DJ Chivis Sr. Ms. Global United 2013/2014

DJ Chivis - Sr. Ms. Global United 2013/2014

I write this last blog with a tear in my eye as well as excitement.  The excitement is that in just a few days, I will see all of my 2013/2014 pageants queens.  I will be part of coaching delegates during pageant festivities as well as participate in crowning the new class of queens!

The tear in my eye is my last appearances being your Sr. Ms. Global United.  It was a wonderful year, and Wendy Lindberg is a great pageant Director.  To kick off the week and subsequent crowning, we received a memorable pageant week with plenty of food, outstanding activities, wonderful surprises and prizes and Wendy’s awesome support!

I will cherish my title forever and I am sad that the crown will retire because it is the most beautiful ever! The Kids Cancer insignia in the very center of the crown hit close to my heart. Kids cancer is the most devastating illness to deal with, because it takes so many forms, and these are just kids!  Let’s pray there are cures in our lifetime.

I was part of Linc Rock the Block festival, and walked in the Hollyhock 4^th of July parade side by side my daughter, County Commissioner Candace Chivis (D-17^th District) who is running for re-election next month.  I also took some photos with neighborhood girls who bugged me for days to try on my state crown and take photos!

My final appearances will be at the 2014 Global United Pageant in Minneapolis in just a few days! I must say, please consider becoming a delegate in this wonderfully organized, Kids-Cancer National-Platform Pageant.   You’ll never regret the experience and who know?  You may just walk away with the national title and crown, like I did!

I thank God first, and then my family for their support, as I was given this wonderful opportunity.

DJ Chivis - Sr. Ms. Global United 2013/2014

After 118 inches of snow for the season, spring is finally here!  In fact, it’s almost summer and those days of winter are well in the past! However, at the peak of the snow season, you can see the snow mounds almost above my shoulders (and I am a tall person).  I didn’t let the weather get me down, so I participated in several inside events.  I volunteered to make popcorn in February, March and April at New Branches Charter School where my grandson attends.  I also attended Linc First Friday Community event with my daughter, Kent County District- 17 Commissioner, (D), Candace Chivis.  In March I donated gift bags to the outgoing Ms. and Miss queen and delegates for the Ms. Wheelchair Michigan Pageant.  I judged the Sunburst regional pageant, and was a guest queen at the Mrs. Michigan America Pageant.

Due to the mounds of snow around my house, I could get all of my donations out of the house and into my car, so when the snow melted, I was finally able to donate to the Salvation Army and In the Image.  And I had collected many, many items!  I also brought 22 bags and 2 boxes of personal care items to the Mel Trotter Mission, which is a homeless shelter for men, women and children. I had never visited a homeless shelter and I was very enlightened and humbled.  I could not take photos inside – only of the sign outside.   I was given a book about Mel Trotter, and his homeless shelter and mission serves to be everything he prayed about to help people who had been through hopeless times in their life, much like his life, before he founded the mission.      

DJ Chivis - Sr. Ms. Global United 2013/2014

I can’t believe that I have held the title of Sr. Ms. Global United for 6 months – it feels like it happened yesterday!  I am still on cloud nine and have been enjoying every minute of my reign!

I hit the ground running by judging three state beauty pageants, almost back to back.  While doing my official photo shoot at the downtown Marriott in Grand Rapids, MI, I ran into one of my former colleagues from Steelcase, (whom I had not seen in years) and he was so honored to get a photo op with me!  I walked the streets during Art Prize, and just happened to have my crown and sash with me. So I and another queen from a different pageant system took a photo in front of the Earth Giant.  Created by Benjamin Gazsi, a college student, he received a $10,000 finalist award for his creation.  Art Prize, the biggest prize for Art in the World began nearly four years ago in Grand Rapids, as an experiment, and a totally new event, unlike anything the world has seen.  If you get a chance to come to Grand Rapids this fall, you will see streets and locales filled with the experiments of artists, where the opinions and votes of everyone garners the top prizes for the finalists, with an ultimate grand prize winner.   

I celebrated my birthday with my grandchildren at Fridays, I met up with Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Lynh Artistry Huynh, at Barnes and Noble, and I was more than happy to make yet, another donation to one of my favorite charities, In the Image, a local Christian charity.  I also volunteered my time at the Michigan Royal Miss pageant, in the midst of a severe snow warning, and let me tell you that Grand Rapids has received 8 feet of snow already this season. 

I invite anyone who is reading this blog, to compete at Global United.  It is a world class pageant – not only for the delegates with a variety of pageant week activities that kept us constantly engaged with one another, but it is very inclusive of family and friends. I got know some of the family members almost as well as the delegates! Most importantly, I made lasting friendships with people from around the globe!

I have lots of community service and fun activities planned, if it ever stops snowing! So many events have been cancelled this winter.  I’ll share my journey with you again soon, so stay tuned!

Danielle Enberg -- Miss Global United 2013-14

Where do I even begin?  I have had the title of Miss Global United for about 5 months now, and have made so many memories.  I started off with a bang with 6 appearances in my first week!  I have gotten to volunteer at many different events from judging a talent show, to a breast cancer walk, and numerous events to help raise funds for childhood cancer research. 

One event that sticks out in my mind was when I (and several of my queen sisters) was part of the Largest Clouds Choir to honor Zach Sobiech.  5,000 singers filled the rotunda at the Mall of America to sing Zach’s World famous song.  You can see the video on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLhUS_QjcZY. 

I was also honored to receive the award as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans by the Minnesota Jaycees.  I got to join alumni of very high caliber people such as Walter Mondale, Governor Mark Dayton, and KARE 11 meteorologist Belinda Jensen.  I was nominated because of my dedication to advocating for childhood cancer. 

I cannot wait to see what the rest of my year has in store for me. 

Until next time,

Danielle Enberg

Miss Global United 2013-2014

Jill Brown, Classic Ms Global United 2013-14

January 1, 2014

Happy New Year to all!!!!

It's hard to believe the holidays are behind us and it's 2014! Where did the year go?

2013 was a year of surprises, excitement, and sadness for me and I'm sure for many others. With the passing of my father in July, my family and I celebrated the holidays for the first time without either of our parents. My family is very close and we shared some special moments remembering our loved ones. I pray for so many others that also spent their Christmas without their loved ones for the first time as well.

Since being crowned your Classic Mrs. Global United International, I have had many wonderful events to participate in. I am very honored to represent a pageant system with this special cause. So many people I meet along the way express their appreciation for all that Global United is working towards.

As I finish this entry, I would like to leave you with a little something I read in a book I just finished. 'If every single person made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary—the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God.'

God's Blessings on your New Year!

Jill Brown Classic Mrs. Global United International 2013

November 10, 2013

It has been about 3½ months since I was crowned your Classic Mrs. Global United and my reign has been remarkable. I'm so honored to have this opportunity to represent GU and more importantly, to work hard for the many children and their families that have been affected by cancer.

As I make my appearances and tell others what my title entails, I hear countless stories of children and families that are affected by this terrible disease. I have shared hugs, tears, and words of blessings for Global United and the work we are doing to spread awareness. I am also excited to have individuals that I have met along the way,  join GU and become warriors for the children.

May we all continue to work in our communities, states, and countries for our charities dear to our hearts, but even harder for the children fighting cancer.

Thanksgiving Blessings to all!

I write this, my last blog as Classic Ms. Global United, to the 2013-2014 Global United Pageant contestants. If you’re like me, now is the time when you are in full stress out mode- about packing, making sure you have just the right outfits, comfortable but cute shoes, an amazing scrapbook of your community service, and every little detail has been thought of, shopped for and readied. 
It is now that I encourage you, instead, to step back for a few minutes, and remember why you are in the Global United Pageant. Why this one rather than another one? You see, I was never a “pageant girl”. In fact, being in a pageant has always been the furthest thing from my mind. If you don’t know my story, please go to the Global United website and click on my photo. It will take you to it, where you will see that I have been on a journey over the past few years to change my life. Competing in this pageant last year was part of that journey. NEVER once did I think I would win. What I did instead was to enter this week being myself. For the most part I wore clothes I already had and didn’t lose my mind putting so much weight in how fancy my dresses were or if my shoes matched perfectly. In the end, I was given the talent award, Best Eveningwear and Best Interview, before having the beautiful crown placed on my head as I received my new title as Classic Ms. Global United. The judges’ made comments on my scoresheet that included “She has real and practical ideas that are already implemented and do-able plans for the future.” “She is the REAL DEAL. Very confident! GREAT eye contact!”, “AWESOME”, “well poised”, “working it!” and “So impressed with her”. And even while those things were said about me by the judges, other women that competed against me thought I shouldn’t have won. Please remember, none of the others are in the interview with you, none of them have reviewed your volunteer log, read your essay or seen your scrapbook. Be real. Be yourself. And never doubt that you CAN take home the crown. I wish you luck and can’t wait to meet you all!

Classic Ms. Global United 2012-2013 Lisa Stordahl <3

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