A Day with McMurray

McMurray Middle School has an outstanding student body and faculty. I had already been going 2-3 times a month to play and teach violin skills to the students of Ms. Kim’s class but I wanted to do more. I met with the band teacher and we organized for me to come in and speak to each grade level individually.

I had just been in Alaska and made it home around 2am. Waking up 5 hours later, I got ready and made it to McMurray on time. Ms. Wheeler (the band teacher) and I set up the sound system and microphone in the gym so the students could hear.

8^th grade was the first grade for me to speak to. They were very attentive and had fun with the music I played for them. I talked about Miss Tennessee and what it stands for. I explained that by me being a title holder, I am working towards scholarship that will help me pay for college.

I continued to explain how their high school grades were very important because that will determine if they will receive scholarship based off of academics.

I continued explaining about Miss Tennessee and the 4 points of the crown.

Style-Success-Scholarhip-Service

Each of these four points mean a lot to me and I told them that it’s just as important to have character and integrity with the crown on as without. They grasped this concept, which was my main goal for them. I hope to have inspired them to get good grades, continue on to college, and really key into what they want to do with their lives.

One girl from the 6^th grade group wrote me a letter that really touched my heart. She explained that she could tell I really cared about college and that she would do the same when she was my age! If I could touch one person’s life that day, I know I accomplished that! Praise God.

A Gift Card

I had the incredible opportunity to compete in a music contest online with Schmitt Music. I recorded a video of me playing “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, to their play along track.

I gained support and voters came from various sources via Facebook, family, and friends. I was blessed to win the grand prize. I was presented with a $500 gift card to Schmitt Music.

With this gift card, I am going to buy supplies to benefit my platform (Life Changing Moment Through Music). These kids, that I am helping teach some basic violin to, are soaking up all of the knowledge that I can pass on. I am blessed to be in this position and give these kids something they may never have again.

Children can realize their potential if people are willing to show them what they cna do. I believe that the more they are exposed to different hobbies/careers (in my case)/side jobs, the more they are going to be successful in life. They just need that nudge to help them realize their potential.

(pictures to come)

Am I fat? Can I be beautiful outside of a pageant?

During one of my experiences at a pageant, we were about to go on stage for the swimsuit competition. One of the contestants for the outstanding teen competition asked me if she looked fat in her sports bra and spandex (The teen version of the swimsuit competition). This broke my heart that a teenager would ask this sort of question! I often thought this about myself during high school, but never had said it out loud. The truth is, this girl was perfectly thin for this competition. I looked at this girl and said “please don’t ever say that again. You have more beauty than you know what to do with!” This encounter made me think about how girls can be affected by this sort of competition.

Going into this type of pageant is so much more to me than questioning my worth in the sight of the judges, but more so that I can help someone else see their own worth in themselves and in God. There is so much more to this Miss America pageant than winning. It’s about the platform that I choose to represent, the scholarship money that can aid in my college debt, and gaining more confidence in myself. 

I found a small article while searching for self-image in pageants and it says this, “There’s so much more to pageants that not everybody gets to see. If someone doesn’t win a pageant, it can cause that person to think things like, ‘I’m ugly because the judges didn’t pick me, there’s something wrong with me, or I’m not good enough because I didn’t win.” If someone is only told that they’re beautiful when they’re all done up for a pageant, that can have a huge affect on their self-esteem. It is very important to know who you are and your reasons behind entering before being a part of this competition so you don’t get caught up in the lie of “You’re not beautiful.”

Psalms 139:23,24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”

Just a thought:)
Aria

Into the School

I have had the privilege to create my own platform, "Life Changing Moments Through Music." The short of it is that I am going into McMurray School and teaching Ashley Kim's (a friend from church) class an introduction to violin. My first day was extremely successful. They were silent from the moment I walked in. Ashley explained who I was and what I was there to do. Then, I continued to explain why I was there and that I wanted to further their knowledge of music.

These kids were attentive listeners and enjoyed each style that I played. I played classical, bluegrass, and did a fiddle tune. I played a tune called Black and White Rag. This tune sparked their interest because they had studied about rag music from the 20's in a previous music class. We enjoyed our time together and even took an "Ellen" selfie before the bell rang.

I am returning regularly to the class and am loving my time with these kids!

Aria

A New Year!

As we push off from 2013 into this New Year, we all are making resolutions (which we almost always fail! Ha), and also reflecting on the year that just came to a close.

I had a few ups and downs during 2013, but during the year, I put the right people into my life and it changed me for the better! I went through a lot during 2013, but didn’t we all? Now, it is about moving forward, making resolutions, being kinder to one another, and for me serving God with my life and gifts.

During this Christmas break, I’ve learned how to love my family even more! I spent more time with them than I ever did when I lived in the house and it has taught be that my parents have always been there for me. I just never saw it when I was in high school. My mom listens to me complain about life, my dad took me on an awesome date to see the Disney movie, Frozen, and last night, I spent the night with two of my best friends, Laura and Jasmine, while we drank Sparkling Grape Juice and watched movies!  I’m learning to love people for who they are. It’s a process, but I know I am progressing.

As for those resolutions, well I have a few. First, since I am getting ready for Miss TN, diet and exercise is obviously a huge thing in my life right now. I get frustrated when I don’t see results sometimes, but I am proud of myself because I will not diet the wrong way. Rather, I will make smarter decisions about food and exercise (please hold me accountable!).  Also, I am cutting out sugar, wheat, and almost all dairy because it makes my body feel cleaner and better. Since cutting all of that out all at once is the titanic heading for disaster, I will have one cheat day a week (in moderation) until I can wean myself off of most of this food.

Some advice about YOUR resolutions!

~Be realistic!.... I thought up some crazy resolutions for 2014, but when I thought about it, I knew I couldn’t do all that my mind had conjured up. So, I basically cut the resolution in half (a lot more doable)!

~If you have a 2014 calendar, write your resolution on the start of each new month, so at every turn of the month, you will be reminded about what you wanted to do when the New Year started.

~If you fail, don’t quit! You can always start over! Just don’t wait till the next New Year!

Starting out!

It has been a month and a half since I took home the title of Miss Queen City. Not only did I win a title, but I won the talent award too with my 90 second version of the Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, III movement.

I am so excited to represent Clarksville and my new hometown of Nashville, TN, with this title. I have many ideas on how I can better my town through my current platform, Education Through Music. This program aims to bring music education to inner-city schools who may not otherwise have this privilege. I cannot wait to see what happens on my journey to Miss Tennessee. It will be a lot of work, but I am ready for the challenge! 

I am so grateful to the people who helped me get to this point. My mother who flew down to watch me at Miss Jackson (1^st runner up) and everyone in TN that made this a worthwhile experience. I was continuously encouraged my people who helped me keep pushing my goal of winning a title.

I have already started to prepare for Miss TN by working out, filling out paperwork, and following up on sponsors.  

In all of this, I want to honor my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because he is the one whom I look to for guidance in this sometimes--stressful process. I do not want to change because of this experience, except for good and bringing more glory to God. If his plan is for me to continue this journey onto Miss America, I will be so overwhelmed! But if his plan is for me to impact someone’s life through this program in some other way, I will be overjoyed.

Soli deo Gloria

Aria Stiles-Miss Queen City