A Trip Down Memory Lane...

        It has been an awesome week!  I have received the "I'm not a Meanie Muffin" wristbands and was able to give some to the sweet kids I visited at St. Francis Hospital.  I will forever remember their sweet faces, they are my heroes!  I am so grateful to know such amazing little human beings.

        It has been snowing in Oklahoma!  I was looking out my window and became mesmerized watching the cars drive by as the snow glistened off the tires.  I began to reflect on my journey and realized that some of you may not know anything about my background. 

        I want to start by saying thank you to my parents for everything they have done for me.  It is my humble beginnings and growing up appreciating the simple things in life that molded me to be the person I am today. 

        I grew up on a small farm in Northeast Oklahoma and really never imagined when I was young that I would be where I am today.  Being raised on a farm helped me learn what responsibility is.  I can remember as early as four years old having the responsibility of taking care of a bottle calf.  Every morning and night with my parents help at this age, this little guy had to be bottle fed because essentially, I was his adoptive mother.  I eventually became independent in this task and it became second nature to care for something other than myself.  I remember getting up early before school and making sure my animals were fed before I ate.  I remember the 4-H shows and how much fun they were.  I studied hard to learn the parts of a cow and worked diligently to try to overcome my shyness when talking to the judges.  It was not until my 5th year competing that my calf named Calfuccino won grand champion.  Five seems to be the number for me and yes, I did name Calfuccino myself.  He was a beautiful Brown Swiss who I completely fell in love with.  So, perseverance finally paid off.  I absolutely love thinking about my childhood and the incredible memories I have from growing up on that little farm.  The values I gained from my past far outweigh what money could buy.

   Here are a few pictures of my Holstien and Hereford calves. They didn't win the trophy but they were certainly grand champion to me. 

With one of our horses named Gator and Kissee

Bottle feeding Kissee

Feeding our Hereford, Duke

My best friends :)

SHOWTIME!!

  Some have voiced to me that they assumed I live in a "perfect world" and what could I possibly struggle with.  Struggle is not a stranger to anyone, we all struggle with something.  It's how you approach your challenges.  Don't let your past define who you are, continue in spite of what others say.  As my parents say, "move on, move up!"  I would not have had the drive and fortitude to handle what some define as "failure" to obtain a goal without the encouragement of my family.  My parents never said I failed at anything.  They would simply say, "The more no's you get, you're closer to a yes!"  You can accomplish anything you set your mind to with dedication and hard work!  So, my message to all who reads this is the same.  Never, ever give up on your dreams!

        I can assure you that being a "beauty queen" is not all crowns and cocktail dresses, we too share disappointments.  Although, at times I get discouraged about things, I know this is not permanent and it comforts me to help others.  So find what warms your heart and motivates you to become a better person.  It is how we handle our challenges, it's not our failures that define us.  

        Here are a couple of my favorite quotes...

"She was unstoppable not because she did not have failures or doubts, but because she continued on despite them." Beau Taplin

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

Have an incredible week!

Cherokee Pearce
Miss Oklahoma Teen USA 2015