Mrs. Central Florida, a letter

I am honored to announce that I was recently crowned Mrs. Central Florida under the Mrs. America Organization. The Mrs. America system has been the most prestigious pageant for married women since 1977.  Given the pageant’s prestigious history I am excited to be a part of it. I will be competing for the title of Mrs. Florida in Orlando this coming April.

Having this title provides me a year to speak to civic groups and business organizations, appear in print and television commercials, and conduct interviews with press members. In partnering with the Mrs. Florida America organization, I am using this year to raise awareness for civics education. I am in my 11th year of teaching and my 4th year of teaching civics. I have come to understand the power of civics education as an integral part of the future of our democracy. We need to equip students with the tools to be confident, empathetic, and informed future citizens and voters. Being Mrs. Central Florida allows me to bring awareness to the need for more civics education and community involvement in today’s schools.

We must also address the current drug epidemic that our country is facing.  Currently, opioid deaths are leading cause of death for American’s age 18-50.  The Mrs. America organization proudly supports and advocates for the Victoria’s Voice Foundation.  Victoria’s Voice started after Victoria Siegel died of a drug overdose at 18. Since 2000, the overdose death rate from opioids has increased a staggering 200 percent, with almost 130 people dying each day. As Mrs. Central Florida, I have become an Advocate for Victoria’s Voice. Please stand with me as I help fight this national crisis and save the lives of our future generations; I consider it a civic duty.

During this journey to compete for the state title of Mrs. Florida America, I am requesting sponsorship. Some financial obligations go into preparing for the state pageant and living out my reign for the year. I am seeking assistance to pay for my ad in the pageant program.  If you would like to sponsor or donate please click here: https://gofund.me/77b6c840

Any amount would be greatly appreciated. If I raise more than necessary, I will donate additional funds to the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, to support awareness about substance abuse and support youth and families in overcoming experimentation and addiction.

Sincerely,

Lydia Roper

Mrs. Central Florida