Dance to Survive by Miranda Smith

The mission of Dance to Survive is to have the next generation to believe in themselves. It’s important to have youth understand that they are loved and valued. 💜

Why did I create my CSI?

A question I actually didn’t know how to answer for a while. That all changes now.

It stemmed from a selfish place—it was so I could have a healing outlet after I was with an emotionally abusive partner. I had zero intentions on bringing this to the Miss Kansas stage.

That all changed when I realized I had the ability to create something I wish I had growing up. I desperately wanted someone in authority to tell me that they believed in me and that I was worthy. I heard people say it just because, but I wanted someone to mean it.

I have since become that for my students. It’s helped them be more engaged and has established a trust. I don’t ever take their trust for granted. I know that Dance to Survive works, and I’ll continue to bring it to Miss Kansas locals and the stage. Even when I’m done with the Miss Kansas Organization, whether that be ending it as Miss Kansas or I age out, I’ll continue to execute Dance to Survive. It’s my passion project, and one that I never saw coming.

Hello! It has been a while hasn't it. I wanted to write a new blog explaining where I have been since September and discussing some exciting news that have come about in my life. There is also information about what is to come with this page!

It's Been a bit...Let's Catch Up Hello! I know I went missing since September and I wanted to be transparent as to why. Long story short, I got burnt out. I needed some t...

What is success?

This is a question I get asked a lot. Success to me is the payoff that hard work gets you after experiencing trials that occur in life. This recently happened.

Picking yourself up from those is crucial.

New blog is now live discussing this. I hope it leaves you invigorated.

https://dancetosurvivemirandasmith.blogspot.com/2022/09/appreciating-trials-along-with-success.html

What an honor this was.

I had one of my final appearances as Miss Emerald City tonight. I went back to my high school to honor veterans and was given the opportunity to hold one of the flags.

Honoring veterans is crucial for me. Not just because I have family members who have served, but they are the reason why we live in a free country. A majority of people take the rights we are given at birth for granted and don’t realize that people fought for our rights—some even making the ultimate sacrifice.

I will never have enough words to explain the impact that Kansas Honor Flight has made on me. All I can do is continue to go to welcome home flights to express my gratitude to those who have served.

I encourage you to thank a veteran for their service. I promise it’ll make their day. A lot of citizens don’t give them the respect they so rightfully deserve. They fought for your rights to live your life in a country that allows you to have differing opinions.

Veterans, thank you for all that you have done. None of what you have sacrificed has gone unnoticed or unappreciated by me. I will forever be in your corner.

Welcoming home Kansas veterans will forever be something I will cherish.

91. There have been 91 flights that Kansas Honor Flight has sent. It is incredible that these veterans get to see their war memorials and get the welcome home they never got.

I am so honored to have been able to speak again as Miss Emerald City. Service is one of the four points of the crown, and one of my favorites. To have this opportunity to give back to those who made countless sacrifices warms my heart.

Kansas Honor Flight, you have my heart. You’ve been a part of my life since I was 14 when my life changed completely after seeing my first flight home. Thank you for being a second family to me, since a lot of you saw me grow into a woman. There aren’t enough words to thank you for what you do for these veterans.

To the veterans on this flight, I am so honored to be there for you as you close this chapter in your life. You all have my heart.

Can we hear it for this backdrop at The Selfie Spot on Douglas? When I saw it, I knew I had to take some pictures with it.

The sayings are behind me are incredible. The sign is even better. Dreamer.

We all have dreams. The best ideas and companies we have in our world today all started from someone having a dream.

So go on. Dream big. 🤍

What is an outlet for you?

My main one is dance. I know that this can be guessed due to the name of my social impact initiative.

I do realize that there are people in this world who aren’t as passionate about dance as I am. That is 100% okay! In the latest blog I discuss how I have witnessed dance opening doors for conversations that wouldn’t have happened without it. It also discusses different outlets that I have seen others use.

I’d love to hear what you are passionate about too!

Link to blog post: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fdancetosurvivemirandasmith.blogspot.com%2F2022%2F06%2Fthe-importance-of-outlets.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw2auAcZelpVvbn4EgxHx_G5

It shouldn’t matter if you don’t win the crown.

Read that again.

But Miranda, don’t you compete for a crown at Miss Kansas? Yes. However your worth shouldn’t be placed into getting a crown. We all already have one on our heads every day.

The crown also isn’t the goal in the Miss America Organization. It’s the life skills, scholarships, and friendships you make along the way.

Everyone is Miss (insert title here). You are because you’re here today. Yes, one girl will walk away with the crown and title, but that doesn’t mean you’re not worthy. You’re inherently worthy of it just by breathing and being yourself.

So I challenge you, walk with your head high and be that titleholder or something you’re passionate about. 🤍

New blog is now live!

https://dancetosurvivemirandasmith.blogspot.com/2022/06/stagnant-vs-growth.html

The girl in the first picture is not the same person in the second. Yes, she is physically but not mentally.

She was broken. Tired. Angry. Wanting to give up. She forced herself to be happy because she didn’t want people to think something was wrong with her.

The girl in the second picture is a lot happier. While there are hard days, she’s found herself through the art of dance.

In the coming days, I’m going to be creating dances for almost every emotion in hopes to help others clear their minds and approach discussions in a different mindset.

If no one has told you yet today, I love you and you matter in this world. You’re worth your weight in gold and then some. No one should ever tell you otherwise. 💜

My Miss Kansas talent this year was a lyrical dance to Breathe Me by Sia.

I DESPERATELY wanted my costume to be purple due to the su***de prevention ribbon’s colors being teal and purple. Hence the color schemes for Dance to Survive. I had my wardrobe being all different shades of blue, so I wanted purple in there. I also wanted sleeves since I love lyrical costumes that have sleeves.

There’s a different reason for this as well. It was symbolic of those who have harmed themselves and how they want to cover the scars that can come about.

The choreography itself was a joint effort by my boss, my coworker, and myself. It tells the story of how one can be disoriented by negative thoughts. I hope to those who saw it got the message.

Dance is soothing to the soul. Any form of media that one is passionate about is. This is the mission of Dance to Survive. The goal is to have the passions that one has in life to allow themselves to speak more freely.

The first blog post is available on the website!

https://dancetosurvivemirandasmith.blogspot.com/

Dance to Survive by Miranda Smith Hello! Get link Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Other Apps June 13, 2022   Welcome to Dance to Survive! My name is Miranda Smith and this is my project/organization that I have created to promote my social impact initiative for the Miss America Organization. Now why did I pick this as my initiativ...

Hello! Welcome to Dance to Survive!

My name is Miranda Smith and this page is to promote my social impact initiative for the Miss America Organization entitled Dance to Survive!

What is Dance to Survive? It is a project/organization that uses dance as an outlet for difficult conversations to start. I know that I have used dance as a way to express my negative emotions into something positive and I want to share that with others.

What's going to come from this page? No clue! Absolutely everything and anything! Be sure to keep an eye out!

Here's the website for this page (it's a placeholder for now)
https://sites.google.com/view/dancetosurvive/home

Here's to the start of an amazing adventure!

Dance to Survive Welcome to Dance to Survive! This is something that I am very passionate about, and I am so glad that you have decided to pursue this journey alongside me! To learn more, go to the About section!