Doing My Part to Rebuild the Gulf Coast...You should do yours...

With Gustav approaching the coast, I can’t help but remember my trip to Waveland, MS after Katrina in 2006.

I remember how absolutely shocked I was. You will see in the photos that little had been accomplished when we had arrived. I couldn’t understand why people in this country were not rushing to the aid of these towns that were buried under debris. Homes and families were torn apart and displaced. Photos, memories, and reminders of life were literally littering the streets. Many elderly were living in FEMA trailers with no access to running water, or even drinking water. It was as if I had stepped into a third world country.

I have attached photos from my trip so that you can get an idea of what I saw when I volunteered there. This is the reality that may face our coast this week, and I want to encourage anyone who can do something to be proactive if this storm hit’s the gulf coast.

I met heroes that year. Below is a true story that I uncovered during my time in Waveland, and it is one that I will tell my children and grandchildren. I will never forget Mrs. Suzie.



Ms. Suzie: I know he watches me

In most parts of Waveland, MS, the water swells reached up to 32 feet. Ms. Suzie (83 years old) and her paralyzed elderly husband were some of the residents that were caught in the storm. With the water rising quickly, they were literally washed out of their home. Suzie was pulling her paralyzed husband in the wake to a nearby oak tree. There, she managed to tie herself to the tree while holding her husband on a door frame (you'll see it behind her in the video), and clung for dear life for 2 days, until rescuers could reach her. When I met her, she was living in a trailer with her husband with no running water.

When I first met her, I had heard how much she loved music. She gave us a special concert, and I weep every time I watch it (below). I didn’t leave Mississippi without making sure I did my part to help Suzie and her husband. When I asked her what I could do for her…all she wanted was a tape player with batteries. She said that she wanted to use it to sing in church again.

In life, we have to remember that our journey in this world is to listen to the human spirit within us, and follow our hearts when we feel called to act. We must contribute to the progression of the world. We must reach out, beyond our differences, to improve the challenges that face our fellow man and our country. We must make the difference….Please pray for our fellow Americans!

Miss California USA

(Photo Credit: Kinlaw Studios 2002...back when I was Miss Fayetteville ...and blonde!)

So… I received an official email from Shanna Moaker and the K2 Production team this week. I will be vying for Miss California USA this November, and I have a multitude of feelings ranging from sheer terror to absolute excitement. This is such a wonderful state, and the opportunity to represent it in Miss USA would be the biggest honor. I just want to share with you why I’ve waited so long to pursue this.

Most of you remember when I ventured into the realm of pageants back in 2003 when I was 3rd RU at Miss North Carolina. At the time, I was on two full scholarships as a Freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and I wanted to be atypical from the stereotype of “just a Freshman.” It was a whirlwind of a year: from designing my own volunteering program and being an ambassador for Fayetteville, to designing gowns and outfits. Did I mention the whole “working out for 3 hours a day” (ugh)!!!

When I competed then, I had a team of committed people who wouldn’t let me settle for being less than the best version of me possible. I had a wonderful designer who lived at my house for two weeks, sewing throughout the night. I had a business manager who kept me grounded and focused and earned the title of “second mama.” I had friends who drug me to elementary school gyms to teach me how to walk (cause Lord knows I was much better at sitting!). I had a life changing vocal coach who taught me lessons about making a difference in the world as well as how to “sing the crap” out of a song. I was part of a team, and because of that pageant process, I learned about who I was as a person and as a business woman.

I took 5 years off from bikini's and Swarovski crystals. I decided that I needed focus on my education, as well as really give back to my community like I had been advocating during my year as Miss Fayetteville. In 2006 I graduated with the prestigious honor of being a Public Service Scholar and had acquired over 500 hours of community service and philanthropy training from UNC.

Over the years, I realized how much my experience in pageants had shaped me as a person. It made me really think about who I was, and how I thought about humanity, service, and achievement. I learned about my own determination to set a goal (one of which I had no experience in) and achieve it. I learned that if I had the courage to walk in front of hundreds of judging me in a bikini, I could walk into any interview clothed with confidence!!!

I also learned about my weaknesses, too. The competition forced me to face myself and love who I was in my own skin, and it gave me an opportunity to focus on a healthy lifestyle. It taught me to focus inward for the definition of who I was, and not outward. 

So here I am...24 years old, and living in sunny LA, 2600 miles away from everyone who molded me into who I am today…and I am going to revisit it all over again. This time, I am hoping to represent my new home and one of the most beautiful, diverse and opportunistic states in the country, California!!! So now the real test begins.

I am now my own committee, and I am in search of sponsorships! So, if you or anyone else you know would be interested in a great tax write off and advertising, let me know! I can’t do it alone.

So that’s the exciting news!!!!....and I will keep you posted on all of the mini updates along the way! Now…I am off to la palestra…..I think it’s leg day :(

If you want to see the old website that I used during my reign as Miss Fayetteville in 2002, visit http://www.unc.edu/~ejwhite/missfayetteville/index.html.

I need some time off...to think....

Hi Everyone! So, I am guilty of being a chronic Facebook/Myspace user, and while I enjoy reading about the wonderful things that are going on in all of your lives, I have sadly decided to go on a “break.” Yes, like one of those high school “breaks” where you give back the class ring on your necklace and you pretend like it does not bother you…even though it does.

I have so many fantastic things that I want to pursue in my life and career, and I need to get the ball rolling or none of you will be able to cash in all those “Erin, when you’re rich and famous, you have to get me a __________.” If you saw my “To Do” list, you would understand why I can not afford to be distracted anymore L My career is calling….

Seriously though, I will be posting a Blog because there are a lot of things coming up that I will need everyone’s help on, so please check that at http://erinwhiteofficial.blogspot.com/ for the updates.

I am waiting for a confirmation on a new venture, but I will be posting some exciting news soon! So, please check it and let me know what you think!! (most of you who know me will probably ask, “Are you kidding me?” and I will go ahead and answer that with a “No, I’m Not”). All I can say right now is you’re all going to have to fly out to LA to visit soon (and that means you my darling Matt Fields).

So, besides the occasional inbox message, friend request, or career update, I am going to try and break up with you Facebook.

I promise it’s not you, it’s me….