A Learning Experience

Hello, everyone! I have had one busy weekend! I kicked my weekend off by dancing it out at my high school's Mini Dance Marathon! Over $2,000 were raised for the University of Iowa Children's Hospital!

Dance Marathon with the squad

Judging at Special Olympics

Not only did I get a great workout in by dancing for a great cause, but I also had the opportunity to judge at the Mid-Winter Tournament of the Special Olympics! I was able to judge the cheerleading and dance portions of the competition, and I was given the opportunity to hand out awards at the end of the day!

I took many things away from volunteering at the Special Olympics. The first thing that I took away was, nothing is impossible. One of my all-time favorite quotes by Audrey Hepburn states, "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" As I judged many of these kids and adults at Special Olympics, I saw the drive and determination they had in their hearts. I can guarantee you, anyone who possesses these characteristics can succeed in anything they set their mind to! The second thing I took away from this experience was, be grateful for what you receive. While I was handing out awards, there wasn't a single participant that wasn't overjoyed and grateful by their placement. There was one participant that hugged me and began to cry because she was overwhelmed with so much happiness. There were groups that didn't receive first place, but they were still so excited of what they accomplished. I recall one coach telling her team, "Win or lose, your hard work always pays off!"


Personally, I think that other sports teams should go to watch events at the Special Olympics. So much can be taken away and learned from these kids. For me, it was very humbling to see how grateful each and every participant was! Placement didn't matter to these individuals. The fact that they worked hard was more than enough for them. It makes me realize that it's not always about winning. In fact, it has never been about winning! It has always been about doing your very best and realizing that your best is what truly makes you a winner.

 I can't wait to keep you all updated on the rest of my experiences throughout this year! Thank you!

Sincerely,

Sophia Aguirre

Miss Muscatine's Outstanding Teen 2016

Work Hard, Play Hard

Hello, everyone! It has been quite some time since I have last blogged! I have had a crazy couple months since I won Miss Muscatine's Outstanding Teen!

Secretary Madeleine Albright

Governor Martin O'Malley 

To start off my year as Miss Muscatine's Outstanding Teen, I had the chance to meet with some pretty cool public figures! My first appearance was meeting and talking with the accomplished former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright about Alzheimer's disease! I also had the opportunity to personally meet with Janet Huckabee (wife of Governor Mike Huckabee) to specifically discuss the issue Alzheimer's disease has become in our nation. The last public figure I met was Governor Martin O'Malley! I spoke with him at one of his rallies while he was on the Presidential campaign trail!

The lovely Miss Janet Huckabee!

While I am on the topic of politics, I also went to go view my very first Iowa Caucus! It was super cool to see how we select our delegates and too see the process on how one can win a caucus!

Another appearance I have made this year was modeling some dresses for Le Chic at the Gilda's Runway Benefit! Not only was it extremely fun to strut my stuff in some insanely cute dresses, but all the money raised at this event went to cancer support services.

Modeling for Gilda's and Le Chic!

My very favorite event that I have volunteered at so far this year was being a "Buddy" at the Tim Tebow Foundation's Night to Shine Prom! This annual event is a prom for special needs kids. Getting to dance it out with everyone was a blast! Volunteering at this event also made me realize how blessed I truly am to be able to do all of the things I do. Count your blessings and don't take anything for granted! :)

My prom date at Night to Shine!

Just last weekend, I the great privilege of being able to perform at the Miss Johnson County Pageant! I performed a baton twirling routine entitled "Back in Black" to commemorate the Iowa Hawkeyes on having such an awesome year for athletics!

I also traveled to Mt. Pleasant to model for Runway Prom and Pageant last weekend, as well! It was SOOO much fun! I'm going to be honest, though! It's always a great time when you get to wear gorgeous dresses, but it's even better if you can wear them with your best friend!

My best friend and I modeling for Runway Prom and Pageant

I have been quite the busy bee so far, this year! I will be sure to keep you all updated on my upcoming events! Thank you so much!

Sincerely,

Sophia Aguirre

Miss Muscatine's Outstanding Teen 2016

Allow Me To Introduce Myself...

Hello, everyone! I am so thrilled to be blogging for the very first time as your new Miss Muscatine's Outstanding Teen 2016!!! I cannot express how excited and honored I am to have joined the sisterhood of so many successful young ladies of this program! For this being my first blog post, I would like to start by telling you a little bit about myself and my goals for this upcoming year!

For starters, my name is Sophia Aguirre. I am half-Mexican and have four, beautiful sisters. I am 16 years old and attend Clear Creek Amana High School. I am the feature baton twirler and have the amazing opportunity of performing at football halftimes and basketball halftimes. Not only that, but I am also a member of the two-time, Iowa state champion dance team, CCADT! In my free time, I LOVE looking at dresses! My mom would tell you that I am a little obsessive over this hobby! I also enjoy hanging out with kids! If it's babysitting or giving a child a mini baton lesson at the Rec Center, I love being around them! Their energy is contagious! Lastly, my favorite television shows to watch are the "Big Bang Theory" and "Modern Family". Because let's be honest, you can never laugh too much!

Another piece that has become to play a huge part in my life is my platform, Remember Me-Attacking Alzheimer's Disease. This platform is very personal. My great grandmother, Alice Mitchell, was diagnosed with this disease several years ago and she is still battling it today. This disease has taken over her and everything that has made her the one and only Alice. I have teamed up with the Alzheimer's Association and participate in many of their national and local events. I have spoken with a few Presidential candidates about this issue. I do all of this in the hope that one day, a cure for this disease will be found. I am wanting to become the next Miss Iowa's Outstanding Teen so that I can promote and introduce my platform to a larger audience.

The following day after being crowned Miss Muscatine's Outstanding Teen, I met with my awesome directors about what plans they have for me this year! After that, we took a trip to my FAVORITE gown shop to look for my Miss Iowa gown. I love Le Chic Prom and Pageant Boutique! After a couple hours of searching for "the one", we found it...or Stacy and Heather did! I am absolutely head over heels for this gown! I can totally see myself gliding across the Miss Iowa stage with it! Thank you, thank you to Le Chic! I couldn't be more delighted with this gown!

I have LOTS of things planned for this year, and I can't wait for you to be apart of this journey with me! I will be keeping you all updated on this blog about how things are going during my reign! Thank you!

Sincerely,

Sophia Aguirre

Miss Muscatine's Outstanding Teen 2016

Signing Off...

What a year it has been. Since I was crowned Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen last year, I was able to accomplish so much in this short period of time and now it's coming to an end. I had a wonderful time emceeing a bridal show, performing piano at different events, volunteering at Muscatine and Cedar Rapids, meeting new people and making long lasting friendships, competing at Miss Iowa's Outstanding Teen, and so so much more. But this great year really couldn't have been done without some great people supporting me through this. 

I would like thank my amazing directors Elaine, Ashley, and Kindra. Thank you Elaine for rooming with me during Miss Iowa week, we have truly bonded and I thank you a million times for bringing that foot massager. You have been a great teen director. Thank you Ashley for always keeping me updated and making sure I get things done. Thank you for the crazy shopping trip where we literally shopped for 7 hours one day. Thank you Kindra for always making me look perfect and doing an amazing job on my hair and makeup. You guys are truly awesome to work with! I will miss you all. Thank you Michelle and Jessica for prepping me for Miss Iowa week, its because of you guys I felt I was confident in everything I did. I am so blessed to have gotten to know you two, thank you for everything. Halie and Anna, I am so glad we met during Miss Iowa Week, you guys truly made that experience so much fun for me. I am so glad I’m friends with you two, let’s get that sleep over planned soon! Leah and Serica, my amazing sister queens. I am so glad to have gotten to know both of you this year. You guys are wonderful women and I look up to you in so many ways. Thank you to all the Muscatine Scholarship sponsors, without you guys, I would not be standing here today! Thank you especially, Le Chic for providing me gorgeous dresses, Shrik Photography for my headshots, and much much more! But most importantly, thank you mom and dad for always supporting me in everything I do. Thank you for constantly driving me from Cedar Rapids to Muscatine, thank you making sure I always look perfect, and thank you for always loving me even though I can be a bit of a hassle sometimes. I love you both.

Even though tomorrow I will be giving up my crown of Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen, I am so excited for what's ahead of me. As they say, a door closes for another one to open. I will continue working with my platform Diversity Advocacy: Embracing the Unique in Everyone and start my new project called the Youth Leadership Program, a program that brings the topic of diversity and inclusion to high schools. I also hope to embark another journey in the Miss America Organization and learn and grow as a woman. But for now....

Signing off for the last time,

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding 2014-15,

Nina Yu

Summer 2014

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

Miss Iowa Week Finish

Hello Everyone!

I can't believe Miss Iowa Week has ended, it feels like just yesterday I was just packing up. The final days of Miss Iowa Week were an absolute blast! On the first night of prelims, I was very honored to win the preliminary talent award with my piano. On the second night, I performed my evening wear/onstage question and fitness. The final night of Miss Iowa, I was very honored to receive the academic excellence award and get 2nd runner up to Miss Iowa Outstanding Teen! I would like to take this moment and thank everyone who has helped get me to where I am today. My Muscatine directors, Elaine, Ashley, and Kindra, you guys have been so wonderful in helping me prepared for this crazy eventful week. Elaine, you are such an amazing teen director and a great supporter for me this week, thanks for being such a great room mate, we must stay in touch! Legacy Group Pageant Consulting, Michelle and Jess, thank you for helping me with interview, I have grown so much from your help and advice, it has truly been a pleasure working with you guys. Halie (Miss Kossuth-Winnebago OT) and Anna (Miss Scott County OT and NEW Miss Iowa OT), you guys made my week so fun from the laughs before the curtain opened, to the craziness in the dressing rooms, and the fun times in every community service project, I am so glad to have met you both! I am seriously going to have major withdrawals. Another huge congratulations to our new Miss Iowa Outstanding Teen, Anna Masengarb! Congratulations girl, you deserve it! I am so very proud of you!

Halie, Anna, and I on night one of prelims

Your first night prelim winners, Aly, me, Molly, and Kennedy

My lovely directors!

Sarah and I

My girls and I on night two of prelims

My lovely teen director Elaine and Halie on the final day of Miss Iowa Week

Thank you again to everyone who made this week possible, I had such a wonderful experience!

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu

Miss Iowa Week Day 4

Hi everyone!

Today was the first phase of the Miss Iowa OT competition, interview! I started out my day by going to the Adler theatre and rehearsed for tech talent. I'm so excited to be performing for an audience tomorrow! After that I got ready for interview. My interview went smoothly and I did the best I could. Right after interview we headed to the Fairytale Fashion Show where I was able to meet the junior and little Miss Iowa contestants! Can't wait for them to rock the stage on Saturday! To finish off the night, we drove back to the Adler theatre for one final dress rehearsal before the show tomorrow. Very, very, excited for prelims tomorrow. Let's rock it girls!

Interview

Fairytale Fashion Show

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu