Libby Baird, a 10 year old from Lakeland, competed in the America’s Majestic Miss Southeast Region Pageant (www.americasmajesticmiss.com) this past weekend. She won the Community Service Award and AMM Miss Tennessee Preteen. Along with this Title comes the opportunity to represent Tennessee for girls ages 10-12 at the National level next summer. There were 57 girls altogether and 10 in the preteen division.
The competition consisted of an in-person interview, on-stage introduction, majestic wear and evening gown. The majestic wear portion provided an opportunity to wear something fun that shows their personality on stage.
The weekend was not without some drama, however, as Libby ended up in the emergency room one hour before her interview was about to begin on Friday. Her foot was injured in a freak accident involving the hotel door and she ended up at the ER with her hair in pincurls and had to get stitches! Libby’s mom, Lauren Baird said, “I told her at that point she could pack up and go home if she wanted. She said she had committed and wanted to see it through. The next morning, with a few minor wardrobe modifications, she completed her missed interview, and with one shoe – completed all areas of competition on stage. Heavily bandaged and wearing one shoe, she gave it her all and managed to shine. It was so fun to watch her persevere. She saw it as just a speed bump!”
Libby, who will be starting 5th grade at Lakeland Preparatory School this fall, has a platform that began two years ago. Her mother had a co-worker who was a foster parent. Seeing a need to make a foster child’s transition to a new home easier, she started “Libby’s Bunnies & Bears”. She collects and donates new stuffed animals to kids entering foster care. According to Lauren, “It has grown to include involvement with “Project Night Night” bags which are provided to children in homeless shelters, and The Carl Perkins Center for Child Abuse Prevention. To date, she has raised over $2,000 and donated over 400 stuffed friends to give kids a hug when they might need it most.”
After Libby’s experience this weekend, she recognized a need in non-pediatric hospitals. While children’s hospitals like St. Jude and LeBonheur have a supply of comfort items for kids on hand, she wants to make sure that regular hospitals have something available for kids as well. She happened to grab her own stuffed animal on the way to the ER and was happy to have it for comfort while being stitched up.
Libby also enjoys volunteering at the pet shelter and various other organizations. She has received the Presidential Gold Volunteer Award for time spent helping the community. Now, she is focused on getting ready for competition next summer as well as collecting her bunnies and bears.
Link to donate https://www.facebook.com/donate/1152250735161715/
