Monday, April 30, 2012

MAKE ME A COVERGIRL CONTEST!

Here is a silly video that my zany friend Scott made for me! WARNING: He's really enthusiastic about voting...hhaha Keep up the votes everyone! It's so nice to have so much support from so many people!! love, Leah 
Fourpoints Magazine, the official magazine for the Miss America Organization, puts on a contest for the next CoverGirl every year.  I have made it into the TOP 25!

PLEASE, PLEASE VOTE!

  • Vote until May 15th
  • You can vote 100 times a day per IP address!
  • VOTE VOTE VOTE!! 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Another Visit at CHOC

Today was another wonderful day at CHOC.  I was able to take some pictures this time. :) Those kids are amazing and such an inspiration to me.  Normally when I play at CHOC, it's in the playrooms, but today I got to do it a little differently.  I got to go up to the sixth floor and play for the kids at their bedside.

Samantha was one of the kids I played for today and she was a sweetheart.  She was non-verbal and incoherent, but I could just tell how sweet she was.  As I played for her, I watched her heart meter and she remained calm and peaceful.  After every song was over, however, she got a little agitated and wanted to re-situate herself.  The nurse in the room told me that by watching her body language, that she knew that Samantha loved the music.  I was told before I walked into Samantha's room, that she LOVED music.  I couldn't stop watching Samantha as I played, and couldn't help but smile at her sweet face.  I love being at CHOC.
Another boy I met was named Augustine and although he couldn't show it with his weak body, the nurses and I could tell that he was excited to hear some music!  Augustine was non-verbal and immobile as well, but the nurses knew that he enjoyed the music I played for him.  The nurses told me that he shows his excitement by rolling his eyes a lot, which he did a lot today!  Augustine's mother was there too and she wants me to come back every two weeks when her son comes in for treatment and I definitely accepted that offer!  Augustine was such a sweetheart and I look forward to seeing him again!

Days like this remind me why my platform is what it is.  I could go on and on with many other experiences I have had with the young and old generations, but today illustrates a taste of it all.  If I become Miss California in June, I will make it my mission to visit as many hospitals (for children, adults, and Veterans) as possible during my year.  I have been asked in the past how I would do this service with such a big instrument and all, and I have all situated.  Normally therapeutic harpists use small harps just for ease of transportation throughout the hospital floors.  I currently do not have a small harp (the only small harp I have is toy-sized LOL) but as I travel the state, attaining a harp would not be a hard task at all.  The harp sister/brotherhood is very tight.  For example, when I competed at Sweetheart in Illinois, I found a harpist in Chicago that lent me his harp! Amazing life-saver!  However, having the state title this year would give me the perfect excuse to invest in a small harp anyway, so worries!

I feel so blessed to not only just visit the kids, but that I get to share my talent with them and help them feel better as they endure treatment.  I know God has given me this talent for two reasons: 1. to make money with it, and 2. (most importantly) to serve people with it.

Some favorite quotes of mine:
Music brings the sense of identity to people that are out of it.  Music brings those people back INTO it!

And thanks to my co-ED Melissa Mattingly, 
“Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears - it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more - it can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity.” ― Oliver Sacks

You can look at the other past CHOC visits that I actually recorded HERE and HERE

It's Official!

Check out the other 57 wonderful and beautiful contestants on: www.MissCalifornia.org

Monday, April 23, 2012

MUSIC: Compassion for the Convalescing

This is a main reason why my platform is what it is.  I tear up every time I watch this sweet man's reaction to his music.  It reminds me of so many experiences I have had with people as I play my harp for them. I'm choked up while writing this....PLEASE WATCH AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK...



Music brings the sense of identity to people that are out of it.  Music brings those people back INTO it!




To learn more about my platform, click here: PLATFORM

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Get your "Group-On!"

Yeah, I'm (sort of) on GroupOn....  You have 2 days left to get this awesome deal at Oahu Shave Ice!! Get it before it's gone!

Support my sponsor Oahu Shave Ice! :)


If you want to advertise and become my sponsor, it's not too late!
Go on my "ADVERTISE" tab to learn more!

Monday, April 16, 2012

FOLLOW ME!

If you're on Twitter, go ahead and FOLLOW me and my adventures up until Miss CA this coming June! If you don't have a Twitter, go ahead and get tweeting! :)  Share with your friends and their friends!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

On the Road to FRES-YES!

It's officially Miss CA Orientation time!  Our car had Miss Sierra Nevada- Caylynn Simonson, Miss County of San Diego- Anna Mason, Me, and Miss Culver City- Marina Inserra.  Our drive up to Fresno sure was an adventure!
To quote Marina Inserra (Miss Culver City) from Facebook:
OMG what a day!! Finally made it to Fresno after 8 hours!! Witnessed a Tornado in San Diego, rain through LA, and Snow through the Grapevine!! But made it safely with Leah CecilCaylynn Simonson, and Anna Mason! Yay Miss California Orientation! :)
While on the Grapevine, there was snow, harsh winds, and lots and lots of rain!  We had a little fun in weather that us sun-kissed SoCal girls are not used to!


More updates to come!  Saturday is a BIG day full of workshops and rehearsals! So exciting! 
xoxo, Leah

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Graduation is near...

Very NEAR!! I will officially graduate from Cal State Fullerton on May 19th and I am SO EXCITED! I did in 4 years and I'm doing it proud!  I'm excited to graduate with my good friend, Courtney Trouten!
Miss NorCal and Miss SoCal are graduating together! YAY! It will be a great day!

Miss NorCal and Miss SoCal...Class of 2012!!