Out of the Darkness Support Walk

On October 25 I particiapted in the Out of the Darkness Support Walk 2008. It was an early morning and one that many showed up ready to show support. It was a walk to remember the people who have lost their life to suicide and to celebrate the new research, treatment options and medications that are now available. I am a mental health therapist and I work with people that are in crisis. I know that mental illness has a stigma and I feel that it is my purpose to go out and be an advocate and educator. I want to thank the participants that came out for this walk and for all the people behind the scenes. What you do makes a difference, and I was honored to be a part of that.

West Virginia Symphony's 50th Anniversary

On Oct 19-20 I participated in the West Virginia Symphony's 50th anniversary fashion show held at the Clay Center in Charleston. I was honored to also meet Mrs WV United States, Christina Palmer and Miss West Virginia America, Kayla Laynam. It was a beautiful evening and one that I was proud to be a part of. I was asked to wear my gown from nationals that was provided to me from Miss Priss in Lexington, KY. I want to thank the staff at Miss Priss again for an amazing gown and the opportunity to represent them. I did my walk on catwalk and was so proud to be Mrs West Virginia America 2008!

Walk For Women

I particiapted in another breast cancer awareness event in October called Walk for Women. It took place on Oct 19, 2008 at Ritter Park in Huntington. Supporters came out dressed in pink to show support and raise funds for breast cancer awareness with the money staying in the state. Just another way West Virginians makes change.

Bridge Day

On Oct 18, 2008 thousands flocked to Fayetteville to witness jumpers from all around jump off the New River Gorge bridge. Since 1980, Bridge Day has celebrated the engineering marvel completed in 1977 by opening the bridge to pedestrians on the third weekend in October. I, along with my sister, decided to do a zipline off the bridge. We jumped from the catwalk of the bridge and dropped 850 feet. The bridge itself is the longest single-arch steel-span bridge, measuring 876 feet from the river below. It was a wonderful weekend and another event that make me proud to be a West Virginian.

Congratulations Angela

Dear Jo Ann, Angela McKeone has honored you by joining the select group of award recipients in the Dale Carnegie Course® program. Angela received the "Breakthrough" award in Session 12 on October 14, 2008. This is a great accomplishment! We know that you will want to congratulate Angela! David C LawrenceRegional Director324 Washington Avenue Suite CRoanoke, VA 24016

Liberty High

I was asked to be the guest speaker at Liberty High in Clarksburg WV on Oct 17, 2008. October is breast cancer awareness month and Liberty High and Robert C Byrd High Schools are having the first Volley for a Cure event in the state on Oct 18th and all the proceeds raised will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure WV affiliate. I was able to speak to all the female students about the importance of self breast exams and also talked about risk factors such as being a women, getting older, and family inheritance. With any money that is raised in the name of Susan G. Komen for a Cure, 75% of those funds stay in the state to be used to create grants while 25% goes to continued research.

Dale Carnegie Graduation

When I won the title of Mrs WV on July 12, 2008 I was given the amazing opportunity to participate in the Dale Carnegie Course: Effective Communications and Human Relations. The course is 12 weeks long and we met on Tuesday evenings from 5-8:30pm. We started our class on July 22, 2008 and it ended Oct 14, 2008. I have to admit that the individuals I met in this course have forever changed me. I had a truly wonderful experience, and I am grateful to all of them for their dedication to the course and for working the principles. Congratulations fellow classmates and best wishes!! I also won the breakthrough award on the last night of class which is a true honor and I again want to thank my classmates for that honor.

Fall Festival

Jordyn and I had a second event to attend on Oct 12th and that was a fall festival. We helped raise money for a local daycare and enjoyed winning prizes too! Jordyn won a carrot cake and I won a basket of candles. We also enjoyed carnival games, inflatables, food, face painting, and a duck pond just to name a few things.

K9's for the Cure

other opportunity came to me with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. Every year at Shawnee Park in Dunbar, WV dogs of all sizes come out for the annual K9's for the Cure event. Jordyn had the opportunity to help draw tickets for prizes and I had the opportunity to represent my platform. It is just another way Komen continues to raise awareness and I thank them for allowing me the opportunity to work with them.

Belington Clinic

I had the honor of going to the Belington Clinic and speaking at their Open House. We had a wonderful turn out and I was impressed by the clinic's knowledge and unconditional support for women in the community fighting breast cancer. This clinic was one of this years major recipient's to a Komen grant and they have used their money wisely and effectively in serving the community. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your event and continue all of your great work!