Post by Todd B on Aug 20, 2007 0:18:24 GMT -5
Good job, Rachel!
A crowning achievement
Article published Aug 19, 2007
IDA - Prior to last week's Miss Monroe County Scholarship Pageant, Rachel McCleery thought she was being realistic about her chances of winning the crown.
"This was my first time at any pageant. I was confident but I also knew that most girls win after their second or third try," the 19-year-old said. "I didn't get my hopes up too high because of my inexperience."
She's a natural. In her first attempt, the Ida resident took home the Miss Monroe County 2007 crown.
Even her mother was shocked to hear her daughter's name called.
"I knew she had the qualities. She is well spoken, confident and has a lot of talent. I thought she may make the top five but because of her inexperience, I didn't know if she would actually win," said her mother, Mary McCleery. "So I wasn't prepared when I heard her name called. It was amazing."
Despite her lack of experience on stage, Ms. McCleery was determined to make a difference for a local nonprofit organization. Her platform was increasing awareness of special needs children and adults through Holiday Camp.
The organization, located on N. Custer Rd., is for the learning disabled with physical, mental or emotional impairments. Summer sessions are held for those ages 4 to 26, and a separate summer session is held for handicapped adults. A staff of counselors runs the summer camps, which provide a fun atmosphere for the participants.
The 2006 Ida High School graduate is passionate about her platform, and hopes to make a difference.
"It's a place where they can be kids without being judged. They can just have fun," said Ms. McCleery, the daughter of Rob and Mary McCleery of Ida.
She has been a camp counselor for the past several years. She assists the children, who are able to learn crafts, play sports, and interact with other children throughout the summer. About 120 children participate each summer.
"It's great to see the growth over the summer," she said. "But it's hard at the end of the summer because I get so attached to all of them."
Ms. McCleery got involved with Holiday Camp by chance. After falling short in an audition for a community theater production at age 14, she was presented with another opportunity. Angie Snell, a music therapist, who was the pianist in the theater production, encouraged Ms. McCleery to help her at Holiday Camp.
"At first, it was intimidating but the kids tugged on my heart strings. Music is a universal language. They light up when we started playing," she said. "I've been there ever since."
As Miss Monroe County, she hopes to raise awareness for the organization.
"Holiday Camp has been around for years but not enough people know about it," she said.
She also hopes to raise funds. She will be holding various fundraisers throughout the year for Holiday Camp. Proceeds will help contribute to the renovation of the building, including the craft house, and adding pavement to areas around the campgrounds so participants in wheelchairs will have easy access.
Music is another passion of the newly crowned Miss Monroe County. She is a student at Michigan State University, East Lansing, where she is studying music education. She is working on obtaining a bachelor's degree in music, and hopes to land a choral director's job at the high school level. Eventually, she plans to seek a master's degree, and to teach music at the college level.
Taking voice lessons since she was 12 years old, Ms. McCleery performed "Home" from the movie "Beauty and the Beast" as her talent in the Miss Monroe County pageant.
"I think my musical experience on stage helped me be more comfortable for the pageant. But I was still very nervous," she said, smiling. "It did help that I've had experience performing in front of crowds, though."
In the coming year, Ms. McCleery plans on making more than 100 appearances at various Monroe County events, and raising awareness for Holiday Camp.
"I want to set up an orientation program about the camp. My goal is to get 10 new faces volunteering at the camp," she said. "I also want to visit schools and make as many appearances as possible in the next year."
She also will be preparing for Miss Michigan, which will be held in June in Muskegon.
"I'm fortunate to have such a great support system. The (Miss Monroe County Scholarship Pageant) board and my family and friends are all supportive," she said. "I'm really looking forward to what this year will bring and representing Monroe County."
A crowning achievement
Article published Aug 19, 2007
IDA - Prior to last week's Miss Monroe County Scholarship Pageant, Rachel McCleery thought she was being realistic about her chances of winning the crown.
"This was my first time at any pageant. I was confident but I also knew that most girls win after their second or third try," the 19-year-old said. "I didn't get my hopes up too high because of my inexperience."
She's a natural. In her first attempt, the Ida resident took home the Miss Monroe County 2007 crown.
Even her mother was shocked to hear her daughter's name called.
"I knew she had the qualities. She is well spoken, confident and has a lot of talent. I thought she may make the top five but because of her inexperience, I didn't know if she would actually win," said her mother, Mary McCleery. "So I wasn't prepared when I heard her name called. It was amazing."
Despite her lack of experience on stage, Ms. McCleery was determined to make a difference for a local nonprofit organization. Her platform was increasing awareness of special needs children and adults through Holiday Camp.
The organization, located on N. Custer Rd., is for the learning disabled with physical, mental or emotional impairments. Summer sessions are held for those ages 4 to 26, and a separate summer session is held for handicapped adults. A staff of counselors runs the summer camps, which provide a fun atmosphere for the participants.
The 2006 Ida High School graduate is passionate about her platform, and hopes to make a difference.
"It's a place where they can be kids without being judged. They can just have fun," said Ms. McCleery, the daughter of Rob and Mary McCleery of Ida.
She has been a camp counselor for the past several years. She assists the children, who are able to learn crafts, play sports, and interact with other children throughout the summer. About 120 children participate each summer.
"It's great to see the growth over the summer," she said. "But it's hard at the end of the summer because I get so attached to all of them."
Ms. McCleery got involved with Holiday Camp by chance. After falling short in an audition for a community theater production at age 14, she was presented with another opportunity. Angie Snell, a music therapist, who was the pianist in the theater production, encouraged Ms. McCleery to help her at Holiday Camp.
"At first, it was intimidating but the kids tugged on my heart strings. Music is a universal language. They light up when we started playing," she said. "I've been there ever since."
As Miss Monroe County, she hopes to raise awareness for the organization.
"Holiday Camp has been around for years but not enough people know about it," she said.
She also hopes to raise funds. She will be holding various fundraisers throughout the year for Holiday Camp. Proceeds will help contribute to the renovation of the building, including the craft house, and adding pavement to areas around the campgrounds so participants in wheelchairs will have easy access.
Music is another passion of the newly crowned Miss Monroe County. She is a student at Michigan State University, East Lansing, where she is studying music education. She is working on obtaining a bachelor's degree in music, and hopes to land a choral director's job at the high school level. Eventually, she plans to seek a master's degree, and to teach music at the college level.
Taking voice lessons since she was 12 years old, Ms. McCleery performed "Home" from the movie "Beauty and the Beast" as her talent in the Miss Monroe County pageant.
"I think my musical experience on stage helped me be more comfortable for the pageant. But I was still very nervous," she said, smiling. "It did help that I've had experience performing in front of crowds, though."
In the coming year, Ms. McCleery plans on making more than 100 appearances at various Monroe County events, and raising awareness for Holiday Camp.
"I want to set up an orientation program about the camp. My goal is to get 10 new faces volunteering at the camp," she said. "I also want to visit schools and make as many appearances as possible in the next year."
She also will be preparing for Miss Michigan, which will be held in June in Muskegon.
"I'm fortunate to have such a great support system. The (Miss Monroe County Scholarship Pageant) board and my family and friends are all supportive," she said. "I'm really looking forward to what this year will bring and representing Monroe County."