January in Review

It has been so very long since I posted last so I thought that it would be a good idea to talk about some of the things I have been doing in this new year!

I returned to school and I couldn't be happier to be back! I missed my roommates, my dorm, and my sorority sisters so much and it was great to be reunited. I continued my job working at the front desk of my residence hall and started new classes. The quarter system is great because it gives you the opportunity to take lots of classes over the course of a year, but it's rough because the quarter is only 10 weeks so the classes go at lightening speed! I am taking two of my major requirement classes and I'm happy to say that I LOVE them, so it looks like I'll be sticking with my Communication major, and hopefully beginning the Political Science major next quarter.

I have started tutoring at the local elementary school, and I have been paired with a student named Gio. He is in fifth grade and he is so cool- I love helping him with math homework and playing chess and battleship when he's done! The hardest thing about college for me was not being able to spend time with kids, so through this tutoring and mentorship program, I solve that problem!

I also recently got hired as a Tour Guide for UCSB! I went through the application process with about 350 other students and I was beyond excited to be one of 20 students hired for the position! I love UCSB and I'm so excited to show it off to prospective students. Right now, I am about to begin training, and hopefully I should be leading my own tours by March.

So that's all the new news from me- I'm looking forward to a few Miss California related trips coming up in February as well as the beginning of Open Call season! Stay tuned and I'll be writing all about those events over the next few weeks.

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and my other social media:
Instagram @janekennedyy and Twitter @janekennedyy.

Thanks for reading!

Xoxo,
Jane Kennedy
NAM Miss California Teen 2013

LEAP into Literacy Drop-off

After collecting over 1000 books for the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco through my LEAP into Literacy drive, it was finally time for my first delivery of the year! I packed up the books and drove over to the Ernest Ingold Boys and Girls Club in the city for their Holiday party!

I got a great tour from a young girl named Poppy, who has been attending the club for 6 years. She was such a sweetheart and I could really see how much the club means to her and her younger brother.

Then it was time for the daily meeting. All of the kids came together and I was invited to speak to them about literacy and my responsibilities as Miss California Teen. Then they all dispersed to different rooms to do holiday arts and crafts, before returning to the main room to pick out a book and a teddy bear (the bears were collected at the Miss California Pageant last July). I loved helping the kids pick out  books to read, because I was able to share my passion for reading with them. Each and every child that I met brightened up my day because they were all so excited about the books and excited about learning.

Thank you so much to the Ernest Ingold Boys and Girls Club for having me! I can't wait to come back and visit again soon!

To learn more about your local Boys and Girls Club, visit www.bgca.org.

Follow me on Instagram @janekennedyy and Twitter @janekennedyy for more updates on my year!

Xoxo,
Jane Kennedy
NAM Miss California Teen 2013

Tay in the Bay

I was lucky enough to spend the weekend after our Sacramento Santa Parade with my sister queen, Taylor Longbrake. I loved showing her all around the Bay- from my favorite Ice Cream parlor, Fenton's, to the Golden Gate Bridge!

I even got to show Taylor around UC Berkeley!

Thank you for visiting Taylor- come back anytime!! 

Xoxo,

Jane Kennedy

NAM Miss California Teen 2013

Sacramento Santa Parade

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! There was plenty of Christmas cheer going around at the Sacramento Santa Parade on December 14, as all 6 Northern California queens (Princess Kendahl, Junior Pre-Teen Lily, Pre-Teen Lyndsey, Jr. Teen Taylor, and Miss Marissa) were finally united!

We rode through the streets of Downtown Sacramento on a beautiful float designed by Lyndsey and Lily's families. We felt like princesses- waving at the crowds of people with our iconic "pageant waves."

Before the parade with my sisters: Lily, Marissa, and Kendahl

NorCal Queens on the float!

Passing by the California State Capitol!

Lily and Lyndsey have the most fabulous personalities!

My beautiful roommate, Brie, came out to the parade! She's the greatest!!

Posing in front of the California Capitol building

After the parade, we went over to Old Sacramento for a state queen photoshoot! We had a break, so we went over to the candy store, where we got to try tons of taffy and even extremely sour Toxic Waste candy.

Toxic Waste was too sour for Kendahl, Lyndsey, and I!

Then it was photo shoot time! We shot in four different locations and the photos turned out incredibly. Thank you Sidney Ricks for taking the time to take such beautiful photos!

Here are some of my favorites:

What a successful weekend! It's always fun spending time with my sisters!

Xoxo,

Jane Kennedy

NAM Miss California Teen 2013