Aside from reciting the alphabet backwards in 10 seconds at Student Council camp, I have never showcased my talents on a stage…because of the Miss Amazing Pageant, Leah has.
I have never had the opportunity to walk in front of an applauding audience feeling like an absolute princess…because of the Miss Amazing Pageant, Leah has.
Although I have crowned myself queen of many things, such as brewing coffee…or saying the alphabet backwards really ridiculously fast, I do not possess a crown. Because of the Miss Amazing Pageant, Leah does.
And most significantly, I have never felt the honor of representing my city and my state as a figure, presenting checks to various organizations. Yep, you guessed it…rocking a Miss Amazing Miss sash and a crown atop her head, Leah has.
For women with special needs, Miss Amazing is one of my favorite organizations for so many reasons. So what is it, why do I love it, and how is Leah a part of it all? I’m so glad you asked.
It’s a story that begins 10 years ago, with a 13-year old make-it-happen young lady, her genuine heart, a hope-filled dream, and the motivation to work hard.
The year was 2007, and Jordan Somer was the crowned Miss Junior Teen Nebraska. In her role and because of her passion for volunteering for Special Olympics, Jordan dreamt up the idea to utilize the premise of a pageant to empower females with disabilities. By November 3, 2007, she held the first Miss Amazing Pageant. Leah was one of the lucky participants.
Every inspirational participant was glowing after the first Miss Amazing Pageant, 10 years ago
Over the past decade, Miss Amazing has continued to spread on a National level. They received Teen Nick’s HALO Award in 2010, allowing them to expand to 10 states. In 2013, the first National Miss Amazing Pageant was held. Today, Miss Amazing programs are held in over 30 states, reaching and empowering hundreds of individuals who so deserve to feel beautiful.
This makes my heart explode. With a mission of providing, “opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to build confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment,” I applaud Jordan and everyone involved. Personally, I was blessed with the chance to witness how big of an impact Miss Amazing makes firsthand through Leah and her experience.
Everyone have a dream to be in a Miss Amazing Pageant and everyone who have a child with Down syndrome or other ability can participate in a event and to go in to a pageant. It is a truly special experience of my life. It is a time and event to show beautiful moments and things that we can do like dance and sing. I love to dress up and walk on the stage while the audience claps. It touch my heart and every other person in the pageant feel that way together also in their hearts.
They have a Talent showcase and Evening Wear show and they have awards and queen crowning too.
When I win at the pageant to be Miss Amazing Miss I feel that I got really super excited and really super happy that I went so far with my piano performance and to be a queen. And I also got really super surprised that I won too. It was my very special moment I had at the pageant too. I have a lot of fun and will remember it the rest of my life.
Leah and Jordan, back in 2007 after she was crowned Miss Amazing Miss
When I got honored to be a Miss Amazing Queen I got a medal and a Miss Amazing sash around you and a Miss Amazing Queen trophy and a crown on my head too. There is a picture of me with all of these things.
I had been doing a lot of things when I was Miss Amazing Nebraska Queen across the state of Nebraska. I help out by made appearances and I also do the check presentations at The Munroe Meyer Institute and I also went to the Sienna Frances House and I went to the Ronald McDonald House too. I went to the Omaha Food Bank and I go to the Ollie Webb Center too.
Another thing that I did when I was the Miss Amazing Nebraska Queen is I went to interview on the “Omaha Living” television program with Jordan Somer the founder of Miss Amazing Pageant.
I also made an appearance at the Nebraska Senatorial Dinner in 2008. And also I went to do Piano Performances at Nursing Homes and that was very truly special to do that.
I always wore my crown and my Miss Amazing Sash around me when I did appearances and interviews.
I have a lot of experiences by represent my state and city too. It was a lot of fun and a blast of fun to be able to do these things and show others my talent too with my piano and I have been playing piano all my whole life. Thank you very much for allow me to talk about this with all of you.
Miss Amazing is so special because it highlights beauty in the true essence of the word. Each participant is beautiful in their own special way, and this program provides girls and women with the opportunity for that beauty to shine.
Beauty is Tiffani, whose passion is giving to those in need. Katie, whose elegant dancing brings chills to the crowd. Beauty is Taylor, who believes in choosing kindness.It’s Stephanie, the motivational speaker. Beauty is my sister Leah, whose passion is bringing joy to others through playing music on the piano.
I STRONGLY recommend checking out the organization’s site, and getting involved if there is a program in your state! And a personal, sincere, thank you to Jordan, for thinking outside the box and creating magical, important experiences for so many people.
I truly believe it is those who give who receive the most.
Here’s to turning our minds Upside Down.
