Jade Monfils visits the North Dallas Bea's Kids

On my lunch break I visited Bea's Kids North Dallas location. I had stopped by before as "Wednesday's Winner" back in January, and Vosica the director of the branch said that the kids have been asking about me and what I have been up to. I wanted to stop by and share with them the story about my recent win in San Antonio, and make sure that they were still working on their own "dreams". I was excited to see that there were 4 interns helping out, who are currently Juniors and Seniors in high school. I congratulated them on being active in their communities, because I remember when I was volunteering at my local Boys and Girls Club during my high school years. The kids are now off from school during the summer, and the program runs for a couple hours a day in the afternoon. They get a healthy sack lunch, and I had to remind them that they should be eating things that are good for them and getting plenty of exercise (ex. kickball, hopscotch, or basketball). Being healthy and adopting good habits will lead them to a life time of good health!

Miss Texas International featured Front Page in Coppell Gazette

I was so excited to be featured in the community newspaper, front and center! I had my article featured in the Coppell Gazette, where I had a chance to get my message out about my platform and what I have been doing in the community. I have had friends and neighbors calling me and letting me know that they read it, and are so proud of me and what I am trying to achieve!! Thanks everyone!
http://www.courier-gazette.com/articles/2009/06/05/news_update/302.txt

Jade Monfils at the Garland Asian Festival

Yesterday was the Garland Asian Festival held at Saigon Mall in Garland. It was a HUGE event, with around 5,000 people. It was so crowded that the parking situation was getting out of control with people parking and blocking in cars 3 cars deep! I was making announcements and introducing city council and other community leaders. It is always great to see a celebration of different cultures and diversity. The day started off with the presentation of the Mayor of Garland giving a proclamation, a lion dance around the parking lot, and firecrackers! Yes, firecrackers were lit off for about 5 minutes in the parking lot!! The fire and police departments were both were very approving, "There has to be some fun sometimes"! Afterwards were many dances and performances from cultures all over Asia.

SMART Girls update

This week was the 1st class of S.M.A.R.T. Girls, that I am teaching at the Boys and Girls Club. I originally planned my curriculum with teen girls in mind, but the majority of the young ladies that were in my class ranged from 8-12. No problem, I just had to change my level of thinking. The younger girls 8 & 9 years have the shortest attention and you really have to make the content fun for them (they are in 3rd and 4th grade), while my 10 & 11 year olds are very into what their friends are doing and they tend to want to stick together in groups, so I have to make the content "cool". The 12 year olds will understand a little more, since they are starting to realize the difference between them and the boys. This week we talked about goals and what we want to accomplish in the future. We made my favorite "inspiration boards", I brought a TON of magazines and told them that they could have anything in the whole world, to look through the magazines and if they want it to rip it out. I told them that if they even thought they might want it to take it and we could always sort later. It was a fun "girls" time, some of the younger boys were trying to check out what we were doing and to join in on the fun. But were told by the girls that it was "GIRLS ONLY"! It is really fun to see what all the girls want to have in their future. Also it is important that they know that they can have anything that they want as long as they set their mind to it. :) I can't wait til next week when we talk about nutrition!

Jade Monfils at Dallas City Arts Festival

This past weekend was the Dallas City Arts Festival, which highlighted all the wonderful talents musically, culinary, and artistically in Dallas. It was a 3 day event held in the Dallas Arts District, one of the largest in the nation. All the museums were open to the public for free, Dallas has some great museums; The Dallas Museum of Art, The Crow Collection of Asian Art, and the Nasher Sculpture Center. The streets were closed up for blocks, so that patrons could visit all the musical stages (there were 4) and the tents with all the celebrity chefs of Dallas. It was a huge event, and being a creative individual myself, I was honored to be a part of it. I was making announcements on the main stage (sponsored by Fox 4) and the "Fair Park" stage at the other end of the street. I also got to do a radio interview for KLIF 570 am talk radio, who were set up inside the TXU Energy tent. It was definitely Texas weather, HOT! But was a great day to come out and learn more about what arts Dallas has to offer!!

Jade Monfils at the Philippine Republic Day Gala

I was so happy to be asked to attend the annual gala dinner in honor of Philippine National Independence Day. Each year Filipinos from all over Texas and Oklahoma come together in Dallas to celebrate this special occasion. It was held at the Hilton in Dallas, and was a very extravagant event! Everyone was dressed in their finest to watch and listen to the wonderful entertainers. I made announcements and introduced the musicians. Here I am in a traditional Filipina dress called a Terno, with global Filipino band sensation Primo. I also got to meet Kimberly and Sage Miss Philippine Texas and Miss Teen Philippine Texas!

Jade Monfils at the Boys and Girls Club Fundraiser

Friday night was the Boys and Girls Clubs annual Texas Hold Em Tournament, where all proceeds go towards the afterschool club. It was held at the W Hotel and I got to work the "Fund the Need" board. I previously helped out with this board at the Billiard Ball held back in March as Miss Dallas. I was excited to share with all the board members, presidents, and volunteers about my recent win in San Antonio. They had previously told me that they fully support me and my cause and wished me luck back in March, so I was happy that I made them proud and brought home the title! Basically the "Fund the Need" board is made up of different levels of sponsorship that an individual can purchase, they get to choose what they want their money to go toward and what is important to them. $25 will pay for one hour of one on one tutoring for one student, $50 will pay for their school supplies, and $100 will pay for a field trip for about 15 students- this covers the van expense and gas money. I had several people donate to the $250 fund, which covers sports equipment for one sport like basketball, in one club (this will pay for the basketballs and jerseys), because sports were so important to them growing up. There was also $1250 donations available which pays to keep one child in the club for one school year. I love being able to raise money for this needed program, and being around so many other people and organizations that also have these kids in mind!

Jade Monfils Partners with the Afterschool Alliance

This week I got in contact with the Afterschool Alliance, the nation's leading voice for afterschool, and signed on to help raise awareness about the importance of afterschool programs. As you know my platform relates directly to this cause and I am so excited to be championing this message at an even larger scale! I want to encourage everyone who supports afterschool programs and thinks that children would benefit from affordable programs that will in return give positive effects, to go to http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/a4aJoin.cfm and sign the petition. By doing this you are helping to get the needed funds for these very crucial programs. All it takes is a little time, and it doesn't cost anything! I myself grew up in a home where both of my parents worked, I didn't have an afterschool program but I know that I could have benefited from them. Here is the link once more:

http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/a4aJoin.cfm

Donations for the Fresh Air Fund matched dollar for dollar in June!

I just wanted to let everyone know that during the month of June, the Fresh Air Fund (www.freshair.org) has donors that will be matching all donations dollar for dollar. If you are interested please donate to this worthy cause that takes inner city kids out of the city during summer months to either summer camps or host families in the suburbs or countryside. Act fast, because the donations will only be matched until June 30, 2009. Also if you would be interested in hosting a child for the summer visit www.freshair.org. Thanks so much!!