Nat'l Little Miss Sweetheart Ava Elizabeth Helmick

Coronet Pageants is pleased to be able to make the announcement of the winner of the Supreme Queen title for Nat'l Little Miss Sweetheart. Ava Elizabeth Helmick is the daughter of Terri and Brian Helmick and the sister of Lexis and Emeline. She is a survivor of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Having been given a 20-30% chance of survival at birth, Ava is quite a fighter. She survived and grew stronger and returned home with her family. Then, in words from Ava's blog:
"...on October 3rd, 2008, just a month after my 2nd birthday I got deathly ill. My Mommy took me to the doctor that Friday three times. She knew in her heart that I had re-herniated. She pushed really hard for my medical care. After almost 30 hours from my first symptom I was being air lifted to University Hospitals in Iowa City.... I spent 47 days in the hospital, most of that in the intensive care unit. I am at home now where my Mommy does all my nursing care. She tells me I am a lot of work but I know she loves me and that is why she still smiles and makes me laugh....I've been told I'm a brave little girl. God has blessed me and my family beyond measure. My Mommy feels lucky that we still here with them. I hear I have touched so many lives.
This is my story. I am told I am a Miracle. I am!"
Because of Ava's fight, her parents have done a great deal for CDH awareness. The whole family has been involved in starting an awareness walk and Terri was instrumental in having a proclamation signed by Iowa's Governor Culver.
Ava will have another surgery on June 5th to open blockages in her small bowel. Please pray for Queen Ava, Queen Terri, and the rest of the Helmick family at this time.

Welcome Queen Terri!

Coronet Pageants is VERY PROUD to announce the 2009 Nat'l Ms. Heart of the Home Supreme Queen, Terri Helmick of Iowa!
Terri is an incredible wife and devoted mother of three beautiful girls, Lexis, Emeline, and Ava. She's a talented photographer and singer, but her life took a detour at the birth of her youngest daughter. Ava was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Terri and her family are tireless advocates for CDH awareness and education. In fact, Terri was instrumental in having Iowa's Gov. Culver sign a CDH Awareness Proclamation. Terri has worked with an international CDH awarness organization but has now founded her own support group, called Allmiracles, for mothers whose children have problems at http://allmiracles.blogspot.com.
At birth Terri's third daughter Ava was given a 20-35% chance of survival. Last fall she reherniated and spent 47 days in intensive care before returning home. Currently she is facing another surgery to continue to repair her intestines.



Ava with the State of Iowa Proclamation


You'll find a story about Terri, Ava, and the rest of the family at:
http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/Ava-032309

You can find a story about "Ava's Awareness Walk" at this link:
http://www.thehawkeye.com/print/CDH_Day_011508

Ava's blog is at http://avaslifewithcdh.blogspot.com/

"Little Angels" can be heard here: http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=6023f7c91c100d0d5c457c&skin_id=1702&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=image

The Helmick family ready for Ava's Awareness Walk

In Terri's words:
"I have a passion for raising awareness for my 3rd daughter's birth defect called congenital diaphragmatic hernia. I am all about the simple things. I am a wife and a Mother. I love to savor each and every moment in life, for I know how fragile life really is."

"Our daughter Ava was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. CDH is when (inside of the womb) the diaphragm does not form properly. The abdominal organs move up into the chest cavity, compromising the heart and lungs. Fifty percent of CDH babies die. Sometimes with proper diagnosis and treatment, the babies have a better chance at birth.

We held our First Annual, "Ava's Awareness Walk" on March 27, 2008. I was so touched at how many family and friends came out to walk for CDH Awareness. I held back tears as I spoke about Ava's friends that have died fighting this birth defect. I played the song, "Little Angels" that Tamra (my sister) and I created for all the CDH babies. After walking around the beautiful lake we had a balloon release. I did it to remember all the precious angels that had been taken, far too soon, from their Mothers arms. They will forever be in our hearts.
My goal is to educate and provide valuable knowledge and information about Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. I want to let as many know of this deadly birth defect as possible and to share HOPE.

Miracles DO Happen!"
--Terri Helmick

Terri recording her song, "Little Angels" which is linked to Ava's blog


Queen Terri we are incredibly excited to welcome you to the royal family! We're all praying for Ava!

Queen Madi Honored in D.C.

Queen Madi, Nat'l Miss Heart of Gold, was recently honored in D.C. at the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She's pictured here with one of the other Middle School honorees as well as with the Delaware High School honoree and Senator Kaufman, AND with former First Lady Laura Bush.
Meeting Laura Bush was one of the highlights of a busy weekend of sightseeing and awards ceremony! Another was hearing actor Jason Ritter speak!
Queen Madi, we salute you!!

Queen Samantha TAGged in Reading

We're proud of Queen Samantha Rose, Nat'l Miss Heart of America, for participating in reading classes for the talented and gifted. She's being tested for admission to the entire program. Way to go, Queen Samantha!!