Miss Commonwealth's Teen 2024, Cassandra Hugh

Only six days until Miss Virginia's Teen check-in! 🎉
As we count down the days, let's also take a moment to think about how we can support students with disabilities. Here are six ways to make a difference:

1. **Promote Inclusivity**: Encourage a culture of inclusion in schools and communities.
2. **Accessible Learning Materials**: Ensure that all educational materials are accessible to everyone.
3. **Peer Support Programs**: Foster buddy systems where students can help and learn from each other.
4. **Teacher Training**: Advocate for professional development for teachers to better support diverse learning needs.
5. **Assistive Technology**: Support the use of technology that aids learning and communication.
6. **Raise Awareness**: Spread awareness about the challenges and strengths of students with disabilities.

Let's make education a supportive environment for all! 💪📚

Just finished an amazing Orange Theory class with some Miss Virginia sisters! 🧡💪 We pushed ourselves to the limit, all while supporting the American Heart Association. It’s incredible to come together for such a great cause and promote heart health. Feeling energized and inspired!

For the past few weeks I have been Co-organizing the Prince William County Unified Track Meet with a Regan Middle School student who has volunteered at the event for years. This event was a fabulous opportunity for students with disabilities and very fun for all students and staff involved!

Unified Sports is a program that promotes inclusion and sportsmanship by bringing together athletes with and without disabilities to compete on the same team. It’s a great way to foster friendships and build a sense of belonging. I have been organizing this program at the middle school level for three years now, and volunteering at these events for many more. Yesterday was by far the most fun event I have ever attended! The volunteer and student participation was astounding. Every student left the track saying that they had the most fun!

Swipe to see my favorite: the wheelchair race! ☀️🌎🤩

“Not too hot but not too cold”
Happy to share my official Miss Virginias Teen headshot!
🦋🐳🦕

Let’s talk about wildfires!

Wildfires have been spreading like crazy across the commonwealth! There are three key elements increase the likelihood of a fire starting: heat to ignite and burn, oxygen in the air, and a dry atmosphere.
The great majority of wildfires worldwide are caused by human activity. Even worse, 97% of US wildfires that pose a threat to homes are started by humans.

The main causes of wildfires include careless behaviors including arson, leaving campfires unattended, discarding ci******es inappropriately, and using matches or pyrotechnics carelessly. Both deliberate misbehavior and unintentional carelessness may start these fires. In addition, the frequency and intensity of wildfires are rising due in large part to climate change. It causes temperatures to rise, drought spells to lengthen, and vegetation to become drier. These factors all make it easier for wildfires to start and spread quickly.

Participate in community initiatives! Play your part by being preventive. Entire towns are impacted by wildfires. To control vegetation and build with fire resistance, everyone must cooperate. Learn about local initiatives and participate.

Read this article to find out how you can help!

Prevent Wild Fires Bigger, more dangerous wildfires affect more of us each year. The Red Cross has tips to prevent wildfires from starting and spreading. Learn how to protect your home and family today.

Lucky 🍀 to have such an amazing Miss Commonwealth Scholarship Organization sisterhood! I spent the morning representing the Miss Commonwealth Organization in the O’briens Irish Pub St. Patrick’s day parade. What an amazing opportunity to meet so many new people and tell them all about the organization that changed my life for the better! 💚🍀

Yesterday we had our annual Miss Commonwealth organization tea party! We also welcomed a new member of the Miss Commonwealth family! One of my beautiful friends, Everleigh is now one of Miss Commonwealth’s Little Sisters! Help me welcome her to the family!! 💙👑🤩

Huge thanks to Crest Hill Tea Room - The Plains for the amazing afternoon!

Miss Virginia Organization
Miss Commonwealth Scholarship Organization
Victoria Mazzoli Ragan

I was given the unique opportunity to be a buddy at Miss Hanover Abilities last night! Miss Hanover abilities is an event put on by the Hanover County Support Services. This pageant was an opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to showcase their amazing talents on stage.

I was absolutely blown away by this experience. This is an excellent representation of how equity is so essential for all individuals. We can all be winners with shiny new hats if we are given the proper support to reach these goals! Last night I served as a buddy- I shadowed my contestant buddy. I helped her ensure her walking patterns on stage made her feel confident in herself, I helped her stay organized backstage, and gave many pep talks!

Not only did I have the sweetest buddy- Ashley, but she also won the pageant! Her talent absolutely blew me away! I am so excited to watch her live out her dream of being Miss Hanover Abilities 2024 over the next year! 🤩👑💗

Miss Commonwealth Scholarship Organization
Miss Virginia Organization

Happy birthday to my mini me, Miss Commonwealth’s little sister Tinsley!! I hope your day is full of Olive Garden, Ulta trips, and lots of fun! 💗💗
Cindi Summerfield

Excited to announce that I will be posting a new episode of Dreaming Differently tomorrow morning at 8 am!
https://open.spotify.com/show/1BtJgAwjPhxuffKnwyXHVv?si=438a348a5c4848c2

Get to know more about me and my platform!

I'm Cassandra Hugh, author of the podcast Dreaming Differently and an avid member of the disabilities inclusion community! I began my journey with the Miss America Organization in 2019 as a Teen in Traning, along with my platform. However, my work with creating an inclusive community for those with disabilities did not begin there.

For as long as I can remember, my mother has allowed me many opportunities to break down barriers of exclusion. As a special education teacher in Prince William County Public Schools, she often organized meetings, put programs in place, and sought out opportunities that she could bring to her school. As one does, I embraced this celebration of inclusion, being involved in unified sports programs, beginning best buddies programs, and now, beginning my podcast with her support!

I am very excited to take my platform to the Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen stage in June, in order to expand my reach and deepen my passion, as well as that of others!