June 2008
Starting off the month was a trip out to the Lehigh Valley for Miss Pennsylvania Orientation. This year has been hard for the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Organization family, due to the passing of Cal Mock and Joe Kelly, and times were hard again, as we lost our Executive Director, Marlene Wynne. Orientation was held in her remembrance, and we shared memories, tears and honored her the way she deserved to be reflected upon.
The following weekend, was very busy, as it was jam packed with appearances! Friday evening was the 9th Annual Paw Prints “Dress to the 9’s” Gala on behalf of the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania. The team of titleholders in attendance had the opportunity to increase the funds raised that evening as we traversed the benefit selling the 50/50 Raffle Tickets. Saturday morning, I was up bright and early as it was time to join Rachel Brooks, Miss Pennsylvania, for the WALK Now for Autism, held at Heinz Field, along with Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, Elena LaQuatra, and other Local Miss and Teen Titleholders as we walked together, in support of “Team Evan”. After the walk, we enjoyed lunch at Bettis Grill 36, with the LaQuatras, and then headed to Beaver County, for the Senior Miss Beaver County Pageant sponsored by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Beaver County, held at the Beaver Valley Mall. The “Senior Queens” were no exception to the outstanding representatives who are involved in pageants, as they were all servants of their community helping to make differences in the lives of others. I was honored to perform at the event and to be in the presence of the amazing women that afternoon. On Sunday, I headed to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, to participate in the Summer Reading Extravaganza. Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen and I organized to have a table at the event, on behalf of the Miss Pennsylvania Organization, and invited other Local Titleholders to join us. We had a great turnout; the kids were excited and seemed to really be catching the “reading bug” as they were sharing with us their favorite books and what they are looking forward to reading this summer!
Next, I was off to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, I volunteered throughout the hospital for years, but this year, as the Miss America Organization has a partnership with the Children’s Miracle Network, I planned a “Game Day”, wherein the patients in the hospital were invited to play games in the Playroom of the hospital, along with Miss Pennsylvania Local Titleholders and myself. After playing each game, the children were awarded tickets that they could then redeem for prizes, much like that of “Chuck E. Cheese”. We had fun and are already looking forward to planning our next event in August!
At the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh Office, we had our Big for a Day Program for the month. The activities included team building exercises and match favorites, including “Capture the Flag” and “IT Tag”. Once again, after the program, our “Bigs” were asking how to become more involved, and what is the next step to being matched, so that is always a sign, of how the “magic” of mentoring, is created so easily, and truly is contagious.
It was a huge honor to be invited to be a part of one of “Pittsburgh 250” Events, including the Rededication of the Boulevard of the Allies Ceremony, presented by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and Allegheny County Executive, Dan Onorato. The event celebrated the armistice of the Great War and recognized the Allied Powers and the dedication of all of our veterans who are still with us today, those who passed while serving and those who passed once they returned home. It was a true celebration and it was a touching ceremony of remembrance for what our country stands for – freedom.
As this is my last “send-off” to Miss Pennsylvania, since I will be hitting the Miss America “Retirement Home” next year, my parents had friends get together to wish me off, before my departure for the pageant. All of the warm wishes are well appreciated and I am very thankful for the opportunity that I have had over the last five years to be a part of such and empowering organization. I am thankful for the friends I have made, the networking and interview skills that I have developed, the scholarships I have earned, and overall, better self, that being involved with the program, has helped me to become today. Regardless of the outcome in a few short weeks, I know that I have worked hard and I am proud of what I have accomplished the organizations that I have helped through my volunteer work and community service and I am a proud representative of the Miss America Organization. Thank you to all of you who have been a part of a very special part of my life, that I will never forget as we will continue to be friends in the future, and I look forward to making you proud with my performance at this year’s pageant, but more importantly, through my positive self-growth and the strong woman that I have become today. See you in Nazareth!
Thank you,
Jessica Megliss
Miss Three Rivers 2007-2008