Back in 2007 my aunt and I co-founded a non profit organization called Shelter Me Inc which provides educational and marketing tools to help rescue cats and dogs from neglect and abandonment. One of my greatest roles in the organization currently is teaching humane education classes. During the school year I work in the Fitchburg elementary schools in several capacities. I work with A.C.E. (Animal Care Education) and tour the 5 elementary schools in Fitchburg, speaking to classes of up to 75 kids about the importance of spaying and neutering your pets and the problems with companion animal overpopulation. Then this year I also got the opportunity to teach a 10-week after school course, through 21st Century After School Programs, at the McKay elementary school in Fitchburg. This course enabled me to teach my group of up to 16 students a vast array of topics pertaining to all kinds of animals and the environment.
I got involved with the Miss America Organization about five years ago when I was at college as a way to raise awareness of companion animal overpopulation and abuse. The Miss America pageant system is very different from other systems in that it relies heavily on community service, and requires each participant to have a platform that they would dedicate their year of service or reign to. This is the aspect of the organization that I love most, because it gives each titleholder a spotlight to shine on a subject of their choosing. This past February 20th, I won the title of Miss Boston 2011 and I created this blog to document my journey, and I hope you enjoy!
