26 Acts of Kindness

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School has had a profound impact on our entire country. This is one of the most tragic events that has occured in my lifetime, and it hits close to home since I spend so much time working in schools and afterschool programs and am an older sister to four amazing siblings. My thoughts and prayers have been with those affected throughout the last week.

 

Despite the severity of this tragedy, so many people in our great nation have come together to do great things. From donating to the Newtown Memorial Fund to sending cards to those affected by the tragedy (to P.O. Box 3700 Newtown, CT 06470), Americans have reached out to those in a time of need.

 

What's next? How can we honor those affected by this tragedy in a positive way? There is a viral movement called 26 Acts of Kindness that encourages people to perform 26 random acts of kindness: 20 for the children and 6 for the adults who lost their lives at Sandy Hook. If we all perform 26 acts of kindness, no matter how small the good deed, we are making a positive impact on those around us. You can "Like" the 26 Acts of Kindness page on Facebook. Here is an article about the Challenge.

 

 

So, I challenge you to do 26 Acts of Kindness over the next few weeks! Tweet about your acts of kindness and use the hashtag: "#26acts". You can tweet your acts of kindness at me - @kendallwipff - I would love to see what you are doing! At the end of the challenge, I'll share my 26 Acts as well. :)

Make sure to check out the video about the 26 Acts movement!

 

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” -Leo Buscaglia

 

-Kendall

MGD2013

October and November

I have had an exciting few weeks! I had the opportunity to attend the Derry Chamber of Commerce Dinner Meeting and make connections with people in town. I also volunteered once again with the Community Caregivers of Greater Derry at their fundraising bake sale at Mack's Apples!

 

 

My family and I volunteered at the Miss New Hampshire Concession Stand at Gillette Stadium at the Pats vs. Jets game! I enjoyed spending the afternoon with fellow local titleholders and directors. This fundraiser helps to raise thousands of dollars in scholarships for the Miss NH program each year!! 



 

Congratulations to the most recent local winners as well -- Jill Granucci Miss Monadnock Region, Katie McClain Miss Manchester, Kelsy Ferdinando Miss Amoskeag Falls, and Lauren Percy Miss Hooksett!

 

Jill and I after Miss Monadnock Region.

 I had the chance to help the outgoing Miss Monadnock Region, Kelsy, with her Bone Marrow Drive at the pageant as well! We added several people to the registry. :)

 

Emily and I at Miss Hooksett

 Congratulations Lauren Percy, Miss Hooksett 2013!!

 

My good friend Liz and I after Miss Hooksett.

 

And in the spirit of Thanksgiving...

 

"Start each day with a grateful heart" --Unknown

 

-Kendall

MGD2013

 

 

 

Kind Campaign

Did you know that October is Bullying Prevention Month? Studies show that a child is bullied every 7 minutes.

 

As Miss Greater Derry, I work in the community to promote Kind Campaign. In 2009, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson embarked on a 10,000 mile cross-country journey filming the groundbreaking documentary Finding Kind, which reveals the unspoken truth that as females, more often than not, we are anything but kind to one another. This verbal form of bullying between girls can be just as ruthless as physical bullying.

 

Take a few moments to watch the Finding Kind trailer!

 

 

 

As asserted in their mission statement, “Kind Campaign is an internationally recognized movement, documentary and school program based upon the powerful belief in KINDness, that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl ‘crime.”

 

Kind Campaign is more than an anti-bullying movement. Kind Campaign focuses on creating this atmosphere of KINDness. I am a firm believer in always looking at the positive side of every situation. Focusing on kindness allows us to be positive and uplifting, while fighting to eradicate bullying in the process.

 

CNN released a piece on Kind Campaign which can be found HERE. :)

 

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” -Leo Buscaglia

 

:) Kendall

MGD2013



Do Small Things With Great Love

What a crazy few months it has been!! I have been very busy with appearances, school, work, and extra-curricular activities. Being so busy, I always keep one saying in the back of my mind:

"Do small things with great love." -Mother Teresa

 

So, here are some things I've been up to...

 

I was in the Londonderry Old Home Days Parade with my MGD Sisters

I volunteered at Sunday Night Miss Derry Bingo. Thank you to everyone who helps to raise these funds!!!



 

I was a Freshman Orientation Leader at my school, Saint Anselm College. I faced my fear of heights at a ropes course, saw a hypnotist show, and met some fabulous people! Here is a picture of all the Orientation Leaders (I'm on the far right).

 

I went and cheered on the young women competing for Miss Gate City and Miss Souhegan Valley (and the corresponding Teen titles!) - Congratulations Meredith and Sam!

 

The following weekend I had the privilege of co-hosting Derry's Got Talent! It was a blast to see all of the talent in the Greater Derry area. :) I couldn't even pick a winner. It was such an entertaining show and I had so much fun! Congrats to the winner of Derry's Got Talent, Mariah Laroque, a fellow country singer!!

 

The next day, I had the chance to meet many people in the Derry community at Derryfest. I also performed the National Anthem and God Bless America. It was such a fun day!!

 Emily (Miss Greater Derry's Outstanding Teen) and I supporting Driving Toward Zero on NH Highways!

 Myself and the We Can Change the World Club from Pinkerton Academy

 Emily and I with Jess Avelar, Miss Winnipseaukee

Sisters :-)

 

I attended the Miss Lake Sunapee Region and Miss Keene Area Pageant. Congratulations to Brittany and Steph!

With Steph, Miss Keene Area

 

With Brittany, Miss Lake Sunapee Region

 

The following morning, Emily and I volunteered at the Autism Speaks Walk in Manchester. We had so much fun handing out Autism Speaks tatoos, spending time in the Kids Tent, and dancing (Cupid Shuffle anyone?!)

 

Last weekend I volunteered at Race for a Cure at the Tanger Outlets. Tanger is a huge sponsor of the Miss NH Program. It was great to support breast cancer research and our amazing sponsor, and spend time with all of the Miss NH contestants!

 

This past weekend I attended the Miss Captial Area pageant. A huge congrats goes out to Lauren Campbell, Miss Capital Area!!!

 

I also had the opportunity to attend the Derry Lions Club meeting on Tuesday night to speak about Kind Campaign!

 

At St. Anselm. I have been very busy as well! Aside from taking five courses, I volunteer three hours per week at Girls Incorporated, observe in a third grade classroom at an area Elementary School, and work at the Meelia Center for Community Engagement where I am involved in the America Reads program at another area elementary school. Let's just say I was very happy to go home last weekend for Fall Break. I had just the R & R I needed to get through mid-terms week.

 

I have some exciting events lined up for the next few weeks, so stay tuned for updates!!

Look for a post in the near future about Anti-Bullying Month as well. :)

 

Happy Fall!!

 

"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow." -Doug Firebaugh

 

:) Kendall

MGD 2013

 



Locals and more locals!

This summer has been so exciting because I have been able to attend so many local programs! I love being able to cheer on all the young women competing. Last week, I had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at Miss Londonderry's Outstanding Teen. I volunteered by running the sound booth (or iPod - I am not that technologically savvy!) for the rest of the evening.

 Congratulations Jana El-Sayed, Miss Londonderry's Outstanding Teen!

 With Miss Bedford 2013 Julia Neveu and Lauren April Miss Londonderry 2012

 I love Alycia!!! 

 Sisters :)

The next night was the Miss Londonderry competition!

 My friend Lindsey who competed for Miss Londonderry. This was only her second pageant and she did a phenomenal job - I am so proud of her!

 Congratulations to Megan Cooley, the new Miss Londonderry :)

A few days later, I drove up to cheer on the contestants competing for Miss Lakes Region and Miss Lakes Region's Outstanding Teen. I will drive up to the lakes region any day because it is just so beautiful! Some of my favorite events have been up north. 

 Congrats Holly Blanchard, Miss Lakes Region!!

 My good friend Lauren Percy and I at Miss Lakes Region

 I love these girls!!

(Jessica Avelar Miss Winnipesaukee, Holly Blanchard Miss Lakes Region, Linda Montminy Miss Littleton, Myself, and Lauren Percy Miss NHOT 2011)

Last night, I attended Miss Greater Plaistow. The show was a beach theme, which was a lot of fun!

 Local titleholders after the show. 

Congratulations to Katie Carlson, the new Miss Greater Plaistow!

Whew!! It is so exciting to welcome the girls to the Miss NH Class of 2013. When each new titleholder is crowned, my excitement for Miss New Hampshire builds!

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are." -Marianne Williamson

:)

Kendall

MGD2013

Miss New Hampshire Cruise and Golf Tournament

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by my blog. :) August has certainly been a BUSY month so far - here is a recap of two big events for the Miss NH Scholarship Program: The Miss New Hampshire Mount Washington Cruise and the Miss NH/MB Tractor Golf Tournament!

The Miss New Hampshire Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee was a blast! Local Miss and Teen contestants attended the cruise, along with Miss NH Megan Lyman and Miss NHOT Eileen Kelley, our families, friends, directors, and Miss NH Board Members and volunteers.We were able to spend time eating, dancing, and catching up!

 With Kristin Crossland and Jill Grannuci before the cruise!

 Miss NH Class of 2013 and Miss NH 2012 Megan Lyman!

 I loved helping out with the Princess activities on the cruise! I handed out autograph booklets to little girls and boys, then all the titleholders signed the books!

 Jill and I had a blast making our tissue paper masterpiece! All the girls loved being able to strut their stuff on the runway in their designer (well...almost) fashions. 

 My little sisters Emily and Pheobe and I

 With my mom and my step-dad Charlie. I cannot thank these two people enough for their support - I would not be where I am today with out their love and guidance!

The following morning was the Annual Miss NH/MB Tractor and Equipment Golf Tournament. MB Tractor and Equipment is a huge sponsor of the Miss New Hampshire program. It was great to spend the day thanking participants for their support of the program and talking with sponsors. I even met a sponsor who is friends with my dad and goes to church with him - what a small world!

I was stationed at Hole 15 handing out shrimp cocktail! It's a good thing I love seafood!

"The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart." -Helen Keller

:)

-Kendall

MGD2013

Community Caregivers, MNHOT Trunk Show, and Miss Rockingham County

On Thursday August 2nd, I attended the Community Caregivers of Greater Derry's Summer Open House. The Community Caregivers "provide, through a volunteer network, support
and assistance to help the elderly, disabled and homebound maintain independence in the
community and in their home environments." It was so interesting learning about this amazing organization and meeting the people who make such a difference in the lives of the elderly. It was a hot and humid afternoon, so I was happy to be on "smoothie duty" handing out Stoneyfield Smoothies and popsicles!

Yum!!

The following evening, I attended Eileen Kelley's Trunk Show/Send Off Party. Eileen is Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen and is competing for Miss America's Outstanding Teen in Orlando, FL this week! Eileen has been an amazing representative of the Granite State since being crowned in February and I know she is going to make us all proud at MAOT. Best of luck Eileen!

(L-R) Shannon Corcoran Miss Merrimack's Outstanding Teen, Jaycee Greenberg Miss Capital Area's Outstanding Teen, Kendall Wipff Miss Greater Derry, Megan Cooley Miss Rockingham County, Caroline Carter Miss Strafford County's Outstanding Teen, Eileen Kelley Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen, Linda Montminy Miss Littleton Area, Janine Mitchell Miss Hooksett. 

Saturday was the Miss Rockingham County pageant. I must say, Miss Rockingham County was one of the most entertaining local programs I have ever attended; it was a game show theme and I was laughing the whole time! 

With Pheobe Collins Miss Greater Derry's Preteen and Emily Curtis Miss Greater Derry's Outstanding Teen at Miss Rockingham County

Congratulations Miss Rockingham County Kristin Crossland!!

"Winners don't wait for chances, they take them." -Unknown

:) 

Kendall

MGD2013

July Appearances

July was a month full of locals! On July 4th, I attended the Miss Kingston and Miss Seacoast pageant. Congratulations to Sarah Mousseau Miss Kingston and Elysha Greenberg Miss Seacoast! 

 Off to Miss Kingston/Seacoast!

With Elysha Greenberg, the new Miss Seacoast

I had a blast at the other local pageants! Here are some photos from the events:

 Miss Winnipesaukee/Miss Weirs Beach contestants with former Miss Winni Caitlin McGlinchey, Miss NH 2012 Megan Lyman, and former Miss Weirs Beach Julia Neveu. Congratulations to the new Miss Winnipesaukee Jess Avelar and the new Miss Weirs Beach Devenn Glickman!

 With Samantha Massahos Miss Capital Area and Jess Avelar Miss Winnipesaukee

 With Emily Curtis, Miss Greater Derry's Outstanding Teen, at Miss Stratham Fair! 

 Miss Stratham Fair - Congratulations Sam!!!

 Local titleholders and Miss NH Megan Lyman at Miss Stratham Fair

All the girls!

 Congratulations Julia Neveu, the new Miss Bedford!

 

 Titleholders at Miss Bedford

Congrats to Linda Montminy, Miss Littleton Area!! I was unfortunately not able to attend this local as I was working!:(

 I am so incredibly excited to be spending so much time with these ladies throughout the year - I can hardly wait for Miss NH next April!

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kendall :) 

MGD 2013