Kelsey is a 4th grade special education student who has been diagnosed with autism. She has not let that diagnosis define or limit her. She is active with gymnastics, dance, swimming, cheerleading and pageants. In fact, during the past several months, she has won over 30 pageants and volunteered for more than 100 service hours on related community service projects. Earlier this week, she was invited to make a special presentation for the special education students enrolled at Bonaire Elementary School. The students were excused from their regular class to come to a central location and participate.
Kelsey's pageant platform is that "Special Needs Means Special Abilities" - individuals with disabilities can make a difference and have a positive impact on other people's lives. During her motivational presentation, she showed them her display board, some of her pageant sashes and one of her pageant trophies. She encouraged them to reach for the stars and pursue their dreams. She also explained the importance of making a difference in your community. It was a great day sharing information about a platform that means so much to Kelsey.
During the past three months alone, she has been a featured speaker at a regional autism walk advocacy event; provided the featured entertainment (tap dancing) at a local pageant for developmentally disabled middle and high school girls; coordinated a community service project addressing animal cruelty prevention by collecting almost 250 pounds of dog food for a local humane society; volunteered at her mother's Pre-Kindergarten Sunday School class; and along with several other local pageant title holders, visited a local personal care home to play bingo with the residents and distribute gifts. Kelsey wants to start her own charitable foundation someday. I am very proud of my little pageant queen.
Bonaire, GA
