When researching Marina Inserra’s year as Miss California 2014, we stumbled on to this amazing gem at BrieBrieBlooms.com… You can find the entire post here – (it’s WELL worth the read) – but we’re going to offer you the highlights below…
My daughter has been intrigued by animals her entire life. Before she was a year old, she loved visiting local zoos and aquariums to see the animals. While volunteering in her kindergarten class, I observed her tell a child to pick up their snack wrapper so it didn’t end up in the ocean. I truly couldn’t have been more proud to see her standing up for what she believes to be the right thing.
I was equally heartbroken the day my husband picked her up from school and she broke into tears in the car on the way home telling him some girls in her class called her weird for liking animals and science so much. She was devastated when some of her best friends told her science was only for boys.
During a recent visit to SeaWorld San Diego, my daughter shared her experience and was relieved at the reassurance that plenty of girls grow up to be scientists. She observed the many women working at SeaWorld and bravely said it didn’t matter what those girls had said. But it did matter. Her spirit had been broken and the team at SeaWorld, some of my daughter’s most significant role models, saw that. Weeks later SeaWorld invited my daughter to visit the park and spend the day with Miss California, Marina Inserra.
I didn’t tell my daughter we were meeting Marina in the park because I knew it would be an amazing surprise. The moment my daughter saw Marina was magical.
Marina was so kind and shared genuine enthusiasm spending the day with my daughter. They visited many different animals exchanging facts along the way. They held hands and ran through the park together like they were lifelong friends.
I asked my daughter what she learned from Marina and I was touched by her response. She said, “Girls can be anything they want to be.” Yes sweet girl, they sure can. Her day with Miss California was about so much more than spending time with a pretty girl; it was truly about learning girls can grow up to be anything they want to be.
I can’t say it any better. And for that little girl, Marina’s actions will long out-live the crown on her head… Which offers another great life-lesson…
It’s only for one year. Even if it’s a local title – you have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, if you have the courage to do so. Junkies certainly hope you do.
Now – who will be Miss California 2015??? Well – that information was released earlier this week in the Junkie Newsletter. To receive our latest edition of the Junkie Newsletter, click here to sign up and we’ll send you our most recent predictions! The latest newsletter is sent by 5pm EST every day – So have patience! It’s worth the wait!
GOOD LUCK LADIES – LOVE THE RED, WHITE and BLUE!!!
JUNKIES LOVE CALIFORNIA GIRLS!!!
#BigJunkieLove
Thank you so much for quoting my post. My daughter, now six, has a framed photo of Marina hanging in her room and still loves science. She was so inspired by her and as her mommy, I couldn’t have been more grateful for the experience. Marina Inserra is a wonderful example of the Miss California organization.
THANK YOU HEATHER! It’s such a wonderful story – SOOOOO glad you posted it for all of us to read! All the best to you and your daughter! #BigJunkieLove