And A Little Child Shall Lead Them…Isaiah 11:1-10

We had competed in pageants when Chelsea was a baby and toddler, but she had wanted to do other things – gymnastics, cheerleading, martial arts, volleyball, theatre – we had done all of that and more.  It was 2008 when she told me, “I think I want to do a pageant!”   I was reinitiated into the pageant world, and I fell in love all over again.  Like many others before me, I saw what other directors were doing with their pageants – some fabulously and some not so fabulously – and I thought, “I can do that!” 

I actually had a pretty good reason for believing I could do it.  Although relatively a pageant newbie, I was an old pro with events.  Organizing large events had become a recurring theme throughout my life, and many of the problems I saw at pageants we attended were related to simple organization and production of large scale events.  I knew I needed pageant world expertise on my side, and I was thrilled when somehow I managed to get Mr. Tim, La Belle Fille, auditor Marilyn Lanham, and- last but certainly not least – veteran pageant director Luane Schindler to help me with the pageant particulars of that first Crown Jewels.

It was at a booth advertising that first Crown Jewels that I first met Emily Lites.

I had seen a banner or two about Jude.  Someone had once mentioned Emily to me, “She used to compete in pageants.”  I remember feeling sad for the family, and thinking momentarily how Emily must resent not being able to compete anymore.  I knew older children who resented the lost attention when their family had a routine pregnancy and a healthy baby – I could not imagine how it must be if that baby was also special needs and those needs changed that older child’s whole world.  A friend of mine suggested that I read Emily’s mom’s blog – ‘It’s so inspiring,” she said.  I didn’t get to it…I procrastinated and had misplaced the address.

I do remember – at this particular pageant where I was holding a booth - when the Ortiz family entered the room.  They were doing a raffle at this pageant.  Little Jude tugged at my heart.   But the young girl – Emily – she was a gorgeous girl, with a quiet strength about her. And when she would look down at her baby brother – there was no resentment.  There was nothing but absolute adoring LOVE. 

I watched, incredulous, as this young girl took the microphone and explained about Emily’s Smile Boxes, a charity that SHE had created.  She told us all about how long hours in the hospital during Jude’s treatment had led her to think of OTHER children sitting in hospitals, and how she wanted to do something to help make them smile.  This just blew me away.  So many others would have reacted so differently, but here Emily thought of OTHER children in her position, and turned the situation into a positive way to help others.

I went home and read Jennifer’s blog from beginning to end.  I cried.  I smiled.  I was so inspired by this entire wonderful family.  I tend to get depressed about such small things – employee turnover, my MINIMAL health concerns,  little day to day annoyances – and I take for granted the many gifts God has placed in my life.  More than anything, I thought about Emily, and what a remarkable young girl she is.  While always giving to charity and supporting just about any cause that comes along, I never felt that  one person could really make much of a difference.  Then I met Emily, who was a CHILD who has truly changed the world.  She has risen among the challenges in her life to create this wonderful worthwhile thing. 

In 2010, we crowned Emily Lites and Amanda Minsky (another inspiring young lady –who, with her mom Tracy, created the Forever Angels pageant to benefit The Rett’s Syndrome Foundation) with our first Diamond Awards.  Children who have made a difference. 

In 2011, I am taking it a step up.  Emily has raised the bar. 

When I created Crown Jewels, I did not do it ‘for profit.’  I did it because I knew I could put on a first class quality event that would be fun for children & adults.  I succeeded in that goal.  Now I have a new one. 

As Crown Jewels becomes profitable, I want to make Emily proud.  We are going to apply for our 501c.  Crown Jewels is going nonprofit.  If a young girl can make such a difference in the world, she inspires us adults to also make a difference. 

We’ll be the same Crown Jewels.  It’s just that, 100% of our net profit will go towards helping others, particularly children.  We will attempt to make the change to a nonprofit corporation in 2013, after (hopefully) making a profit in 2012.  We will continue to use Crown Jewels funds to support the causes that are important to us in the meantime.

Thank you, Emily.  You are a truly GOOD person, beautiful inside and out, and we are honored to know you.  May our efforts be worthy of following in your footsteps!