Presenting My Mission to the Nampa School District Board of Trustees
Hello everyone!
On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, I had the incredible honor of presenting my mission, my journey, and my nonprofit, Special Steps, to the Nampa School District Board of Trustees. Stepping into that room, welcomed by Superintendent Dr. Russell, I felt both gratitude and excitement at the opportunity to share my vision with such an influential group of educators and community leaders.
Reflecting on the Presentation
Mrs. Jessica Stone of Skyview High School introduced me to the Board’s Chair, the Trustees, and all the guests. Her kind words about my mission and the work we’ve been doing at Special Steps truly set a supportive tone for the evening. Following her introduction, Dr. Cindy Cook, who oversees special education for the district and whom I’ve worked closely with on several projects, shared generous words of praise. She also introduced my children’s book, "Darla & Belle: Becoming Best Friends," to the Trustees, underscoring the importance of inclusion in our schools.
I then presented my PowerPoint, which covered:
About BrekLynn
Miss Idaho’s Teen: How I entered the Miss Idaho’s Teen pageant.
Miss Idaho’s Teen and Miss America’s Teen: Explaining the pageant’s purpose and structure.
Community Service Initiative: How Special Steps emerged as my platform.
Special Steps Nonprofit: Sharing our mission of inclusion through free dance camps.
Spreading Awareness: Emphasizing that I’m “too small for such a big message,” and why I need community support.
Darla & Belle: Becoming Best Friends: Highlighting the importance of setting big dreams that push your comfort zone.
Making the World More Inclusive, One Special Step at a Time: My vision for expanding Special Steps.
After the presentation, I had a Q&A session where Trustees asked thoughtful questions. Their interest and support made it clear how much inclusion matters within our district.
Watch the Presentation
If you’d like to get a glimpse of the experience, here’s a clip from that evening. While it may just be a brief snapshot, I hope it conveys the passion and hope behind our mission.
🎥 Watch the Video Below:
A Perfect Learning Opportunity
This experience wasn’t just about sharing my story—it was also phenomenal practice for my upcoming interview at Miss America’s Teen. Standing before the Board, explaining my purpose, and discussing my future plans helped me refine my ability to articulate why Making the World More Inclusive, One Special Step at a Time is so important.
Gratitude and Encouragement
I am so thankful for everyone who made this evening memorable:
Matt Sizemore and Tyler Keefe: Thank you for always supporting me, cheering me on, and providing opportunities to shine.
Superintendent Dr. Russell, Mrs. Jessica Stone, and Dr. Cindy Cook: Your kind introductions and belief in my mission energize me to keep growing Special Steps.
Nampa School District Trustees: Thank you for listening so attentively and asking meaningful questions.
Knowing my school district and so many caring individuals stand behind me gives me confidence to expand Special Steps further. Together, we can continue working toward a world where every child’s unique talents and abilities are celebrated.
