Hello everyone,
It's been a while since I've uploaded a blog post about my life as Miss Muscatine's Outstanding Teen, so my apologies! My summer has been so great and coming to and end on a high note. After Miss Iowa Week, I took a little time off and went to the east coast for some fun exploring and college searches! I went to Washington D.C., New York City, and Boston and I gotta say, I've fallen in love with all of the cities. I got to see 2 broadway shows, walked in Central Park, ate at Georgetown Cupcakes (the cupcake shop on TLC's D.C. Cupcakes), and did quite a bit of shopping on 5th ave, oops?
 |
| Times Square |
After my mini vacation, I dove right into my internship at Diversity Focus. What an amazing new experience! They put me in charge of a new project called the Youth Leadership Program. This program was created to bring diversity awareness to our high schools. I've gathered a group of student representatives and leaders from each of the 7 Cedar Rapids Corridor Area high schools and we meet to discuss the different topics and speakers we would like to bring to our high schools. We have finalized our plan and organized for 5 speakers to come to every high school each month to talk about 5 different themes. This year's topics are Diversity Awareness, Breaking Stereotypes, Equality of Genders, Teen's Perspective, and Leadership. I'm very excited to bring this to our school board to get this action approved. This program can really help bring the importance of diversity and acceptance to our schools and classmates and I am so honored to be able to lead this wonderful team!
 |
| Students in the Youth Leadership Program |
As for appearances, I was honored to perform my piano pieces for Miss Iowa's Outstanding Teen's Send Off, Miss Iowa's Variety Fundraising Show, Save the Children, and my favorite, at 2 nursing homes with my sister queens, Leah and Serica where I not only played 1 song, but played some music I've never performed in front of an audience and even sang for a bit! I was honored to play at all of these events and had such a great time. I love sharing my talent with others and playing piano is one of my favorite talents to share.
 |
| With Anna at her send off! |
 |
| At Aly's Variety Show Funraiser |
 |
| Talking to some elders at Lutheran Nursing Home |
 |
| Posing with Leah, Serica, and our new friend! |
As for other events, I am pleased to say I am an official member of the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council or SIYAC, where I will work with other students in the state of Iowa to provide issues we feel important to address to our government of Iowa. I'm very excited to hopefully get something address about diversity awareness on a state level and maybe even written in our law! I'm very excited to see what is in store. I also had a great time at Happiness Choreography Camp and being an official Happiness member (Yellow jacket and all). I'm pleased to say this year's Happiness Inc. is gonna rock! I've also enjoyed catching up on some Netflix shows, having bonfires with friends, and enjoying our Iowa summer nights.
 |
| Happiness Inc. 2014-2015 |
Tomorrow, I start back in school and I can't say I'm too happy to leave this wonderful summer behind. But junior year, here I come!
Until next time,
Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,
Nina Yu
