The 4 dynamics of my life
What makes me happy is understanding and contributing to the 4 most important dynamics of my life. They include: myself, family, groups (friends/co-workers) and man-kind.
Harmoniously balancing these can be challenging at times but in the end this is what makes my life rewarding. Personal growth is something I will work on consistantly throughout my life, not only for myself but for those around me. "When you're green you're growing, when you're ripe you rot. A fulfilled life is a learning and growing experience."
My husband, family, and friends are an integral part of my life. I love my job as a Dental Hygienist and I am very active in the community, both in NJ and PA. As you can see, from my growing list of community outreach, I am dedicated to promoting school based oral health awareness and encouraging participation in community dentistry. Over the years my goal has been to visit as many classrooms as possible, I feel it is important for me to promote my title, even more important for me to promote good oral health amongst the community. I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to participate in building healthier communities and promoting a title at the same time.
Enjoy my Blog, I am sharing with you every aspect of my life. These photos represent the rewarding experiences I have had thus far with my community service efforts, and they represent me truly for who I am. A special thanks to everyone who is a part of my life because without you I may not be me. Everyone is inspiring in their own way and I learn something from every one of you.
Educating for a Healthy Smile
Tooth decay is the #1 most common chronic childhood disease in America. Children suffering from tooth decay will often have difficulty eating and sleeping, therefore affecting their ability to concentrate. Educating for a Healthy Smile is an initiative to promote the importance of children's oral health through education. For the past 3 years, I have been visiting school classroom's, community centers and churches throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, educating children grades K-3 on the importance of a healthy smile. My presentation introduces them to proper brushing, healthy snacks and dental sealants. Thanks to my generous sponsors, each child is given a free toothbrush and educational materials to take home to their parents.
Each presentation is approximately 45 minutes long, depending on the size of the group. I will start off the presentation by introducing myself and "Little Bill", he is my stuffed donkey that has very big teeth, we use him for the children to practice brushing with. I will then introduce some dental words the children may be unfamiliar with, show them a video on children's oral health , demonstrate proper brushing and allow the children to brush "Little Bill's" teeth, discuss healthy vs. non healthy snacks for the teeth, explain what a dental sealant is and then have a question & answer session with the children.
You will find my contact information on this blog, please contact me if you are interested in having a children's oral health presentation in your school, church or community center.
Smiles Across America is a national program that brings the educational component of community dentistry into inner city classrooms across the country. Please visit their web site for more information on a program that might be in your community.
Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, which is sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive, is another children's oral health program that has provided me with my educational materials, if I can not be in the classroom, any teacher may request toothbrushes and educational material to be sent to your classroom. This is a national and a global program that allows teachers to be oral health educators when the dental professionals can not be there. I encourage all teachers to be oral health educators, please visit their web site to request the proper materials for your in school presentation.
A special thanks to Dr Bresler and his cavity busters team for donating "little Bill" and thousands of toothbrushes for me to give to the children. I am happy to also be given the opportunity to connect the Philadelphia children to any of the 6 locations Dr. Bressler has throughout Pennsylvania.
What is a dental sealant?
The reason I have incorporated dental sealant awareness into my presentations is because dental sealants are the most underutilized preventative dental service amongst our children. I feel they are underutilized mostly because of the lack of education as well as the cost. I try to participate in as many community dentistry projects involving free dental sealant placement as I can. Each year, I participate with the Pennsylvania component of the ADHA to provide free sealants to uninsured children, this event is called "Sealant Saturday." Every January-March free dental sealants are offered throughout various dental clinics in the Pennsylvania area. A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth – usually the back teeth (the premolars, and molars) – to prevent tooth decay. The painted on liquid sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.
Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to remove the food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by "sealing out" plaque and food. Statistics show that 90% of tooth decay in children and adults occurs on the chewing surface of the molars, therefore 90% of cavities can be prevented by the use of dental sealants.
For information on free dental sealant placement locations throughout PA & NJ please visit:
My CrossFit South Philly Testimonial
I joined CrossFit South Philly almost 1 year ago. What I have gained from this experience is much more than I expected. I joined to “lose weight” for a fitness competition in a national pageant, however I gained a lot more than I thought I would. I gained strength, endurance, confidence, and health.
Strength: I was working out at a gym before, using 10 lb dumbbells for curls & shoulder presses, and doing modified pushups. Currently to my surprise I can deadlift 160lbs, hang power clean 65lbs, front squat 85lbs, thrust 85lbs, swing a 14K kettlebell overhead, and do standard pushups.
Endurance: Before CrossFit, I would run 1.5 miles with my husband a few days a week stopping once or twice to catch my breath on the way. Just recently, my husband and I ran and completed our first 10 mile run, the Broad Street Run. I completed the 10 mile run without stopping once to catch my breath, my endurance was incredible thanks to the workouts at CrossFit South Philly.
Confidence: All I can say is that being stronger has given me a different confidence level. Even if a CrossFit workout is challenging, I will fight through to complete it. I can’t say I did the same thing before when I worked out at the gym. This “do not quit” attitude has made me realize, I am a lot tougher than I thought I was. This is where that confidence has come from.
Health: When I began CrossFit, I had an existing shoulder problem. I would take Cortisone injections every 3 months and Advil on a regular basis for the discomfort. Since building strength in my shoulders I have been “pain free.” Strengthening the surrounding muscles was just what I needed to take the pain off the joint. This was certainly not something I thought I would gain from my CrossFit workouts, trust me I would have signed up a year prior if I knew that would happen.
There are a few more gains that I left out, but very important as well! An incredible support group, new friends, and quality time with my husband. My husband and I love the time we spend together at CrossFit, we finally found a workout regimen we can do together.
Funny thing is that I did not lose a pound! That just goes to show the importance of what you gain from a particular experience and not what you have lost!
I look forward to my progress over the next year with CrossFit South Philly.
Thanks CrossFit South Philly,
Kim Meehan
Today Jim and I went up to CrossFit Prime to compete with three other affiliates in the annual CrossFit charity WOD, Fight Gone Bad IV. This year, all of the proceeds went to two charities: Athletes for a Cure and the Wounded Warrior Foundation.
In all there were about 35 athletes, representing CrossFit South Philly, CrossFit Prime, CrossFit Renaissance, and CrossFit Love. Everyone put in a great effort, and it was a really fun time for all involved. I am so proud of how well our team represented CFSP. CrossFit South Philly had 4 out of the 5 women competing in the women's prescribed division (one of them being me!)that means we can handle the heavier weight!! Our men's prescribed placed 1st 2nd and third, or women's prescribed placed 2nd and 3rd, and our women's scaled placed 1st!! Way to go gang!! Way to go Crossfit for raising over 1 million dollars during this event!!
Tonight was a great night with my friends to celebrate mary's Birthday and cheer her and Marci off to national competition. Have fun ladies, I know the judges and delegates will love you both!!
It is finally here, the weekend of Mrs. Pennsylvania US. I am looking forward to meeting the judges, getting to know my fellow delegates, and having some fun on stage! Good luck to all the delegates, both PA & MD. I am so impressed with the women I meet each year in pageantry. Special thanks to my friends & family for all your support and confidence in me, no matter what the outcome, you have been there for me to help me see all my accomplishments. I thank you all for that, and my husband. . . well I know this a little bias but he is the greatest husband in the world!! Thanks Jim for making me go to CrossFit even when I was exhausted from work, and thanks for being proud of me. Pageantry has allowed me to be inspired as well as inspire others, it has also made me be the best I can be. I will post on Monday after I return from Harrisburg, have a great weekend.
Thanks Siouxzan for a very informative orientation today. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet the other delegates from PA & MD and to get aquainted with some walking patterns. I look forward to seeing everyone again in 2 weeks, good luck everyone!!!
Today Jim and I participated in our first official race. The Philadelphia Broad Street Run. Our official time for the 10 mile run was 01:54:05, not bad for our first race. Thanks Jim for cheering me on the WHOLE 10 miles, you are an incredible inspiration to me. I feel truly blessed to have such a supportive husband, loving family and friends, and most importantly my health which gives me the opportunity to enjoy what life has to offer. This was an emotional day for me, there was so much support along the race from the cheering Philadelphia residents, local students, volunteers, and even Mayor Nutter & Gov Ed Rendell. I love you Philly, and Jim especially!!!
Congratulations to the new Mrs. Pennsylvania International 2009, Sheri Jenkins. You are truly a beautiful lady, I wish you luck out at Mrs. International. To my dear friend Susan Huntley (Mrs. Pennsylvania International 2008), you had an incredible year I am so proud of you.
Just a fun shot to post. We had a great workout last night, team races. The team of Kim, Pat & Goos came out as winners. Yeah team!! Everyone did awesome, it was a close call. Jim and I really love our workouts with CrossFit South Philly, the whole experience has been gratifying. I just have to say "where my girls at?" I was the only girl in attendance for races. That's ok I kept up with the boys.
I rounded off this weekend with a trip up to Harrisburg for my nephews christening. Alex is a very good baby, I am so happy for my brother and sister in law. It was nice to see everyone yesterday. Pictured with me & Alex are my 2 brothers and my sister in law. Jim and I feel very blessed to have a big, beautiful, and healthy family. Between the two of us, we have 3 nephew's and 2 niece's. I am sure plenty more to come.
Today we rememoried Millie at the annual Alzheimer's Brunch hosted by my good friend Danielle Micale (Mrs. Middlesex County NJ US 2009.) It was a great morning spent with some great friends, another successful event Dani!!
Today I received a thank you note in the mail from Meg Ryan, the school nurse at carson elementary. I am very touched that I made a lasting impression in her life, and the children's. This is just one of the reasons, but the most important reason I am going for the crown!!
Today my friends Mary, Beth, and I got in the car and drove to Walter Reed Army Hospital in DC. We made the trip to see a soldier from our area who lost his leg in Iraq. About a year ago I met a special man by the name of Joe Finch, retired from the Army, he is now working as a civilian with the Army and volunteers a lot of his time with the wounded soldiers. He dropped me an e-mail about a month ago telling me about Bobby Andrzejczak, a 22 year old wounded soldier from Cape may NJ. When I first met Joe I was Mrs. New Jersey so he thought it would be special if I could gather some of my pageant friends to pay Bobby a visit. Of course when I mentioned it to my friends they were as excited as I was to pay a visit to this American Hero. We brought him some gifts, Philly Soft Pretzels, Tastycake, magazines and Phillies/Eagles autographed items. One of the things Bobby lost during the blast was his wallet so Mary had a wallet to give Bobby that had a lot of sentimental value attached, and we all chipped in to fill it with some money that he lost that day. What a great afternoon i spent with Bobby, Joe, and my friends. We are planning our next outing with Bobby, probably a trip to see the Philadelphia Phillies, Bobby has not been to Citizens Bank Park yet.
I spent the morning getting some new headshots taken. With my drastic hair difference, I could not get away with the same headshot as last year. Recently in my dental office, I met Nel, she is a photographer with Pushnik Photo here in Philadelphia. I love my job for many reasons one of them being the wondefully talented patients that come into my life every day. I looked into the studio, and found out that Jon Pushnik is an amazingly talented fashion/celebrity photographer right under my nose here in philadelphia, how exciting!! If I win Mrs. pennsylvania, I will return for some fun crown & banner shots in the city. Check out their work at Pushnik www.pushnikphoto.net .
I am pictured here with Jon Pushnik, great guy!! He wanted to try on my banner, I promised to let him try on my crown if i win!!
Me, Jon, and Liz (my stylist for the day)
Nel (my photographer), Me, and Liz
As President of the Philadelphia Dental Hygienists' Association, I will be volunteering with Sealant Saturday again this year. February is National children's Dental Health Month, on Feb 7th the PDHA and CCP students will be providing free dental sealants to children in need. Please contact me at E-mail address found on this blog if you want more information about this event.
On January 24th, Jim and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. Jim planned the most amazing day trip to NYC for dinner and a show. We saw Wicked, which I absolutely fell in love with Ga Linda!!! I laughed so hard during "Popular", and actually shed a tear or two during "For Good." Then we had dinner at Victor's, which is the first cuban restaraunt in NYC, I love Cuban food. The past 5 years have been truly rewarding in many ways, I could not have asked for a more perfect match for me. Thanks Jim for a very memorable anniversary.
I recently judged the R-Phils Dance Team final audition. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to be around that dance element again, catch up with some friends and meet new people. You might remember from a post last year, this is where I first met little Jerzi Schur. Through the year we have kept in touch and I have helped mentor and sponsor her through her first pageant competition.
The group of ladies that made it to the final audition, pictured with the judges.
Pictured is me and Jerzi Schur ( Miss Congeniality Pennsylvania ECUSA 2009)
A few of the judges and the Director of the R-Phils Dance Team. Here I am catching up with some friends, alumni from the Reading Express Dance Team. I truly enjoyed being a part of a team with these ladies, it's like having another family. I am so glad to keep in touch with them and hear about all the exciting things they are up to. Pictured are Vi (current Philadelphia Sixers dancer/former Reading Express), Brianna (former R-Phils/former Reading Express), Heather (former Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader/former R-Phils & Reading Express Director), Jennifer (former Philadelphia Sixers Dancer/former reading Express Director/current R-Phils Director), and myself.
I attended the Miss New Jersey outstanding Teen pageant tonight with my friends, Susan and Heather. it was a good show, and a close call in my eyes. I could not get over the voices on some of the girls, like Savannah for example. New Jersey should be proud. Sitting in the audience, I had picked Brenna to win, she was absolutely adorable, and I loved her talent, it was unique and impressionable. All the contestants did a great job. Best wishes to Brenna this year. I did not get pictures after the pageant, we were ready for bed. It was nice spending the night with you both!!
What another great year, this year was extra special because my husband's family brigade won 1st place for their High School Musical Mummers performance. "Mummering" is a big part of my life. Since I was a little girl, I have memories of marching down Broad Street with my family. My aunt is a costume maker, my uncle & cousin performed with the string bands, and my mom has marched with the comics. Coincidentally, I met my husband at the Mummers Parade, he has been marching with his family comic brigade since he was 5 years old. I have always been a mummers cousin, niece, daughter and now I am a mummers wife. I am very passionate about the tradition of the Philadelphia Mummers Parade and will always be!!
That is a photo of my aunt Lil & uncle Bob fitting Governor Ed Rendell for his mummers costume during the 2000 Philadelphia Mummers Parade. What a great Mayor he was for the city, he is still very good to the city!!
Two Street Stompers performing High School Musical Mummers on Broad Street
The mid-day break. Each year, my important job is to get all the food ready for the group to enjoy during the mid-day break. During this break the marchers get some much needed food in their bellies and an opportunity to rest their feet, oh those golden slippers. Thanks to my mom, sister in law, and future brother in law for your help with the food prep. During this break we found out about our 1st place prize!! Now it is time to head out to the famous 2 Street for the second part of the parade.
This is my BFFL Jen, her 2 daughters Catherine & Caroline, and her husband Mike. I LOVE these guys!!! It was so special for you to come celebrate the new year and our WIN with us!!
Having fun at the 2 street celebration, this is an after party on the famous 2 st where all the clubs celebrate the day. It was a very cold night but we were surrounded by so many friends & family we were warm all over!! Thanks to the Philadelphia police for helping the whole day & night go smoothly.
The end of a very special day. This is the very spot Jim and I met during the 2001 Mummers Parade. Mummering is so special to Jim and I because of both family & tradition. Only 364 days left until the next parade!! Who knows. . . maybe I will be riding in a convertable next year as Mrs. pennsylvania. It would be an honor to me however, Mrs. Pennsylvania or not, I will be on Broad again next year. I can't wait!!
This is my BFFL Jen. Jen and I met in college 17 years ago, she is like a sis to me, we have also worked together for the past few years now.
This is me & my buddy, Dr. Cirka.
This is my 2nd family, my co workers at Dr Cirka's house for our Christmas party.
What a great Thanksgiving at My Aunt's house on the Chesapeake. We took a nature trail through the woods, did some fishing, lots of eating, laughing, and sleeping!! I have so many things to be Thankful for, good health, friends, career, and family. To My FAMILY, thanks for a great Thanksgiving, I am very THANKFUL for you!!!!
It is that time of year again. My husband is a mummer, mummering is about both family and tradition. Every year Philadelphia celebrates New Years Day with the "Philadelphia Mummers Parade." My husband's family has a mummers brigade of over 100 members, he has been marching since he was 5 years old. Here are a few pics from the annual fundraiser. Check out my new hair, if you noticed, I cut it all off!! I needed a change, I am having a lot of fun with it.
Congratulations Jerzi for winning Miss Congeniality this weekend at the Pennsylvania East Coast USA Pageant. I saw all of your pictures, you did great!! I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. I hope you had fun!!
What a great night!! We had dinner at Redstone, great food, great company, who could ask for anything more??
What a beautiful fall day to walk with some friends and raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. This walk is in memory of my friend Danielle Micale's (Mrs Middlesex County NJ 2009)grandmother Millie.
What an amazing year! Every year from January to March, the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists' Association promotes "Sealant Saturday." This was my 14th year involved in a community dental sealant program and this year was a great success. This year, we had 250 volunteers, placed 2801 dental sealants and performed $155,807.26 in preventative services to 676 uninsured children. Each year gets better and better, I am looking forward to our growth and continuing to make our children healthier one smile at a time! Over the past 7 years, "Sealant saturday" has enabled the PDHA to contribute over 1 million dollars of free dental services to children across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This is only a small fraction of what the ADHA is doing to make a difference. Alone, I am just a movement but together we are a force, Thank You!
We had a successful day today at the Africom Health Fair. We anticipated 500 visitors from the West Philadelphia community, we came prepared with samples, gloves, and masks. This was a day where I walked away knowing I have helped to enhance the overall health and well-being of others. The health fair offered a day of free health screenings, blood pressure, HIV testing and counseling, diabetes counseling, dental health education/screening, and more. I am proud to be a contributing member of the ADHA, our Philadelphia component is making a difference, good work!!!
For more information please visit link below:
www.africom-philly.org/events.php#top
What a great journey. This week has been a wonderful opportunity to make some new relationships, I also got to visit with some children from the Chicago area, that was a once in a lifetime!! I went out there with a very good friend Mrs, PA, however I made some met some incredible ladies whom I wish to keep in touch with, Mrs. Idaho, Mrs. Arkansas, Mrs. Virgin Islands, Mrs. California, Mrs. Florida, Mrs. Ohio, and Mrs. Hawaii. All the ladies were wonderful, these are the ladies that I had the opportunity to get to know the BEST. Of course, I loved meeting with the East Coast ladies, Mrs. VA, Mrs.DC, , and Mrs. NY, I will certainly be in touch, great ladies. Conrgats to Jodi & Scott Cesna for director of the year, I know you truly are the best, Susan and Lori are lucky to have you!! Thanks Joey for a beautiful wardrobe during rehearsals, thanks gaspar for making me look like a beauty queen, and thanks Heidi Scheer for my beautiful competition gown and interview suit.
It's gonna be a great show!!!! Look forward to seeing some of my friends and family there. Love you all & miss everyone at home!! Jim arrived today, YEAH!!!!!
The Port Ministries came to our hotel today to pick up the PJ's from the PJ drive. Thanks to all who have participated you will make it a little easier for the children in the shelter to sleep at night.
We had a very colorful interview group, personalities and interview suits that is!! Judges were wonderful, made me right at home.
I really enjoyed meeting all of the ladies today. Long day tomorrow so I will get some rest, and be back with some photos from tomorrow. Miss you all!!
I arrived a day early to get myself acclimated and do some relaxing before the events start. The first contestant that I met today was Brenda, Mrs. Idaho, we met to discuss our plans for the PJ drive and Port Ministries visit. Tomorrow morning a few of us will be taking a trip into Chicago to visit with some children at an educational center. I am looking forward to the week ahead, I already miss you all at home (my friends & family,) yes work too!!! Thanks for all the calls of support before I left this week. Check back for more photos!!
XOXOXOX
Today I spent the morning saying farewell to some of my friends, including the current Mrs. New Jersey US 2008, Evelyn McCleod. I wish you nothing but the best next week during your national competition in Las Vegas. You are a true inspiration for many, you truly know the definition of the word giving. Evelyn has sponsored me over the last 2 years with dental supplies from her company, Church & Dwight. We first met competing together and right off the bat she was giving, when she found out I was looking for dental sponsorship, she was the first to step up to the plate. I appreciate it with all my heart and the children LOVED their spin toothbrushes. Just enjoy yourself next week Evelyn, and be the best you that you can be. People like us are out there Evelyn, I am glad we found each other.
Congratulations to Parker Sanchez for winning the Mrs. New Jersey America pageant. Pictured with me are a few of my friends Mary Moulds (Mrs. North dakota US,) ME, Susan Huntley (Mrs. Pennsylvania International,) and Dr Ellie Baker (Mrs. Delaware US.) We are all heading out to our national competitions in a few weeks, it was nice to see everyone, and I wish you all the best. Heidi & Tracey, we missed you both, good luck to you as well.
Thank you Tracey for inviting me to your First Book fundraiser. What a great afternoon spent with the kids and great friends. Best wishes to you in las Vegas, the children that you have helped are so lucky to have you, and I am lucky to have you as a friend.
I have been asked by the PDHA to present the Hollister award this year to the dental hygiene graduate that has performed above and beyond in community dentistry efforts, particularly the educational component. This will be a very special event for me, returning to the college that I graduated from 14 years ago to present an award that represents everything that I have worked so hard to achieve with my oral health education program. Here is a description of the award and the attributes of Clark J. Hollister.
The Clark J. Hollister Award is presented by the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association to a student in each of the Dental Hygiene schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a memorial to Dr. Clark J. Hollister. The award is given to a graduating student who has shown outstanding ability and achievement in Dental Health Education. Dr. Hollister was responsible for the creation of the Dental Division within the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The present Dental Hygiene program in the public schools systems of Pennsylvania is a direct result of Dr. Hollister’s endeavors and foresight during the early years of dental hygiene in Pennsylvania.
Cogratulations to Jerzi for winning 1ST RUNNER UP in the Little Miss Apple Dumpling Pageant, I am sooooooo proud of you Jerzi. You looked absolutely beautiful. I hope you had fun, your mom told me that you asked when the next pageant was going to be and I am so proud of you for having such a positive attitude. I will be here if you need me for any advice. Good luck to you and stay in touch please.
I honestly can tell you that my new experience with CrossFit training has been rewarding in many ways. My husband, Jim, is a reservist in the US Air Force and he told me all about this training "boot camp" style. My husband does not enjoy the traditional gym workout, so we decided to try the local Crossfit group out (small world the trainers are both patients of mine.) WOW is all I can say, Jim and I have been running and strength training for years but we have never combined the two, that is what this workout does for us, it combines the cardio with the strength training the entire workout. I joined this group to prepare myself for the Mrs. International competition however, I must say that the time I am spending with my husband and the new friendships that I have made with the group are equally as important and certainly long term! This group is amazing, they make working out enjoyable, I love the team work! I am coming to Chicago prepared and having no regrets, I've had a blast! To visit our group workouts, click on their logo to the right of my blog.
If you will look down in an earlier post of the Reading Phillies Cheerleaders audition, you will read about when I met Jerzi. Her mother contacted me recently and told me Jerzi is competing in her very first pageant this June, the Little Miss Apple Dumpling Pageant. The title of Mrs. New Jersey has allowed me to make an impact on many children's lives this year. Not only have I touched many lives by educating children and making them healthier, I have also had the opportunity to inspire them to reach for their dreams. I wish Jerzi well in her first competition, she is a sweet girl with a vibrant personality. Jerzi asked her mom to add my blog to her favorites and she looks at it every day to see the picture of her and I. I know you will see this Jerzi so, my advice to you is to have fun, smile a lot and just be that adorable, sweet little girl I met a few months ago. Please visit www.appledumplingfest.com to vote for Jerzi and see how she does.
Congratulations to Evelyn MCcleod for winning Mrs. NJ US last night. It was a tough competition, all inspiring and beautiful ladies. Enjoy your year Evelyn and utilize your crown to share your inspiration and knowledge throughout the state. Heather, you were an outstanding representation for NJ in 2007, your commitment to helping others, your true passion for life, love, and friendship and your integrity will never go unnoticed. I am proud to call you my friend, remember you will always be Mrs. NJ. Michelle & Chris, you did a great job last night as usual, you really do a wonderful thing for married women in NJ, keep up the good work. Mary, you shined last night, I am proud of you and all your accomplishments this year, keep growing, I will be here to watch and support you along the way.
I want to give a special congratulations to my friend Heidi Scheer for winning Mrs. Michigan United States 2008. You are one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever met, inside and out. I am very proud to call you my friend. I am sorry I could not be there to see you shine on stage, I was supporting our friend Mary in New Jersey. I am so happy for you, I know you will have an amazing year sharing your knowledge and passion of Autism with the world. I wish you and Tracey (Mrs Pennsylvania United States 2008) nothing but the best in Las Vegas this summer. XOXO
I sat in the very same Kindergarten class today that I sat in about 30 years ago. This was a very special school visit for me today to say the least. A few weeks ago my local newspaper here in New Jersey printed a front page article about me and my children's oral health presentations. A few days later I received an E-Mail from a teacher in Darby Borough, where I grew up, commending me for my efforts with the children and inquiring where I went to grade school. Here she teaches at Walnut Street, where I went to grade school, she asked if I would come there to do my presentation for inspirational and educational purposes. I had such a great day today, the children were so sweet, they cheered for me as I walked through the cafeteria, what an inspirational visit for the children and for myself. I remember my challenges I faced growing up and I am thankful for them every day, they will always be with me, in a good way, I am me because of them. What an amazing team of teachers I met today, you can tell they truly care about the students, after all they reached out to me to bring something special to their children. A special thanks to Maryellen Turner for caring enough!!! I'll be back in a few weeks Walnut Street.
Today I judged the 2008 Miss New Jersey Super Teen and Super Miss pageants, what a fun day. Pageants have introduced me to some amazing people, competing and judging. It was truly my pleasure meeting you all today, Sal Patane who is a very talented stylist at Salon Suede (I know that from experience with his work,) Andrea Arena who is a Mezzo Soprano with a voice that gave me chills up my spine (she performed,) Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez a very accomplished and impressive woman in New Jersey and our judges chairperson Cathy Clark a former Ms New Jersey Senior. It was a pleasure being a part of the day and meeting you all, I look forward to our paths crossing in the future!! Good luck and congratulations to the winners Samantha Moore Miss and Kacey Bohrer Teen.
I was back at Cold Springs Elementary school today for the 2nd grade presentations. It was a productive day, I really felt I made and impact on their oral health choices today. A special thanks to Mr. Young for escorting me to all my classroom's each week and for the teachers who bring me into their classroom's to educate their children.
I spent the day with some very close friends and members of the Alzheimer's Association, enjoying a fund raising brunch in memory of Millie. What a great day for a great cause hosted by Danielle Micale.
What an exciting weekend, some friends and I drove to Altoona PA to cheer on our friend Susan at the Mrs. Pennsylvania International pageant. How impressed I was at the entire production, what a great pageant and the winners selected truly did shine that night. Congratulations Susan, we are so proud of you, I am looking forward to going to the Mrs. international competition with you, it will be an exciting week with you and the new friends I will meet.
Today I had the opportunity to judge the Reading Phillies cheerleading team final audition. Some of the celebrity judges today were, myself (Kimberly Meehan), Vi (Philadelphia Sixers Dancer), Danielle (Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader) and Danielle (Philadelphia Soul Dancer.) I danced with these ladies on the Reading Express dance team a few seasons ago, it was nice to see them and hear about their amazing adventures this past year. There was a little girl by the name of Jerzi Schur(Jersey Shore)present, she was one of the little diamond diva dancers that were performing, she said she was my biggest fan. She was the cutest little thing, keep dancing, maybee you will try pageants soon! I wish the 2008 Reading Phillies cheerleading team nothing but the best for their inaugural season.
Here they are. . the first crown photos of Kimberly Meehan, Mrs. new Jersey International 2008. I was so excited to have these photos done, this is a great honor to me and I had a lot of fun doing it. My wedding photographer, "Silver Image Photography" is the studio responsible for these photos which are very casual and really catch the fun loving side of me. I will be seeing Clay Spann soon for more photos, to capture the glamorous side of me. My friend Mary and I will be traveling there together, I know we will walk away with a rewarding "girls weekend" together!!
Sealant Saturday was a success again this year, we placed 165 dental sealants today, just in the Philadelphia location. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists' Association, Community College of Philadelphia, students, staff, and volunteers we have managed to help those children uninsured get the dental treatment they need. I love the opportunity to help the children and mentor the current students all at the same time. My wish is to be an inspiration to the students, showing them a good example of the many arena's that a dental hygienist can serve in.
Another rewarding day in the community. These children are so beautiful inside and out. They were so happy to have me in their classroom today and to learn about how to take care of their smiles. I truly feel blessed to have the ability to enhance their lives.
I met some very impressive young ladies today at Brown Community center. These girls were my helpers today, they demonstrated proper brushing for the class. Look for Jairelis on America's Next Top Model in about 10 years, the girl sure can strike a pose. One of my helpers is missing from the picture. . . Devon, I guess he did not want to take a picture with the girls.
A very special thanks to Dr David Bresler for donating ALL the toothbrushes to the children that I visit each week. This school year alone I will be handing out over 10,000 toothbrushes to these children and most importantly, giving them a referral source for their dental care. Doc Bresler's Cavity Busters Team has been very active in the community for many years, it is encouraging to know there are other dental professionals in the community trying to make a difference and it makes me feel honored to have his support in my endeavors.
Here they are. . . my pageant family. They say you make your most endearing friendships in your 30's and I can say that is true. My college friends and my pageant friends are going to be life long for me. We all came out tonight to support our friend Angela Burns crown the new Mrs. Delaware America 2008.
Today I spent the day visiting some wounded soldiers at McGuire VA Hospital. My husband is serving our country as a reservist in the USAF and I would do anything to support the soldiers and their families. Pictured with the queens is Josh, a 24 year old wounded soldier, by the end of our visit he was smiling for a picture with us! This has been my most inspirational moment, I am very thankful for our brave men and women serving our country.
I met some great ladies today during a walk for NBOCC, sponsored by Nikki Karl. What a beautiful day for fighting breast and ovarian cancer.
