Amber Haddix knows a thing or two about how to successfully juggle multiple aspects of life.

 

Being a mother, a wife, an eighth grade English teacher at Bridgeport Middle School and an active participant in community outreach programs means Haddix always has a full plate of things she needs to do.

 

This past year she has found a little bit of time for herself.

 

Haddix was crowned Mrs. West Virginia Earth last March and just recently competed in the national pageant where she placed in the Top 10 and was named a finalist for the Beauty for a Cause organization.

 

“I started competing in pageants while in high school to gain public speaking experience and the potential for scholarship money for higher education, Haddix said. “I always assumed that would be the end of my pageant career but last year decided to take the plunge and do something that encouraged me to carve out some “me” time.

 

I think sometimes women tend to get lost in the many hats that we wear; mother, wife, friend, career professional, and we almost feel guilty for doing something that can benefit us. Hitting my mid-30s gave the realization that I would be better at all of those aspects of my life if I remembered to make myself a priority also. This experience gave me the opportunity to set new goals for myself and work toward achieving them.”

 

Haddix said she has always loved the community outreach aspect of pageantry and this is something that she is involved in frequently being the advisor to the BMS Student Council chapter. Being Mrs. West Virginia Earth has afforded her the opportunity to expand her role as a community leader and promote her platform, “Cultivating the Mindset.”

 

“During my reign the past year, I have worked in community clean-ups both locally and in Florida,” Haddix said. “I also worked with local business Bridgeport ATA Martial Arts to collect new stuffed animals to be donated to the patients at WVU Children’s Hospital.

 

“Another community activity was working with a group of high school students at the Mountaineer Food Bank to create boxes of food that were sent to the VA Hospital and Nursing Home for veterans.

 

“Both of those activities utilized reusable bags for the recipients of the donations.”

 

“It’s all about spreading the message of simple ways that we can all lead a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. One of my main goals is to help educate our youth in ways that can help make our communities, country and Earth flourish and work with them to create habits that help them to be more sustainable in their everyday practices.

 

“If we can work towards starting this generation to form these habits at a young age, we have helped to create lifelong, eco-driven citizens. I think sometimes we become overwhelmed by trying to make massive changes all at once, but I’m here to remind everyone that these simple changes and adjustments made by lots of people, snowball into larger amazing results.”

 

The national pageant took place Jan. 14-18 in Orlando, Florida. Haddix said she was amazed at the level of care the organization and the resort and convention center took to ensure everyone was adhering to COVID precautions and guidelines.

 

And while she was thrilled with where she placed in the pageant, that wasn’t even the best part of the experience.

 

“ The most important think that I will take away from the opportunity was the time spent with strong, like-minded women who truly supported one another and are all working toward a common goal of leaving things a little bit better than they were before,” Haddix said.

 

Even during a pandemic, positive steps toward that goal can be found said Haddix, who in addition to teaching English at BMS is also a team leader for the eighth grade.

 

“The positive that I take away from working in a public education during a pandemic is the technology platform has allowed my classroom to be essentially paperless for almost a year,” Haddix said. “Sometimes it’s the small wins that can really add up.”

 

For more about Haddix and her reign as Mrs. West Virginia Earth check out the Mrs. West Virginia Earth Facebook Page HERE

 

Editor's Note: Submitted photo