Me to We, think about this phrase for a second. When I first here this words I think of equality. I also think selfless. It makes me think of one person giving something of him or herself for the good of the group, and that is exactly what this social enterprise is all about. Kraig Kielburger and Mar Kielburger actually founded both Free the Children and Me to We, while the mission of each organization is quite similar,

 “each striving to make its own contribution to creating a more just and humane world by engaging people in ways in which they can contribute to social change.”

 Free the Children:Free the Children, Charitable alliance of Miss Teen Canada-World. How wonderful is it that two such great organizations can come together and truly make such a difference in the lives of children and young woman. Miss Teen Canada is truly devoted to giving back! Free the children helps children throughout the entire world and as a delegate of the 2010 Miss Teen Canada- World pageant, I have had the opportunity to be a part of that. Truth is anyone can be a part of this amazing movement, Miss Teen Canada had just happened to open my eyes to the amazing things that come from Free the Children. I realized what Free the Children does, in fact it is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in innovative education and development programs in 45 countries.

 Me to We:This year at the 2010 Miss Teen Canada- World pageant will be offered the chance of a life time. The delegate raising the most money for Free the Children will be sent on a Me to We trip to a country or region to help shape a community. This organization gives brighter futures to people in marginalized communities worldwide. 50% of the net profits from the social enterprise support the work of Free The Children, the world's largest network of children helping children through education. The other half is reinvested to grow the enterprise to sustain future projects.

What do they contribute to Free the Children??

• Me to We gives half of its annual net profits to Free The Children, which is recognized as Me to We’s official charitable partner. The other half of its profits is reinvested to sustain the growth of the enterprise.

• Through Me to We, our dream is to bring Free The Children's already low administrative rate down to zero in the next five years, meaning 100% of all donations to Free The Children will go directly to projects. This is unprecedented in the charitable sector for an organization of Free The Children's scope and scale.

• Over the last year alone, Me to We donated more than $1 million to Free The Children in cash and in-kind contributions. This translates into Me to We providing cash donations of about $400,000. These funds were used by Free The Children to help pay salaries of many of its administrative staff, provide free rent of its office space in Toronto and assist with other administrative costs that otherwise would have been financed through general donations.

 • In addition, more than $600,000 in-kind was donated by way of Me to We team members, who provided thousands of hours of volunteer service to Free The Children. This also includes training, workshops and consulting to Free The Children projects. Any educational materials or products provided to Free The Children by Me to We are always for free or at actual cost, thus further helping to stretch every dollar donated to Free The Children. Me to We “walks the talk”, helping Free The Children every day in important volunteer and services capacities.

P.S: I found all of my information on http://www.missteencanadaworld.com/about/charity and http://www.freethechildren.com/, If you want more information about free the Children, Me to We or MTC-W, check out these sites:)!

I just want to thank Miss Teen Canada for opening up my eyes to so many amazing opportunities!! I want to thank them for giving me the confidence for embracing these opportunities.

I can’t wait to meet all the 2010 Miss Teen Canada- World Delegates My flight is at 6 AM tomorrow! HaHa so I should get some rest :)!! See everyone soon!!

 XO

Jenah Walcheske

If I had my own TV show it would definitely be a talk show! It would be about providing young woman with advice, role models and current issues facing the younger generation. I would cover inspiring stories on my show and have woman who are role models from all over the world telling their stories and talking about their journeys and how they got to where they are today. I want to inspire my viewers by giving them the confidence they need and I want my viewers to realize that confidence is truly the most beautiful thing a woman can posses. I want to not only be a role model to my viewers but an inspirational leader by providing advice about confidence, love and beauty.

The main message I want to send out through my talk show is to encourage young people to make a personal promise to identify their inner beauty and unique qualities, recognize their strengths and weaknesses and realize that they can be the change they wish to see in this world. This message ties in with my platform and having my own talk show would be an awesome way of promoting it!

SPONSORS

In order for my talk show to be successful I am going to need help from sponsors. I want everyone on my talk show to feel like a princess; therefore I will need makeup artist, hair dressers and personal stylists. I will also need a sources of media like magazines and newspapers to promote my talk show. That is why I have offered Faze Media and Goody, both official sponsors of the Miss Teen Canada- World Pageant, to fund my talk show. Their support would not go unrecognized and would be greatly appreciated! If they were to fund my TV show they would both receive tons of advertisement for their products and business, and the opportunity of contributing to a hopeful future by helping younger generation improve on self esteem and confidence issues. The assistance of both Goody and Faze Media will not only publicize their companies but help the lives of many to accept their own beauty and embrace it.

FaZe Media:Faze is specifically published for younger Canadians! That is why I think it is such a great choice to fund my talk show, we hav ethe same target audience. Faze Media and A Beautiful Me talk show will both offer it readers and viewers with the same morals of being real and being yourself. My talk show and Face Media both offer insightful, hopefully inspiring looks at real life issues, youth culture, music, movies, personal style, current affairs, real people, technology, travel, careers, health and fitness and much more. That is why I think it would such a great idea to work together. Our interests are very similar and I think we could both be of great benefit to each other! Check out their website http://www.fazeteen.com/.

Goody:In order to have my guests and viewers looking their best they are going to need some awesome hair accessories! That is why I want to offer Goody the opportunity to provide support to my talk show. Goody has provided women all over the world with fashionable hair accessories for over a century, so they can look and feel good. And that is exactly what I want to accomplish through a Beautiful Me, providing woman everywhere with the advice and opportunity to look and feel good. Check out their website http://www.goody.com/.

XO

jenah

HEY EVERYONE!! So last Friday on July 2^nd I had the opportunity of being in the annual parade during Ponoka Stampede week. I got to ride in a convertible BMW with my best friend Jaden.

We handed out freezies and promotional cards that explained my title and that I will be competing for Miss Teen Canada-World on July 10^th.

Everyone was so welcoming and all the little kids were so excited. I felt like a princess:)! I had an awesome time riding around and waving to everyone on the streets. I got tons of pictures with the people who came out to enjoy the parade and even some cows from the 4-H club.

Did you know Ponoka is the cattle capital of Canada!?

 The Ponoka Stampede was a blast, and I can't wait for it to come around again next year! I never went on any rides this year but I got to enjoy the concert, the ice cream and of course the candy apples!

I want to thank the parade director Greg Gordon for allowing me to be apart of the parade and Les Squires who drove the car! I really appreciate it:). I also want to thank everyone who came out and watched the parade.

 XO

jenah 

 SHARE AND SHINE!!=)

So this past Sunday the Champions Centre and I held the 2010 Share and Shine Carwash, and it was a blast! Before I go on, I would like to thanks all my volunteers because they truly made this event happen and did such a great job! They worked hard all day, washing cars, cleaning up, greeting customers and face painting! Therfore, I would like to thank my sister Katie, Kyle, Cedric, Sam, Stephanie, Wendy, Tanis, Cory, Jaden, Paula and the Champions Centre. You guys made it possible and it was such a success and everyone enjoyed the day so much we just might have another Carwash this weekend!

 The Champions Centre

The Champions Centre in Ponoka which is a nationally registered, non-profit Christian charity, dedicated to providing permanent, quality, housing with basic supports upon request to individuals who face significant barriers to independent living.

Here is the website for more information http://www.thechampionscentre.ca/index-aboutUs.htm.

I want to thank Meloni Lyon and the Champions Centre for helping me to coordinate and organize the event.

 Sponsors

I would also like to thank, Bruce's True Value, Ponoka Funeral Home, Mcdonalds, Tim Hortons, Home Hardware, Ponoka Truck and Carwash, The Dollar Store and More and everyone else who supported us in making this event possible!! THANK YOU!!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to come out and get your cars washed. We all had such a good time. And I appreciate all the support =)!

All my lovely volunteers!!!

THANK YOU:)

XO

jenah

Welcome to Ponoka!

When I first introduced myself to the girls at the Miss Teen Alberta Pageant, one of the first questions asked was where are you from? I replied I’m from Ponoka. With confused looks most people responded, where’s that?! I’ve never heard of it. Laughing, I replied well it is a very small town right between Calgary and Edmonton.

I have lived in Ponoka all my life and though Ponoka is a very small it has alot to offer! It has many recreational and cultural facilities – ice arena, curling rink, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, racquetball courts, ball diamonds, soccer pitches, horse shoe pitches, a bowling alley, fitness centres, parks and picnic areas, and top notch rodeo/equine facilities and events. I’ve always loved living in a small town, no traffic, less noise and you can never get lost! LOL Random fact: Ponoka is Blackfoot for Elk.

Parks

A major park in Ponoka is the Lion’s Centennial Park. There is a pond with a small dock, a stage, a playground, mini golfing and a statue which is "The World's Largest Cowboy Riding a Horse Statue."

The Ponoka Composite Highschool is nearby and in gym class we often used to go canoeing in the pond, which is always fun! Its a nice place to be wether you want to have lunch in the park, go for a walk or take your little sister mini golfing. There is also hiking and biking trails along the Battle River that runs through Ponoka, Its a nice place to go for a jog or some even go fishing!

 Events

Every year the town of Ponoka holds the Ponoka Stampede which is a seven day rodeo usually at the June/ beginning of July. The best rodeo contestants of rodeo stock in the world are there to perform and compete. During this time of year the town is packed with holiday trailers and people wanting to watch the rodeo or enjoy the rides at midway. I always look forward to this time of year because it is always fun to dress up western style, watch the rodeo , eat candy apple’s(my favourite:) or take a ride on the Ferris wheel. During Stampede time the population of Ponoka grow up to 400%!! During the week free pancake breakfasts are prepared everyday, stage shows, concerts, fireworks and much more! My friends and I always go to the Concert and it’s a blast, a few years ago Keith Urban performed and this year Gretchen Wilson will be performing. Oh I almost forgot about the annual one mile parade, which I will be in on July 2nd as Miss Teen Ponoka County- World 2010. Last year I was also in the parade as volunteer for the Ponoka General hospital. The volunteers and I had the opportunity of sharing a float with Sunny 94(a local radio station) and we got to dance round and sing and wave to everyone watching! It was so much fun and I can’t wait to enjoy the parade again this year! Ponoka Stampede 2010, here I come! It will start June 28th and end July 4th. Check out the website! http://www.ponokastampede.com/.                        Ponoka Parade 2009

 Sponsors around Ponoka

So I would just like to thank all my sponsors from the town of Ponoka who made my journey to the 2010 Miss Teen Canada- world 2010 pageant possible! :)

 Almita

Almita Manufacturing is Canada’s leader in the design, fabrication and installation of screw piles. We provide custom engineered foundation solutions for a wide variety of industries including; Oil and Gas, Alternate Energy, Electrical and Communications, Industrial and Commercial Construction, and Residential and Municipal applications. I would like to thank Kathy Morrow and everyone else at Almita for their support and my backpack on wheels! I really appreciate your sponsorship.

 A Moment in Time Photography

Terri Quinn, photographer and owner of A Moment in Time is truly an amazing lady! Thank you for all you have done for me I appreciate it. She has a studio in her home and it is gorgeous she does great work. This is her website, http://amomentintimephoto.ca/information.

 Bob Ronnie Catering

This catering business is well known all over Central Alberta, they cater all sorts of special event from weddings to birthday parties and do an amazing job. Trust me! I used to work for them, and they have become like family to me. Thank you for your continuous support Bob and Bonnie! Visit their website and book catering for your event today! http://www.bobronniecatering.com/

XO

jenah

So for the last eight years dance has played such a huge role in my life. Dance has taught me so much over the years and I can honestly say it has made me into who I am today. It has taught me to keep trying, to never give up and practice definitely makes perfect! I’m sad to say this was my last year dancing at Andy and Tina’s Dance Fx Ponoka as I am leaving for Vancouver in the fall. Dance is a very big part of who I am and has gave me so much joy over the last eight years. Although I will no longer be dancing at Dance Fx doesn’t mean my dance career has to end I hope to keep dance a part of my life for a long time! Next year at Vancouver I would really like to take classes at Harbour Dance centre located downtown Vancouver very near the school I will be attending next year. Check it out http://www.harbourdance.com/. Two years ago, over spring break, my friend Joel won a scholarship to go dance at Harbour dance centre and he took me along with him! I also took classes and enjoyed it so much, spending that week in Vancouver made me realize how much I love it there and that is why I chose to attend school there in the fall! I am very nervous about moving to the big city, but I know it’s something I would regret if I didn’t do it!
Here are some pictures from recital! Thank you Andy and Tina, you have taught me so much and inspired me in so many ways.

XO
jenah

Hey All!!

So this past weekend was probably like the longest weekend of my life, but it was amazing!! It started off on Friday with commencements, where we get to wear the cap and gown and walk across the stage in front of family in friends. My friends and I took a ton of pictures, and had a blast! I cannot believe I’m graduated time goes by way to fast. During commencements, scholarship and awards were also handed out and I am proud to say I received the Birchland Dental Clinic Scholarships worth $500.00 It is presented to a student continuing in a non degree dental related field at a post secondary institution or pre dental. I was so surprised and so happy, Thank you Birchland Dental Clinic!

Saturday was also a very busy day, it started around 9:00 when I had my hair done at the Orchid Rain Salon and Spa! After my hair was done, my best friend Jaden did my makeup for me and help me put on my dress. The very same dress I wore at the Miss Teen Alberta pageant! After I was ready we drove to town to meet up with everyone. Everyone looked so beautiful, it was an amazing day and was actually pretty nice out too! Expect for all the wind, thank goodness for hairspray. Late that day all graduates of PCHS attended the grad banquet, which looked amazing. The decorating committee did such a wonderful job and the slideshow was hilarious. I did a toast to friends for my entire grad class which I was very nervous about doing. Luckily, it went very well...turns out I had nothing to be nervous about! The grad banquet was followed by a short dance and then Safe Grad! It was such a fun filled night with family and friends! I can’t believe it’s already over and I am almost done high school, it has been such a great year that went by way to fast. Now all I have to worry about is diplomas, which are worth 50% of my mark! The next couple weeks I will be devoting much of my time to studying :(. But If I work hard, I know I can do great! Thank to all my family for their support and for such a great weekend and CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2010!!

XO
jenah

So my first official fundraiser went great!! I created a gift basket full of lots of good and raffled it off at my school (PCHS) every day for a week. It was great to see all the support I received from the students at the high school. The gift basket was full of free subway coupons at a $ 40 dollar value, free movie ticket for the Capitol Theatre, also a $40 dollar value, a jump drive, lots of candy and lots of RED BULL!! I announced the winner on May, 27 and Miss Terry, a math teacher at my school was awarded the gift basket full of goodies, she was so happy!

Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket!
All proceeds went to Free the Children :)

XO
jenah

Has anyone checked out the Me to We Trips?? There are so many volunteer trips available for youth to places like India Ecuador and China! I would definitely like to participate in one of the trips overseas one day soon but I am far too busy this year. However I definitely recommend it to anyone who is able! It is a great way to work first hand in a development project whether it’s building a school or a clean water project. Me to We offers so many tips and opportunities on ways you can get involves, volunteer, fundraise and truly make a difference. I hope one day I will be able to participate in on of the Me to We trips. Here is a link the site http://www.metowe.com/

Also here is a quote I found off the site...very inspiring. I can’t stop reading it over and over, it really makes you think.

Imagine waking up every morning believing your actions can make a significant change in the world. Imagine finding the courage to follow a more fulfilling path. Imagine a life of newfound purpose and perspective.

xoxo

jenah

So, I just came back from Red Deer where I met with Danita Strawberry once again! It was so nice to see her again. Danita is the lady who will be making my evening gown for the 2010Miss Teen Canada-World Pageant. We talked lots about the dress she will be making me and she showed me some sketches and designs that she had been working on. They look so beautiful and I cannot wait to see it!

I also started my Bosu classes which gives you a full cardio workout while toning and sculpting your body! It boosts your metabolism and increases you core strength. It’s quite challenging but very well worth it! Check out their website! http://www.ripnronnies.ca/ripnronnies/default.aspx
If anyone in the area is looking for a gym to go to and get a good work out, Rip’N Ronnie’s provides many classes from yoga to biking and have tons of cool equipment.

The Month of May is a very crazy month for me I have started to realize! I have two dance competitions, Grad’s coming up fast, my birthday and I start fundraising this month! Speaking of fundraising I start on May 17!! Yay I can’t wait, I already have two fundraisers I want to start right away!

The first fundraiser being a flower sale and the second being a raffle! At the Ponoka Composite High school I will be raffling of a gift basket full of energy drinks, free movie tickets, candy, etc!! All the proceeds go to Free the Children! Hers is a link to the site http://www.freethechildren.com/
Their mission is to free children from poverty, free children from exploitation and free children from the idea that they are powerless to change the world. I think that this statement is so powerful and inspiring. After reading this, I truly believe I can help make their mission a reality.

xoxo
jenah

So...What I’ve realized these last few weeks is that you cannot let anyone bring you down. When you feel like giving up, you have to keep working that much harder. When someone tells you that you can’t do it, show them you can. Honestly, you are the only one who is going to determine you success and you can’t let anyone take that away from you. As long as your intentions are good, your mind is honest, and you go for it with all your heart. No one said this life is going to be easy. So keep smiling, keep dreaming and continue to find peace of mind. Beautify all things in your life.

xoxo jenah

So here are some ideas for my gown the pageant this July. When i met with Danita Strawberry ( The wonderful lady designing and making my dress) we decided to take a little something from each of these idea's to make my dress! My dress will be yellow like the top picture, have a low sleek back like the middle picture and have a top much like the picture on the bottom! It will have native designs embroidered throughout the fabric and native style beading; her designs are a reflection of self expression which is cultural pride. I feel so honoured that i will be wearing a dress that will reflect my culture, thank you Danita!!!
xoxo
jenah

Well Hello :)!!So the past weekend was great! My dance competition went so well and dancing up on that stage felt amazing!!My friends and I took tons of cool pictures that I will post up later. On Friday we had lyrical, which is my favourite dance this year. It’s called it doesn’t hurt by Katie Thompson and we received a gold medal in this dance. It is such a powerful song and it is actually the same song I will be performing a lyrical solo to on talent night of the Miss Teen Canada-World Pageant!! On Saturday, we performed a contemporary ballet number, called prelude which we received a high gold medal in!! And on Sunday we performed a jazz number called Innocence which has a really weird and quirky style to it, its tons of fun. We received a gold medal in this dance. I met tons of people this past weekend, dancers all the way from Western Australia came to compete at the Dance Extreme festival in Sherwood Park. It was nice to have met them, I love Australian accents. They were having such a good time and told all my friends and I about Australia, It is definitely a place I would like to Visit in the near future!

xoxo
jenah

HEY Everyone Vote for Ashley Callingbull!!
click on the link below and when your on the site click "vote your favorite" - Ashley Callingbull :)

www.beautiesofcanada.comMiss Universe® Canada 2010 - The Official Website

Hey Everyone!!! So time has been going faster than ever, I have been keeping really busy, getting sponsors, planning GRAD 2010:), keeping up in school and dancing!! Competitions are coming up soon and my first competition (Dance Extreme) will take place this weekend in Sherwood Park. I am pretty excited for it, after all this is the last years I will be dancing at Andy and Tina’s Dance Fx :(.

The Past Weekend

So this weekend I got the chance to meet with a very talented beautiful lady by the name of Danita Strawberry. She is he lady who will be designing and making my evening gown for the Miss Teen Canada-World pageant. We met last Saturday and we decided on colors, a design and what the overall look of the dress will be. She has her own collection called Danitaz Fashions, check it out http://www.danitazfashions.com/. Her designs serve form as cultural pride and I feel so honoured that I will be wearing her design. She has already given me so much advice and her generosity means the world to me. One thing she mentioned to me was that, anything is possible. This made me stop and think how true that is. If you want something bad enough and you are willing to work hard enough for it. If you have hope and love for what you choose to do in this life, you can make your dreams a reality.

Upcoming Events!!

The volunteer Banquet is coming up quickly!! This Sunday I am also making an appearance at the Leaders of Tomorrow Awards ceremony, I will be serving and making ice cream sundaes!!
Also, RELAY FOR LIFE is coming up!! Which is a fundraiser held by the Canadian Cancer Society and it is an opportunity to get together with friends and family to celebrate those who have cancer, remember loved ones who lost to cancer and fight back in hope of finding a cure for this terrible disease. It is a 12 hour overnight event and will take place May 14-15! I am hoping the other girls from the Miss Teen Alberta Pageant will be joining me. This was my team last year. We raised the most money:)!

The Pageant!!:)

This whole experience has been amazing :)!!I can’t believe how fast this has all happened. I’m already off to Toronto in July!! The 2010 Miss Teen Alberta Pageant was an experience of a lifetime and is honestly something I will never ever forget ...It was the friends I made that I will never forget, and the feeling I got being up on that stage. I would like to thank everyone for all of your support! I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for all of your great support. Entering a pageant wasn’t something I ever really considered, but it is honestly something ever girl should be a part of. It’s about “being your own kind of beautiful” and stepping out of your comfort zone. It’s about gaining confidence because that is what makes you truly beautiful. It gives teenage girls the opportunity to grow, learn and be positive role models within their community! Pageants take tons of work; organization and amazing people like Michelle Weswaldi who put their heart and soul into it just to make it all come together.

♥What I'm Looking Forward to!!
This year has been and is so crazy busy for me with Grad coming up, dance competitions and now preparing for the 2010 Miss Teen Canada World Pageant! I know there is tons of work to do, but it’s so exciting to be a part of something so truly amazing. I am so excited about all the things I will be doing around the community in the upcoming year!! I have several appearances lined up and will post pictures when I get a chance :) as well as fundraisers I will be hosting around my community and school! I can’t wait to get started, I have already met and with a few potential sponsors like Almita, Elite Bridal and Bob Ronnie Catering! My first appearance is coming quickly and it will be a Banquet held Kinsmen Community Center celebrating National Volunteer Week. In recognition of the dedication and commitment the volunteers at the hospital have shown.

♥Currently it is SPRING BREAK!!
Well most of my friends have taken off to, Phoenix, Banff, Paris etc! Lucky kids....haha oh well I have a ton I need to get done and I have been volunteering in Hobbema which is a First Nations community 15 minutes away from where I live. I volunteer at Ermineskin Kindergarten assisting the children with reading, colouring, printing etc! I have met so many people who are so dedicated and love what they do, like Paula Mackinaw and Shauna Smith who are both teachers I have been assisting. Being a kindergarten teacher isn’t easy I tell ya, it takes a lot of patience and hard work but it is all worth it just to see the kids smile.♥ I have been enjoying it so much these past few days, I love working with children and I have so much fun doing it. They are so cute and working with them has been such a good experience for me, I cannot believe I was ever that little. Today the Easter Bunny came and all the kids were so excited to see him, you should have seen the looks on their faces! I miss those days:(And tomorrow we will be attending a Round Dance!!I will try and take pictures. After that I will be meeting with Terri Quinn, a local photographer who may be sponsoring me and doing some photos for me also, I can’t wait! Here's her website, check it out http://amomentintimephoto.ca/information
xoxo
jenah