#ImWithHer: An Open Letter To #Hillary Clinton, From A Dad With a Daughter: Thank You

I love this letter, written by a loving father, thanking Mrs. Hillary Clinton. I’m hoping that she will read it, and just wanted to share it with you too. Love, Ciaraaa

People's Court

Dear Mrs. Clinton,

The picture you see above is of me and our eight-year-old daughter, Bianca. Now, even though we bothlookserious in this photo, it is far from it. She came up with a silly idea to do a “sideways staring contest,” basically to see how long we could sit there like that. Despite how we look, after my wife snapped the picture, we both cracked up.

Another reason I like this picture is because some folks believe she gets her stubbornness from me. Many have told me that this totally shows how similar we are. Don’t get me wrong; she is the sweetest person and she’s smiling and laughing all the time. This is a rare picture where she isn’t.

I still remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. Like many other males, I’ve always wanted children, but especially a daughter, because I had…

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New Faces-April

There are some great ways to enjoy pageantry and modeling without breaking the bank. I love this awesome FREE opportunity shared via TweenTalent.com! Check out the first reblog of my Pageantry On A Budget series.

Tween Talent Collective

If you think that a free shoot can’t be of good quality, think again!  Once a month She Finally Snapped Photography opens her studio to 5 kids who what to try out modeling or refresh their portfolio’s absolutely free of charge!  We include 1 digital image with the free shoot, which can be used for submitting to agencies and magazines for publication, for social media or for any personal use of their choice.

Here are a few of April’s models, I see big things in their futures!

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Farewell Note to My Successor

Farewell With Love ❤️

It’s so very hard to believe that a year has flown by as quickly as it did. Last March, as I was being crowned your inaugural Miss Junior Teen Illinois United States 2015, I remember wanting my reign to last forever. Now, one quick year later, I feel like it’s all been a dream; a magical, exciting, thrilling, learning experience, and fun dream. As a farewell to my successor, I say, enjoy every single second!

 

CLICK TO Learn More About Hashtag Lunchbag

Take it all in and then hold on for an amazing adventure. From being crowned, to rushing over to our coronation party by our sponsor Fiesta Mexicana, to sleeping in my new crown, to pinching myself in the morning, to my first photo shoot, to my very first appearance, to my first modeling booking, to my first time volunteering with my favorite humanitarian movement project to fight back against hunger at #HashtagLunchbagChicago, to my event with Miss Iowa World spreading awareness about the epidemic of Childhood Obesity, to my first speaking engagement in front of over 1000 students of the New Trier High School Class of 2019–I’ve been blessed and cherished it all.

Fairdale, Illinois family helps us carry our donations in their red wagon.

Sister Queens in the Fight to End Childhood Obesity

Team Illinois Teens appearing on Women Everywhere with host Jegie Carrera and Director Derrick Lee to talk teen issues.

And you can bet that as Miss Junior Teen Illinois United States 2016, you will too. Get ready sister queen!

Speaking of getting ready, then comes more fun. Before you know it, even though you’ve already spent hours in preparation of capturing your State crown, it will be time to get ready for the pageant’s National competition. That means more coaching with your sister queens, which was SO much fun and hard work. I know you can do it, with the help of your dedicated director, Ms. Susan. I was blessed to have great coaches in the industry like Sarah Glitzer of Spotlight Consulting, Nikki Huber, and even a workshop with Mr. Jorge Esteban Pageant Smart. Take advantage of all opportunities that your director sets up for you.

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After all that work and preparation we put in, I remember this–next to my awesome mother, my director was the loudest person clapping when I finished 2nd Runner Up in the Nation, thanks Mr. Derrick!!

I owe much appreciation to my interview and platform coaches Mrs. Kimberly Triani and Mrs. Sarah Glitzer! I was able to capture the award of Best Interview in all divisions of the Pageant!

You are sure to have the experience of a lifetime on the National stage. Pageant week at Miss United States will be beyond fun and exciting. Get to know your pageant sisters from all over the United States. We all share a bond and some of them I’m sure will be my sister queens forever. I’ll never forget the smile on Gracie Gipson from Tennessee after being crowned our Miss Junior Teen United States 2015 that night. Love you Gracie and congrats again on your accomplishment!

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Other special people to shout out to are Ms. Yadira and staff for keeping me Glammed up all year, Ms. Eva for capturing the year in photos, Mrs. Dawn, Ms. Summar, and the entire team behind #TeamIllinois 2015. Last but not least, thank you to my sister queens and pageant moms for all your love ❤️ and help.

 

Pageant sisters for life.

I’ll leave you with this. Be yourself, have fun, remember how blessed you are, and do as much volunteer work with your platform as you can. My passions are ending hunger and working to spread awareness about the epidemic of Childhood Obesity. I pray that you are able to use your reign to work closely with organizations you are passionate about too.

Farewell to my successor, as well as to all of the people who helped to make my year one of the best of my life. I love you all. ❤️

CLICK TO Learn More About Hashtag Lunchbag

Come back to the blog to see who is next to wear the crown. Who knows, it could be you on May 8th, 2016!

 

Stop Intimidating Yourself!

Great advice for all of us. Follow your dreams and never intimidate yourself. To read on, see reblog below. Have a wonderful and magical day. Love, Ciara…

Mrs. USA Universal 2015 Lori Tantawi

My reaction while looking at new contestant pictures last year for Mrs. US Universal: “Wait, What!!! She’s competing?! She is sooooo pretty!!! OMG….OMG…….Oh WOW!! Look at how amazing her hair is!!! Geez she looks AMAZING!!! Awwww man….I’m not so sure about this…Some of them have been doing this ALL their LIFE!!!

18SEP2015 New Orleans

OK, first let me admit that I did in fact do this last year. When I was looking for pageant systems to try to researched ALL the past winners and studied their pictures and public profiles. Not because I’m a creep, but because I wanted to see if I fit in with who they have already chosen as winners. Was I pretty enough? Was I tall enough? Did I have enough experience? Were my pictures just as good as theirs? More often then not I walked away feeling nervous and scared. Why? Well because I…

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Team Illinois Miss United States at Women Everywhere

One of the highlights of my reign was getting to appear on the talk show, Women Everywhere, with host Jegie Carrera. It was a great opportunity and I learned a lot about how radio shows are broadcasted. Best of all it was FUN!

Read more and watch us talk about teen issues, pageantry, modeling, charity work, and representing the Miss United States Organization.

From today’s episode of Women Everywhere Ciara Evans and Arnela Karabegovich with Derrick Lee Full Video is here..http://bambuser.com/v/5787734

 

Ciara Evans – Miss IL Junior Teen  (Platform: end hunger and obesity)

Anerla Karabegovich – Miss IL Teen (Platform: Children’s Health)

Derrick Lee  – Miss World Org State Director

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What is Food Insecurity?

The day I was crowned I signed on to be a champion of a cause that is near and dear to my heart, fighting to help end childhood obesity. I chose this epidemic as my platform because of what I have seen with my own eyes in my Community, and what I know is going on all over the world. Half of my reign is over, and I’ve already had the chance to meet some great people and organizations dedicated to ending hunger, food insecurity, and childhood obesity. Today I’m blogging about some ways that food insecurity causes more kids in my generation to become obese and deal with their hunger.

So, What is Food Insecurity? – the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food and the anxiety over these food shortages.

Think about it, if you don’t know where your next meal is coming from then you might overeat any chance you get to. Many kids that are homeless look forward to going to school because they know that they will get to eat. Those school lunches that many of us take for granted and even tease about how nasty they taste — well some kids are just happy to get to eat. I’m thinking that is a good reason to support organizations like Let’s Move, that are also pushing for healthier eating and healthy school lunches.

There are others who consistently help homeless and needy people get a healthier meal. The charity I am passionate about volunteering at is called HashtagLunchbagChicago. What I love most is that at least 1000 homeless and hungry people KNOW that they will get to eat lunch every last Saturday of the month. They can count on it! Volunteers get together and make 1000 or more lunches, put them into hand decorated lunch bags, include a hand written message of encouragement–then head into the streets of Chicago to pass out the lunches. We become family and the family grows larger each month as we share it with others. I’m just happy to be able to do something small for people in need. Young people, we can make a difference.

The fear over food shortages can also make people buy less expensive food that isn’t very good for them. They can tend to buy foods with higher calories to avoid dealing with hunger, for example. Also, it’s harder to find a variety of quality and healthy food in poorer neighborhoods. That could explain why poorer kids can become obese and still deal with hunger. I learned that in health class and it’s a huge problem that has more than doubled in the last 30 years. We have to do something about these things. Otherwise, mine will be the first generation to be out-lived by their parents.

What do you think that people of all ages can do in the fight against childhood obesity, hunger, and food insecurity? Please share and thanks for reading my blog. Love, Ciara 🙂

Prevent Lunch Bag Letdown – Let Kids Choose from Healthy Snacks!

I stumbled on this amazing blog about nutrition and how it effects the increasing epidemic of childhood obesity, among other things. I decided to Reblog this post because I know first hand how good it works! We have a drawer in the refrigerator called the lunch box. Snack sized baggies are always there; filled with fresh fruit, nuts and cheese, and cut up veggies. We also put juice boxes, apple sauce cups and other snacks in there. I just grab and go!

Learn more tips about helping to get a handle on childhood obesity at 80 Twenty Rule. 🙂

5 Things I Learned At My First National Pageant

Miss Junior Teen United States 2015 Top 5 

So you’ve won your State pageant, or you are thinking positive about the possibility of competing on a National stage. Well that means you’re already halfway there. Congratulations to you! Today I’m blogging about the 5 things I learned at my first National pageant. Hopefully the tips will help encourage another young lady who is just as beyond excited as I was. Here we go.

Hi Junior Teens! Hope that you're all having a great weekend! Miss u already. ✨👑💛😘 #gomissus #pageantsisters pic.twitter.com/rLTiJIwIuV

— Daring To Succeed 👑 (@MsCiaraEvans) July 18, 2015

1. Do yourself a favor and ignore ALL of the tempting social media posts with subjects like, “Top 15 Predictions” or “Miss Junior Teen United States Winner Predictions” ETC. With so many amazing pageant sister delegates, remember how hard each of you have probably worked for the crown. If you don’t make it on the lists of predictions, you may start to feel that you don’t have a chance. If you see that you do make it on these lists, you may think that you can relax and stop your pageant prep work. Either way I see it, save checking out the fun predictions for after the pageant. Quick Tip: I learned the hard way. After I didn’t make it on ANY of the prediction lists, I still finished in my pageant’s TOP 5! Thank goodness I am a very optimistic and positive person and didn’t let it get to me too much. 🙂
2. Enjoy the once in a lifetime experience and above all have FUN! With all the responsibilities and your whole team counting on you, it’s easy to over think and stress out during competition. I learned the second I got there that I was in for the time of my life. It was so much fun, you wouldn’t believe! From meeting my new pageant sisters, attending fittings for competition wardrobe, going into hair and make-up EVERY day; I had a blast. Whatever you do, make it fun because it all ends way too quick.
3. Don’t wait till pageant week to meet the other delegates. As soon as you win your State crown, be sure to congratulate other sister queens from each state on social media. If you are really blessed, you will be able to attend neighboring states to appear at pageants that come after yours. I met so many sweet and awesome Jr. Teens on my Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. By the time we got to the competition, we were already friends and excited about seeing each other in person. A few of them will be friends for life, I’m sure of it.
4. In between rehearsals, coaching, hair and make up appointments, team meetings, and competitions; make sure to take in the sights and visit the vendors and sponsor tables. Okay I have a confession, I didn’t do enough of this. Our pageant was in Washington DC, the nation’s capital. The city is so rich in history and I really wanted to get some photos at the White House. If I had it to do over, I would definitely plan a few hours to be a tourist next time. I did get to have fun seeing all of the vendor tables and sponsors. My favorite was Ruby Red Sweets!

https://instagram.com/p/4jpOkLAnCS/

Last, but maybe the most important thing that I learned was to plan ahead.

5. Plan and prepare months before pageant week so that you can take in the experience with very little stress. One of my favorite quotes is about how if you fail to plan, you can be sure to plan to fail. My pageant state director made sure that we had opportunities to have coaching, workshops, sponsors to work with us, pageant wardrobe sponsors, and team events. By the time we hit the road to Miss Junior Teen United States 2015, I was absolutely ready. I really think that is why I had great fun. Every time I stepped on stage the only thing I could think about was, pinch me is this real?

Plan, plan, plan! Then just trust that you’re ready and have FUN.

How to Dress For a Modeling Open Call

One thing I love about having pageant sisters is learning from them. So much of my reign has been amazing because of my big sister queens in both the Miss United States and Miss World Organization. Well, the other day I needed to learn how to dress for a model open call. I decided to REBLOG and share this awesome post with other pageant sisters and anyone else interested in modeling, who just may need it.

HUGE shout out to the beautiful and smart Victoria Mendoza, Miss World America.

VM Consulting

If you’ve ever been curious about modeling, or wanted to give it a try, you probably have a bajillion questions about it, like:

1. How do I get started?

2. How do I know which agency to pick, if any?

3. What are the requirements?

4. HOW DO I BECOME CARA DELEVINGNE?!?!

Believe me, it’s completely normal to ask yourself these questions. I know I did before I got started in this industry.

Hopefully today I will answer one of the most dreaded questions: What should I wear to an open call?

Most agencies will host what they call, an “Open Call” every so often. This is an opportunity for prospective models to come into the agency to submit some photos, take a few more digitals, and, if you’re lucky, get some face-time with the booking agent. In my opinion, this is THE way to go if you want to…

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Haiti Fashion Week Previews at Fashion Focus CHICago

I’m beyond excited to be walking for the 2015 Haiti Fashion Week Preview, as they hit the Chicago runway for the VERY first time. Please save the date and come out for an exciting time. Fashion Focus CHICago will shine a spotlight on the windy city’s fashion industry with a huge celebration!

One day I’d love to travel to Haiti for Fashion Week. The 4th Edition Haiti Fashion Week 2015 in Port-au-Prince has been announced. The theme for the week is Nourrir Haïti (Nurture Haiti). Visit the Haiti Sentinel for dates.

https://instagram.com/p/8f5GNBgnDC/

https://instagram.com/p/8fC1VEgnEm/

Haitian top designers have been invited to preview during Fashion Focus CHICago, the City of Chicago’s celebration of fashion, with a goal to showcase beautiful designs and educate the audience about Haitian culture and art through 500 years.

Advance tickets purchase via Eventbrite required due to limited available seating. –

Persida Louison, Show – Co/Producer

Monday, October 5

Our Fashion, Our Heritage: Haiti Fashion Week Preview
Block Thirty Seven
108 N. State St., 3rd Floor

Noon–6 p.m. shopping
6:30 p.m. ticketed runway

Haiti Fashion Week will host a runway and selling event with its top designers. The “Our Fashion, Our Heritage” theme will cover 500 years of Haiti’s existence with a modern twist to appeal to a 21st century audience. The shopping event is free and general admission for the runway event is $15. VIP tickets are $25 and includes a swag bag. Visit fashionfocuschicago.org.
Learn more about the other highlights via Fashion Studio Magazine, including: Youth-based professional development workshops with Latino Fashion Week; Style Bias, a runway program presented through a collaboration with YOUmedia, Commonwealth and Donda’s House; and showcases by African Fashion Week Chicago, NEXT Fashion Chicago, StyleChicago.com and Haiti Fashion Week.