July is flying by!

I can not believe that I will be leaving for Chicago in ten days! I can not wait to meet the girls and find out what all they have done to help our world become a better place. I am so fortunate to have been blessed with this opportunity to compete for the title of Miss Teen International and spread the word on ADD/ADHD Awareness. Preparing for this pageant has taught me to use my own success in order to help people all over the world and become something much bigger than myself.

 

I have also realized how lucky I am to have such wonderful family, friends, and a community which supports me in my journey to spread awareness for ADD/ADHD. On Sunday, July 10th, my mother and Chelsea’s mom, Sharon Gregory, threw a “send-off” party for Chelsea and I to commemorate all the hard work we have done with our titles. The party was packed with family and friends who love both of us and want to see us succeed in gaining a larger title to help spread the word for ADD/ADHD. I owe a huge thanks to everyone who came to the party and also to the people who have giving me this opportunity and supported me along the way.

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Summer so far!

On June 11th, my mother and I left for Baltimore, Maryland. We flew up on Saturday afternoon and landed in Baltimore. We rented a car and drove to College Park, Maryland to check out where we needed to be the next day. Before long, we found ourselves in Washington, D.C.! We took advantage of the great opportunity of being in our nation’s capitol. We shopped, ate, and spent the night in the city, and even drove by some of the attractions in the town. The next morning, we got up and attended the “Now What?” Skit put on by CHADD. This skit was an informative comedy about ADD/ADHD symptoms, treatment, and other challenges. Patrick McKenna, Rick Green, and Dr. Umesh Jain were the stars of this wonderful play. Not only was this a comedy, but it also included the audience with games such as, “Are You Smarter Than an ADD’er?” While at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, I got the chance to meet Russ Shipley, CHADD’s Operations and Publishing Officer,  and Marsha Bokman, CHADD’s Director of Meetings and Events. I presented the money raised from mine and Chelsea’s car wash to Russ Shipley personally. Russ kindly invited my mother and I to dinner with him and a few other directors after the show, but unfortunately we had a plane to catch! We left the auditorium with heads full of information about our disorder and how to handle it!

On June 20th, I traveled to Columbia, SC to the Palmetto Children’s Hospital with Chelsea Gregory, Miss South Carolina International, and Elizabeth Malvasia, Mrs. South Carolina International. While there, we made arts and crafts with the patients and their families! We had foam crowns for the girls to make and paper shields for the boys! While making their crafts, Chelsea read the children the book “When Donkey’s Fly.” The loved having the interaction with the queens and our shiny crowns! Since some of the patients were unable to come to the playroom, we made personal room visits to several different patients. It made me feel so great inside to watch their face light up when they saw “princesses” walk into their rooms. One little girl even asked us to come back, and I hope that we can!

Chelsea, Elizabeth, and I owe a huge thank you to the doctors, nurses, and other staff at the Palmetto Children’s Hospital for giving us this amazing opportunity. We also want to thank the patient’s parents for allowing us to visit with your fabulous children. I would also like to thank Sharon Gregory for setting up this event and supplying us with everything we needed! We couldn’t have done it without you!

* Pictures coming soon, I’m having technical difficulties!

-Avery Close

Miss Teen South Carolina International 2011

CHADD Car Wash

Today was the big day! Chelsea Gregory, Miss South Carolina, and I, Miss Teen South Carolina, held our first fundraiser for CHADD (Children and Adults with ADD/ADHD). We had a car wash and bake sale, all for donations. The car wash was held across from the Peach Stand in Fort Mill, SC. We were beyond successful; we raised over $400 to present to CHADD! Thanks to everyone who made this possible; especially our moms, our families, our friends, our neighbors, and The Peach Stand! Also, thanks to everyone who came out and donated. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Our next fundraiser for CHADD will be in July (time, place, and date will be posted soon). We will be holding a “send-off” party for Chelsea and I before we go to compete in the International Pageant. At our going away party, we will have a silent auction in which all proceeds will go to CHADD. Please send me an email if you would like to donate to the silent auction or know someone who would!

-Avery Close,

Miss Teen South Carolina 2011

Several Appearances!

Sorry it’s been a while since I have updated. I have been busy preparing for summer and Nationals!

Several weeks ago, I visited Dothan, Alabama with Patti Mercer and my mom. We went there primarily to have my head-shots done by Clay Spann Photography and visit the Competitive Image pageant shop. I was so glad that I got this opportunity! Everyone at the Competitive Image is so nice. I also got to meet Mary Richardson, the director of the International Pageant System. I am so proud to be a part of her pageant system along with the other wonderful ladies making a difference everyday in this world. I also met with the designer, Sherri Hill, who helped me tremendously with my fashion! Needless to say, I had a great time in Alabama and I hope to revisit The Competitive Image again!

At the beginning of May, Fort Mill, South Carolina held its second annual South Carolina Strawberry Festival. Last year I was the first ever South Carolina Strawberry Festival Queen. This has been one of the most amazing years of my life. I learned the importance of getting out into the community and really making a difference. Giving up my crown was a sad moment, but I am happy to report I gave it to an amazing girl! Morgan Jasper, one of my good friends, was crowned Miss Teen Strawberry Festival, along with Nikita Maigur, Miss Strawberry Festival, and Christy Roberts, Mrs. Strawberry Festival. All of these amazing women will be competing in the South Carolina International pageant for 2012. Best of Luck Ladies!

Also, the Strawberry Festival was a HUGE success. We had more than double the amount of visitors than last year. I made an appearance as Miss Teen South Carolina International and was astonised by the amount of people there. Great work to the staff of the Strawberry Festival. It was amazing and I can’t wait until next year!

On May 15th, I helped volunteer the Miss SouthEast of United States of America Pageant. This was a great chance to get to know other pageant girls! I helped the contestants and got to enjoy most of the show! Thanks to Nisha Vora for inviting me to attend! I had a wonderful time!

Last friday night, I went to the Relay for Life in Rock Hill, South Carolina. This event, held to honor cancer victims and patients, was one that was very touching for me. Several years ago, four year old Riley Friddle lost her battle to cancer. She know dances in heaven, but we continue to remember her and the lessons she taught us. Her parents, Andrea and Todd Friddle, are good family friends of mine, and I was glad to attend the event in Riley’s honor. To this day, I have never such an inspiring family and little girl. This event touched me because so many other people are affected by cancer, just like Riley. I kicked off Kids Hour with a speech followed by games. I hope to attend the relay next year in remembrance of Riley.

Last Saturday, I went to Hickory, NC with Chelsea Gregory, Miss South Carolina International. We were guests at the “What A Girl Wants” Event at the Union Square Emporium. This event was for vendors to offer sales and great items to customers. Chelsea and I signed autographs, took pictures in the hilarious photo booth, and also raised some money for CHADD!

On Saturday, May 28th, Chelsea and I will be holding a car wash across from the Peach Stand in Fort Mill, SC. All proceeds from the car wash will be given to CHADD. We are trying to raise ADD/ADHD Awareness. We will also have a bake sale which can be bought straight from your car! You never even have to get out! It is going to be a great day, and we hope to have a great turnout! If you are in the area, please stop by!

Busy Easter Weekend!

Hey there everyone! Let me first start off with wishing everyone a happy and blessed Easter!

This weekend has been an exciting whirlwind! On Saturday morning, Chelsea Gregory, Miss South Carolina International, and I appeared at the Easter Egg Hunt in Baxter in Fort Mill, SC. We met tons of fans and mingled with the kids as well as the parents. We helped kick off the hunt by talking to the crowd about our platforms. I related my platform, ADD/ADHD Awareness, to Easter eggs by saying that even if you don’t like the outside, there is always something positive about the inside. I wanted to show the children that no matter how bad you think something can be, like me with my ADHD, there can always be something positive found inside of it. Chelsea also talked about her platform, learning disabilities, and how it related to Easter eggs as well. After our speeches, Chelsea read the book, When Donkey’s Fly by Ginger Hodge, to the crowd. I personally LOVE this book and the message it sends to the children. After our reading, Chelsea and I announced that we had twelve special eggs hidden around the park along with the other Easter eggs. The children who found one of these special eggs each received a free, autographed copy of When Donkey’s Fly. I think the kids were especially excited about this part! Once we were done talking to the kids, they let them hunt for Easter eggs! I was so excited that my own family made it to support me and that my younger cousins were getting to participate in the egg hunt. After all the Easter eggs were found, Chelsea and I signed some autographs, took some pictures, and even danced to a little Beyonce!

Chelsea and I waiting to begin!

I feel like a HUGE thank you is owed to our mothers; They are the rock behind us every step of the way!

Later that evening, Chelsea and I met up again and this time our Mrs. South Carolina, Elizabeth Malvasia, joined us at the Knight’s Stadium. Not only did we get to watch the game, but us three beauty queens each threw one of the first pitches before the game! It was so interesting to get to walk where the actual players walk onto the field before the entire audience at the Stadium! I think the audience got quite a kick out of watching three beauty queens try to throw a baseball! I now know that pitching is probably not the career path I should choose! Lol. All in all, it was a great experience and we even got to keep the baseball we pitched ( we drew pictures on ours so we would know which belonged to who!). I even managed to remain in my pageant stance while still trying to throw a baseball! We worked up an appetite from pitching, so we enjoyed the rest of the game while eating funnel cakes and cotton candy!

Our “Charlie’s Angels” pose!

Homer and the girl version!

My amazing family! Love them so much

Today, I woke up early and went to church with my family to celebrate Easter. Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice meal at Olive Garden and took it easy for the rest of the day! I hope everyone is having as great of an Easter as I am! Tomorrow, I will be meeting with the other queens and our wonderful director, Joy Pfister, to practice coaching for Internationals! It’s a long, tiring journey, but so far it has been one I love and will never forget!

Until Next Time, Your Miss Teen South Carolina International, Avery Close

Come See Me Parade

On Saturday, April 9th, I was fortunate enough to get a chance to be in the Come See Me Parade in Rock Hill, SC. It was a beautiful morning and an all around great time! I was driven by my dad and my brother, who were both were celebrating there birthdays on that day!

Also, a HUGE thank you to Bagwell Auto Sales for allowing me to use a black, convertible Audi they have on their lot. It was just one of the beautiful cars they have on the lot that I would LOVE to have!!

I also wanted to thank my wonderful family for coming out to support me! It meant so much to me they all were there, especially my dad and brother who, like I said before, were more than willing to give up a few hours on their birthday to drive me around in the parade. I am so lucky to have the best family and fans!

Thank you all for visiting the blog! Check back soon

Love, Avery

Day 11 – First Appearance – Bobcat’s Game!

On Wednesday, March 23rd, my sister queens and I visited the Time Warner Cable Arena for NASCAR night at the Bobcat’s game. It was a blast! We had our own autograph station where fans could get their pictures taken and an autograph from their reigning 2011 Queens! After meeting tons of fans, Janet took us up to a suite where we enjoyed snacks and refreshments. Then we had tickets for each of us and our families to enjoy the Bobcat’s game! I would like to give a HUGE thank you to the reigning Mrs. North Carolina, Janet Bolin, for setting up this event and providing us with all the benefits.
It was such a fun night and I am so lucky I got to be a part of it!

Also for you fans, be sure to subscribe to my website and you can begin following my journey from day to day! You may also go like my facebook fan page, Miss Teen SC International 2011, or my twitter account, MissTeenSCInt, for more information about my upcoming events! Feel free to contact me by email, missteenscint@gmail.com, or on any of the other networks I have listed above if you have questions or an event you would like me to attend! Thanks for all your support!

Love, Avery