Safehaven of Tarrant County

 

 

I am so humbled and thankful to become a partner with the SafeHaven of Tarrant County.  Because SafeHaven is so central to my reign as Miss Tarrant County, I have decided to make this an ongoing post that I will continuously add to throughout my year.

For over 35 years, SafeHaven of Tarrant County has changed the lives of countless women and children caught in abusive relationships and homes.  They have two shelters in Tarrant County – one in Arlington and another in Fort Worth.  Their passionate goal is to end domestic violence through safety, support, prevention, and social change.

 

My contact with SafeHaven is Annie Potasznik – a former associate producer and reporter for NBC and the current Communications Coordinator for SafeHaven.  This woman is an inspiration due to her outreach and unremitting dedication to helping those in abusive relationships.  She is a pageant-girl’s dream contact because she truly wants to include me in the works of SafeHaven – and I could not be more thankful for her in helping me to spread my story and message.

 

My first appearance for SafeHaven was actually at the Arlington shelter.  The employees for Mercedes-Benz came out to build a brand new playground for the children that they had designed themselves!  In attendance were Senator Wendy Davis, Mayor of Arlington Robert Cluck, and the reporter Deborah Ferguson.  At the end of the event, Annie actually showed me around the shelter so that I could really see and understand where these women and children live and are counseled.

 For the dedication of the playground, I sang “God Bless America” and briefly spoke about my experience with domestic violence and my platform L.O.V.E: Learning to Overcome Violent Environments.  After I spoke, Deborah Ferguson said a few words about how important this work was and then she said something that will always stick with me as a definition of why I tell my story and spread my word.  She said to those who had worked so hard all day to build the playground, “Behind the walls of this shelter, there may be a little girl who is able to become the future Miss Tarrant County because you have given these children a sense of normalcy.”  The fact that my presence and mention of how I had overcome domestic violence made her think about how important any grasp of normalcy is to have a positive future really touched me.

 

 

My next appearance for SafeHaven was for their fundraiser at J Pepe’s in Dallas.  One of the best parts of this appearance was that I was able to spend quite a bit of time getting to know Annie.  SafeHaven collected so many valuable donations for the shelter and both Annie and I told our stories and how our lives had been impacted by domestic violence.  I cannot express how proud I am of her for having the courage to get on a stage and tell her story (this was her first time telling her own!)

 

I was then invited to speak and sing at the Women Are Golden Holiday Affair that was sponsored by the Texas Business Woman of Arlington on behalf of SafeHaven.  The women heading the event for the organization, Daphne Banks, was so hospitable and wonderful in making me an integral part of this event.  I was also excited to have my associate director, Lynn Alexander, present for this event.  Lynn’s platform was also supporting victims of domestic violence when she was competing so it mean the world to me to have that connection with her.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County and particularly Annie are really helping me to spread my message and allow me to really act upon my platform to make my year as Miss Tarrant County leave a legacy of hope and dedication.  I cannot express my gratitude for their assistance and inclusion in their work to combat domestic violence and empower those who have been victims and witnesses to such violence.

My November Experiences!

ANNOUNCEMENT!! I’m SO excited to be able to announce that I was chosen to be a board member for the Genesis Young Leaders, an auxiliary for Genesis Women’s Shelter. 

Photoshoot  with ALL my Fort Worth sisters!! – I have always wanted to shoot with the incredible Zac Grimaldo and I was so fortunate this month to have that opportunity.  I cannot thank him and his beauty team (Micaela and JJ) enough for such an incredible experience and making me look and feel beautiful.

 

Cowtown ball – Directly after our photoshoot, Rachel Garrett, Kaylee Killingsworth, Tiffany Weeks (one of our board members and the2012 Miss Duncanville), and I went to the Cowtown Ball in the Fort WorthStockyards.  The Cowtown Ball is a benefit for the American Cancer Society. Rachel and I were paired up to sell raffle tickets for a diamond ring, but halfway through we got the opportunity to race armadillos!!  Only in Texas do titleholders get to race armadillos!!

TCU appearance for sponsor – One of the most important parts of being a titleholder is making sure you represent your sponsors well.  Tan 2 Glow is our wonderful tanning sponsorand they make themselves always available for our needs.  Ivana, Mallory, and I went to the TCU Frog Alley to help advertise and represent Tan 2 Glow and we had a fantastic time.  Thanks Tan 2 Glow!!

Sears Anti-Bullying Event – Bullying is such a prevalent issue in our society and Sears is making an effort to stop this problem with their Anti-Bullying Campaign.  Brittney Bennett, Holly Morgan (my teen), and I were invited to come spread the word and sign autographs at Sears!

Miss Dallas – It’s important for us titleholders to gosupport our pageant sisters compete and all of the other local pageants.  I highly respect the Miss Dallas organization and wanted to go show my regards by attending and supporting theirpageant.  The pageant was filled with INCREDIBLE competitors, and the stunning Monique Evans won the crown.  I was so impressed to see how hard she has worked since Miss Texas.  Congrats Monique and Tati (Miss Dallas’ Outstanding Teen)!!

MFWSO Round Table – I loved getting together with all of my organization sisters again as we went through make-up tips with our make-up professional Caitlin Sisk and worked on our interviews.  I am so impressed with the extensive knowledge and conviction of my fellow pageant sisters.  To be surrounded and loved by such a supportive and inspiring group of young women and board still astounds me everytime we all have the chance to get together.

Fort Worth Parade of Lights – Getting together with the Fort Worth, North Texas, and my own Tarrant County group for the Fort Worth Parade of Lights was incredible.  I was soblessed to have had my amazing parents come in town to spend Thanksgiving with me and to be a part of this great experience. There were countless attendants at the parade that went through downtown and it was fantastic seeing my parents waving at me and snapping pictures.  THE BEST PART: Apparently, at one point in the parade, one of my ED’s (Shelli Bates) overheard a couple with their toddler shout, “We know her!! We know Miss Tarrant County!” as I passed by.  When my ED asked how they knew me, they said they had gotten to know me at an appearance. That’s what this is all about – they didn’t feel like they had just met me, they felt like they had gotten to know me, and that is the job of a titleholder.

Miss Duncanville – As I said earlier, I truly believe in supporting our numerous organizations whenever possible.  I went to the Miss Duncanville pageant and was able to watch my teenie (Holly) give up her title as Miss Ellis County’s Outstanding Teen and cheer on LaKesha Clark as she won Miss Duncanville!

 

 

DIFFA – Deck the Doors – This appearance was beyond fun!  The other titleholders were Brittney, Rachel, and the new Miss Duncanville’s Outstanding Teen, who is just a gem.  Rachel and I were paired in the back with the photographer, and boy, did we have a blast!  The toy-soldier models even came to take pictures with us!  I loved spending time with my beautiful sisters for such an incredible cause.