Miss Apple Valley

05/28/2026

It’s Courtney Day! (one day late BUT what better day to post than when I got to see her?!?)

Today my classroom had the sweetest visit from our current Miss West Virginia, Courtney, and it reminded me once again how much I admire her! She spent time talking with my students about the importance of health and staying active, and they absolutely loved getting to hula hoop with her. Seeing the joy, excitement, and encouragement she brought into my classroom was so special.

What I admire most about Courtney is the way she makes every person feel seen, welcomed, and encouraged. Coming back into competing can feel intimidating at times, but she has been nothing but supportive and uplifting from the very beginning. She carries herself with such grace and authenticity, and the compassion she shows others is genuine in every interaction!

Watching her connect so naturally with my students today made me even more appreciative of the woman she is and the example she sets. West Virginia is truly lucky to have someone so compassionate and inspiring representing our state!

Courtney, thank you for everything you are! I adore you and so did my students! 💙💛

05/22/2026

Our fourth Feature Friday is SUPER special this week! A huge “thank you” goes to James Bell, Special Love’s Program Coordinator for opening up about his experience with Special Love and as a sibling to a child with cancer.

Thank you, James! 🎗️❤️

05/15/2026

It’s our THIRD feature friday with !

A huge thank you to Catherine for sharing her and her family’s story! 💌🎗️

05/11/2026

My heart is so full after spending Sunday at Special Love’s Family Day! Getting to reconnect with so many incredible childhood cancer families, reunite with some of my campers, and meet even more families within this amazing community was such a meaningful experience. There is something so special about watching these children laugh, play, and simply enjoy being kids while surrounded by people who truly understand their journey.
As someone who has experienced childhood cancer through the eyes of a sibling, days like this remind me why Special Love’s mission is so important. The organization creates a space where families can find comfort, support, and joy during some of life’s most difficult moments. Seeing parents connect, siblings make friends, and campers run up for hugs and conversations made this day unforgettable for me.
I am endlessly grateful to the entire Special Love team for welcoming me and allowing me to be part of such a beautiful day. Thank you for the love, care, and dedication you pour into these families every single day. It is an honor to support an organization that continues to make children and families feel seen, supported, and celebrated. 🎗️

05/09/2026

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🍎

During Teacher Appreciation Week, I have found myself reflecting deeply on the educators who shaped me into the person I am today. From my earliest years in school to my college professors and mentors, I have been blessed with teachers who believed in me, encouraged me, and inspired me to dream bigger than I ever thought possible. Their patience, compassion, and dedication created spaces where I felt seen and supported, and I carry pieces of each of them with me into my own classroom every single day.

In college, I wasn’t always sure that education was for me. To be completely candid, I never knew if I was “good enough” to teach. It wasn’t until my student teaching placement in a Head Start classroom, that I knew I was right where I was meant to be. In that moment, I discovered the heart behind early childhood education and the incredible impact a teacher can have during a child’s earliest years. Watching children learn, grow, and gain confidence in themselves showed me that teaching is so much more than a profession, it is a calling rooted in love, patience, and purpose. That experience gave me the clarity and confidence to pursue this journey wholeheartedly.

Now, as a first-year teacher, I can honestly say being entrusted with my students is one of the greatest blessings of my life. Every day, they remind me why this work matters through their curiosity, laughter, creativity, and resilience. Being with my students and watching them learn and thrive is the highlight of my day. They have taught me just as much as I hope I have taught them. Even on the hardest days, I leave my classroom feeling grateful that I get to play a small role in helping shape their futures. To my students: thank you for allowing me to be your teacher, and to every educator who helped shape me along the way, thank you for helping me find the career and purpose I was always meant for. 🫶🏻

05/08/2026

Welcome to our second Feature Friday! Today, we are meeting my friend, Michelle. She is a current Special Love volunteer and former camper herself.

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Michelle! 🎗️❤️

05/05/2026

Elated to announce that I will be competing as #10 in the Success group! I am so excited to make my way back to the Miss West Virginia stage this year! ❤️

05/01/2026

Our First Feature Friday!

Be sure to read all about Emily’s story here! ❤️🎗️

A huge “thank you” to my friend Emily for sharing her story with us. Fun fact: Emily and I have been friends for 16 years since we met through Special Love! Just a testament to how empowering and loving their community is!

04/30/2026

Hello everyone!

I’m officially on the road to Miss West Virginia, and I need your help to get there!

As part of my journey, I’m raising $330 through my Spotfund to benefit the American Heart Association, an organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and improving the health of communities everywhere.

This goal allows me to compete while also contributing to a cause that impacts so many lives. Every dollar donated goes toward making a difference, and I’m so excited to use this opportunity to give back.

If you’re able to support or share, it would mean the world to me. No amount is too small, and every bit helps me get one step closer to the Miss West Virginia stage! ❤️

*spotfund is the easiest place to create beautiful and free online fundraisers. It takes just minutes to start raising money today.

04/30/2026

Happy International Dance Day!

From tiny twirls in the studio to powerful moments on stage, dance has always been more than movement, it’s been my voice, my passion, and my way of connecting with others. No matter where life takes me, I’ve found that dance has been my constant. I can’t wait to be back on the stage in my dancing shoes this June! 🩰🪩