Helping Miss Missouri's future fill a little black bag

I love the Miss America Outstanding Teen program. Not only are these amazing teens immersed in a positive environment to develop their talents, speech, and health, but also they are mentored and encouraged as the future of Miss America! I have already talked about my adventures with Charlee Bisch and Morgan Carnes, my teen sister queens in most of my trips to St Louis, but there are 26 other outstanding teens that are working hard to make a difference. Imagine, five years from now, the 13 year-olds competing for the Miss Missouri teen title will be competing for Miss Missouri. I am fortunate to have been involved in Miss Missouri long enough to see our first group of teens graduate to the Miss division of competition, and I believe that it is the teen organization that has made these astonishing ladies the mature women with whom I am honored to share the Miss Mo stage.

Jocelyn Weyer, Miss Northeast Counties Outstanding Teen, is one of these amazing 13 year olds that will be competing for Miss MO OT in one week! This year, the teen contestants were charged with a little black bag to fill with donations for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. This being Jocelyn's first year, I volunteered to help her raise donations for CMNH. So, the first sunny afternoon found us on the busiest street corner here in northern Kansas City supporting this much needed organization. We had a blast with our laminated signs and summer dresses, stopping traffic to bring smiles and accept donations!! And proudly, we raised....(insert drum roll here) over $145!! Needless to day, the little black bag was filled to the brim, and hopefully, Jocelyn was encouraged to continue her diligent work toward competing for Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen, and in 5 years who knows, maybe Miss Missouri :-).

Thanks Renee and Jocelyn for sharing such a wonderful afternoon with me! Best of luck next week at Miss Mo OT!
Be sure to follow Jocelyn's travels as Miss Northeast Counties Outstanding Teen at jocelynweyer.missnortheastcounties.org