A STEP in the right direction

As a little girl we want to be one of  two things: A princess and or our mothers. We go into her closet, grab shoes 8 sizes too big for our feet and parade around the house like we're "big girls". But why do shoes have the power to make us feel so different? Why can the right pair of shoes automatically change our mood? It is all because of the people we see in them. Cinderella's glass slipper transformed her life. She was granted a night at the ball, and even married her prince. Dorothy's ruby red slippers took her from Oz, all the way home to the people she loved, with just a simple click of the heels. Shoes have the power to change the woman who are wearing them. They change the way you walk, and the way you talk all because you feel powerful in the right pair of shoes. According to cosmopolitan magazine, buying the right pair of shoes can release neurotransmitter dopamin that causes people to feel happier. It also stimulates an area of the brains frontal cortex termed as the  "collecting spot" This helps woman rationalize the buying of shoes because they are "collectors items". Scientifically, this is the reason woman buy so many pairs of shoes. Subconsciously, I believe, we want the right pair of shoes because the woman we admire always had them and they do lift our spirits. But remember my friends, it is not so much the shoes you wear, as it is the places your feet will take you in life. So walk with your shoulders back, your head held high, in the shoes that you love and know that the future is yours to create.

Me as a little Dorothy 

As Always, You Are Beautiful,

                                            Cedar Chambers

Princess For A Day

My life long dream as a little girl was to be a princess, I mean whose wasn't? I walked around in my light up, plastic, Cinderella heels and matching polyester ball gown, that I wore everywhere like my life depended on it. I knew that, in that moment, it was only pretend, but never in my wildest dreams would I imagine I had the opportunity to be a REAL princess. When I was asked to volunteer at a local elementary schools Frozen Ball as Elsa, I was at first hesitant. I didn't want my blonde wig to fall off, or to sing the wrong words to the famous "Let It Go". I was petrified, to be completely honest, but I knew the kids were counting on me.So on March 4th I put on my blonde braid, downed my aqua blue dress, tiara and sparkly silver slippers, and went to the ball.When I entered, on Olaf's arm of course, I heard all the children gasp all at once. I looked at all of their small faces gazing at me in amazement and knew I had made the right choice. The whole night I held the girls and boys hands and sang and danced to all of their favorite Frozen tunes. At the end of the night, before I had to make my great escape, I pulled all the little girls into a circle around me. I looked at all of them in their eyes and told them what gave a princess magic wasn't a wand, a crown, or a pretty dress, but the love inside their heart. I reminded them that everyone can be a princess. After I had gone home and long since taken off my wig and my dress, the wheels in my mind began to turn. Seeing how happy I, Elsa, had made all the children that night lead me to the realization that I could take this to a new level. I decided to create a fundraiser called "Lunch With Elsa" to benefit The Children's Miracle Network. With only the help of my mother, and mentor, Kathy Lettiere, we put the event together in less then two weeks. We reserved a venue, had it catered, received generous donations from a local bakery and fantastic DJ and even were able to have three other princesses, Tinkerbell, Jasmine and Belle, volunteer their time. The day of "Lunch With Elsa" we had a sold out crowd, tickets were even generously donated by companies and people so that children and families who couldn't afford to come, could have their lunch with Elsa too. As I walked into the venue, and the DJ played Let It Go, I felt wonderful, like a princess. The little girls and boys ran up to me and began to sing Let It Go as loud as they could along with me with smiles that could brighten any day. I knew in that moment that this was always what God had planned for me. I spent the whole day talking, dancing taking photos and ,of course, singing Frozen songs. When the lunch came to an end and all of our princess shoes had come off of our feet, I had a chance to talk to all the children, just one last time. I held the microphone in my hand and asked all the little girls to repeat after me, "I am special. I am important. I am beautiful and I am a princess." That day will be a day they will always remember because "Princess Elsa" told them that they are beautiful and they are a princess too.
                                           You Are Beautiful,
                                                              Cedar Chambers

America The Beautiful

On March 20th, my pageant sisters and I, attended a rally in support of keeping our local military base, Fort Drum open. Fort Drum is imperative to our community economically, socially and culturally. What I really saw that night, outside of the amazing military band and adorable boy scout troops involved in the festivities, was the overwhelming amount passion people had in supporting our troops. My designated job was to approach people with a petition in favor of keeping Fort Drum open. Every person I spoke with that night couldn't wait to sign the petition. I had the opportunity to shake hands with troops that are currently fighting for our freedom, and veterans too. The thing that struck my heart the most that night was
when the Star Spangled Banner was sung. There is nothing quite so beautiful as our flag and the men and women who fight, and have fought, to give us freedom. I have never been so proud to be an American and be a part of a military community.
  I would like to ask you to think for a moment about things you enjoy because you are free and the unique talents that you have and are able to use because we live in this wonderful country.

As seen left to right: Miss Northern New York's Outstanding Teen, Brianna Lockwood

Miss Thousand Islands, Allison Carlos

Miss Watertown's Outstanding Teen, Cedar Chambers (Me)

"I Like Myself"

Realizing that negative self image starts at a young age, I visited the familiar hallways of Sherman Elementary School, on March 10th, to read "I like Myself" to the children. As a young girl I never could have seen myself with a crown and sash sitting in the same library, reading in the same chair that I would look up to in complete wonder when guest readers came in. I related to the kids as they walked in grinning from ear to ear excited to see a "princess". I read to children of all ages, k-4, and they responded to the book with so much excitement and appreciation for the message. The book had lines such as "I like me wild. I like me tame. I like me different and the same!"
The kids all giggled together at the silly photos of the young girl in the book with crazy hair, and purple polka dotted lips, but what they really loved was when they had question and answer time. That was where the kids and I could really connect with one another. I had the opportunity to ask every young girl and boy their name and what they liked about themselves. Some said "My hair because its really curly" or "I like myself because I wear glasses" others said "I like myself because I'm nice to my family" but everyone of the children that sat on the carpet, that I once did, had something they liked about themselves. The things that the kids said they liked about themselves are things that teens today often forget to see in themselves today. If they could only go back and see the child inside themselves that child would tell them "You Are Beautiful". Before I left that day, the kids came up to me and asked me "How'd you get that crown Miss Cedar?" and I said "Do you know what a pageant is?"  I explained to them that it is where a group of girls come together and they pick the one that is best at spreading a message. I said "they gave me this crown so that I could come here today and tell you You Are Beautiful, and to remind you to like yourself". The question that followed was "Can I do pageants, Miss Cedar?" and my response? "Of course you can. Any girl in this room who wants to grow up and spread a message can be in pageants!" You never know who may be sitting in that chair one day all because I came and told them to like themselves and  they are beautiful.
                                     As Always, You Are Beautiful.
                                                       Cedar Chambers



 

One week in an amazing life

        


I could have never imagined, in my wildest dreams, how beautiful life could really be with a positive outlook. Every single day this week God has given me another reason to smile and to thank my lucky stars that I am here to see what a wonderful thing life is since I have changed my outlook from so many years ago. I started off the week in anticipation for my 17th birthday on Thursday, where all my family and the people I cared for took the time to show me how much they loved and supported me on my journey. They took me to my favorite Thai food restaurant where, yet another kind gesture, I was surprised with a specialty of fried bananas and ice cream to celebrate another year in a beautiful life. I woke up Friday morning ready for another adventure, which was being a princess for the day. I was offered the opportunity to dress as Princess Elsa, at a children's Frozen Ball, and meet with little girls to spread a message of magic and love. As though the week could not get any better, on Sunday I had the most amazing opportunity to take part in The 9th Annual Children's Miracle Network Teens For Miracles Fashion Show. Not only was this my first official appearance as Miss Watertown's Outstanding Teen, but an exciting chance to spread my "You Are Beautiful" message, and to share my gift of music, through singing. As I look back on my week, my beautiful, exciting week, I realize that none of it could have been possible without, the beautiful woman beside me in the last photo, Kathy Lettiere. From the moment I met her two years ago she has taught me how to be kind, generous and, as she always says "spread love and kindness everyday." I truly believe that I have the confidence and the positivity I have today, because God put her in my life to push me outside of my comfort zone, and into the place we're all afraid of, but where I have also found all of my success and courage. I know that this week, and the young woman I have grown into, has come from her influence, and this is not only an ode to a beautiful life, but also to a beautiful person.
                                                 As always, You Are Beautiful,
                                                                               Cedar Chambers