May 4, 2020
We wrapped up April with our first ever VIRTUAL Spring Seminar! It looked very different from Spring Seminars of the past, but we loved "seeing" all our candidates and local teams. Mark your calendars for our rescheduled competition dates: Miss Texas: August 10-14 and Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen: August 12-15

Each newsletter will feature a few words of wisdom from our Miss Texas leaders and we are excited to begin with a note below from Board Chair, Carol Potter.
Miss and Teen Candidates,

Recently Mark Cuban was asked for his advice for job seekers during COVID-19. He said to be prepared to expect every potential employer to ask the question, "What did you do or learn during quarantine to better yourself?"  

If I were judging a state pageant this year, I would certainly be asking this question in personal interviews. Know how you would answer this question.

It is something I am exploring within myself. Instead of undertaking a new skill, I have gone back to playing the piano and other artistic things like painting, coloring, practicing calligraphy, Bible study, reading, etc. All of those things help to bring me peace and quiet my soul during this time.

What have you been doing?
-- Board Chair for the Miss Texas Scholarship Organization, Carol Potter

CATCHING UP WITH CHANDLER AND ALLIE
Hello May! I’m stoked for this month because I just have a feeling things are going to be awesome. April was tough because I think the reality of all that’s been going on set in with EVERYONE. However, I have an exciting new partnership with HMAAC (Houston Museum of African American Culture) and while we are still physically distancing, HMAAC provides a virtual “story-time” for the kiddos. Not only was I able to read Matthew Turner's “When God Made You,” but I will continue to be a featured story teller. This month I will begin interviewing past Miss Texas winners so keep an eye out for those. I’m also pumped to be taking two classes during Maymester and am on track to graduate next year! Things may be a little unusual, but I am enjoying creating new outlets and making new discoveries for the future.
-- Miss Texas, Chandler Foreman
This month I was able to guide the 2020 MTxOT candidates during Spring Seminar and hear from Miss America CEO Shantel Krebs! I loved getting to talk to the girls and having the conversations I benefitted most from as a competitor. Thank you to everyone who helped make April a successful Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month! I was also interviewed by Amanda Mason from Midland. She aired two segments - one about my personal story of What Love Can Do and another about my experience as a senior in high school. I also shared my story for Hands on Texarkana, encouraging people to continue volunteering in their communities. Don't forget to join me on Facebook for Parked Car Karaoke as I continue to sing and share my love of music. I'll be live at 4:30 PM every Tuesday (Tune in Tuesday) and Thursday (Throwback Thursday). I'm learning A LOT of new songs and would love any of your music recommendations! On a personal note, I'm very excited that I was asked to sing at a New Year's Eve wedding!!
-- Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen, Allie Graves
LAST CHANCE TO SUPPORT TEXAS CARES FOR CHILDREN
THROUGH NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY!
North Texas Giving Day wraps up Tuesday, May 5 and the Communities Foundation of Texas is matching donations!

Help support the Texas Cares for Children program by donating today or sharing this link and the image on the right. Tag @misstexasorg @texascaresforchildren and use the hashtags #texascares #misstexas #givingtuesday #missamerica

Thank you for helping TCFC raise awareness and funds through this community supported effort!
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 while we fight COVID-19! Submit a highlight for the next newsletter by clicking here .
Southeast Texas Teen, Lauren Faria
Lauren challenged her teen sisters to write 20 thank you cards for medical warriors. The cards she created were received by medical professionals and were featured on Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital's Facebook page website. Lauren also spearheaded, hosted and participated in her first 24 hour United in Music music-THON which raised ~$500 for Project C.U.R.E.'s COVID-19 relief efforts. She would like to extend her gratitude to everyone who performed!

Southlake Teen, Laurel Jones
Laurel is hosting Facebook Live Story-Time and Sing-Alongs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. She also recently participated in Lauren Faria’s Music-Thon and the the Miss Dallas / Park Cities Organization's nursing home talent video.
Fort Worth, Alex Andrews
Alex is partnering with fellow titleholders across the nation to create a campaign supporting Mental Health Awareness Month in May. She will be sharing information, resources, and fun content dedicated to the national conversation around mental health throughout the month. To learn more and to join the cause, follow @missfortworthtx or the hashtag #MAOtakesonMentalHealth.

Twin Rivers, Madi Franquiz
Madi was featured in the Texarkana Gazette and in a national interview for her work as a role model, a female in STEM, and her initiative in serving the community during the COVID-19 crisis. She also relaunched her blog, Becoming 31 , with new resources designed to be a global resource to women who are looking to become all they were created to be. Madi is hosting a community service campaign to collect diapers and baby wipes for women across North Texas who have been directly impacted by job loss due to the COVID-19 crisis. Please reach out to her via Instagram @misstwinriverstx if you are interested in getting involved in any capacity.

Dallas, Averie Bishop
 Averie was named “Oral Advocate of the Year” out of her entire first year law class at Southern Methodist University. She was also invited to represent SMU this October at the In Vino National Mock Trial Competition in San Francisco.

Grapevine, Jaelene Luper
Jaelene’s virtual canned food drive event, “ Serve Our Seniors ” raised over 50 pounds of food and household items for residents at a Senior facility in North Texas. People from all over the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex participated in this event.
Miss Southlake Organization
The Miss Southlake Organization hosted a successful Virtual Princess Party with over 175 online participants and partnered with Southlake Sweet and Sassy to have Party Packs delivered to attendees. The Southlake team also led a Virtual Easter Egg Decorating Party for Princesses, held 3 Virtual Movie nights and have provided many at-home activities (including coloring books) to stay active and mentally healthy. Their first Virtual Spirit Week wrapped up May 1 with more on the horizon!
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!