News
Pageant Philanthropies Bring Awareness To Health And Wellness
Noressa Kennedy
The Miss UCA Scholarship Pageant will be held November 6th, on campus of the University of Central Arkansas. Young women will not only compete for the crown and scholarship money, but they’ll also have a chance to bring light to their individual philanthropies.
In the past pageants have always been known as contests that rank their contestants based on beauty, greatly affecting one’s self confidence. Through years of rebranding and re-identifying their purpose, pageants now offer the opportunity for young women to raise awareness and share a cause that carries significance in their lives. The Miss University of Central Arkansas Scholarship Pageant is no different. Each contestant will share the platform that they stand for, and bring awareness to an auditorium full of family, friends, students and other young women across the state.
Caitlyn Cook, 2016 Miss UCA contestant, shares that her platform is bringing awareness to “Staying Alive: Be Red Cross Ready.” Cook has hopes of educating people on the importance of knowing what to do and how to react when disaster strikes. According to the American Red Cross, a plan is needed to help ensure individuals stay alive. Cook shares, “Disaster has affected the lives of many Arkansans before. These are the times we show unity and love most. However, I want to empower women, as well as men, across the state; because disaster prevention can save lives.”
UCA Alumni, Desiree Paulhamus plans on attending the event Friday evening. She says, “My mother was in the Philippines last year when an earthquake struck. It worried my entire family for her safety. She did return safely, but it makes you realize how sudden disaster and close to home disaster can strike. Prevention is necessary and I love that an influential contestant is bringing awareness to the cause.”
Fifteen young women will compete on Friday evening for the crown. The winner will receive a $6,000 scholarship to the university, as well as other prizes and a chance to compete in the 2016 Miss Arkansas competition. Each contestant carries their own platform. Overcoming the stigma of exterior beauty ratings, pageants are quickly developing in to a tool for women’s health and women’s rights issues to become prevalent across the state. For more information on disaster prevention, visit www.redcross.org.
Noressa Kennedy
The Miss UCA Scholarship Pageant will be held November 6th, on campus of the University of Central Arkansas. Young women will not only compete for the crown and scholarship money, but they’ll also have a chance to bring light to their individual philanthropies.
In the past pageants have always been known as contests that rank their contestants based on beauty, greatly affecting one’s self confidence. Through years of rebranding and re-identifying their purpose, pageants now offer the opportunity for young women to raise awareness and share a cause that carries significance in their lives. The Miss University of Central Arkansas Scholarship Pageant is no different. Each contestant will share the platform that they stand for, and bring awareness to an auditorium full of family, friends, students and other young women across the state.
Caitlyn Cook, 2016 Miss UCA contestant, shares that her platform is bringing awareness to “Staying Alive: Be Red Cross Ready.” Cook has hopes of educating people on the importance of knowing what to do and how to react when disaster strikes. According to the American Red Cross, a plan is needed to help ensure individuals stay alive. Cook shares, “Disaster has affected the lives of many Arkansans before. These are the times we show unity and love most. However, I want to empower women, as well as men, across the state; because disaster prevention can save lives.”
UCA Alumni, Desiree Paulhamus plans on attending the event Friday evening. She says, “My mother was in the Philippines last year when an earthquake struck. It worried my entire family for her safety. She did return safely, but it makes you realize how sudden disaster and close to home disaster can strike. Prevention is necessary and I love that an influential contestant is bringing awareness to the cause.”
Fifteen young women will compete on Friday evening for the crown. The winner will receive a $6,000 scholarship to the university, as well as other prizes and a chance to compete in the 2016 Miss Arkansas competition. Each contestant carries their own platform. Overcoming the stigma of exterior beauty ratings, pageants are quickly developing in to a tool for women’s health and women’s rights issues to become prevalent across the state. For more information on disaster prevention, visit www.redcross.org.
Think Pink Week at UofA To Kick Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month October
by Noressa Kennedy
The Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) Epsilon Chapter is hosting Think Pink week on the University of Arkansas campus in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month.
There have been 2,090 cases of breast cancer in Arkansas so far this year and we’ve seen an 80.4% survival rate, according to American Cancer Society.
A representative of the chapter shares, “This week is very important to us because although we are having fun we are also raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness and Education.”
During the first week of October, the sorority will focus their efforts on turning the UofA campus pink. Members will dedicate time to a different event every day of the week, each one focusing on bringing awareness to breast cancer. Events include having a Remembrance Wall available for students to write in honor or in memory of a loved one, as well as a Pink Pancake dinner with proceeds being donated to the chapter’s philanthropy.
“I’m grateful to be part of an organization that focuses on the health of women and educating those women on such an important cause. Breast Cancer affects many of our loved ones and it’s important that we bring awareness to the resources available,” says local ZTA alumnae Nikki Zhang.
Through last year’s Think Pink week efforts, the chapter was able to raise over $39,000 to be donated to their philanthropy.
Central Arkansas has their chance on joining the campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness by participating in this year’s Race For The Cure on October 10th in Little Rock. This year, both women and men can participate. Visit komenarkansas.org for more information.
by Noressa Kennedy
The Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) Epsilon Chapter is hosting Think Pink week on the University of Arkansas campus in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month.
There have been 2,090 cases of breast cancer in Arkansas so far this year and we’ve seen an 80.4% survival rate, according to American Cancer Society.
A representative of the chapter shares, “This week is very important to us because although we are having fun we are also raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness and Education.”
During the first week of October, the sorority will focus their efforts on turning the UofA campus pink. Members will dedicate time to a different event every day of the week, each one focusing on bringing awareness to breast cancer. Events include having a Remembrance Wall available for students to write in honor or in memory of a loved one, as well as a Pink Pancake dinner with proceeds being donated to the chapter’s philanthropy.
“I’m grateful to be part of an organization that focuses on the health of women and educating those women on such an important cause. Breast Cancer affects many of our loved ones and it’s important that we bring awareness to the resources available,” says local ZTA alumnae Nikki Zhang.
Through last year’s Think Pink week efforts, the chapter was able to raise over $39,000 to be donated to their philanthropy.
Central Arkansas has their chance on joining the campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness by participating in this year’s Race For The Cure on October 10th in Little Rock. This year, both women and men can participate. Visit komenarkansas.org for more information.
Ovarian Cancer Provokes Teal Toes in September
by Noressa Kennedy
In hopes of bringing awareness to Ovarian Cancer, one Arkansas bank is breaking the traditional donation format by turning to social media. First Security Bank has announced they will donate $2 for each photo of toenails painted teal, uploaded to the bank's Twitter or Facebook page.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 22,000 women will be diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2015 and 13,850 will die of the disease. September is nationally recognized for Ovarian Cancer Awareness.
First Security Bank will donate money raised to the Arkansas Ovarian Cancer Coalition (AROVCC) for each photo posted with #fsbtealtoes, through September 18th. In public response to the bank's endeavors, "AROVCC appreciates First Security Bank and their efforts in helping us spread awareness. Post your teal toes #fsbtealtoes!"
Local participant Karen Barnett shares, “I painted my toes teal because I have a very close friend who has ovarian cancer. I have watched her battle this disease for many years. I also lost a friend to it in March. It’s a little thing to do, but it means so much."
In Arkansas specifically, "approximately 200 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and 150 deaths occur per year from this disease," according to AROVCC. The organization urges women to become aware of the symptoms. Early detection is a key role in overcoming the 25% survival rate.
“Ovarian cancer doesn’t get as much attention as other cancers and diseases so it’s important to make people aware of it. It’s symptoms are silent and mimic many other diseases. Often by the time a woman is diagnosed, the disease is in the late stages," says Barnett.
More information about the teal toe challenge can be found on the Facebook page for First Security Bank. See arkansasovariancancer.org for more information on Ovarian Cancer and learn the signs and symptoms that affect so many Arkansas woman.
by Noressa Kennedy
In hopes of bringing awareness to Ovarian Cancer, one Arkansas bank is breaking the traditional donation format by turning to social media. First Security Bank has announced they will donate $2 for each photo of toenails painted teal, uploaded to the bank's Twitter or Facebook page.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 22,000 women will be diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2015 and 13,850 will die of the disease. September is nationally recognized for Ovarian Cancer Awareness.
First Security Bank will donate money raised to the Arkansas Ovarian Cancer Coalition (AROVCC) for each photo posted with #fsbtealtoes, through September 18th. In public response to the bank's endeavors, "AROVCC appreciates First Security Bank and their efforts in helping us spread awareness. Post your teal toes #fsbtealtoes!"
Local participant Karen Barnett shares, “I painted my toes teal because I have a very close friend who has ovarian cancer. I have watched her battle this disease for many years. I also lost a friend to it in March. It’s a little thing to do, but it means so much."
In Arkansas specifically, "approximately 200 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and 150 deaths occur per year from this disease," according to AROVCC. The organization urges women to become aware of the symptoms. Early detection is a key role in overcoming the 25% survival rate.
“Ovarian cancer doesn’t get as much attention as other cancers and diseases so it’s important to make people aware of it. It’s symptoms are silent and mimic many other diseases. Often by the time a woman is diagnosed, the disease is in the late stages," says Barnett.
More information about the teal toe challenge can be found on the Facebook page for First Security Bank. See arkansasovariancancer.org for more information on Ovarian Cancer and learn the signs and symptoms that affect so many Arkansas woman.