No Ordinary Moments

For me, I believe there are no ordinary moments, and recently being crowned Miss Cape Shores Outstanding Teen is no exception. Not only did I get a fabulous director, Mrs. Anne Bird, but she is also has been a remarkable mentor to me. For a short period of time, I was also blessed to have role model and friend, Kaitlin Davis as my big sister. It was another exciting moment when a tall, blonde, interview winner (just like myself) became my new big sister. I look forward to sharing a great year with Miss Cape Shores, Courtney Charatsaris.

On August 11th I was invited to the National Liberty Museum to receive the Young Heroes Award. I was one of 32 teens presented with this honor as an individual who works for positive change in my school and community. I was thrilled to be one them and to be recognized for my work with Crowns For A Cause, She’s The First and The Bullying Stops Here! It’s very exciting to know that my story will be in the museum for an entire year. As any one my fellow heroes would tell you, the things we do aren’t for recognition, it is to see a smile on someone’s face and to know that you helped to make that smile!

Last Saturday I participated in a mud run with some of my fellow crownheads. It was four miles of crazy, muddy, obstacle course fun! Anyone who knows me would have never thought in a million years I would do such a thing….I am not very athletically inclined and I definitely don’t like to get dirty! It was a cold and rainy day but our group, “Filthy, Fierce and Fabulous” still managed to finish the entire race, (and still had smiles on our faces). It was fun, challenging, and all for a good cause. This was way out of my comfort zone and I learned that by challenging my self, I can help change the world. Who’s up to the challenge of getting dirty for the cause with me next year?

How amazing is it that when we realize every moment of every day consists of lessons and messages? Not only can we learn something about ourselves, but about the lives and stories, and importance of other people.

Happy fall y’all,
Kenzie

Dream, Imagine and Believe

I have three rocks that read Dream, Imagine and Believe. They were given to me by Mom who has always encouraged me to believe in myself and they serve as great reminders.

Since I was a little girl I have wanted to play the harp. My grandparents would take my brother and I to see the Nutcracker when we were younger. After the show we would always go to the Hotel Du Pont. While most would have visions of Sugar plums in their head I was fascinated by the harp player and the beautiful music filling the air. As I sat there I imagined myself and believed that one day I would play this beautiful instrument. Well that dream has come true and I recently picked out my very own harp. It is making it’s way here from Virginia and I will soon begin my journey with lessons. I am so excited!

Imagining that we can make a difference in the lives of others is really important to me and I have been fortunate enough to continue to share “The Bullying Stops Here!” message. Over the last several months, I have to spoken to groups of fourth graders, met with a Brownie Troop, taken pledges in exchange for Anti-Bullying wrist bands and shared my message with my teachers and peers at the middle school. My lyrical dance is something that I enjoy sharing as it is dedicated to those who are bullied. I hope that it gives them courage to know that they are not alone, there is help and they are “Strong Enough” to overcome.
Dreams do come true especially for family friend and newly crowned Miss New Jersey, Katharyn Nicolle. She is a true example of believing in oneself and ultimately achieving her goals. I’m thrilled to be traveling to Las Vegas to see Katie compete and support her in the journey of becoming Miss America. It will surely be the experience of a lifetime!

Someone once asked me what I felt was the best thing about being a teen. For me the best thing is having the freedom to discover who I am, by exploring and pursuing my own interests. Although I consider myself a “work in progress”, as my world is always expanding, I know that my parents will be there to help guide and support me as I grow into the person I am meant to be.

If you believe in yourself you will be able to achieve those things that you dream and imagine!

Happy summer!

Lots of love,

Mackenzie

Happy New Year!!!!

As 2011 begins it reminds me of the message in one of my favorite movies Kung Fu Panda. Some of you may not know but I have a thing for cute and cuddly pandas.

To make a long story short the movie is set in ancient China and the main character is Po, an overweight, clumsy Panda who idolizes the Furious Five, Tigress, monkey, viper, crane, and mantas. They are kung fu masters trained by Master Shifu who protect the valley and the dragon scroll. Because Po works in his family’s noodle restaurant, which by the way is known for it famous noodle soup, he is unable to achieve his dream of becoming a kung fu master himself. Spoiler Alert….through a weird twist of fate, Po is chosen to fulfill the ancient prophecy and is named the Dragon Warrior. But he as well as others question his ability to do the job. He is none of the things that other hero’s are agile, mentally focused nor lighting fast. Master Shifu starts to train Po and soon realizes that with a little reward of dumplings Po becomes a warrior. But before they know it, the vengeful leopard Tai Lung is headed their way. He is after the Dragon's scroll, which posses an amazing secret, one that bestows unlimited power on the reader. Shifu decides Po is ready to receive the Dragon Scroll, but when opened it reveals nothing but a blank, reflective surface. In a panic Po finds his father who reveals that the long-withheld secret ingredient to his famous "secret ingredient soup" is nothing, explaining that things become special if people believe them to be. Po than understands that is the message behind the Dragon Scroll and goes on to bravely defeat Tai Lung and saves the village.

The secret to being great is pretty simple… be yourself and believe in yourself! One of my favorite quotes is from Kung Fu Panda, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that’s why it's called the present.” My New Year’s resolution is to live each day to the fullest and have fun all the while just being myself!

p.s. I am excited to hear that there will be a Kung Fu Panda 2 coming out in May and yes of course I will be the first to see it!