Crowning My Miss Texas International Successor

This weekend was the 2010 Miss Texas International Pageant. I was there to crown my successor. It was a hard job for the judges, there was plenty of competition. These women are not only beautiful on the outside, but smart, and have a dedication to the community. Each contestant has a personal platform that is near to their heart. The International system is great about helping promote the woman and her platform so that she can help elevate it to a higher level. The new winner is Ashley Smith, Miss Houston and her cause is Breast Cancer Awareness. Her mother is a survivor and she will do a great job this year to help others. It was a fabulous weekend, we had orientation on Friday night and I was so moved to meet all the contestants. Many of them had touching stories about their causes and I just applaud them for being able to speak out and help others who may not have a voice. Saturday we visited the Alamo and had a Riverboat ride on the Riverwalk, and Sunday we had rehearsal all day. Each time I go to a pageant I am just amazed and inspired by everyone. It has been a great year, and I am happy to now pass on the crown! I know that Ashley will do great things this year! :)

My Year as Miss Texas International

I have had a wonderful and fulfilling year as Miss Texas International 2009! I will be crowning my successor this Sunday March 28th, at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas. It has been such an honor to not only hold the title for one year, but to be able to make such a difference in the lives of others. This past year I traveled over 7,000 miles across the great state of Texas. I was able to promote and advocate my personal platform of "Preventing Youth Gang Crimes: Through afterschool programs and mentoring". I also helped to raise over $600,000.00 for youth mentoring and afterschool programs, with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Clubs. I just wanted to say "thank you" to all of my sponsors and supporters! Without all of you I would not have been able to fulfill my dreams!

My Dog Leia is a Cover Model!!

My Boston Terrier Leia made the cover of the Dallas Voice this week! It is because she was chosen out of 400 entries, and made Top 10 and was put online for voting. From there she had the most votes and was chosen to be on the cover!! Thanks to everyone who voted for her!! She also got a check in her name donated to LifeBark, which is an organization that is dedicated to helping people living with HIV and AIDS. We were honored to attend a party where we accepted the check for $2500.00.

Judging for the Denton County United America Pageant

This past weekend I was honored to judge the Denton County United America Pageant and there were so many great contestants! I had so much fun with my fellow judges Jain Hall and Tiffany Sherrell. There were 5 age divisions, where the girls compete in on-stage question, fashion wear, and everyone's favorite evening gown. Here I am with the emcee, national junior teen winner Blair Lynch and Mindy Le the Denton County junior teen winner. I wish all the winners the best of luck when they go to state in June!

Happy Birthday Texas!!!

Today is Texas Independence Day! It was 174 years ago, on March 2, 1836 that 59 delegates worked overnight to write the Texas Declaration of Independence during the Texas Revolution. It was then that Texas declared it independence from Mexico. The event happened at what is now Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park. To learn more visit: www.birthplaceoftexas.com.

Texas International Workshop and Rodeo Parade

This past weekend I was in Houston for the Texas International Pageant contestant workshop. About 40 contestants traveled from all over the state to get some extra pointers before the pageant next month. My Mrs. sister queen Bonnie was gracious enough to have all the ladies over before the event for a brunch meet and greet. There we were all able to talk to one another in a casual setting. Afterwards when the girls headed to the workshop- Dymond, Bonnie, and I did an appearance in the Montgomery County Rodeo Parade which was in Downtown Conroe. It was great getting to spend time with my sister queens and showing off our Texas flair! After the parade we headed to the workshop and met up with the contestants who were getting lessons from some of our wonderful sponsors. There was Valerie Hayes www.valeriehayes.com who worked on interview, Misty Twellman who taught walking lessons, and Sheila Ybarra who gave all the contestants a "glam kit" and taught them how to apply the perfect pageant make up www.makeupbysheila.com (I was super excited when she used me as her make-up model)! It was a busy but great day and I was happy to finally meet many of the contestants. There are so many great girls, the judges are going to have a really tough time. But good luck to all, it is really all about your own personal journey during this time so take it in and enjoy it! :)

National Wear Red Day 2/5

National Wear Red Day was Friday 2/5. Thousands of Americans wore red to draw attention to this startling fact, that over 430,000 women are silenced each year by cardiovascular disease and most of these deaths are preventable. I met up with some fellow queens to draw attention to this cause. Here are some helpful hints that will keep you living HEART HEALTHY!

1. STOP SMOKING: If you smoke, quit. If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to quit.

2. CHOOSE GOOD NUTRITION: A healthy diet is one of the best weapons you have to fight cardiovascular disease. The food you eat, and the amount can affect other controllable risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and being overweight. Choose nutrient rich foods which have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients that are lower in calories. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grain and high fiber foods, fish, lean protein and fat-free or low-fat dairy products is the key. And to maintain a healthy weight, coordinate your diet with your physical activity level so you're using up as many calories as you take in.

3. REDUCE BLOOD CHOLESTEROL: Fat lodged in your arteries is a disaster waiting to happen. Sooner or later it could trigger a heart attack or stroke. You have got to reduce your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol and get moving. If diet and physical activity alone don’t get those numbers down, then medication may be the key. Take it just like the doctor orders. This is where those numbers need to be:

Total Cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL

LDL (bad) Cholesterol should be less than 160 mg/dL if you're at low risk for heart disease, less than 130 mg/dL if you're at intermediate risk for heart disease, and less than 100mg/dL if you're at high risk for heart disease

HDL (good) Cholesterol should be 50 mg/dL or higher for women

Triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dL

4. LOWER HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: It’s the single largest risk factor for stroke. Stroke is the No. 3 killer and one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. Stroke recovery is difficult at best and you could be disabled for life. Shake that salt habit, take your medications as recommended by your doctor and get moving. Those numbers need to get down and stay down. Your goal is less than 120/80 mmHg.

5. BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE EVERYDAY: Research has shown that getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on 5 or more days of the week can help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and keep your weight at a healthy level. But something IS better than nothing. If you’re doing nothing now, start out slow. Even 10 minutes at a time may offer some health benefits. Studies show that people who have achieved even a moderate level of fitness are much less likely to die early than those with a low fitness level.

6. AIM FOR A HEALTHY WEIGHT: Obesity is an epidemic in America, not only for adults but also for children. Fad diets and supplements are not the answer. Good nutrition, controlling calorie intake and physical activity are the only way to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity places you at risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and insulin resistance, a precursor of type 2 diabetes. Your Body Mass Index (BMI) can help tell you if your weight is healthy.


7. MANAGE DIABETES: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of diabetes related death. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease due to a variety of risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and lack of physical activity.

8. REDUCE STRESS: Some scientists have noted a relationship between coronary heart disease risk and stress in a person's life that may affect the risk factors for heart disease and stroke. For example, people under stress may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would. Research has even shown that stress reaction in young adults predicts middle-age blood pressure risk.

9. LIMIT ALCOHOL: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and lead to heart failure or stroke. It can contribute to high triglycerides, produce irregular heartbeats and affect cancer and other diseases. It contributes to obesity, alcoholism, suicide and accidents.

Visit www.goredforwomen.org for more.

Speaking at Charter School in Oak Cliff

I recently spoke to a group of students at a charter school in Oak Cliff, a section in West Dallas. I had about 30 minutes to speak to a group of about 50 students. The main message that I conveyed to them was to stay in school and to set high goals for yourself. Believing in yourself you can achieve anything. I also shared my story of my friend Lisa who lost her life too soon, and for them to stay off the streets, out of gangs, and to not do drugs. Even though a lot of them are so young I know that they knew just what my message was trying to get across. They all had a lot of questions for me that I was happy to answer, I am so glad that I had this opportunity to speak to them and hopefully make an impact on their life. When they get put in a bad situation I hope that they will make a better decision with the knowledge that I shared with them.

Support the Earthquake Recovery Efforts in Haiti

On January 12, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti just outside the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The devastation – in lives lost, property destroyed, and families displaced – is immense. Our immediate priority is to save lives. The critical needs in Haiti are great, but they are also simple: food, water, shelter, and first-aid supplies. The best way concerned citizens can help is to donate funds that will go directly to supplying these material needs. Through the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, we will work to provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors. We will channel the collective goodwill around the globe to help the people of Haiti rebuild their cities, their neighborhoods, and their families.

Please visit https://re.clintonbushhaitifund.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=3884 to donate now.

My Club My Life.com

Check out the new Boys and Girls Club website made espically for teens!!
http://myclubmylife.com

Please vote for my dog Leia!!

My dog Leia made it to the Top 10 of the Dallas Voice top dog contest out of 400 dogs. Please vote for her so that she has a chance to be on the cover of the March issue of Dallas Voice. There is no need to register for anything, just one vote per computer!

Go to:
http://www.dfwreadersvoice.com/topdog/
and vote for LEIA the Black and White Boston Terrier.

Thanks!! :)

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!!