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| CharityMcCurdy(WOAI News Radio Host), Elf Louise, Karen Grace (Kens 5 Weekend News Anchor) and Me! |
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| Karen Grace, Charity McCurdy, Me, Delaine Mathieu (WOAI news anhor), CJ Cruz(BMP Radio personality), Jennifer Broome (beloved former meteorologist anchor, WOAI),Karen Martinez(evening news anchor, Fox29 & currently battling breast cancer) & AraCeli(actress/tv personality). |
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| Vanessa Johnston(Owner, Sundance Photo Arts-co-producer of the Strike a Pose Calendar) |
Most, by now, know of a very painful loss I had last year..the passing of my best childhood girlfriend, Diedra Auci Bradshaw and my fellow SURVIVOR castaway and friend, Jenn Lyon, to breast cancer. Being the "Guardian Angels" that they are, they felt my pain and, being my friends, they wanted to see me as they loved seeing me most, smiling. Within a month of their passing, I received an invite to be featured as one of the models in the very 1st "Strike a Pose" for Breast Cancer Celebrity Calendar. An idea that came from Jim and Vanessa Johnston as they struggled to help a dear friend of theirs and a beloved woman of San Antonio, affectionately known as "Elf Louise." Louise Locker has been battling breast cancer. Like many women in her position, she has no health insurance (I'm one of those women, btw:(. Jim & Vanessa came up with this calendar to help her raise funds for her treatment. Louise, being the giver she is, accepted only if the donations were to also go to Susan G. Komen foundation. Above is my page. I chose the month of July because it's my bday month, Yay! The "look" of the Calendar was the 40's Hollywood Glam. When my mom heard I was doing this, she busted out with the film "Gilda," starring Rita Hayworth...so, my main image, I'm giving "Gilda," thanks to an exquisite gown designed by the MOST talented designer...yes, you guessed it..my brother, Nick Verreos (NIKOLAKI). In my swimsuit "look," I blatantly copied the cover of Vanity Fair that featured Elizabeth Taylor during the Richard Burton years (again, mom Raquel to the rescue...those who know my mom aren't surprised to read this..she found this "vintage" swimsuit at Walmart!!!). My last "look," I begged for because I wanted to do an homage to my Father, a WW2 Vet and to ALL our soldiers so off I went to an Army Military Supply Store (those who are very close to me know that I'm all about saving money!) I found the "Andrew Sisters" outfit for $3:) Yay!
This cause, as you have just read, is very near and dear to my heart. A force stronger than myself, probably my friend Diedra cuz she's a tough cookie like me, was making me go BEYOND just voluteering to be a model in it. So, off I went on a mission to do EVERYTHING in my power to use this calendar to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancers so that others wouldn't have to go through what Diedra, Jenn myself and everyone who knew these 2 angels had to go through. One of the 1st events that we did to help sell the calendars was set up by my fellow models also went beyond the call of duty, Comedienne Eva Cambell Morales organized a "Meet and Greet" at the LOL Club: Here we are on the Stage at the LOL Club talking about the Calendar:
As the show evolved, Eugene and I come as a package with God so, too, He became a part of our show and we're so blessed to have joined forces with "Women With A Cause," to form a second hour segment called "Girl Talk." That's where I come in:) Weekly, on Thursdays, from 7-8pm on 93.7fm, we highlight heroes in our community and help to promote community events. I do have my Sports moments, however, as I recently go to interview already football great, Steele High School State Champ and soon to be Longhorn! Malcolm Brown (on the left w/Coach Johnston and Malcolm). Thank you to my boyfriend, Christopher Soto, for making this interview possible, thanks to his friendship with State Championship Coach Michael Jinks-they went to Judson High School). Click here: http://www.box.net/shared/e35t502fh9lmn2jbv0pm to listen to the broadcast of the show with this interview. 
THANK YOU to my fellow CBS SURVIVOR Castaway, Gillian Larsen, for inviting me to be a part of this and help give my grain of sand to "Michelle's Place," a very special Breast Cancer Resource Center. A few of us arrived the night before the event and gathered for dinner at the Pechanga Casino and Resort. Here I am w/fellow Reality Show gals: 
Above, "Say What Sports" wanted me to "Get My Smack On" ....and then some! Below, Giving a "Bark" out to "Bark Buckcle UP! an organization that encourages you to buckle up your doggie when you take him in your car for a ride:) I found a way to incorporate my doggie into this video even from miles away!That evening, we were transported to a gorgeous Temecula Winery, Wilson Creek, complete with Hot Air Balloon Ride! Here I am with my "twin" Julie Berry..She has NO idea the pressure I felt being compared to her!! An accomplished SURVIVOR Castaway herself, she was also Jeff Probst's girlfriend of several years.
Below a shot of about 1/3 of the group that participated in the "Temecula Reality Rally." If you're a Reality Show fan, you may recognize a few of the people in the photo. For example, sporting his signature bow-tie look, Mr. Bob Crowley, Winner of SURVIVOR Gabon. It took me awhile to place the man lying in front of everyone..besides being an "Amazing Race" participant w/his brother, Mark Munoz is the Jockey who rode the horse in the movie SECRETARIAT:) 
