Create Something That Will Make the World Awesome.

Having a bad day? Need some motivation? Then you certainly need to watch the cutest little pep talk I have ever seen!

 

 

Yes, "Kid President" is probably only twelve years old, but he has an amazing message. We have a heartbeat, and that heartbeat stands for a purpose. You have the power to do anything you want to do: to make the world awesome. So, get out there and do something amazing!

 

Happy weekend!!

 

"Create something that will make the world awesome." --Kid President

 

Kendall
MGD 2013 :) 

What I'm Loving Now

Hey everyone! I thought it would be a fun idea to post not only about my appearances and what I'm up to as Miss Greater Derry, but to share a little bit more about myself...So, here's "what I'm loving now"!

 

1. Pinterest. If you have yet to be introduced to this new Internet phenomenon, do so with caution as it can be quite addicting! Pinterest is an online "pin board" where people post recipes (can you say dessert that I shouldn't be eating?!), household tips and tricks, outfit inspirations, motivational quotes (my favorite), workout tips, and more. Connect with me on Pinterest!

 

 

A recent pin on my "Thoughts and Quotes" board.

 

2. Vitamin Water Zero "Squeezed" Flavor - This tastes  like lemonade, and I am absolutely addicted! The Zero version is all natural. It's such a yummy alternative to plain water and has penty of vitamins to ward off sickness.

 

3. Bikram Yoga - I tried Bikram Yoga with a few friends recently and I am hooked! Bikram is a 90 minute 26 posture sequence done in a room heated to 110 degrees!!! What a nice alternative to the chilly temperatures outside now. I must say, I have never sweat so much in my life. I'll definitely be taking Bikram classes leading up to Miss NH - such a great stress relief and workout!

 

4. 1990s Pandora Station - Barenaked Ladies, Train, Madonna, and the Backstreet Boys on one station. Need I say more? Currently playing: If You Could Only See by Tonic.

 

5. Lilly Pulitzer Agenda - This may be the best purchase I have made in quite some time. I have been hesitant to purchase this agenda because it is expensive ($26!), but it is keeping me sane this semester. It has a hard cover, plenty of space for notes, and bright, fun colors and patterns. Between classes and assignments, work, appointments, and appearances, this is helping me to stay organized. Obviously I have everything color coded as well!

6. Chambray Shirt - These are the denim-like button up shirts that are very popular right now. I got one for Christmas and love it! I wear it at least once a week. It is so comfortable, versatile, and fashionable.

 

7. Starbucks Iced Soy Latte - This is probably my favorite item on this list! If you have not tried an iced soy latte from Starbucks, it is a must. (Even when the temperature is creeping below zero degrees). Soy lattes are probably my favorite coffee beverage, and are fairly nutritionally sound as well. They are expensive, though, so I'm glad that I have to go out of my way to get to a Starbucks!

 

What are you loving now?

 

I'll definitely try to throw in some fun posts in addition to my regular appearance posts! After all, this blog is so I am able to reach out to those in the Greater Derry area, throughout New Hampshire, and even throughout the rest of the country.

 

"Every moment is a profound opportunity" --Unknown

 

--Kendall

MGD 2013

:)



Miss Auburn

Last January I won the title of Miss Auburn 2012. Miss Auburn is one of the 28 local titles, like Miss Greater Derry, that will compete at Miss New Hampshire this April. I was so excited to have the opportunity to compete at Miss NH last year and was so proud to have reached my goal of making the Top 10! Thank you so much to everyone who made my time as Miss Auburn so amazing!

January fifth was the 6th Miss Auburn competition. I enjoyed spending the day with the fabulous Cara Bound and Linda Silva, directors of Miss Auburn, and the ten lovely contestants vying for the title and opportunity to compete for Miss NH. We had a blast dancing to Gangnam Style for the opening number! (No, but really, it was so much fun! I had been dying to learn the infamous dance and as someone who has two left feet, it was fairly simple!) I had the chance to sing the National Anthem, A Broken Wing (my talent selection for Miss NH 2012), and I Hope You Dance.

 

All of the contestants were phenomenal and it was so nice to spend the day with them. Congratulations to Mary Beth Bjork, Miss Auburn 2013 and the newest member of the Miss NH Class of 2013!!



 Dreams don't work unless you do.

-Kendall
MGD2013 :)

 

 

 



Busy December

Hello! I hope your holiday season was filled with family, food, and lots of memories. It seems as though the holidays always fly by, which is too bad because I LOVE the month of December and the holiday cheer that surrounds you everywhere you go!

The first several weeks of December were spent finishing up my first semester classes and taking final exams. This semester was a lot of hard work, but it certainly paid off in the end!

On December 8th, I had the chance to go Christmas caroling in the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Spirit Open House. I adore the town of Wolfeboro, and caroling in shops and businesses while looking out at Lake Winnipesaukee was a great way to kick off the holiday season!! I sang a variety of holiday tunes and met many wonderful people.

On December 16th, I performed at The Voice Studio's annual Holiday Recital at the Opera House in Derry. I sang "Grown Up Christmas List", which was a little tough to get through because I performed it only several days after the shootings at Sandy Hook. It is one of my favorite Christmas songs and it is a song that I really relate to at this point in my life.

 All five MGD queens - from Miss to Princess!

 Performing Grown Up Christmas List

The week before Christmas I volunteered at three holiday events. First up was the Capital Region Food Program. I spend the afternoon at the National Guard base in Concord filling boxes of food to be distributed to families for the holidays. My shift alone filled 1248 boxes of food! I was so impressed by how organized the program was and how much of an effect they have in the greater Concord community. I cannot wait to go back next year!

 With volunteers from Capital Region Food Program (with boxes upon boxes of food in the background!)

A few days later I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Salvation Army's Toy Shop in Manchester. This may be my favorite event I have been to as Miss Greater Derry!! Upon arrival, we were briefed about how the day would work. Each volunteer was paired up with a parent from the community who was shopping in the Toy Shop for their children. The Toy Shop had thousands of toys organized by age group. The parents got to pick out four gifts for each child, plus a book and a stocking stuffer. I had the chance to help five parents shop for their children. This experience was so incredibly rewarding! The parents were incredibly thankful and it meant so much to see the joy on their faces that they could give their children a happy holiday season.

 With Miss Souhegan Valley Samantha Russo, Miss Londonderry Megan Cooley, Miss Lakes Region Holly Blanchard, Miss New Hampshire Megan Lyman, and Board Member/State Traveling Companion Claudette Jolin :)

I also volunteered for Breathe NH by wrapping gifts at the Manchester Harley Davidson store. According to their mission statement, "Through education, advocacy, research, and partnerships, Breathe New Hampshire works to eliminate lung disease and improve the quality of life for those living with lung disease in New Hampshire." It was a lot of fun to talk with people doing their last minute holiday shopping while collecting donations for a great cause!

 Wrapping gifts with Miss Bedford Julia Neveu and Miss Lake Sunapee Region Brittany Dube

This month I also attended Miss New Hampshire Megan Lyman's Trunk Show and Send Off Party. Meg is so ready to compete in Vegas! Meg just got to Las Vegas for Miss America and I wish her the best of luck!! Be sure to watch Miss America on Saturday January 12th on ABC. :) I also attended a Yankee Swap/Pot Luck with some ladies from the Miss NH Class of 2013. It was great to be able to hang out with a bunch of the girls!

"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." --Francis Bacon

Happy New Year!!!

:)

Kendall

MGD2013

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