Special Olympics

It was such an honor to be a part of the Special Olympics this week in Bryant. When I arrived I got to meet a lot of Bryant High School students that were volunteering for the day. It was so much fun to talk and get to know some of the students at Bryant. Soon after I arrived the Opening Ceremony began. I was asked to speak after the Superintendent of Bryant School District. I got to talk about my platform "EveryONE Counts" and my passion for children with disabilities. I also talked a little bit about the Miss Arkansas and Miss America Organization. Soon after this, the torch was lit and passed off by many different athletes that were going to compete throughout the day. I was also asked to judge each school's banner that they made for the Special Olympics and to help pick an overall winner. This years theme for the Special Olympic Banners was "Getting Stronger." I was so excited to award a big trophy to Bryant's Community Team for winning the outstanding banner award this year!

When the events began I got to stand by and cheer on athletes! I also got to award each child with their medal they won in each event that they participated in. This experience was so humbling for me and something that I will never forget. In my platform, "EveryONE Counts", I believe that every child deserves a chance to shine. All of these beautiful children definitely got to shine all day long. I'm very blessed that I got to be a part of each child's shining moment! After all, the most precious gift you can give a child is your time!

Sarah

Read to Feed!

 
I was asked to come and kick off the "Read to Feed" book store in Cabot! Read to Feed is an organization by Heifer International. The second grade students are selling books for a quarter to raise money to buy an animal for a family in Africa. The family that receives an animal from the students will receive special training to make sure they know how to take care of the animal. The animal will provide the family with milk to drink and sale. The money the family makes from the animal's milk will give the children in the family a chance to go to school and will help them pay for their school books. It's a wonderful organization and I was very excited speak to all of the students in Cabot about buying books to help the families in Africa so that their children can get an education and support their own families one day. I also got to draw a name of a fourth grader that could get the first book out of the book store! He was so excited!! Speaking to all of the students at Central Elementary about Heifer International was a lot of fun!

Central Elementary

This week I was asked to come back to Central Elementary and talk about my platform to all of the second graders. I was so excited to see my second graders again from last semester! I absolutely love it when I get to go to an elementary school and talk about "EveryONE Counts", but getting to speak to some of the children I had the opportunity to teach last semester made it even more special! Ms. Sally Tarvin was my amazing mentor teacher from my last semester of my internship that set all of this up! She told all of the children that morning that there would be a surprise guest. When she brought them to the library to where I was waiting on them they charged in and knocked me down with so many hugs!!! It made me so thankful for each and every one of these precious children!

I spoke to all of children about "EveryONE Counts" and how they can make a difference in their school by celebrating their differences with all of their friends. I handed out bracelets and they made a pledge to me to make every student in their school feel like they count and matter. I had the chance to spend the rest of the day with all of my sweet students and we all had so much fun! At the end of the day Ms. Tarvin presented me with a book from the students and cards that each student made for me! I had so much fun and it was definitely one of my absolute favorite appearances that I have made this year as Miss Metro! Thank you so much Ms. Tarvin and Central Elementary!