May 20, 2020
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING TEXAS CARES FOR CHILDREN!
Many thanks to all of you who generously donated to Texas Cares For Children on May 5 through North Texas Giving Day! We raised $17,746 that will be designated for the Miss Texas scholarships, the Texas Cares for Children school program and the 2020 Visionary and Community Service Scholarships. Details for applying will be provided in early June.

Texas Cares for Children was created to address social inequality on a peer-to-peer level, through leadership development, community partnerships, and cultural training. Texas Cares for Children strives to bring life skills, values education, and leadership into schools; demonstrating the importance of setting personal and educational goals; teaching students how to stand up to negative peer pressure and turn it into positive peer pressure and establishing lifelong healthy practices. The initial program was developed through collaborative efforts with the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and won the endorsement of former President George Bush and then Secretary of Education, Lamar Alexander.

More About Us
Through the program, participants learn about:
• Character building and life skills
• Making healthy choices and educating youth on positive lifestyle wellness practices
• Effectively dealing with bullying and peer pressure
• Dealing with adversity and overcoming challenges
• Understanding and respecting one another's differences
• Combating drug and alcohol abuse.
-- Valerie Bell, Media and Sponsors
Texas Cares for Children
REMEMBERING PHYLLIS GEORGE, MISS AMERICA 1971
Miss America 1971, Phyllis George, paved the way for women in television and was the epitome of class and elegance. Proud of her Denton, Texas roots she catapulted to national fame when she won the Miss America crown and became a female pioneer in sports television. The Miss Texas family sends our condolences to her family and those she inspired.
CHANDLER FOREMAN, MISS TEXAS
I mentioned before that May was going to be an awesome month and that I could “just feel it.” A few synonyms of the word awesome are breathtaking, apprehensive, daunting and impressive. We recently learned that Miss America would be postponed until the end of 2021 and my Miss Texas reign would continue for another year. I was initially apprehensive because I wasn’t expecting it, but challenged any doubt and fear. I started thinking about how amazing it is to have another opportunity to serve my state, be an ambassador for the organization and to refine my social impact. To begin, I decided to rediscover myself first as Chandler and set out on a "me" project. I began meditating to become more intentional about my actions and peace of mind. I started to nurture an understanding to choose love in what I do and who I engage with. I decided to focus on improving my musical talents to share my gifts with the world.
 
This week I interviewed two of our forever Miss Texas titleholders (Dana Rogers and Tara Watson Watkins), and will continue to interview my Miss Texas sisters on Tuesdays. I’m starting my Lady Leader Lives THIS Thursday to discuss “Overcoming Negativity” with a special guest too. I’m also registered for two more classes this summer which means school ALL YEAR - WOOHOO! Save the date for June 4th to join my showcase where I’ll be speaking and performing. Be sure you’re following on all social media platforms to watch these exciting activities unfold, while I continue my mission to build and serve this GREAT state.
-- Miss Texas, Chandler Foreman
ALLIE GRAVES, MISS TEXAS' OUTSTANDING TEEN
This month I graduated from Texas High School (pictured) and the walk only took 10 minutes! I also joined my friend, Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen, on Instagram live and spent time with my Lone Star Princesses. I was featured on a national television show, “Graduate Together” and appeared at a virtual prom with an encouraging message for graduating seniors. I also had an interview with the Houston Chronicle about my new initiative, Operation PAL .

This initiative was created to support the 461 graduating seniors who are transitioning from foster home to college or career in the midst of COVID-19 by alleviating the financial burdens they may be facing. Our goal is to provide the graduating seniors in foster care with at least $100 in gift cards (and a backpack sponsored by Day 1 Bags and Backpacks ) by June 1 . I’m so excited that we are 30% of the way to our goal and my local Red River Credit Unions have teamed up to take care of the graduates in our Texarkana area! May is National Foster Care Month and I am determined to exceed this goal in support of the 2020 class. I’m also scheduled to speak with local news reporters in Tyler, Lubbock and San Antonio about Operation PAL this week. Please help us spread the word by sharing our Facebook page with more information here !
-- Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen, Allie Graves
LOCAL LEADERS
Thank you to all the Texas titleholders and local teams who continue to make a difference by spreading positivity, supporting those in need and serving as leaders! Submit a highlight for the next newsletter by clicking here .
Carrollton Teen, Kennedy Hardeman
Join Miss Carrollton’s Outstanding Teen for Workout/Wellness Wednesday! Workout/Wellness Wednesday was created to inspire others and hopefully become some type of motivation to start your day. The segment includes weekly workouts, and ways to form and maintain a positive and healthy mindset on Instagram stories. Every week there is a brand new workout & affirmation.

Southeast Texas Teen, Lauren Faria
Lauren joined the Special Olympics Athlete Virtual Bingo/Dance Party on May 8, she continues to highlight local businesses on social media and she contributed to the Dallas / Park Cities Organization's "Music Through the Age" event. She was recently selected as this year's recipient for the National Sojourners Award: recognized as an outstanding year two/three cadet, in the top 25% of their academic class and demonstrates Americanism within the Corps of Cadets. She was also accepted to Cal Poly's College of Engineering Virtual EPIC summer camp.
Grand Prairie, Angelica-Jasmine Bates
Due to our national pandemic, many students are forced to miss out on memorable moments to wrap up their high school experience. Angelica-Jasmine Bates has adopted two incredible seniors in Grand Prairie and surprised them with their own personalized gift baskets. To view the stories and journey, check out @miss_grandprairie2020 on Instagram or follow on Facebook. Angelica-Jasmine also volunteered by setting up meals for those in need at the Grand Prairie's YMCA. There's no doubt that we are all in this together, so to offer a hand and help one another can make a world of a difference.

Austin, Jahnavi Muppaneni
Launched a social media campaign on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter for Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout April. Posted relevant info on symptoms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse children face as well as perpetrator characteristics. Stories are available under my Be The Change highlight on my social media for anyone interested in learning more about the signs and how to prevent them. COVID-19 has caused an increase in child abuse rates so it's important we help the kids stuck in toxic homes during this already difficult time!
Rockwall, KK Tunnell
Miss Rockwall, Caleigh “KK” Tunnell, made her first socially distanced appearance this past weekend since being crowned in March. She participated in a parade in North Richland to honor a little girl named “Eli” who has been diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) – a childhood brain cancer that gives patients less than a year to live after diagnosis. There were hundreds of cars, trucks, princesses, Disney characters, and heroes of many kinds including the NRH Police and Fire Departments. KK was able to twirl her baton in the parade and had the privilege of meeting Eli at the conclusion of the event. Please pray for this little princess and her family.

Twin Rivers, Madi Franquiz
Madi was featured in a national interview on May 18th based in Georgia called the "Spirit of America." She will highlighted as a role model, for her work in the community, as a local title holder for the Miss America Organization, her career goals, and more. COMING SOON: In an effort to further the mission of the Miss Texas Organization globally, Madi will launch a new initiative on her blog called B.O.S.S. Lady. For 31 weeks, Madi will be highlighting women across the nation who are Becoming Organically Successful while Serving. These are some seriously BOSS ladies!!!! Don't miss it at becoming31.org. Madi has launched another diaper and wipe drive to benefit the women of North Texas who have been most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and job loss. If you wish to donate please click this link . If you are looking for more ways to get involved please do not hesitate to reach out to her via instagram @misstwinriverstx.
SIX WORD STORY SPOTLIGHTS
Miss Texas and Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen candidates were challenged to create a message about their social impact using just six words during Spring Seminar. See the first set of Six Word Story Spotlights below!