GIVING BACK: Miss Coronado 2021 Promotes Mental Health Awareness

from Crown City Magazine May 2021

CROWN CITY HISTORY: Caring for the Sick Throughout Coronado’s History

GIVING BACK | 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

Lauren Griffin with Mayor Richard Bailey (below).

Newly crowned Lauren Griffin (right) and 2021 Miss Coronado Teen Volunteer, Alexis Dyer

many attributes of leadership, teamwork and communication through athletics that will guide her through the rest of her life. Her passion for volleyball will continue into her college career.

Because working as a team is fun, the pageant committee appointed a “little sister” Miss Coronado Teen Volunteer, Alexis Dyer. Lexi is a 14-year-old eighth grader looking forward to attending CHS in the fall. The newly crowned teen shares Griffin’s passion for community service and teen mental health awareness as well as competitive cheer, teaching art lessons with her mom, listening to music and future travels. The special crowning ceremony took place in the iconic Hotel Del Coronado Turret.

“Being in the Hotel Del for the crowning was exciting and just a little scary — we know tales of Kate Morgan’s ghost in that Turret!” Griffin said. “We carefully climbed the winding, old, steep, narrow staircase and it was worth it. WOW! The view was spectacular, and our mothers were part of the special moment. I’m so happy for Lexi, and this will forever be embedded in my heart.”

The duo is already working on their social media campaign “Around Town” to highlight local businesses as the community begins to reemerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. Their adventures can be followed on instagram @misscoronadovol and @misscoronadoteenvol.

Looking past the pandemic and her graduation from Coronado High School, Lauren plans to pursue a degree in the medical field and is still considering offers from several prestigious universities, including Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University and Texas A&M. Yes, there is a theme! Lauren and her parents are Texans and Lauren learned from her mother the gift of “southern hospitality” — a personal mission to help people feel welcome and the central theme in her passion of helping others through Student to Student. With Coronado welcoming so many military families from across the country it’s nice to see lasting connections materialize through programs like S2S and Coronado SAFE.

This summer, Lauren will represent Coronado and compete at the inaugural Miss California Volunteer competition in Fresno. Miss California Volunteer is a statewide, service orientated scholarship organization which was founded in 2019. As the official State Final for the Miss Volunteer America contest, Miss California Volunteer seeks to empower teens through education and opportunity. By providing a platform for tomorrow’s leaders to express their opinions, talents, character and intelligence, Miss California Volunteer aims to aid in personal development, better the statewide communities and display the importance of service before self. To learn more, visit www.misscaliforniavolunteer.com.