Sponsor Ella for Internationals

This year was challenging for Ella in many ways at school.  Between academics, organization and peer issues, Ella was feeling defeated.  On a whim I decided to go with a friend and her daughter and let Ella enter the Oklahoma Cinderella Scholarship Pageant.  I knew she loved the arts and performing and I was hoping that this would give her an opportunity to use her talents, give us some girl time together, make new friends, and give her some much needed confidence. 
     In ten days or so we put together a wordrobe, found her some music to sing and a costume (she sang "Maybe" from Annie), taught her how to introduce herself in the microphone, do a modeling turn, interview with the judges, and we needed a headshot so we ended up having a friend take it one Sunday afternoon (turned out to be a thunderstorm so we held an umbrella over Ella...are you getting the picture?  LAST MINUTE! :-) and we set off on a fun weekend adventure with our friends.  Ella had a BLAST!  She lit up, smiled and laughed like I have never seen before!


     I had no idea what to expect and Ella knew she had not been preparing for nearly as long as many of the girls.  For us, it was about the opportunity not about the crown.  I loved this group of people and how positive they were...all cheering for one another.  There were no teeth flippers, crazy glitzy dresses or hair pieces.  Ella wore a dress that she could wear to church or a wedding.  It seemed so normal and not what I have seen on cable television.  I learned that weekend that the Cinderella Pageant is over 30 years old and has given away hundereds of thousands of cash scholarships for college.  Yound women who grew up in the organization have gone on the become actresses, singers (Demi Lovato), professionals and some have even competed for Miss America.  I was impressed!
     So the finals came and I did not know if Ella would place very well.  I was told that if Ella made the finals she would have to do her talent again....so I told Ella that it was possible but I was not sure.  Well, Ella's name was called and she made the top 3!  I didn't know how she would sing under pressure but she did even better than the first time! At the end of the night, Ella left with the crown!  It was a surreal moment for us both.  Ella won the OK Cinderella Miniature Miss title which means that she has to spend a week in Dallas, TX at the International competition where she will compete with young girls from around the world.  I am thrilled that she has been granted this opportunity and the confidence that I prayed for is growing in her.  

     As you can imagine, I never expected she was going to win and I never dreamed that our weekend would turn into a year long commitment however, I am grateful that it did.  Ella is now trying to secure sponsors to cover this unexpected expense of entry fees, travel, etc to Dallas for the International Finals.  Sponsors will be listed in the program book!  Our family had not planned for this expense this summer and Ella needs sponsors in order to be there.  I have been concerned about this but feel strongly that God has placed Ella in this place in her life for a reason and that she will learn things and have experiences that no amount of money could buy.  We are believing that HE will show us the way and provide this opportunity for Ella.  We are scheduled to leave on July 18th! Ella is working hard on a new song for her talent and would be so blessed by any sponsorship large or small from our friends and family.  Thank you!  Love, Lori and Ella