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!! :)

5th Annual Dallas Charity Expose

The purpose of the annual Charity Expose is to bring together several different non-profit organizations together and raise awareness through our community. There were around 20 organizations at the event, including ones that I have worked with such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Dress for Success. I was excited to meet many other people who share the same interest as myself, make our community a better place. Some other organizations there were Operation Kindness which is a no-kill animal shelter, as well as many other groups dedicated to children which I can't wait to be able to help out! There was also a silent auction going on that benefited these wonderful organizations!

Summer SMART Girls Last Class

The summer session is ending at the Boys and Girls Club and school is starting on Monday. I had my last SMART Girls class where we talked more in depth about boys/relationships and how they think that they deserve to be treated. We touched on the recent Chris Brown and Rhianna break up and how no girl EVER deserves to be beaten up by any man or male figure. All my girls are "smart" girls because they are the ones telling me that you should NEVER go back to anyone that hits you and to get out of that relationship ASAP!!! I am so proud of them!! :) Also since school starts next week the club had an end of summer "party" and all the kids got sponsored school supplies and backpacks. There was even a talent show were some of my girls got to perform their best talents. Some sang and some danced. Here are some pictures of the memories that I have taken from the past 2 months. I hope that I was able to teach these girls how to be responsible young ladies, they have also taught me a thing or two!!

Jade Monfils promotes National Night Out Awareness Day

Today was National Night Out Awareness Day, and I celebrated by presenting a few of our local heroes with awards. It was a day to recognize those that protect us and to promote awareness of neighborhood safety. State Farm is a major sponsor of the annual National Night Out event that will take place in October. I was honored to be a part of this event that was held at State Farm's regional office!

Jade Monfils emcee's the Miss and Teen Asian America Texas Pageant

Saturday I emceed the Miss and Teen Asian America Texas Pageant. It was held at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. There were a number of talented young ladies in the group. My favorite part about cultural pageants are the talents and cultural costume presentation. The winner of the Miss division is Chinmayi Ghatrazu an accomplished young woman who performed a classical Indian dance called "Kathak". Throughout the night I was able to talk with Angie Chen Button a Texas State Representative and Addison Mayor Joe Chow. I was also excited to meet Cam Tran a Anchor/Reporter for KTXS-TV, the ABC affiliate in West Texas. With so many well rounded women, I know that the judges had a difficult time choosing just one!

Miss International Pageant '09 in Chicago!!

Where can I even start about pageant week at Nationals? Well...... the week started out on Sunday when I arrived in Skokie with my parents, on Sunday night we met up with my Godmother who lives in Chicago and ate a delicious Italian dinner in Niles. I have not seen her in 20 years, so it was great to be able to spend sometime with her. She ended up giving me a gorgeous Tiffany's necklace, saying that "Every girl should have something from Tiffany's". Monday was orientation where I got to meet all the girls in the Miss division. EVERYONE was a sweetheart! Tuesday we woke up bright and early and headed to the Boys and Girls Club in Chicago!! This was my favorite visit! We met all the kids and made crafts, played games, and signed autographs. With my platform directly relating to the Boys and Girls club, I was so excited that I was able to see another club outside of Texas. Then we ate lunch at the Navy Pier and walked around signing autographs for the kids on field trips for summer camp. From there 10 of us were selected to participate in a fashion show at the Water Tower Center in downtown Chicago. We were fitted for 3 looks at Betsy Johnson, Cusp, and Custo Barcelona. Then we had out hair done at Vidal Sassoon and make-up by Bare Essentials. After the show we were whisked away in 2 limos back to the hotel, just in time for dinner. Wednesday we went to the Skokie library to take a tour, it is an amazing library with SOOOO many amenities for its patrons. They have it set up with a similar layout as a Barnes and Nobles, I just had to ask where their Starbucks was........ they said that they were still working on that part! After wards we rehearsed and ate dinner with the Teen group. I was glad that I was there with my Teen Dymond (go Texas!!) and that we were able to share the experience together. Thursday was interview, with my time at 11:30, so I didn't have to get up too early! Then we had rehearsal and watched the Teen Prelims later on that night. Friday was rehearsal again and our Miss Prelims were that night. Saturday was rehearsal again and the Top 10 got to compete. The winner was Miss Southeast, Erin Golden, who is as beautiful on the inside as out. Sunday I spent the day with my Mom, Dad, Garee, and cousin Jacob. We went to eat the famous Chicago deep dish pizza, and went to the Navy Pier to just relax by the water. It was an amazing week, and I am so glad that I got to meet so many inspiring young women. After reflecting on my experience, I wouldn't change anything. One saying that I always remember is that "All crowns are different, yours can be made of rhinestones, or the growth of your heart".............

Good Luck!! from my SMART Girls class

This weeks class was all about how to carry yourself and act like a lady. We went over the proper way to walk, sit, and stand. I told them about the pageant and they all wanted to wish me luck (hence the signs....haha) There was a point when their hyper activeness kicked in, and I had to think of something to get their attention. I said "Girls! We are going to talk about............." as I thought of something to get their attention I said "BOYS" they all came running towards me and gathered in a circle to tell me all about their "crush" and who they thought was "sooooo cute"! Well it was a segway into future lessons, but I wanted them to know that boys are normal, but that they don't need for them to revolve around their whole lives, that they can do things for themselves first. I ended the day with signing some posters that I had made up. I always loved having posters on my walls when I was younger, and it is important that young girls have a positive role model to look up to!