Hi, I’m Jade Kenny, Miss Teen International 2006.     PSA Video

Winning the title is more than a tremendous honor. It also gives me a chance to promote the cause of Teen Grief Awareness and to publicize Rainbows efforts to help grieving youth.

Two years ago, when I was 13, three people very close to me -- my grandmother, my grandfather and my dear friend Marci -- died in a matter of months. Grief affected me in many ways. My grades dropped quickly. I became withdrawn and very angry. It just didn’t seem fair that this was happening to me. Then, with help from Rainbows, I moved from heartache to hope.

As a participant in the Miss Teen International pageant, I embraced Teen Grief Awareness as my platform and began sounding the alarm about the epidemic of grief affecting the nation’s youth. I also became a Teen Spokesperson for Rainbows

When I visit your state during this year of travel and outreach, I’ll ask your governor and political leaders to do two things: one, to declare an official state Teen Grief Awareness Day and two, to establish Rainbows in every school and community.

Please join me in supporting Rainbows and helping to bring hope to grieving youth.