Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter Egg Hunt & Tug of War!

The Easter holiday is here...time for Easter egg hunting and...tug of war!?

Yes, that's right! I spent this holiday with a local church at their annual Easter Egg Hunt. My sister and I had a blast! The First Baptist Church of Essex is not our home parish, but they made us feel like it was. They welcomed us with open arms and allowed us to participate in their large event. Thank you to Pastor John, his wife Amber, and LifeSource Magazine's Sharon for hosting us!

I want to also mention that this church is completing a theatre of sorts for their younger parishioners. They built a stadium-seating style theatre for youth events at their church so they could encourage more youth to get involved in their church and to increase the number of services for youth - they want to expand their regular services to include a separate "church for youth"; kind of like Sunday school...they are also working on a youth leadership development program - my kind of thing!

Below you'll find some photos...

I should warn you, I had some pretty mean faces while playing tug of war! I got into the fight!

Have fun this Easter,
Viki







Thursday, April 5, 2012

Radio Interview, TV Meeting, etc!

As many of you know, since winning my Miss Baltimore title, I went on a "School Court TV/everything else" hiatus because I wanted to jump right into planning for Miss Maryland in June. Well, let me tell you that things have a way of happening because today was on a roll!


First, I started my day with a radio interview on Heaven 600AM in regards to School Court TV (www.schoolcourt.org), announcing our upcoming May 19th auditions at Marley Station Mall. This quickly led into a discussion about me...and my Miss Baltimore title...and my work with Barbizon. It's funny how things come full circle sometimes. The radio interview will air on Saturday morning on Heaven 600AM - I will try to upload the interview onto the blog for those of you who don't get this station in your area.


Second, after the interview was finished, the amazing radio host decided I should meet the General Manager/Programming Manager of Heaven 600, Mr. Lee Michaels! Well, what an experience that was - he has his own TV show! He promised that if I won Miss Maryland he'd have me on his TV program...either way, I'm getting on that program haha! I'm going to hold him to this... I had witnesses!


Third, I went to a business lunch with my dad and someone who wanted to chat about a partnership with School Court TV. Yes, that's right...someone sought us out! Finally! You know you've made it as a TV/PR exec when people want meetings with you! Anyway, the meeting was about a project someone was doing with local schools and building character, confidence, etc in youth....I KNOW, right? Right up my ally! Did this gentleman know this was my platform? Did he know that I have been trying to get into schools to push my youth development program? Did he know that for years I have been talking about the need to create a curriculum for leadership and self-development for schools? I think not...but I did let him know! While things are in the very basic stages...I would like to say that I will stay involved with this gentleman and this project to hopefully further develop and build this curriculum that will hit 500 schools in the coming year! I think my platform is starting to physically come together! He even has a cartoon show that I may get to do voiceovers for...I could be a character on TV! hah!


So many ideas are running through my head right now! This has been such an exciting day! Not to mention, I officially booked a teaching opportunity in Fairfax for Barbizon's annual Passport to Discovery and this past weekend, while at the USA Ambassador pageant, was recognized (and made official) by Kristin Thurston, the National Director, as the official pageant and self-development speaker at their 2012 National Pageant in Tampa. I will be speaking on "the industry" in general: pageantry, acting, modeling, self-confidence development, personal excellence, and more. Yes, I'm starting a "national speaking tour" of sorts! My platform is coming into fruition...finally....


All in all, when I thought about it...I have been in this "industry" for about 10 years and now things are starting to come together. It has definitely taken some time, but things are finally moving forward. With that, I encourage you to keep working towards your goals. You never know what opportunities are out there. I know sometimes it may be disheartening when you don't achieve your goal right away, but keep pushing! Keep trying! There is a greater plan set out for you...even if you've made the plan yourself, keep pushing. Never give up....dreams really do come true.


I'm using the communication skills and self-confidence that I developed as a student at Barbizon so many years ago to launch my career now. I'm using my time in pageantry to pass on the same confidence/grace/poise/communication skills that I learned from competing to others who may not be able to compete for whatever reason. And I am living my platform, every single day. I am so proud to be involved with youth development - people are my passion! I invite you to find what you're interested in and just go for it!


With your success in mind,
Victory


With the radio show host!


this was in the lobby - receptionist's head cut out of photo haha

Monday, March 19, 2012

BMore Healthy Expo!

I was doing double duty as Miss Baltimore and as the Producer and Host of School Court TV (www.schoolcourt.org) this past weekend at the 2012 BMore Healthy Expo at the Baltimore Convention Center. The event grouped together every possible type of healthy related organization (and a few others) and put them all together in a free to attend event on St. Patrick's Day...and what an extravaganza it was!


I made a ton of memories from this weekend; the event was health-related, so I had the opportunity to chat with people of all mental capacities and societal backgrounds. I was inspired by the number of people that came out and enjoyed the event with their groups AND I was inspired by the number of people that brought their children to the event! More specifically, a good number of parents, I noticed, are teaching their children about what it means to be physically, mentally, and socially healthy. Kudos to everyone who brought their kids out - you are teaching them valuable life lessons and I am so proud to have been part of your experience!


I encourage each of you to take your health a bit more seriously. We're in March 2012 now - how are your new year's health resolutions coming along!? Think about it...and encourage those around you to make positive changes in their lives as well...


*Victory


















Thursday, March 15, 2012

Platform in action!

Tonight we wrapped up SEASON TWO of SCHOOL COURT TV - a youth development program that empowers youth to grow and develop their communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills. This program is, literally, my platform in action. Had it not been for me being inspired to help youth grow and develop into more confident individuals...I don't think this program would have come into existence.


I started this TV show, with the help of my family, a little more than one year ago and we immediately picked up by our local FOX network. Today, I am thrilled to say that we are seen on numerous channels in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, and soon Prince George's County as well. We are on a roll! Thank you to all of the School Court TV and Empowering You partners...you are really helping me making a difference through my platform program!


I am exceptionally proud to serve as the Producer and Host of this youth empowerment TV show...but more importantly, I am proud to serve as what I like to call..."the keeper of all details"/"Chief Everything Officer" of School Court TV. I am inspired by these youth - they let me know that my work and passion is worth something. I am so proud of them...and I am excited about the impact I am having around our state as Miss Baltimore. Perhaps I can do it as Miss Maryland?? ;)    (www.missmd.info for more on that....)


Here are some photos from tonight's taping with Judge Marcella Holland of the Circuit Court of Baltimore City...she had a blast and the student attorneys loved her!






Monday, March 12, 2012

Crowned Miss Baltimore 2012!

Yes, it is official...I am Miss Baltimore 2012!


What an honor! I am so proud and excited to represent my hometown at this year's Miss Maryland pageant, to be held June 17th-June 23rd in Hagerstown. I will be competing for the honor of becoming Miss Maryland, to represent our beautiful state at Miss America. Wow...just wow!


Here are a few photos from the crowning; I will post things about my year as it progress (yes, many calls were made and emails were sent today to get things running)!


If you're interested in having your child (boy or girl) help me represent Baltimore as my official PRINCE or PRINCESS during this year, please check out this link to become an official Miss Maryland Prince or Princess.


Or if you're interested in sponsoring an ad for the 2012 Miss Maryland program book OR clothes/jewelry for me during Miss Maryland week or at appearances, please email me at vdmohamed@gmail.com! Or if you need a speaker for youth empowerment, anti-bullying, positive self-esteem etc or want to schedule me for an appearance, please email me at vdmohamed@gmail.com as well.


More info on Miss Maryland: www.MissMD.info