Giving Back is the True Meaning of the Holidays!!

During the holiday season it is important to remember the true meaning and not get too caught up in the material aspect. Giving to others is the the true meaning and being sure that those less fortunate are taken care of. Every year I like to make sure that during this special time of happiness that others are not forgotten. I went to the North Texas Food Bank and helped box food for people that are struggling to put food on the tables for their families. Also I went to the Boys and Girls Club and helped the kids make cards for their families. Lastly one of my favorite events to go to, is on Christmas Eve. The Soupmobile and the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Dallas put up 500 homeless for one night and serve them Christmas dinner. Here is a video of them arriving to the hotel. It is a great feeling, knowing that you helped others and gave them a Merry Christmas! :)

Miss Inner Beauty is Crowned!

This past weekend was the Miss Inner Beauty Pageant for grades 1-4. There were 9 girls age 6-10 who were all learning the skills needed to be not only beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well. We taught them the importance of being excited for whoever was to win later that day, that it is not always about competition and who is the best. But it is about making friends and having a good time! The winner stated in her own words that "If you are nice to someone, then they will be nice to someone else, and that person will continue to pass it around and around". That is really what the message of the day was, to be kind to other people and it will make the world a better place!

Jade Monfils is a judge for the 2010 Miss & Teen Duncanville Pageant (MAO)

I was honored to be a judge for the Miss and Teen Duncanville pageant, part of the Miss America Organization. I know the dedication and hard work that one puts into preparing for a pageant, and I was excited to be changing 2 very lucky young women's lives. It was an enjoyable day, starting with the personal interviews, where we got to know about each lady and their passions. Also the talent portion is always fun to watch. I'm so proud of our new winners (both named Ashley) they will do a great job representing Duncanville this year at Miss Texas and Miss Teen Texas!!

Efren Penaflorida IS the 2009 CNN "Hero of The Year"

I was so excited to watch the CNN Heroes special this weekend. Mainly because it honored so many wonderful people that are "heroes" within their own communities. These people are some of the most humble people that are draw to their "calling" in life. Earlier this year I voted online for my favorite hero, Efren Penaflorida. He was announced as the 2009 winner and was given $100,000 for his charity called Dynamic Teen Company. This organization is a mobile school program for the children of the slums in the Philippines. CONGRATULATIONS EFREN!!!

Black Tie Ball Benefiting Big Brothers and Big Sisters

I was thrilled to help out for the 2nd year in a row at the Big Brothers and Big Sisters black tie auction and dinner. Having worked with this organization for 2 years as a youth mentor, I know the importance of this program and how the funds raised at this auction will go to benefit the children. In this program, high risk children are placed with either a male (big brother) or a female (big sister). These adults help mentor the child through bi-monthly meetings. We just hang out with each other and get to know more about what is going on in their lives, we also with help out with tough decisions. During my 2 years as a mentor I not only shared my experiences with my little sister, but she at the same time taught me more about myself. I took her to many different places and showed her that she has options in her life. She can choose what she wants, and that people don't have to tell her how her life is going to end up. Many times these kids just want someone to listen to them,and to have a positive role model in their life. During the night I helped during the live auction as a spotter. There were many extravagant vacations being auctioned off. Also many great pieces of art, I was so excited because the last auction was for a 10 piece art work that was commissioned specifically for this event. It was painted by 3 children in the program, and in the end I helped sell the painting for $6,250.00. We were also able to raise $210,000.00 in 10 minutes from some VERY generous donors! I'm glad that I could help raise money for this great cause that is near to my heart.

Jade Monfils at the Greater Lake Houston Heart Walk

This past weekend I traveled to Kingwood, which is right outside of Houston. I participated in the Greater Lake Houston Heart Walk which is put together by the American Heart Association. It started out bright and early at 7:00 with several "walkers" from the medical fields. I presented awards to the teams that raised the most money, and got to meet the emcee Dr. Susan Curling who is running for State Representative of district 127. It was wonderful weather for the walk, and the right before the walk trainers from Gold's Gym came and had everyone stretch out to the "I got a feeling" song from the Black Eyed Peas. Everyone had a smile on their face and was excited to be on the track of being heart healthy and staying fit. It was a good moment.

OneSight Helps Over 3000 Fresh Air Children by Giving the Gift of Eye Screenings

This past summer OneSight partnered with the Fresh Air Fund and helped over 3000 Fresh Air children. Making sure that every child who needed the gift of sight was screened. The Fresh Air Fund is so happy OneSight and their traveling optical clinic are able to help at Fresh Air camps. The Fresh Air Fund is able to partner with Onesight to provide free eye exams and eye wear to the children who need them each year. Here are some startling facts:



-One out of four school children in the U.S. has vision problems, and 86% do not get their vision checked before age 12.

-Many Fresh Air children do not have access to affordable vision care. Glasses break, are too expensive to replace, or are never prescribed in the first place. And often as a result, children's performance in academics, sports and activities suffers.

-For the fifth summer in a row, OneSight offered to bring their traveling optical clinic to all five Fresh Air Fund camp.

-Together with OneSight's Vision Vans, and a team of local doctors and volunteers. OneSight provides free eye exams and eye wear to thousands of children in need each year.

-This summer at Fresh Air camp, OneSight's staff screened 3,295 children and counselors, gave 1,757 eye exams, and made 1,629 pairs of glasses, with 1,458 of them on-site and 171 specially driven in. The team stayed at Camp Hayden-Marks for two camp sessions, to make sure every child who needed the gift of sight was screened.

Thank you so much to OneSight, please visit www.onesight.org for more information.

Miss Texas International at the TEXO Chili Cook Off

TEXO is an association for the construction industry, their vendors and those that support them. They had their 1st (of many) Chili Cook Off at the regional TEXO office. Each company brought can food that was donated to the North Texas Food Bank (6 HUGE boxes were dontated in all). I chose 15 chili judges from the crowd and presented the awards to the top 3 companies for the best chili. Charter Builders won the best chili and the people's choice for best booth theme.

Jade Monfils Celebrates in the Veteran's Day Parade

This Veteran's Day I celebrated and honored the men and women who so gratefully serve our country. We had a parade in downtown Dallas that ran from Reunion Tower down Main Street and ended at Dallas City Hall. There were 150 different groups in the parade which made it a long event (about 2 hours), but an exciting one. There were several military veterans as well as those who are currently serving. Also future recruits, there was over 250 ROTC teens. A BIG "THANK YOU"! to my fabulous driver Glen, and to everyone that has or is fighting for our country, making it what it is, and giving us the greatest gift of all..... FREEDOM!!!!

Building Inner Beauty's Pre-Teen Seminar and Pageant

This weekend I attended another Building Inner Beauty Pageant (www.buildinginnerbeauty.com). This time it was focused on pre-teens (age 11-13), I love working with children from this age group because this is an especially sensitive time where girls and boys start to feel insecure with themselves and can turn to destructive behavior. During our morning I helped the founder Crissy, and Mrs. Texas Galaxy Kayla in teaching the girls about social skills and how to introduce yourself in public and how to start conversations. Later on in the morning I taught the girls how they were going to walk down the "runway" for the pageant. Also skin care experts from Aveda came to talk to the girls about how to take care of their skin for life. After the pageant a limo from Sweet and Sassy came to pick up the girls. They loved it and said that they all felt like a rockstar, like Hannah Montana!

Texas International Queens at the Chili Cook Off

This weekend I was so excited to meet my sister queen Bonnie (Mrs. Texas) at the Chili Cook Off benefiting the families of slain firefighters. Of course being in Texas our state dish is Chili! The event was set up in Grapevine, TX with several booths decorated each with its own individual theme. There were 3 categories, starting with the professional level of chili cooker (all who are certified) down to the novice chili cookers. It was a great day to be outside and we presented the winners with the awards. It is so great to be the first person to say congratulations to a winner who has worked so hard at their craft!

Judge for the Newark Cruisin' Days Pageant

I was thrilled to meet up with some of the Mrs. Texas International 2010 contestants to judge the Newark Crusin' Days Pageant. It is a pageant for young girls and boys with a fun 50's/60's theme. All the little girls had cute poodle skirts and the boys looked like little James Deans. The pageant was held in Newark, TX a small town of 1200 people just north of Fort Worth. It was a beautiful day and I really enjoyed Newark's hospitality! :)

Vote Efren Penaflorida for CNN "Hero of The Year"

Each year, CNN gives $100,000 to the winner (from a field of ten finalists---chosen from 9,000 nominees from all over the world) for its "Hero of the Year" award. This year, a 28-year-old Filipino, Efren Penaflorida, made it to the top ten. (A panel of 12 well-known personalities from various fields picked the finalists. Colin Powell was among the judges this year). If Efren wins this year's award (based on how many votes he gets, which will depend on us), he will be able to expand his mobile school program for the children of the slums in the Philippines . What this young man is doing to improve the lives of the kids in the slums is truly inspiring. Here is Efren's story and his Dynamic Teen Company (the organization he founded).


CAVITE CITY, Philippines (CNN) -- At 16, Rhandolf Fajardo reflects on his former life as a gang member. "My gang mates were the most influential thing in my life," says Fajardo, who joined a gang when he was in sixth grade. "We were pressured to join." He's not alone. In the Philippines, teenage membership in urban gangs has surged to an estimated 130,000 in the past 10 years, according to the Preda Foundation, a local human rights charity. "I thought I'd get stuck in that situation and that my life would never improve," recalls Fajardo. "I would probably be in jail right now, most likely a drug addict -- if I hadn't met Efren."

Efren Penaflorida, 28, also was bullied by gangs in high school. Today, he offers Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. "Gang members are groomed in the slums as early as 9 years old," says Penaflorida. "They are all victims of poverty." For the past 12 years, Penaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets. Their main tool: A pushcart classroom. Stocked with books, pens, tables and chairs, his Dynamic Teen Company recreates a school setting in unconventional locations such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump. Penaflorida knows firsthand the adversity faced by these children. Born into a poor family, he lived in a shanty near the city dump site. But he says he refused to allow his circumstances to define his future. "Instead of being discouraged, I promised myself that I would pursue education," he recalls. "I will strive hard; I will do my best." In high school, Penaflorida faced a new set of challenges. Gang activity was rampant; they terrorized the student body, vandalized the school and inducted members by forcing them to rape young girls, he says. "I felt the social discrimination. I was afraid to walk down the street." Penaflorida remembers standing up to a gang leader, refusing to join his gang. That confrontation proved fateful. At 16, he and his friends "got the idea to divert teenagers like us to be productive," he says. He created the Dynamic Teen Company to offer his classmates an outlet to lift up themselves and their community. For Penaflorida, that meant returning to the slums of his childhood to give kids the education he felt they deserved. "They need education to be successful in life. It's just giving them what others gave to me," he says.

Today, children ranging from ages 2 to 14 flock to the pushcart every Saturday to learn reading, writing, arithmetic and English from Penaflorida and his trained teen volunteers. "Our volunteers serve as an inspiration to other children," he says. The group also runs a hygiene clinic, where children can get a bath and learn how to brush their teeth. Since 1997, an estimated 10,000 members have helped teach more than 1,500 children living in the slums. The organization supports its efforts by making and selling crafts and collecting items to recycle. Through his group, Penaflorida has successfully mentored former gang members, addicts and dropouts, seeing potential where others see problems. "Before, I really didn't care for my life," says Michael Advincula, who started doing drugs when he was 7. "But then Efren patiently dug me from where I was buried. It was Efren who pushed me to get my life together." Today, Advincula is a senior in high school and one of the group's volunteers. Penaflorida hopes to expand the pushcart to other areas, giving more children the chance to learn and stay out of gangs. I always tell my volunteers that you are the change that you dream and I am the change that I dream. And collectively we are the change that this world needs to be."

You can vote for Efren by clicking on the link found in the article. (There is no limit on the number of times you may vote for the Hero of the Year).

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/vote/

Voting is open between now and Nov. 19. CNN will announce the winner and give out the award at a star-studded show on Thanksgiving night in L.A. at the Kodiak Theater (same venue for the Oscars). So, let's all help Efren win so that he will, in turn, be able to help more impoverished kids. The more votes Efren gets, the greater his chances of winning the "Hero of the Year" award and the $100K. It will take less than a minute to click a button to cast your vote. Let's all help Efren continue to make a difference in those slum kids' lives. Without his mobile school and his group of volunteers, those kids will probably never have a chance to set foot in a real school and learn their ABCs. Let's all vote for Efren!

Jade Monfils at Austin National Night Out

This week I traveled to our state capital (Austin, TX). While there I attended the annual National Night Out event, whose purpose is to promote crime safety in the community and honor our law enforcement agencies. At the event was the Austin police dept, the fire department, S.W.A.T., and many other organizations dedicated to building a safer city. It was held in Chinatown with a special guest, the Austin police chopper! I helped out at the State Farm booth with the "wheel-of-prizes", signed autographs, and got to meet some great people. I even spoke with a group from the Austin Boys and Girls Club, I made sure to tell them to "stay safe and out of trouble" so that we can make Austin a safer place!!

Dallas Family Day Out at the Dallas Zoo

After I left the Van Oil Pageant I had my second appearance of the day at the Dallas Zoo, celebrating Family Day Out sponsored by State Farm, WFAA Channel 8, and Target. I hadn't been to the zoo in years, but as soon as I arrived it all started to come back to me. I helped emcee the event and signed autographs. I also joined Kelli, our current Miss Dallas International. The weather was perfect, it didn't start to rain until the very end of the event. All the colorful characters made for a great day!!

The Grand Opening of SoupMobile Village

Announcing the Grand Opening of the 1st phase of SoupMobile Village!!! In the Dallas area there are over 10,000 homeless people and only 2,000 shelter beds. Imagine if you will, SoupMobile Village group homes located all over the Dallas area that are designed to bring homeless people off the streets and transition them back into regular working members of society. Well imagine no more. The SoupMan and his fabulous SoupTeam are proud to announce that the SoupMobile's first group home is up and running. The Dream has become a Reality! Jesus said, "Feed MY Sheep." At the SoupMobile, we believe that means more than just food. We believe it also means love, caring, compassion and yes.... shelter.

The SoupMan needs your help to make this 1st phase of SoupMobile Village a success. Your donation can make a monumental difference in the quality of life of one homeless person … or several. Please note that any donation you make to SoupMobile is tax-deductible. If you would like to make a donation using check or money order, please make it payable to SoupMobile Inc.

SoupMobile, Inc.
3017 Commerce St.
Dallas, Texas 75226

Phones: 214-655-6396, 800-375-5022

For credit card donation, please CLICK HERE

Jade Monfils Judges the Van Oil County Pageant

I was able to be a judge for my friend Andrea's pageant in Van Zandt County Texas for the 2nd year in a row. It is Andrea's last year a a director which made this year even more special. The morning part of the pageant was for babies to 4 year olds. It was such a refreshing surprise to see dads as the majority when it came to bringing the children up on stage! Here I am with an old friend Stayc who was also a judge, and who has continuously helped me on my pageant journey! We rode to Andrea's house together and had an 80's themed car ride listening to Michael Jackson songs, love it! The pageant is named the Van Oil Pageant because of the historic oil wells in the county. It is great to see little children as young as 3 and 4 with so much poise and confidence on the stage, they sure surprised me!!

Miss Texas and Miss Dallas International to be at WFAA's Family First Day at the Dallas Zoo

Come join me and Miss Dallas International Kelli Ansley this Saturday October 3rd for WFAA Family First Day at The Dallas Zoo!!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
9 AM – 5 PM
Half-Priced Admission ALL DAY

650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway – Dallas
(I-35 & Marsalis Ave)

It’s your chance to check out new exhibits or old animal favorites, visit Channel 8 personalities, explore interactive centers and children’s area.


11 AM – 3 PM SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Enjoy bounce houses, live entertainment and zoo animal talks.

Stop by Family First booth and meet Channel 8’s Rebecca Lopez, News 8 Investigative Reporter Brett Shipp, as well as News 8 reporters Monika Diaz and David Schechter.

Bring and donate old cell phones to help endangered habitats, get your family photo snapped, take the scavenger hunt challenge, pick-up child safety kits, visit with community officers and beauty queens.

All AGES ARE WELCOME!

Grab your family and friends, jump in the car or hop a ride on Dart Rail.

FAMILY FIRST SPONSORS:

Medical City Children’s Hospital
Sylvan Learning

Seniors (65 and over) – $4.50
Children (2 and under) – Free
Adults (12 - 64) - $6
Children (3 - 11) - $4.50

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/familyfirst/stories/wfaa090928_kd_ffzoo2009.1c57cf80d.html

Jade Monfils Believes that Patients Come First in the Health Care Reform Debate!!

No one should have to choose between the medical care they need and food or rent. I stand with the American Heart Association to make sure Congress puts patients first in the health care reform debate. If you agree, post your status and take action at:
www.heartsforhealthcare.org

Jade Monfils in the State Fair of Texas Parade

The State Fair of Texas is an annual fair held in Dallas, TX and has been around since 1886. Yes, 1886! It is a tradition here in Texas, and workers and students are given a day off to attend the fair. There are millions that attend each year where there are carnival rides, live music, and a huge array of our famous fried foods. In the past we have had fried coffee, fried PB&J sandwiches, and this year it looks like there is deep fried butter!! There is a parade to kick off the start of the fair which runs through downtown Dallas and I was honored to be a part of it this year! :)

The Fresh Air Fund Ends Another Successful Summer Camp!

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend Fresh Air Fund camps. This summer was amazingly successful thanks to the generous support from all of The Fresh Air Fund volunteers and donors. With your help, next summer will be wonderful too.

2009 Summer Highlights:

- Nearly 8,000 children enjoyed their best summers yet
- 370 students participated in the Career Awareness Program
- 11 counselors-in-training spent three days on the Appalachian Trail
- 168 young people were Leaders-in-training

Thanks to host families who open up their homes for up to two weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air vacations. More than 65% of all children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year. There is no such thing as a "typical" host family. If you have room in your home - and your heart - to host a child, you could be one too.

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 12 years old, who reside in low-income communities in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city. You can give a child the experience of a lifetime with your gift to The Fresh Air Fund! Whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, these programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.

Emcee for the Delores H. Hudson Foundation to Fight Ovarian Cancer

I was the emcee for the evening at Seven Senses honoring the late Delores H. Hudson. Her daughter Jacque started the foundation for her last year, shortly after her passing in February 2008. The foundation is dedicated to finding a cure of ovarian cancer. There was a silent auction, as well as a live auction of a painting being painted live! Also the guest speaker was Dr. David Miller, an accomplished doctor specializing in gynecology and oncology who spoke about the dangers of ovarian cancer as well as steps being taken to find a cure.

Here are some common facts about ovarian cancer:

- all women are at risk
- symptoms can be vague, but increase over time
- early detection increases survival rate
- a pap test DOES NOT detect ovarian cancer

Also here are some common symptoms, if they persist more than 2 weeks please talk to your doctor!

- pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
- vague but persistent upsets (such as gas, nausea, and indigestion)
- frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection
- unexplained weight gain or loss
- pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
- ongoing unusual fatigue
- unexpected changes in bowel habits

To learn more about the foundation visit: www.dahfoundation.org

The Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Announced!

Carolina Correa
BGCA's 2009-2010
National Youth of the Year

A seven-year member of Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, R.I., Carolina Correa is the first Hispanic female and 63rd youth to receive the title of National Youth of the Year and will serve a one-year term as the national teen spokesperson for the 4.5 million youth served annually by Boys & Girls Clubs.

Correa recently graduated from Charles E. Shea High School, where she mentored freshmen and tutored other students. She was nominated to the City of Pawtucket’s Teen Hall of Fame, received the Rhode Island Presidential Student of the Year Award and was inducted into the National Honor Society of High School Scholars. She also graduated in the top 3 percent of her class.

At her Boys & Girls Club, the young Latina learned English, met new friends and found her niche in the aquatics program. Correa was named most valuable swimmer three times and created a program to teach the basics of swimming to inner city youth.

Correa has dedicated many hours to community service projects, including tutoring immigrants who were preparing to take the U.S. citizenship exam. An aspiring child psychologist, she now attends Assumption College in Massachusetts.

Jade Monfils at the DFW International Dinner

Last night was the DFW International dinner with 9 local mayors. Here I am with Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a great man who is working hard at developing Dallas as an international city by creating partnerships with cities all around the world. The dinner honored the many different cultures that Dallas has to offer, considering that our city consists of 40% first and second generation immigrants. The night started out with a flag ceremony, next there were dishes served from many different cultural cuisines, and speeches from all the honorable mayors about where North Texas is headed. A great night that had so many colorful costumes to add to the festivities of the evening!

Designer Totes give 100% of proceeds to Dress for Success

This year GLAMOUR magazine is selling a limited edition collection of tote bags by up and coming designers (Jason Wu, Bensoni, Lorick, Pamela Love, and Brian Reyes) at Bloomingdale’s stores in NYC and at www.bloomingdales.com. The bags are $35 and 100% of proceeds will go to Dress for Success Worldwide. Fashion Gives Back is featured in the windows of Bloomingdale’s flagship store at 59th Street in Manhattan this weekend and in a spread in the October issue of GLAMOUR. Be sure to show your support for one of my favorite organizations that helps women on a career path to success, while lifting them out of poverty!! Visit http://www1.bloomingdales.com/search/index.ognc?SearchTarget=*&Keyword=dress+for+success to get yours!

Go Red For Women NBC TV Special Saturday 9/12!

Set your TIVO's!! This Saturday, September 12th Go Red For Women premieres its NBC TV special "Choose To Live". The second national TV special is hosted by The TODAY Show’s Hoda Kotb, and features celebrity Andie MacDowell’s personal story of heart disease. The show will focuses on choices women have made to be heart healthy, feature one of the Go Red For Women 2009 casting call finalists, well known cardiologist Dr. Susan Bennett, and nutritionist Samantha Heller. Check www.goredforwomen.org/GoRedTV for your local listings, you won't want to miss it!!

First Ever Building Inner Beauty Pageant!

I have been working with Isabel's Community Outreach Center in Plano, and was thrilled when Crissy (Isabel's daughter) started her own project in helping young girls and women of the center develop skills in self-confidence that will help bring what is on the inside and let it shine through on the outside. Miss Dallas International Kelli Ansley and I helped the ladies by each heading up a topic and teaching them. My group learned about how to get up in front of a group/audience and public speak. I also briefly went over making friends and setting goals. Kelli's group went over skin care and healthy habits. In the end there was a pageant, so that the girls could get a feel for the stage and each contestant cast their ballot on who they thought should win (the girl who showed the most inner beauty) and one winner was chosen! You can visit the Building Inner Beauty website at www.buildinginnerbeauty.com

Join me in taking the "Day for Kids" pledge

September 12, 2009 is the Boys and Girls Club "Day for Kids". I have made a personal commitment to spend meaningful time with kids and I would like to invite you to join me!

Did you know that when adults spend positive, meaningful time with kids, they are more likely to develop positive self-image, as well as a sense of purpose and meaning? I hope you will also make this commitment and encourage others to do the same! Together, we are making a difference by providing role models, guidance and understanding for our youth. Take this pledge and help make a kids day here:

http://bgca.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=DFK_pledge&s_oo=O-2x3MNi9IwNj5G38_gWHQ..&s_tlid=6764

And find an event near you here for September 12th!

http://www.dayforkids.org/calendar/find_local_event.aspx

Back to School Bash at Isabel's Outreach Center

Saturday was an exciting day, I went out to Isabel's community outreach center where they were celebrating all the kids going back to school and giving out school supplies. Many of these kids come from families that are not able to provide supplies for them. The supplies (and backpacks!) where graciously donated, 4 bikes were even raffled off, and I got to do the drawing! After lunch there were guest speakers to talk to the kids about their professions (we had a nurse, geologist, accountant) and how if they study hard that they can be whatever they want to be. I was honored to speak on behalf of my job as a designer. It put a smile on my face when all the kids, even ones that couldn't even speak yet raised their hands and said that they to wanted to be an apparel designer!! :)