G I V I N G B A C K | MISS CORONADO
There's No Place Like Home:
Miss Coronado Volunteer 2021 Photos by Spring Dyer Photography Public Library
hen Dorothy clicked the heels of her ruby red slippers and proclaimed “There’s no place like home!” in the iconic story The Wizard of Oz, she was granted her wish to be back with her beloved family. Luckily, the new Miss Coronado Volunteer 2021, Lauren Griffin, already calls “The Emerald City” home. But in the midst of a global pandemic, even home can feel like “somewhere over the rainbow,” a world where we are disconnected from our family and community and where nothing makes sense. “Our COVID-19 lockdown has placed a tremendous toll on our mental health,” says Griffin,“ and that’s why I’m helping to illuminate the month of May and it’s nationwide recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.” It is fitting during this month to shine a spotlight on our newly crowned Miss Coronado Volunteer 2021. Despite the pandemic, Griffin’s efforts continue to foster connections between community members and make the town a brighter place. A Coronado High School Senior, Lauren Griffin was chosen because of her dedication to community service and her academic excellence. Upon her crowning, Griffin was enthusiastically welcomed and supported by Mayor Richard Bailey for her commitment to partner with civic and community organizations. Griffin leadership in CHS’s Student 2 Student (S2S) program brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment, support academic excellence and ease school-to-school transitions. “This program is close to my heart because I feel a personal responsibility to strengthen the mental well-being of teens and young adults,” Griffin shared. Growing up in a military family, where she has learned resilience skills and how to help friends, makes the topic of teen mental health very important to Miss Griffin. In fact, she chose to write about the subject in many of her college application essays. “Teens need connection and the pandemic has certainly disrupted everyone’s lives on several levels,” Griffin said. “I try to foster connections through virtual and socially distant gatherings. We are all ready to get back to working side by side.” Spring and summer look to be busy for this young woman. Currently, Lauren is planning a beach cleanup with Emerald Keepers in addition to an in-person event with Coronado SAFE (Students and Families Engaged). Volunteering is rewarding for the recently crowned Miss Coronado Volunteer, and we are looking forward to many fun Coronado events throughout her term. “While serving as Miss Coronado Volunteer, I hope to inspire others to find creative ways to connect. Let’s build each other up and ‘straighten each other’s crowns!’ And if you have a student in Coronado High School, encourage them to join Student 2 Student and other clubs,” Griffin said. “Our club wants ALL students, current or new to CHS, to join us. We are a soft place to fall for those who are struggling to meet people. Reach out, plug in, connect and grow up together!” Sports and physical activity are also important to Lauren, as both have given her a much-needed outlet to relieve stress in her own life. She is an athlete on the CHS Women’s Varsity Volleyball team. Over the years, she has learned 26
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