer I remember that the true blessing is on the giver, not the recipient.

 The Houston Food Bank Stats:

• 70 million pounds distributed last year

• 137,000 different people fed each week

• 865,000 different people fed each year

• nearly 500 hunger relief agencies in 18 southeast Texas

   counties:

      o Church food pantries

      o Homeless shelters

      o Safe havens for the battered and abused

      o Nutrition sites for children and the elderly

• More than 259,000 volunteer hours contributed annually

                   Girls get out and make a difference ! It's fun, easy, and rewarding!

                            For More Information on The Houston Food Bank Click Here!

Fun Fact : Both LaKishia and Myself are former Texas Teen winners. In 2000 LaKishia crowned me at the Texas state pageant! Old Queens really do become staff and stay life long friends !

The 2011-2012 National All-American Pre-Teen Shereen Pimentel Spreads Some Christmas Cheer!

The 2011-2012 National All-American Miss Pre-Teen puts a smile on childrens faces as she voluteers her time to help give Chrismas Presents to those in need!

I'ts a Wrap... NAM Nationals 2011!

YOU JUST WON A BRAND NEW FORD MUSTANG !

Did you know at the NAM National Pageant one contestant takes home a brand new Ford Mustang! This year Kirby Laguerre of New York took home this amazing gift! So if you qualify to attend Nationals YOU too could drive away in a brand new Ford Mustang !

YOU Can Make a Difference for a NAM Girl....

Ashley Marie MacDonald competed in NAM from 2004-2009. Through her years with NAM she won the Ohio State Teen Cover Girl title in 2006 and went on to Nationals to win the National Cover Girl title. She was also a city queen (Miss Cincinnati) in 2009 competing at Nationals with city queen (Miss Worcester) Cara Haig that fall. This story isn’t about Nationals; it’s about what happened after Nationals.

In January 2011, Ashley went to school and work like any normal day. But that night at work, during a stock check Ashley had an accident. A 72 inch unassembled bookcase had fallen on her foot. She informed the manager of the accident but tried to walk it off. Within a half hour, her foot was so swollen it was bursting out of her shoe and was bruising. A report was filed and Ashley was on her way to the Emergency Room.

There, doctors x-rayed her foot and thought it was a bone chip fracture. They fiber-glassed her foot into a boot and sent her home with instructions to follow up with Mercy Health Solutions in 2 weeks.

During the follow up, the doctor there confirmed to her that the x-rays appeared to show a bone chip fracture and to treat it as such, and to follow up with them again in 2 weeks.

2 weeks later, Ashley came back, but to a different doctor. This doctor told her there was nothing wrong with her at all. All the while, Ashley is feeling excruciating pain and was noticing changes in her foot. An approval to see an orthopedic specialist had still not come in from Workman’s Compensation.  At this point she was frustrated and made the appointment anyway. If her foot was indeed broken, she was already halfway through the healing process with it being now 4 weeks after the initial injury.

Upon seeing her orthopedic, all the signs were clear and the xrays clearly showed no break. In fact, Dr. Devine had seen this before but needed an MRI for proof. When that approval came in, the test clearly showed what Dr. Devine had suspected; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. (RSD)

The diagnosis devastated her. She even wanted to drop out of her upcoming National Pageant in St. Louis.

“It took me a few months, but I finally came to realize why this had to happen to me. I am a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason and God never gives you anything you cannot handle. I was dealt this card to help others with it. I even changed my major from pharmacology to physical therapy so that I can help someone else with this disorder. I am also working so hard to create more awareness for the RSD disorder.” –Ashley Marie

RSD/CRPS is considered a rare nerve disorder that affects anywhere from 200,000-1.2 million Americans. It develops after any injury or any medical procedure that the body would see as traumatic. An injury that would seem as simple as a sprain can result in an incurable nerve disorder that is often unrecognized and untreated.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy that is now also referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome can be prevented all together. By taking Vitamin C immediately following an injury and over the course of 50 days, the chances of one developing this disorder reduces by 76%. That is incredible for a disorder that appears after 5% of all injuries.

There is no cure for RSD. The disorder is treated the best it can be. Through medications, physical therapy, sympathetic nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, tens units, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and ketamine infusions, patients learn to live their life in pain. But it never had to be this way.

Ashley isn’t taking this diagnosis lying down and has now teamed up with Cara who also now suffers from this disorder. She decided to take a stand against this disorder that has changed their lives. Ashley has started a petition on change.org to make it mandatory for hospitals, outpatients, urgent cares, etc to provide vitamin c and inform the patients of the possibility of this disorder developing.  Just as flu shots are given in hospitals to prevent the spread of the virus, the precautions should be made to prevent a nerve disorder from developing. Too many people are unaware of the disorder and it’s time to make it known and prevent one more person from receiving this debilitating and incurable diagnosis.

In addition to the petition, Ashley and Cara have been asking those that they know to write to Ellen Degeneres. They are in great hopes that Ellen will take notice and back their efforts, promote the awareness, and the petition. In the past, Ellen has done many things to promote awareness for other efforts and they are praying for her help.

 November is RSD awareness month, how will you spread the awareness? Please sign the petition to help Ashley and Cara help others. It only takes one minute and you can change someone’s life.

Please help put out the flame by signing your name.

                                                             Click to sign your name!

Be In The Know...

With the 2011 National American Miss National Pageant right around the corner, I went straight to the pros to give out the best advice. I asked NAM girls:

 "What is the best pageant advice you have ever received?"

Lets see what they had to say...

Laura Nguyen :always have the right amount of confidence... never be over confident ... never not have any confidence at alll. always be right in the middle

Brianna Haggerty Cannon:( 2005-2006 National American Miss) Being a queen isn't about you. It's about representing something much bigger than you, so you have to be relatable. A queen has to be able to talk to anyone about anything and have a likable personality. Thus, it is important for those qualities to translate in your personal introduction and interview.

Sarah Odell: Smile like you already won, do your best, trust God, and dont give up!

 

Ravayna Tracey:(2002-2003 National American Miss Teen)  positive pageantry is a must!

if you compete only for a crown and title, the chances are good that you will wind up disappointed. but if you compete with a positive attitude, looking to gain self confidence, new friends, and experience, you will always be a winner!

 

Haleigh Newman :In interview, it's just like talking to your friends parents or your parents friends.

Sherelle Peterson: You don't have to go into debt to be in pageants, start buying used pageant wear!! I love saving money!

Robin Walters: I use to tell all 3 of my beautiful daughters, just be yourself, and SMILE!

Charika Jordan :A crown doesnt make you a winner your a winner inside your heart!

Kelly Young Klein :To take a breath~ I need to remind myself of that when I have three girls that compete! But the best advise that was ever given to my girls was to go out there and be themselves~ and do their best!!! It really is that simple! No one can ask any more of you. I am always in awe of the girls that do pageants and the grace and confidence that they have!!!

Monica Grace Wolfe: Be Yourself and the Judges will Love you

Amanda Temperton: Be you and walk on stage knowing that you are beautiful and worth it!

              The 2010-2011 National American Miss National Titleholders!