Miss Murray 2010

Murray Journal

2010-07-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Pay It 4ward to website is designed to help others
By Peri Kinder

Stacey-Marie Hansen wants to find out how far a little kindness can go. Hansen, who is Miss Murray 2010, just launched a website dedicated to reporting and acknowledging simple acts of kindness, no matter how small.

At Payit4ward.org, Hansen challenges visitors to do something nice every day for a family member, a close friend, an acquaintance and a complete stranger. After doing these acts of service, she asks that visitors record their experiences on the site to encourage further compassionate works.

"It's a way for everyone to get involved," Hansen said. "Everyone changes the world every day. It just depends on whether you change it for better or worse."

Since the site launched in March, almost 200 people have commented on their good deeds which can be as small as a hug or as big as donating money to Africa or time to the animal shelter.

Hansen got the idea from Rachel Scott, the first person killed during the Columbine shootings in 1999. A month before she was shot, Scott wrote an essay detailing her standards and challenging readers to start a chain reaction by doing something nice every day.

"I have this theory that if one person will go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a chain reaction of the same," Scott wrote. "People never know how far a little kindness can go."

Incorporating that idea, Hansen visits schools, encouraging students to create paper chains with acts of kindness written on each link. Schools interested in participating in the program can email MissMurray2010@gmail.com for more information. Hansen also distributes Pay It 4ward bracelets to help spread the word. As Miss Murray, she is trying to raise $2,000 to purchase 10,000 more bracelets for students across the state.

"Service has always been my life," Hansen said. "I've been very blessed. I've never been really sick or in a bad financial crisis. I just wanted to show my gratitude for everything I have."

Hansen is also looking for Pay It 4ward ambassadors to help strengthen schools, communities or neighborhoods. Information is available at Payit4ward.org.

"The most rewarding part of being Miss Murray is hearing the stories of service," Hansen said. "It's cool to realize the power that one can do."

CAPTION: Stacy-Marie Hansen, second from left, and Murray High students Shannon Oveson, Lindsey Permain and Karly Rodriguez enjoy a service day at the school, part of Hansen's Pay It 4ward initiative.

April Highlights!

2010-05-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

Once again, I'm just trying to get a little bit more caught up, so I won't be going in to much detail on any of these events... but they always said a picture is worth a thousand words right???

Ok... April April April... busy! A LOT of Pay it 4ward stuff goin on! If you want to read more about that, please visit Pay it 4ward's blog- Payit4ward-org.blogspot.com!

I had 3 events this month where I got to spend a lot of time with the other Miss Utah girls!!! The first one was a fashion show for a special needs care center in South Jordan. They were showing off their new spring clothes!It was SO MUCH FUN! the best part was actually everyone left! Me, my best friend Jessica (Miss Legacy) and everyone just danced! SOOO much fun! It was also an excellent opportunity to share my platform and prove that anyone can change the wolrd!!! The next one.. which was actually the night before... was our sleepover! Miss Farmington, Miss Roy, Miss Tonga Utah, Miss Oquirrh Mountain, and Miss Murray had a fun sleepover! It's so much fun to just HANG OUT with the girls and not worry about sparkles and crowns and rhinestones! Another fun time I got to have with the girls was Miss Oquihhr Mountain's Black and White affair! She is AWESOME!

I had more DARE graduations and some ribbon cuttings this month too! Very fun!

One event that was really special to me was called "music makes music" and I got to see my best friend Taylor (who is in Brazil for the next yeaarrr!) 's little brother perform and I got to chat with his dad for a long time! this was SUCH a cool organization!!!

I put (/will put, I need to update that one too!) most of my Pay it 4ward info on my Pay it 4ward blog, but I can't forget the fact that Pay it 4ward day was April 29th! We had over 50 countries involved, people all across the US, and here's what we did in Murray for it!!! We got all 1500 MHS Students out serving! HJH definitely did their part too! and Murray City let me talk about Pay it 4ward at out big Chamber event, "The Taste of Murray!"

I used to be so good at posting! Let's start with... March!

2010-05-07T16:05:00.000-07:00

Since Pay it 4ward's launch this blog has pretty much been forgotten... So let's do a run through of the last few months and what's going on!

March was so much fun! I'm a state committee member for Utah's Junior Miss, so a lot of my month was spent working on preparing for that week and that week was a lot of work but SO much fun! my favorite part was our princess party! I even got to dress up!!!
I also got to share my pay it 4ward platform with the Junior Miss Girls! it was awesome! I even recruited a few ambassadors!
It gives me a different perspective on these pageants... I was so proud of every single one of them! I wanted the girl who deserved it the most and would get the most of out if to win. I learned that no matter who wins Miss Utah, I'm going to be happy for! I know you don't believe me, but it's completely true! Every single girl there would do a good job to be Miss Utah and I just want the girl that would utilize it the most to be the girl to win! Good luck to whoever you are Miss Utah 2010!

I also got to hang out a lot with my little Miss a ton this month! We made cookies, I went to some of her volley ball games, and we went to Miss Spanish Fork together! what a fun road trip! She also accompanied me to the Pinnacle Awards where I got to give an award to my favorite teacher ever Mrs. Elder!!!

It was also the Make a Wish Gala where I personally raised another 1500 bucks :D I've almost raised $10,000 for them. that's TWO WISHES! we raised a TON more than that that night, but I was excited :D I also got to give sean hannity a bracelet when he came to town and hang out with my Boys n Girls club kids!

So there's a few highlights from the month of March! Hopefully I will get caught up more this weekend! Thank you so much for all your support! Keep on Paying it 4ward!!!

Boys and Girls Club Gala

2010-02-24T19:23:00.000-08:00

I love my Little Miss Mykenzy!!!

2010-02-24T19:18:00.000-08:00

I've been able to hang out with my little miss a lot recently!
It was her birthday so I got to go to her birthday party, I did her hair for school, and I visited her at school! I also took her to the Westminster game where my mom performed! It's awesome because I've never had a little sister but now I do!

Republican Party Party/Senator Bennet Kickoff

2010-02-24T19:16:00.000-08:00

My daddy rents to some people who got us in some pretty cool places. It was fun because I got to talk to my platform with lots of big whigs!

Legislative Day with MYCC

2010-02-24T19:10:00.001-08:00

I LOVE hangin out with the Murray Youth Chamber of Commerce kids!

Horizon Reading Day

2010-02-24T19:06:00.001-08:00

I got to go speak to Horizon Elementary about reading! I taught them to "Read their favorite movie" and sang them a song from my favorite book/movie/play Les Miserables.

MISS AMERICA!

2010-02-24T18:55:00.001-08:00

I went to Miss America with my mommy and the BEST DIRECTOR IN THE STATE Miss Lloyd! We had a BLAST!

Miss Utah's Send off!

2010-02-24T18:44:00.000-08:00

Before Whitney went to Miss America, she had a send-off party and it was so much fun to see how amazing one person can be! I look up to her SOOOO much! She did a brilliant job at Miss America and I'm so proud! It was fun to see all the Miss Utah contestants too!

Civil Rights Day Celebration

2010-01-24T22:07:00.000-08:00

Monday January 19th was the 18th Annual Murray City Civil Rights Day Celebration!
It was one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life!!!

First off, it's an awesome celebration for an inspirational man. This is exactly the thing he would have wanted

Second off, I got to work with Alex Boye'. Need I say more?

Third off, I GOT TO LIVE MY DREAM!!!

I have watched this concert so many times and looked up to the Miss Murray on the stage for so many years, and I finally got to be the girl on the stage. I got to be the grown woman that every young girl in the audience could look at and say "I want to be like her" and the thing I'm most proud of is the fact that I've never done anything those girls or their parents would be ashamed of. I was so proud to be me and represent Murray City!!!

This was actually the second time in the history of Stacey-Marie that I've ever been nervous! I NEVER get nervous and I couldn't figure out why. Now I know.

Its because I've always pictured Miss Murray as this beautiful, amazing, perfect girl. And now I'm her. and I'm not that perfect girl. I'm not the greatest singer in the world. If I would've been performing up there as Stacey-Marie, I wouldn't have cared how wel I did; however, because I was up there as Miss Murray I wanted to do so well I wanted to be perfect.

Because I was so nervous, I didn't do my very best. But ya know what? I'm not ashamed. That was me and I tried. I'm not the most fantastic singer in the world, but I'll do what anyone throws at me. I am a hard worker. I'll always do my best. I am proud of who I am.

I got to dance to a song called Dream that night. Dr King had a dream, and I think its coming true more and more everyday.
I also have a dream, and I'm living it.

The Royal Ball!

2010-01-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

I got to go to Miss Spanish Forks Royal Arts Ball this week! It was so much fun!

She (Ginger, Miss Spanish Fork) rented out a reception center and had dancing, art, human art, performances, friends and fun! It was such a good idea! The event was free, but anyone who wanted to donate could and all of that money went to the art programs in the schools in Spanish Fork. This was an opportunity for people to show of their talents, understand and appreciate the arts better, and just have a good time! I loved it because it gave everyone an opportunity to get involved- the young, the old, and the in between! Her attendants performed too! I thought it was very successful!!! Ginger, you are brilliant, wonderful, beautiful, and you're doing so much good in the world! Thank you!

One of the performers- she was SO good!

This is Ginger- Miss Spanish Fork! Isn't she so incredibly cute?

Me and Whit- Miss Intermountain! SOOO much fun! What a road trip! I'm so blessed to hang out with AMAZING girls like her all the time!!!

Zion's Christmas Tree Decorating

2010-01-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

I got to decorate Zion's Christmas tree with the Murray City Youth Government, and then the Boys and Girls club sang some Christmas carols. It was so awesome because the diversity of the people there. Some banking people, some devoted teens, and some kids just wanting to have an amazing Christmas. What a way to get into the Christmas spirit!

Paying it Forward with the Boys and Girls Club

2010-01-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

My platform is paying it forward. My goal is to change the world.

These kids here, are where it's all starting.

I got to talk to the Boys and Girls Club about Paying it Forward. (Doing something nice for someone else and instead of them paying you back, they pay it forward to someone else) and they were all very excited about it!

They've started their literal "chain reaction of kindness" (a paper chain that they write on when they've done something kind for someone else) and I gave them all Pay it Forward cards to do something nice for someone else with.

The BnG's service club- the Torch Club is also Paying it Forward by Volunteering at the Murray Care Center. We got to go sing to the awesome elderly folks. The kids and the adults had tons of fun and I know they'll love growing closer to each other every week!

haha I like to pretend I'm tough :D
I love the Boys and Girls Club. I love Murray City. I love my life.

Shout out to Carey Chatwin for giving me lots of opportunities to help out at the Club. I love you beautiful!

Januray Journal

2010-01-13T22:05:00.000-08:00

Here's another article!

Click here to read the article online!

Miss Murray Works with Youth at Murray Boys and Girls Club

Stacey Marie Hansen, Miss Murray 2010, loves working with youth groups.

During her short reign, Hansen has already spoken to students at McMillan Elementary and other schools, where she talked to different classrooms and told them how important it is to choose good friends. Hansen has started a paper chain of random acts of kindness in the city schools and city hall and hopes to link the chains together this May.

Hansen spoke to the South Valley Boys and Girls Club's teen group about her platform, crime prevention and the theory of "paying it forward," a concept she feels ardently about and hopes for the community to embrace.

"I'm so excited for this, probably more so than anything else I've done as Miss Murray," said Hansen. "We started the paper chain and hung it up in the gym. I can't wait to see in May how far kindness can go."

Hansen and the youths watched the 2000 movie, "Pay it Forward," about a young boy who attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him a chance.

The Murray Club's Teen Center has an open door policy for kids in grades 7 through the 12, in which they may check in and out at their own discretion. The teens learn core values like leadership, community service, health and life skills and career development.

The Torch Club puts these words into action with community service projects like their "Adopt a Grandparent," at Murray's Care Center. Hansen attended the center with the group over the holidays.

"It was really cute," Hansen said. "We all sang Christmas carols and they seemed to really enjoy it."

A Murray High School graduate, Hansen now attends the University of Utah where she is majoring in business/entrepreneurship. Up next, Hansen is meeting with Mayor Dan Snarr to discuss an in depth Neighborhood Watch program throughout the city.

Hansen has a blog discussing her platform and recording all her events and invites people to visit www.missmurray.com.

DARE Graduations!

2009-12-25T02:23:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate enough to attend the DARE graduations at McMillan, Liberty, Viewmont, and Parkside this past month. they were all AWESOME!

I LOVE the everything about DARE! I love what it teaches kids, I love how it gets to their level, I love how it teaches them what's in drugs, I love how it teaches them ways to say know, I love how it teaches them the effects of drug on your body and your life, and most of all we all love officer huber, don't we?!

It goes right along with my platform of crime prevention and awareness. DARE is crime prevention. Most of the crime problems in Murray stem directly from drugs. Whether people are high and just acting dumb, or stealing so they can get money to get their drugs, it's just BAD BAD news.

What I taught the kids in my speech at the DARE graduations is that "DRUGS ARE LAME!" haha I made them yell it too! I showed them pictures of myself over the years and how much I've changed. I showed them my artwork over the years and how things I once thought were cool aren't really my favorite things anymore. Then I told them that many things do change, especially your friends. But one thing that never changes is the fact that DRUGS ARE LAME! and no matter what people tell you they're NEVER cool! I hope they always remember that, they promised me they would! And I hope with everything that I have that they keep that promise.

Sargent Fandaco gave a very powerful speech at the graduations. He told the kid that there were 3 types of kids in their classes. One group of kids would never do drugs no matter what he did or how much money he spent. Others will experiment drugs no matter what he does. This really gave the kids a shock, it's statistically proven that some of those kids WILL do drugs. It was such an eerie feeling to me to look at that clean class of 5th grades and know that some would throw their life away. And I think that really stuck with them. But then Sargent Fandaco talked about how the third group were those that were the maybes. He may be able to change their mind when he tells them the truth about drugs. He said if he can save one kid from ruining their life, it was all worth it. I think that made the kids realize how much their lives are worth. Fandaco really gave an oustanding speech and he gave it very forcefully and I hope the kids always remember it.

At one of the graduations, liberty I think, one of the men from the district came (please forgive me for totally spacing his name right now!) and he told the kids a story:
There was a carpenter who built homes his whole life. He learned from his building mistakes and eventually became a master of carpentry. Right before he retired, his boss asked him to make one more house. He was tired and cut some corners and didn't do his very best on the job. When he was done, his boss handed him some keys and told him the house was his retirement present. he had earned it.
Can you imagine how dumb that carpenter felt?
Whether you're religious or not, you have to know that you're here for a reason. If you don't do your very best, what are you doing? there is no reason to be here if you're not taking care of yourself and then taking care of others.
I loved this story and it will always help me when I think I can be lazy, because I can't. Every single thing that I do shapes and builds me up. If I cut corners and am lazy in building my character, I'm not going to be worth anything. But I know my worth and that's why I do my best in all that I do, and I hope you all do too!

Another speech that was a wee bit awkward for myself was Superintendent Tranter's. At Viewmont, he brought me up in front of everyone and asked me if I was liking being Miss Murray, what my favorite part was, what I'm doing in school, and what I'm planning on doing with the rest of my life. I was glad I had answers for all of them (LOVE it, being with the kids, graduating from the U of U in business entrepreneurship and minor in leadership, own a salon for young girls and their moms) He then used me as an example. There is NOTHING in my life standing in my way. I can do what I want because I am drug free. If I would've gotten into that stuff earlier in life, there's NO WAY I'd be where I am today! I was glad he did that, because I think that's something I needed to realize and be grateful for too! He finished up his speech with the fact that they all needed to strive to be like me! I felt so funny and yet so awesome. I'm not gonna tell anyone to be like me- I'm definitely not perfect, but I can tell you to try your hardest, set goals, and don't let anything get in the way! If your mind can dream it, your hands can achieve it!

I'm so grateful for the DARE program and I'm excited to speak in the last 5 elementary school in may!

Oh, and for those of you kids who I promised pictures, just let me know which ones you want and I can email them to you. Please e-mail me at MissMurray2010@gmail.com!

Salvation Army Bell Ringin

2009-12-25T02:12:00.000-08:00

So I got to ring the bell for the Salvation Army two weekends in a row at Sam's Club. It was FREEZING, but it was FUN!

I loved seeing so many familiar faces! I saw a bunch of my neighbors, mayor pett, my hero Sherri Van Bibber, and even my field director for Miss Utah- Charlotte Graham!

The best was just hangin out with the other bell ringers! the first week I hung out with Larry- the actual Salvation Army bell ringer, what a stud. The second I hung out with Lindsay from the adoption exchange. She is flippin cute!

It was really a great way to get into the Christmas spirit because so many people were so giving, and the people who didn't give pretty much all told me they're broke cuz they've given to other charities, which is ok by me :D

I'm definitely a people watcher, and just watching what people brought out was pretty funny. I could tell who had big families, who was there shopping for a girlfriend, and who was their ward activities directors!

There are so many awesome charities and awesome opportunities going on around Christmas time, and I say as long as your helpin out with a few, you're changin the world! thanks for helpin out Murray city!

Miss Murray Hopes to Pay it Forward- Murray Journal

2009-11-26T20:16:00.000-08:00

Click here to read the article online!

There’s a new Miss Murray in town and she’s on a mission to stop crime through awareness and kindness. Murray High School graduate Stacey Marie Hansen won the title for 2010 and feels passionately about her platform, crime prevention.

Hansen’s grandfather, Norman Nielsen, was on the city council in his day, and Hansen said she shares his zeal to help make the city a better place.

“Murray is such a community based city,” she said.

Hansen hopes to set up Neighborhood Watches in every district in the city. She plans to go door to door to rally neighbors to create a safer city through community involvement.

Since winning the title, Hansen had been busy attending school functions during Red Ribbon Week, and a Refugee Exhibition at the high school.

She is the youngest of four siblings, grew up in Murray and attended Murray High and McMillian Elementary, where she recently spoke to all the classrooms telling them how important it is to choose good friends.

“I loved it because so many of them couldn’t actually read my sash, but they knew who I was as soon as I walked in--that’s what growing up in Murray does to you,” Hansen said. “You know everyone.”

Pageant director Leesa Lloyd said no one deserved to win more than Hansen. “We’re all so happy for her.”

Hansen won $2,400 for the Miss Murray title, which will help with her tuition at the University of Utah where she is majoring in business/entrepreneurship.

She believes crime and hatred can be fought with the “pay it forward” idealism. She plans to start a paper chain of random acts of kindness. Then her idea is to join all of these chains from the schools and city hall together for the Arts Festival in early May. She also plays to pass out kindness cards, where when you do a kind act for someone you give them the card.

“Kindness has a ripple effect,” Hansen said. “I know it seems like an impossible task to get rid of it all [crime], but if we can change one person’s life for the better then this has all been worth it.”

Murray Journal October

2009-11-26T20:11:00.000-08:00

Stacey-Marie Hansen Crowned Miss Murray!
Erin McShay

http://murrayjournal.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Stacey+Hansen+crowned+new+Miss+Murray-%20&id=3901123

On Sept. 12, 12 talented young women competed in the city’s annual Miss Murray pageant, though only one lucky individual got to take home the crown. Murray High School graduate Stacey Marie Hansen won the title for 2010. Hansen competed in the pageant the previous two years.

“It’s been her third year in the program and she really deserved to win,” said Leesa Lloyd, pageant director. “We are all so happy for her.”

The contest was open to young women living in Murray between the ages of 17 to 24 years old. The contestants were judged 30 percent on their talent, 35 percent on their interview skills, 15 percent on evening wear, 15 percent on swim suit wear, and 5 percent for their on stage question. After totallingall of their scores, the judges rank their top five in order.

Lloyd, a dance teacher at Murray High School, has directed the pageant for the past 14 years. She said the judges looked for service-oriented young women who hope to pursue an education after high school.

Murray City gave the pageant $4,100 for scholarship winners. Hansen won $2,400 for Miss Murray. The first runner, Kaitlin Pollei, was awarded $800; second runner up Shannon Ma won $600, third runner up Marion Stobell won $400, and fourth runner up Mallory Rogers won $200.

The pageant included a Little Miss Murray contest with girls between the ages of 7-9. The winner, Mykenzy Ford, drew a picture of why Murray is the greatest city in America.

Also on the night of the event, the pageant director announced a surprise Woman of Achievement award winner in Murray. This year’s award went to Rhea Kiisel, a previous Murray pageant director. Kiisel was responsible for starting up the pageant in the 1970’s. Kiisel went on to direct the state’s Miss Utah pageant.

Miss Murray’s duties are to ride in all the parades, get involved with the Murray Chamber, and implement a platform she feels passionate about.

The former Miss Murray, Cari Southwick, worked for organ and tissue donor awareness. Southwick highly recommends other young women get involved with pageants.

“It’s definitely changed my life,” Southwick said. “I’ve learned so much; it’s made me the woman I am today.”

Southwick now plans to continue working towards her social work degree at the Salt Lake Community College and to marry her fiancée in February.

Murray Journal August

2009-11-26T20:09:00.000-08:00

Contestants Gearing up for Miss Murray Pageant
Erin McShay
August 2009

All summer long, 13 young women have been hard at work rehearsing for the Miss Murray Pageant, which will take place on Sept. 12 in the Murray High School auditorium. The ladies have been practicing their acts for the talent competition, the main number and brushing up on current events as they will be interviewed by judges and asked an on stage question on current affairs.

“It’s been really fun,” said contestant Amanda Airment. “I really wanted to do this because Murray is such a great community, and I want to be a part of it as much as possible.”

The contest is open to women between the ages of 17 to 24 and the only condition is that participants must reside in Murray.

The Miss Murray Pageant is part of the Miss America organization, which pageant director Leesa Lloyd has been involved with for over 35 years. Lloyd, a dance and sociology teacher at the Murray High School, got involved with the pageant scene because her mother Sandra Lloyd was the pageant director for the Miss Riverton contest for over 17 years. Leesa Lloyd choreographed the pageant in Riverton and then moved over to Murray’s in 1995.

“It’s really great to see the girls grow and develop,” said Lloyd. “More often than not the girls come out of the pageant saying what a great experience it was.”

The girls will be judged 30 percent on their talent, 35 percent on their interview skills, 15 percent on evening wear, 15 percent on swim suit wear, and 5 percent for their on stage question. After totalling all their numbers, the judges rank their top five in order.

Most young women are encouraged to enter because of the scholarships awarded to the winners. Miss Murray receives $2,600, first runner up receives $800, second place $600, third place $400, fourth place $200 and Miss Congeniality receives $100. The pageant received $4,100 from Murray City.

“We really have a great relationship with the city,” Lloyd said. “Mayor Dan Snarr has been tremendous and the council has been very supportive.”

The pageant will include a Little Miss Murray contest where girls ages 7-9 compete by drawing a picture of why Murray is the greatest city in America. A woman’s achievement award will also be presented to a woman who has contributed to the Murray community.

Miss Utah Workshop!

2009-11-24T11:28:00.000-08:00

Whit Sandwich!
Whitnee Wright (Miss Intermountain) Me, Whitney Merrifield (Miss Utah!)
You ladies are absolutely stunning AND amazing!

My first Miss Utah workshop was Saturday! It was simply amazing! I am so blessed to be able to work with the most amazing girls and women in the state of Utah! The directors, committee members, and queens were all so amazing and I'm so excited for Miss Utah!

I couldn't sleep the night before! It was better than Christmas! I was just so excited to meet everyone!!!

Jessica Hudgins AKA Miss Legacy AKA Most amazing best friend ever!

Marissa, Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen! She is not only a cutie, but so driven and passionate! I love her!

I have the best director in the world! You go Miss Lloyd!

Keys to Success!

2009-11-22T21:11:00.001-08:00

I gave a presentation at the Boys and Girls Club on succeeding in school and scholarships and such and figured I'd share it with all of you! Here you are!

Miss Murray’s Guide to
Succeeding in School

• Be There! Set Goals!
o Being there physically will help you loads, but I mean being there both physically and mentally. Figure out why you are there, set goals, and reach those goals. “Whether you fail or whether you succeed, the amount of effort is the same.”
• Take a Balanced Schedule- at School and at Home
o School, work, friends, family, and extracurricular activities are hard to balance! Don’t let one rule out everything else. (Think Aristotle’s Doctrine of the Mean and Body Building)
• Get a High GPA
o Many scholarships and admittances will be based solely on your GPA and ACT. Don’t mess up your ACT; however, if it’s low and you raise it higher, scholarships committees would eat that up.
• Find the School and Scholarship that fits YOU
o Don’t go to the school someone else wants you to go to. You’ll end up transferring. When looking for scholarships, fastweb and those sites are helpful, but the best scholarships you guys can received are directly from Murray High in the counseling center. There is a scholarship and a school out there for everyone.
• Create a Portfolio
o If you make an in-depth portfolio-with pictures, explanations, the whole works- life will be so much easier for you when you start applying for scholarships. You could split it up into Academic, Service, Leadership, Extra-Curricular activities, or whatever works best for you. Just know how amazing you are and be ready to tell anyone else. Applying for scholarships isn’t bragging, it’s getting what you deserve ;)
• Take Every Opportunity You Hear of
o If you’re at a dance audition in the Salt Lake Valley, chances are you’ll see me there! Don’t just let things happen to you, make them happen!
• Be Loud!
o The squeaky wheel doesn’t only get the grease, it gets the scholarship too! Find those people who can help you and make sure they do. Even if you think you’re being annoying, they will appreciate your persistence.
• Be Involved!
o There are many situations where instead of looking at GPA and ACT, scholarship committees will be looking at your extracurricular activities. There are so many clubs and teams in your school that it should be easy for you to get involved. Bring your friends along too.
• Serve Others!
o Service is an easy way to make your resume stand out, but the best part about it is what it does to you. Remember “Service is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.” careless

Don Blair Inducted to Murray Mayor's Hall of Fame

2009-11-18T23:22:00.000-08:00

This was a fun event! I never knew how amazing Don Blair was! I'm so proud he was in Murray! I also have to give shout out to everyone who helped, including one of my very best friends in the whole world, Celeste! I love all of you who helped out and who help make Murray a better city and this world a better place to live in!

City Council Presentation

2009-11-18T23:15:00.000-08:00

I finally got to present my platform to the city council! It was awesome being surrounded by people I love who support me in what I do! Murray City is SO supportive of the Miss Murray program! Thank you so much!
I even got a little teary eyed when I got up there... It's what I've always wanted! It was just amazing!

The best part was having my grandpa there... If you read about it in the Newspaper, he's actually a huge reason of why I wanted to be Miss Murray so badly. He told me I can change the world and I believed him. I still believe him, I'm doing it right now! He's so proud of me. And that means more to me than about anything! My cousins all played sports and were really really good at what they did. He always bragged about them so much! I just want to be someone he can brag about! And now I know he is! It makes me so happy! I LOVE to make my "grumps" proud!

Boys and Girls Club Princess Party

2009-11-18T23:08:00.000-08:00

This was the 1st of 3 visits to the Boys and Girls Club this week! It was so much fun!
We had a "Princess Party!"

I did the girls' hair...

and they did my nails!

We also had a "walk off" and I told them about being Miss Murray!
It was super short, but still super sweet!

The little boy was my favorite! He thinks I'm Cinderella!
It was so much fun walking into the Boys and Girls Club and being an instant celebrity! They just all ran up to me and gave me love and hugs and I surely enjoyed life! I love kids! I really don't think they understand how much potential they have!

Jr Miss

2009-11-14T22:41:00.000-08:00

Jr Miss 2008

Jr Miss 2009

Jr Miss 2010

This week I got to help with another Jr Miss Program and it was so much fun! It was fun because it was the Jr Miss program I won, and I helped with it last year too so it was 3 generations of Jr Misses that I've personally been able to work with! Tacie, a finalist with me was there, the two girls we sent to state, and now the new girls. awesome awesome awesome.
I usually don't get super close to the girls, but I felt especially connected to a few of them this time and it made it so much better! I know I made some long-time friends this week. I love to work with the Jr Miss Program because I get to work with the most amazing girls in the state!

"Will Work for Food"

2009-11-14T22:25:00.000-08:00

So, I'm kind of hesitant to even post this on this blog because it's quite personal, but here you go! This is the real me.

Today on my way to help with a Junior Miss program, I passed a man standing out on 12300 S holding a sign that read "will work for food"

That's when I lost it.

I just started bawling. I was a total emotional wreck.

I'm sure you're wondering why?... I see panhandlers every day of my life, especially when I visit the downtown area. But this man was different. He wasn't just asking for me to hand him money. He would work for anyone just to get food. I have a problem just giving anyone out on the street money, but I love to give them food... and the fact he was willing to work for it. I just was so torn because this man really needed help, and was willing to work for what he got. He wasn't asking for a hand out. He wanted to earn his keep. I have so much respect for him, and at the same time I'm so incredibly sad for him...

That's when I took a look at my day's activities. I went shopping to a bunch of different stores, spent way too much money, and was a silly little brat. I don't NEED those clothes, that man NEEDS food. He needs a job, he needs to support his family if he has one... And I just spent a large portion of my day shopping.

It's incredible when we have these reality checks.

I also found this picture today on the internet. It was a staged picture, but we need to realize that this unemployment rate is getting out of hand. We can't magically create thousands of jobs, but we can help those around us. This is hitting us all hard, especially now during the Christmas season. I have several family members who have been out of work for months, and they're very well educated, smart, personable people. It just hurts my heart. Literally.

Don't worry, I got him some food. He was very grateful. That made me happy, but at the same time I was still so depressed because I know there's so many people like him. I can't feed them all. Not by myself. I kept stressing about this the entire night. I was even really emotional when I was helping with Jr Miss, eventually I whipped back into shape and was ready to work without spilling tears all over everything, but this was just a huge eye opener for me.

This is why I'm Miss Murray. I know I can't make the world 100% perfect, but I can change it for the better.

Please help me.

Veteran's Day Parade

2009-11-12T11:54:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was Veteran's Day
Did you even notice?
Some banks got work off, but for most of us it was just a regular day. I hate that. These men and women have given their time and lives so that we don't have to and we just go on with life like nothing on their special day.
Ok, so that sounds a bit pessimistic, but i just have so much respect for them. They're incredible! selfless! brave! amazing!
I had the opportunity to be in the veteran's day parade which was so much fun! I rode with the mayor on his super sweet motorcycle! After that, we had a ceremony where some politicians and veterans spoke.
Jason Chaffetz said that people only join the armed forces because of how they feel veterans have been treated. I hope they all know how much respect we all have for them and how grateful we are so that more people can continue to protect us. I'm so proud that both of my grandpa's served in the army. They are such great men and I know they learned a lot through their service. I'm so glad that veterans' get so many perks (discounts at stores and restaurants) they totally deserve it. I'm so proud every time I see someone in uniform.

These are my 1st and 2nd attendants- Kaitlin Pollei and Shannon Ma. They are the most beautiful, wonderful girls in the world and I'm SO happy I get to spend so much time with them!

Bob Bennet!
We may not all agree with the war, but we can and must support our troops.
Thank you to all of you who keep us save! We owe you big time! We love you!

Rachel's Challenge

2009-11-01T18:34:00.000-08:00

I am officially on a war against crime, drugs and hatred. I decided this at the Rachel’s challenge assembly at Murray High School. This was definitely the climax of my whole week. How simply amazing everything about this was. So here’s the story behind it all.
On April 20, 1999 the worst high school shooting to ever occur happened. Columbine high school in Littleton, Colorado was the site where two young boys shot and killed 13 people and injured 21 others before turning their weapons on themselves and committing suicide. One of those people killed was 17-year-old Rachel Scott.
Rachel was an incredible young woman. Her standards, morals, values, and actions were different than many of her peers because of her faith in a higher power. Her faith in God made her a better person. Now I’m not here to push my or any other person’s beliefs on others, but the point is she lived a higher life because she knew she was here for a higher purpose. So whether you believe in God or not, I hope that you will see the good in living for the good.
A month before Rachel’s death, she wrote an essay called “My ethics, my codes of life.” In this paper, she said “I have this theory that if one person will go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a chain reaction of the same. People never know how far a little kindness can go.” Rachel’s entire life was filled with kindness, love, and compassion for everyone around her. Rachel Scott reached out to others and lifted them up. She was the girl that was nice to the new kid, stood up against bullies, and invited others to her lunch table to eat. Rachel was a shining example to her school and now the entire world of how we should all treat each other.
Now that Rachel’s body is gone from us, her spirit and family have carried on her message. They have started a program called Rachel’s Challenge. Her family and friends come to schools around the nation and tell her story. They invite us to take these 5 challenges:

1) Eliminate Prejudice and Hate
Look for the best in others
Give at least 3 chances before you make a judgment call on someone- you never know what someone is going through
If you want to look for the best in people, you can find it. The worst is there too. All you have to do is decide what you want to see
2) Dare to Dream
Keep a journal
Write down your goals
3) Choose positive influences
What we feed our mind is what we become
Those teens who killed and hurt so many in Columbine’s biggest influence was Adolf Hitler. Rachel’s was Anne Frank.
Give special attention to the disabled, the new, and the picked on or put down kids
4) Kind words and little acts of kindness show huge results
You never know how a smile or a kind action can change someone’s day
5) Start a chain reaction
This is where I disagree with Rachel. We can see exactly how far a little kindness can go, and I plan to prove it. With our paper chain, kindness cards, and hero cards, we will see how far kindness can go.

Now my plan with Rachel’s challenge
1) Make a literal chain reaction. Murray city is going to make a literal chain of kindness. I will be giving paper to all of the school and all of the residents. They will do acts of kindness and then turn those papers in to their nearby school or even to city hall where we will create a huge chain. We will link all of these chains together for the Arts Fest in early May so we can see exactly how far our idea has gone.
2) Kindness Cards. These cards will start in Murray and I hope they spread through the country. Do a kind act for someone else and give them the card. Sign your name on the back before you give it to them, then they will do the same. Once you’ve done your kind act, come to my blogspot and comment on my post with your feelings with what happened and where you’re from. I hope that we’ll be getting comments from Murray residents, then people outside of Murray, then people outside of Utah, and even people outside of the U.S. That, my friends, is the goal!
3) Hero Cards. This is basically the same principle as the kindness cards; however, it’s a thank you card for kind things other people have done. This is a way to thank those who never get enough gratitude for what they do every day (ie the lunch ladies, cops, your parents!) When you let people know they are appreciated, they are more likely to do an even better job the next time. Plus, it will make them happy!

So Murray City, please join me on my war against crime, drugs, and hatred. I know it seems like an impossible task to get rid of it all, but if we can change one person’s life for the better then this has all been worth it.

A little PS on all of this, I can’t believe how big of a difference this made in the high school in one day. During the assembly, students were invited up to the stage to tell their feelings on the subject. Oh my goodness it was incredible how the HIGH SCHOOL TEENS opened up! There were so many stories about how a little kindness can go so far. So many kids wanted to talk about it, that he had to cut the line short. What an amazing experience! They’ve now started a Friends of Rachel or “FOR” club to really put these challenges into action! You go Murray High! Thanks especially to the PLT and Ms. Waite for all of your help!

Elementary Red Ribbon Week Assembly

2009-11-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

Ah this was so much fun! There are few better feelings than walking in to a room full of young kids who absolutely adore you. Obviously, they don’t know me I can’t take credit for being some amazing person that they just love because they know me, but they know who Miss Murray is when she walks in with her crown and sash. It was awesome! I stood in front of them before the assembly began and they cheered for me *Miss Murray Miss Murray* I felt like a rock star!

These girls were way too cute! They ran to me as soon as they walked in the room!
However, this is not why I loved this assembly so much. I loved this assembly because it was good for the kids. Steve James has written some songs that have good meanings to them, (ie I love being me, doing drugs is bad) and our district’s music teacher has gone around to all of the elementaries and taught them the songs. Each grade got to pick their song. They performed it in the day-time assembly for each other. Then there was another assembly for their parents that night. Every elementary school in our district is doing this.
This was an awesome program for a few reasons. First, the songs taught them good values and ethics. These songs get stuck in their head and hopefully they start believing it and acting on it (no we’re not brainwashing the kids, we’re teaching them to have high self esteem and not do drugs, this is good people haha) Second, what the songs taught is actually part of the state core curriculum. I don’t know how, that’s just what was said in the assembly. Third, the kids got to experience the wonder or performing- something I’ve always loved. Fourth, the kids got to watch each other sing; they got to enjoy the art of singing. There’s just so much good that came with this program!
I loved listening to so many kids sing about good values. It gave me so much hope for the future- because the children really are the future. And I want to help them make the future bright.

Me and Officer Huber with his choice car!

PS I have to send another shout out to Marianne Kirk for getting this program into our school and realizing how important this program is. I also have to give a thank you to Steve James for being simply amazing because he does this program in way more than Murray district and he’s doing so much good! You go guy!

Me and the 6th grade!

Faces of Refugees Exhibit

2009-11-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to take a few classes of Junior High students through the Refugee Exhibit in the Murray High library. The exhibit was pictures of refugees here in the United States and their stories. I think that these people have been misunderstood. Refugees are not immigrants. They have been forced to leave their countries. They look exactly the same as you or I.
Going through the exhibit just made me, as cheesy as it sounds, proud to be an American. People are fleeing from their countries to our country! People come here to escape the problems of other countries. And we accept them… Or do we? This opened my eyes a lot. It made me realize that I need to be more kind to those who aren’t the same as me, I have no idea why they’re here and not in their own countries. And I should treat all people this way. I don’t know everyone's background, so I’ve learned to always give them the benefit of the doubt. I think this is what keeps me happy in life. Even when someone cuts me off while I’m driving- I just have to figure they’re probably just having a bad day. It’s nothing against me, just a bad day on their part.
This also just makes me grateful for my parents, my family, and my upbringing. I realized the other day when I was simply cutting fruit that I do it that particular way because my parents did. Others cut their fruit differently probably because their parents do. Some people get their hygiene habits, study habits, or thoughts on education from their parents. It’s important for us to each learn and grow on our own, but sometimes we can’t blame others when they just haven’t been taught certain things (for instance that you should probably shower every day ;D)

PS I have to give a shout out to Marianne Kirk for being so wonderfully amazing to bring this exhibit to us! And thanks to Melia Fidel to let us have it in herlibrary and for just being the most amazing teacher/ second mother to so many students, especially me :D

Red Ribbon Week!

2009-11-01T18:16:00.000-08:00

Rachel’s Challenge
Elementary Assembly
Faces Refugees

Red Ribbon Week was such an amazing week for me!
Monday I went to school, went hiking, and had a fun time at work.

Tuesday I had my meeting with Miss Lloyd and talked tons about Miss Utah. I’m so excited!

Wednesday was when the fun began! I was able to be a special guest at the PTA/Administrative meeting at the district. I got to meet/revisit the administration from the different schools and I also got to meet all the PTA presidents! It was fun to see all those I was able to work with in the past through student government! Being with Ms Covington and Mr Dunn totally reminded me of 9th grade being Student Body President and working with them every day! So much fun! I also loved seeing all the PTA presidents! I want to be a cute mommy like them some day! (No worries, in a very long time :D)
After the meeting, the PTA President from Hillcrest told me to swing by for their lunch activities. It was way fun and I was there for pretty much the rest of the day. I got to go into the lunch room and gather people for the activities! The kids were so fun and so kind! They called to me across the room “Hi Miss Murray!” I love the fact that they feel like they can just come to me and say hi. I want to be personable and let them know I think they’re fabulous and I love them! Ha, it also never surprises me how much boys will always be boys. “Hey Miss Murray, did you know I’m Mr. Murray?” Oh boy!

Thursday I was at the high school pretty much all day. I was there for the 4 different Rachel’s Challenge assemblies- I’ll talk more about those in another post. So there were 3 in the morning, then I went to McMillan to talk to all the kids, then back to the high school! What a crazy day! Going to McMillan was so much fun because that’s actually where I went to elementary! I got to go to each classroom and tell them how important choosing good friends was! I loved it because so many of them couldn’t actually read my sash, but they knew who I was as soon as I walked in- that’s what growing up in Murray does to you. You know everyone! :D

Friday was another busy day! That morning I went to the Faces of Refugees exhibit and walked some junior high kids through the exhibit. Then I had to go straight from there to the afternoon assembly at Longview elementary where I got to see my little Miss! Both of those were so fun and I am writing blogs on each of those to explain them more too!

Overall, Red Ribbon week was super busy, but super fun! I told my mom I don’t need to go on a Miss Utah diet when I’m Miss Murray because I don’t have any time to eat! Thank you to everyone who helped out with Red Ribbon Week! It’s a lot of worth, but even if it keeps one kid from going down that scary path, it was totally worth it!

Red Ribbon Week!

2009-10-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

Red Ribbon Week has been so much fun so far! I've loved going to all of the schools, seeing old teachers, meeting new friends, and chattin with the kids!

They ask the most awesome questions...
"Do you live in a mansion?"
"are you famous?"
"are those real?!" haha no worries, they're talking about the "diamonds" in my crown.
It also never fails to amaze me how boys can be boys, even in elementary and junior high. "heyyy Miss Murray, how you doin? did you know I'm Mr. Murray?"
ohhh boy!

Life is great as always! Thanks Murray residents for all you do!
Oh ya! I met all the PTA and a lot of the Murray administration and caught up with some old friends too!

Livin and Lovin

2009-10-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

“Hi, I’m Stacey Marie Hansen and I’m Miss Murray”
Oh how long I’ve wanted to hear those words.
Now my dream is a reality
Today was one of the best days of my life and I know it’s because I got to be Miss Murray all day. I started out my day helping out with the Taylorsville/Murray Junior Miss Scholarship Program. It was so much fun because I got to help the girls so much and it was awesome to hear about how simply amazing they are and it was fun to tell them about my experiences in pageants and just life in general. The Junior Miss program literally changed my life and it was so much fun to help out with one in Murray!
The best part about it was how supportive all of the Miss Murray girls were. Several of them came to support their girls. My 1st attendant Kaitlin Polei and another Miss Murray contestant are the finalists! They get to go to state in March!!! And another Murray girl Ashley Wilkinson (who’s little sister was actually the Little Miss last year) got Spirit of Junior Miss! How simply amazing is that! The 3 Murray girls got the 3 most amazing awards! I’m SOOO flippin proud!
So after Junior Miss, we realized that the Miss Intermountain competition would still be going on so we decided to drive down to draper to see it. On my way driving down there I called as many people as I could think of to tell them how proud I was of my Murray Junior Miss girls! I was too excited! I turned my music up high, rolled down my windows, and was literally jumping up and down in my seat… driving… ya that’s probably not safe! My bad! So at Miss Intermountain it was so much fun to meet and see a lot of the girls I will be going to Miss Utah with! I’m SOOOO excited for Miss Utah! I’m SOOO excited about my junior miss girls! I’m just SOOOO excited about life!
I’m livin and lovin the dream!!!

My Blogs

2009-09-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

http://murraycommunitycalendar.blogspot.com/
http://murrayservicepost.blogspot.com/
http://www.murrayneighborhoodwatch.blogspot.com/

As Miss Murray, I not only want to help with my platform, (Crime prevention and awareness) but I want to help Murray in every aspect! These blogs will help me help you help Murray!... how confusing!

have a happy safe day!

Stacey Marie

Miss Murray 2010

2009-09-21T06:48:00.000-07:00

To the Residents of Murray City,

On Saturday September 12, 2009 my dream came true. I was crowned Miss Murray! I became so excited and so happy and so busy for the next year in a matter of seconds when they announced my name. Everyone was so happy for me, and I've been receiving hundreds of congratulations for the past few days but let me tell you why this all means so much to me.

It all goes back to the 7 year old Stacey Marie sitting in the McMillan Elementary auditorium watching Miss Murray... OK mostly I was just staring at her crown- sparkly things distract me ok? I saw that crown on her head and I thought that it symbolized perfection. I wanted to be perfect. She told us we could be anything we wanted to be. I believed her. I went home and told my mom that I wanted to be Miss Murray and she frequently reminds me something changed in me that day.

Now that I've grown older and gotten to work with some of the Miss Murrays I've realized the crown is not a symbol of perfection-I’ve never met a perfect Miss Anything; however, even though I’m relieved because I’m not expected to be perfect, I’m expected to work hard. The crown is an indicator of hard work. I worked hard to earn the crown and I’ll work hard for the full year that I can wear it on my head.

Winning a pageant is a completely different thing than being a title holder. To win a pageant, you must impress the judges in interview, talent, swimsuit, evening, and onstage question. Basically, you have to be pretty on the inside and the out. To be a title holder, you must be an example, a cheerleader, and a force in your community. These are my focuses. I have always striven to live my life in a way that little girls can look up to me. I will always support my community. I will be the change I want to see- I will be the force.

So no, I didn’t compete for Miss Murray for the crown, the prestige, or even the money. I am here to serve. Let me serve you.

Have a happy, safe day!

Stacey Marie