ALOHA everyone! This is my 1st and definetly not my last blog! I will keep you all updated on my reign as Miss Teen United States-World 2009! I got the great news on my 18th birthday, it was the best present ever! I left Honolulu, Hawaii, Wednesday night and arrived in Houston, Texas Thursday morning! I had the honor to attend the Miss Teen Texas-World 2010 pageant which was an honor and privledge! The production was amazing! I also had a few appearances as well as photoshoots which were also fun and enjoyable! I am so glad I have this opportunity to make a difference and to be a role model for the younger generation as well as teens across America! I was honored to make an appearance at a retirement community home where myself, Lauren-Sage, and the contestants for the Miss Jr and Teen Texas World pageant played bingo, cards and other great activities. Not only that, but I attended a tree planting project held at Memorial Elementary School, I got the opportunity to meet a group of girl scouts. We had the opportunity to bond while doing a great deed for the school and environment picking up trash. Myself and Nicki Goyler, Miss Bay Area USA had the opportunity to have an inteview with a few high school students for their film production. It was great especially since I would like to become a Broadcast Journalist. I was very fortunate to have a phone interview with Steven Roddy of the Pageant Planet. Thanks Steven for the interview, it was very enjoyable and it's finally sinking in that I am Miss Teen United States-World 2009!!! I cannot believe this!
Anyway, I am writing my first blog on the plane getting ready to depart to Honolulu, Hawaii! Thank you Texas for a great time! I cannot wait to come back and visit! Thank you to Gaspar for all he has done for myself, you have impacted my life and I grealty appreciate everything you do! To the WONDERFUL Teen World Family, I love you all and thank you for a great week! You all work so hard and dedicate your time to help young ladies achieve their goals and make a difference!
I will keep you all posted on events with pictures, more blogs, and videos!
Aloha,
Cassie Sumimoto
Miss Teen United States-World 2009
Aloha,
Cassie Sumimoto
Miss Teen United
Am I really your first official follower?
ReplyDeleteCassie, I am so proud of you. They couldn't have chosen a better ambassador and role model.
I am particularly interested in your efforts to curb domestic violence. A great friend of mine spent years at the House of Ruth in Baltimore and she educated me greatly on the topic. She once showed me a domestic violence map of Baltimore and it was startling. Not only did I not know the extent of this in our society, but I was somewhat surprised to note that it cut a broad swath across every strata of our society. Rich or poor, any religion, any ethnicity... No subcommunity was immune.
I understand this is because most abusers were themselves victims of abuse, so it has become this self-replicating cycle. The encouraging news is that, if we can succeed in breaking the chain, we could see domestic violence numbers drop dramatically and permanently. With no one to imprint these patterns of abuse on them in younger years, many fewer children would grow into abusers.
Another thing I was somewhat surprised to learn is that the majority of abusers arrested were either drunk or high on some other type of drug at the time of the abuse. From this I infer not that drugs and alcohol cause violence, per se; but that the use of drugs suppresses the abusers impulse control and makes it far easier for them to cross the line that separates anger and frustration from abuse. Since substance abuse is also cyclical in that children of drug abusers are more likely to turn to drugs in their later years. I think even more gains in the fight against domestic abuse could be achieved if we also tie in substance abuse rehab for those with that problem.
You are such a bright, beautiful, articulate young lady. I feel sure that you'll be able to reach out and make a tangible difference in the lives of many people. Bless you for the work you have taken on!
warmly,
Alan