The Shadow
Miss Virginia visited the Jeter Watson Elementary kindergarten classes of Educators Shannon Holloway, Ally Burton, Molly Nicely, and Shannon Rock, Covington, last Friday morning. Miss Virginia, Katie Rose, was greeted by approximately 70 students, sitting cross legged on the gymnasium floor, anxiously awaiting her arrival.
Rose introduced herself by telling the students a little bit about herself. When she finishes “being Miss Virginia and grows up” she wants to be a lawyer. She used her $22,500 in the Miss Virginia college scholarships to help with her legal education. As a lawyer, “I can help people and make a difference in their lives,” said Rose.
Some of her favorite things are: the color pink, Italian food, reading, and competing for the Miss Virginia title. She also shared that she dances ballet on point, rescues animals, and once participated in a macaroni and cheese eating competition. “By far the favorite part of my job is going all across the state and talking to kids like you about healthy choices and healthy relationship building,” said Rose.
“It took me seven times before I won the title of Miss Virginia,” said Rose as she encouraged the students to continue pursuing their goals even if they fail at their first attempt. “A goal is something that makes us a better person and that’s positive choice,” added Rose.
She showed the students a purple ribbon on her sash and explained that it stood for domestic violence. She explained that she takes that to mean, for Virginia’s kids, “knowing your self-worth and treating each other with respect and kindness”
Rose closed her presentation with a story about a little girl, named Lucy. Lucy took a lunch of spaghetti in a hot dog bun to school. She was bullied and picked on. However, when her bully got stuck in the monkey bars, Lucy helped him instead of making fun of him. “Treat each other with kindness and respect,” added Rose. “Make those positive choices, learn to stand up, speak out, and say no; and treat each other with respect and kindness,” Rose concluded before entertaining some questions.
“I want to recognize what you do in Virginia; classroom to classroom, talking to young people, encouraging them and treating them better behavior,” said Mayor Tom Sibold, as he presented Rose with a proclamation of appreciation from the city of Covington.
The students concluded the visit by yelling a BIG and hearty THANK YOU!
