The Heart of a Youth Behavioral Development Specialist: Making a Difference for At-Risk Youth

By Valerie O'Neill 

Every day, I step into a world where the stakes are high, where young lives hang in the balance, shaped by trauma, loss, and hardship. As a Youth Behavioral Development Specialist, my mission is to support at-risk youth, guiding them through some of the toughest moments of their lives.

These kids and teens have been through the unthinkable. Many have cycled through foster care, juvenile detention, mental health facilities, or GOBI homes. Some are experiencing severe behavioral health episodes, struggling with suicidal thoughts, or dealing with the lasting effects of extreme trauma.  and in many cases, they’ve never had a stable, loving support system at home. That’s where I come in.

What I Do

My job is about more than just supervision. It’s about teaching, guiding, and showing up for these kids in a way they may never have experienced before. I help them build critical life skills such as:

✔ Anger management – Helping them recognize and regulate their emotions in healthy ways.
✔ Self-regulation – Teaching coping strategies for handling stress and overwhelming feelings.
✔ Social interaction – Encouraging positive communication, boundaries, and relationship skills.
✔ Crisis response – Being alert and ready to step in when a situation escalates.

Because these youth often face severe emotional and behavioral challenges, I have to be hyper-aware of my surroundings. Crisis situations can arise at any moment, requiring me to act quickly and effectively to ensure their safety and well-being, as well as other teens’ and my safety. 

Why This Work Matters

Many of the kids I work with believe they have no future. They feel forgotten, unheard, abandoned, and beyond help. Several have never felt love before and have always been pushed away and ignored when asking for attention. They have raised themselves from a young age and some even had to raise their siblings as well. They are lost, hurt, frustrated, angry, and confused. My goal is to show them that they matter, that their lives have purpose, and that there are people who care about them, even if the world has made them feel otherwise.

I want to be a role model who proves that they can overcome their struggles. That healing is possible. That they are more than their trauma. This work is challenging but knowing that I can make a difference in even one child’s life makes every moment worth it.

Looking Toward the Future

This is just the beginning of my journey. I’m currently enrolled back in college for the fall to work toward a degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. My long-term goal is to use this degree and minor to join a crisis team. What is a crisis team, you ask? A crisis team is a specialized group that responds to at-risk, suicidal teens in emergency situations. Crisis teams play a vital role in assessing situations, implementing intervention strategies, and providing support to youth in immediate distress.

But my passion doesn’t stop there. I also dream of traveling the world to help in disaster relief efforts, supporting orphans, and expanding my project, "Helping Hands," which provides emergency kits filled with essential items for the homeless.

Final Thoughts

Being a Youth Behavioral Development Specialist isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. It requires patience, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to helping kids who have been through more than most adults could imagine. These young people deserve love, guidance, and the chance to build a brighter future. And if I can be a small part of that transformation, then I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

If you’ve ever considered working with at-risk youth or supporting mental health initiatives, I encourage you to take that step. Every child deserves someone who believes in them. Be that person.

----------------------------

Valerie O'Neill is the current Miss City of Sunshine (OR). You can find her on her title's Instagram.

This is her second blog for Section 36 Forevers. Be sure to read all of her guest blogs.

Service Over Changes

By Caitlin Seifert

In Miss America’s over 100 year history, a lot of changes have happened but there’s also a lot that has stayed the same. On the surface we know that it is no longer a way to keep tourists coming to Atlantic City and we no longer even see a swimsuit on the stage but there are a lot of ideals that stay true to who Miss America was at its start. More times than not we’re too focused on the negativity or uncertainty that we forget what is at the core of this organization and that is the women who are a part of it. 

In the nine years that I’ve been a part of this program I’ve competed in the teen program, wore a swimsuit, did a social impact initiative statement and now rock Rebel Athletic in fitness. While the phases of competition and the percentages they have been worth have changed, one thing that hasn’t is those that I’m competing with. The women that have the dream of becoming Miss America have always had the drive, determination and passion like no other. When I talk to people about the Miss America Opportunity, one of the first things they bring up is the women that I am competing with. The conversation always turns to how they must be so catty, rude, fake or unsupportive of those around them and I love being able to explain to them that 99% of the time it is completely the opposite.

While most people can get caught up in the doom scrolling and imposter syndrome of seeing what others in this organization are able to accomplish, I love being able to watch young women make such a difference in their communities. This program is full of doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs and so so many more diverse careers, putting in the work to advocate for their community service initiatives. More often than not, we even have the ability to collaborate with each other and create an even bigger impact across communities and even state lines. It's such a special thing to be able to reach out to those that I'm competing with and attend fundraisers, walks, community events or children's programs and make those memories together.  

So, while Miss America as a program may be making some updates and finding their new groove, this is a program that is still extremely relevant for so many people. The women that are a part of it and continue to advocate for it know that it can make an impact on not only your life but the lives that you are able to touch because of it. Miss America is still relevant because the phrase “Preparing great women for the world — and preparing the world for great women” is true no matter what we wear on stage, what phases of competition we compete or where Miss America is held. Strong women will continue to create an impact no matter the circumstances with like minded individuals by their sides!

----------------------------------

Caitlin Seifert is the current Miss Central Ohio. You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

How I Chose My Community Service Initiative

 By Jamee Kattner

Music has the unique ability to bring joy to people through our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It creates a bond that has proven to stand the test of time, and most importantly, has the wonderful effect of bringing people together. This bond inspired my community service initiative of spreading joy to those in need through song. An old nursery rhyme someone once sang to you can bring back fond memories and feelings of comfort while hearing brilliant music can bring you to tears. Whether it sparks a memory or a feeling, music is the one language everyone can understand and relate to with the ability to inspire and uplift others. I am privileged to come from a family who uses their gifts to serve communities in exactly that way. 

Spreading joy to those in need through music is personal to me. I grew up in a musical family with my grandmother and mother teaching piano and voice, and my sisters and I singing with each other. From as young as I can remember, music has always been the one gateway that felt like home. I want to share this feeling of home and comfort to others when they need it most. As children, my sisters and I looked up to our mother who not only showed us how to use our musical talents, but also exhibited how to benefit others through these gifts. She taught us to give back tenfold what we were given as well as how building up our communities can create a positive impact. When creating this community service initiative, I asked myself what are the things in my communities that I am seeing which are having a negative impact. Feelings of Isolation and depression are among the biggest feelings in my generation, in the schools and online as well. I wanted to create something that would give everyone a safe space for them to feel their feelings, and embrace the joy music can bring. 

I have spread my love for music at churches, nursing homes, various community events and for family and friends. When sharing this passion, I could see that my joy in performing was echoed in the faces of each person in the audience. Each time we open ourselves up to be vulnerable, all of us share a truly special and unique bond that results in a feeling of human connection that is, at its core, the link that makes music so evocative. I see my role especially as one that promotes being emotional, opening up your heart, and creating relationships with others through those shared experiences. The special connection I feel as I share my gift with those in need influenced my decision to devote my life to a career in music, to become a music educator. Now, years removed from my childhood musical experiences, I see many opportunities to use my talent to help others experience joy from music. 

Many communities in South Dakota and beyond can benefit from musical outreach. It is the ability to reach those in situations where music can give them relief that inspired me to create this initiative. Nursing homes, hospitals, schools, EmBe afterschool programs and Boys and Girls Club are places where I have seen the gift of music be used to make a positive impact. I have partnered with these local/state establishments to bring music to the lives of those who need more joy. Through creating this initiative, I have been able to take my role as a local titleholder to empower others in the same way that the Miss America opportunity and my musical background has empowered me! Music, at its root, creates bonds that can change lives; I hope to fuel that change.

--------------------------------------------------------

Jamee Kattner is the current Miss Siouxland (SD). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

The Power Of Persevering

By Lexy Rayhill

K. Garcia Prod

When we’re young girls, we all have a desire to become a queen in some way. In most instances, young girls want to play dress up or get their nails done - for me, it was something that lied much deeper. I didn’t know it then, but I would become surrounded by thousands of likeminded queens later in my life. 

My journey through pageantry has led me into directions I would’ve never expected. Funny enough, I have admired pageants since I was 7 years old. I was so hooked, that I dressed as an “Ultimate Grand Supreme” for Halloween in 2011. Though I wouldn’t begin competing until shortly after I turned 18, pageantry has remained at the forefront of my mind for over a decade. 

As middle school and high school came around, I felt like I was having a harder time making genuine friends and my mindset shifted in a more negative way. Once senior year came around, I was ready to leave the self doubt behind me. Pageantry became my focus, and slowly I stopped thinking about myself. 

New England Petite became more than just a pageant and a title to work towards. After my first competition in 2022, I realized I needed to find a system that aligned with me. I did plenty of research before finding out there was a pageant that was truly designed for me - New England Petite. Created for hardworking women 5’6 and under, this pageant organization has brought me opportunities I never could’ve imagined. 

My first year at the pageant was definitely a little nerve

Chris Dupre

wracking, but I was able to put my fears aside and bond with my new sisters. I managed to place top 5 and leave as 4th runner up that year!  After I made top 5, I knew I needed to make a return. I got another pageant under my belt 6 months later and before leaving the venue that day, I was already applying for the next New England Petite Pageant that was set to happen in a few months. My biggest dream was to compete at Petite USA. I attended our workshop, started becoming more active in my volunteer work, and left with 2nd runner up my second year. I took my preparation very seriously, but I still hadn’t achieved my true goal. I had to wait another year for just a chance at my dream job. 

When you persevere, you’re showing yourself you can. My placement my second year only made me want to come back stronger. I worked with numerous new coaches, photographers, and even participated in a national pageant which only helped my preparation! I began taking better care of myself and my mind, told myself to focus, and eventually put in my final application. 

The difference between winning and placing for me was simple, but also one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do in a long time. We all hear “be yourself” in the interview room, but I finally listened. In my private interview, I even responded by saying the first thing I’d do if I won was go get fries before getting to work with my title! All of my answers flowed and I left that room feeling like I had finally showed a judges panel who I am. 

Chris Dupre

My stage presence also improved dramatically and each performance felt like my best that day. Once crowning came, so did the nerves. They announced our runner ups and once we got to the top 2, my name was not called as 1st runner up. I was finally announced Miss New England Petite! Since January 20th, I’ve worked with sponsors and photographers, volunteered with nonprofits, mentored young women, appeared in front of over 1 million people, walked in a fashion show, helped plan community events, and so much more. 

My days have gotten much brighter since I’ve been crowned. They say it’s what a queen does with her crown that’s important, but I can’t help but recognize the ways the crown is healing me. If I hadn’t filled out that first application, my life would look a lot different. You have the power to make your life what you want it to be, and that’s the power of persevering. 

-------------------------------

K. Garcia Prod

Lexy Rayhill is the current Miss New England Petite. You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

A Story About Body Image

By Angelique Cauterucci

For as long as I can remember, gymnastics was my entire world. The crisp scent of chalk in the air, the metallic clink of bars, the powerful spring of the vault, and the mesmerizing dance of the floor routines weren’t just details — they were part of me. The countless hours spent perfecting my balance on the beam, the adrenaline rush before a dismount, and the satisfaction of nailing a skill I once thought impossible fueled my passion. I was a little girl with big dreams, pouring every ounce of my heart and soul into the sport I adored.

But when I was nine years old, my world was shaken. I still remember the day my instructor looked me dead in the eye and said, “You will never be a competitive gymnast. You don’t have the right body type. It just isn’t going to happen for you.” Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was devastated.

I had a choice: let her words crush me or use them as fuel. I chose the latter. Instead of giving up, I pushed harder. I trained longer. I drowned out the negativity with pure determination. And slowly, I found something more powerful than talent—I found confidence and beauty within myself. That inner strength carried me through the rough days, and eventually, I proved my instructor wrong.

I became a Junior Olympic regional qualifier on the USA team. And now? I’m a proud NCAA collegiate athlete.

But my journey didn’t end there. Experiencing the pressures of negative body image at such a young age inspired me to do something bigger—to help others struggling with the same challenges. That’s why I created my nonprofit organization "You Define Beauty".

Through You Define Beauty, I have been a guest speaker in over 45 classrooms, 20 dance classes, 12 Girl Scout meetings, and 8 gymnastics teams throughout New Jersey. I’ve partnered with numerous non-profit organizations to help provide mental health resources to my community. Since starting my program, I have spoken to over 5,600 students between the ages of 7 and 22 about the importance of body positivity and confidence.

Every presentation begins with my personal story of overcoming negative body image and low self-esteem. Then, I share practical tools to help improve self-confidence. My favorite tool is teaching the importance of morning affirmations. I challenge each student to start their day by looking in the mirror and complimenting themselves. I even bring out a small mirror and say to myself, “You are beautiful, you are strong, you define your own beauty!” It feels silly at first, but doing it consistently leads to massive changes in confidence and body image.

After every assembly, I make myself available to any student who wants to share their story with me. To my surprise, so many of them step out of their comfort zones to open up. Speaking to kids one-on-one is a reminder of the real impact I’m making.

When I transformed You Define Beauty into a non-profit organization, I started bringing affirmation boxes to each school I visited. These boxes contain over 300 cards filled with positive messages written by high school and college students. The boxes are placed in school counselor offices, where students can grab encouragement whenever they need it. So far, I have 12 affirmation boxes in different schools and we’ve made over 3,500 cards!

Most recently, I founded the You Define Beauty Club at Saint Leo University. We host monthly meetings to organize fundraisers and events aimed at spreading awareness and educating others about body dysmorphia. Our efforts are gaining momentum, and we’re planning a 3K walk with a fundraising goal of $3,000 to support mental health initiatives and promote self-acceptance.

I also started an Instagram reel and TikTok series where I share my morning affirmations and monthly goals for students to use as inspiration. So far, my videos have generated over 65,000 views across all platforms. I even built a website to reach people who may not be on social media.

And it doesn’t stop there. I launched a podcast called You Define Beauty, where I interview guests about body positivity, self-esteem, and confidence. It’s available on all streaming platforms, and it’s another way I’m trying to make a difference.

Everything I do—whether it’s speaking to students, creating affirmation boxes, making videos, or hosting a podcast—is aimed at helping people overcome body dysmorphia and build self-confidence. Because at the end of the day, true beauty comes from within. And you define your own beauty."

---------

Angelique Cauterucci is the current Miss Cape Shores' Teen (NJ). You can find her at her title's Instagram or her personal Instagram. You can also check out the "You Define Beauty" website, Instagram, TikTok, and Podcast.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

From Heart to Head - My CSI Story

By Rachel Ramos

As Miss Heart of the Midwest 2025, my community service initiative (CSI) is From Heart to Head, which promotes dementia prevention and education, builds awareness and empathy in our communities, and encourages legislative action. Environmental factors mostly cause dementia and you can reduce your risk by exercising, sleeping well, managing diabetes, reducing stress, eating healthy, and protecting and exercising your brain. These prevention techniques are cardiovascular-based, as heart health is closely linked to brain health. For example, people who live sedentary lifestyles are already increasing their dementia risk by 30%! From Heart to Head focuses on the Heart as much as the Head, and maintaining cardiovascular health is the first step to preventing dementia. A question I often receive about my CSI is, “Isn’t dementia an old person’s disease? Why should children care about a disease like dementia?” The answer is - our health begins now. By exercising and eating well now, your body will thank you in the future and will allow you to continue to do what you love, whether that’s pickleball, yoga, crosswords, soccer, or anything between. Visit FromHearttoHead.com for more information on how to prevent your risk for dementia, or sign up for the monthly newsletter. 

The partnership between the American Heart Association and Miss America is so pertinent because more young women will be aware of their cardiovascular risk, and fundraising through this partnership also funds research that focuses on women’s cardiovascular health. Two-thirds of all Alzheiemer’s cases are women. Women are also more likely to be caregivers for someone with dementia. Cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death for women, and dementia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. This connection between women and being more at risk for dementia may be because women were rarely in any clinical research trials until 1993. But it could also be because women live longer than men, early-onset menopause is now being linked to dementia, or that different societal roles support different cognitive engagement. We do not have the full picture yet, and research behind the dementia-women connection is still evolving, but we could find the answer to this connection as long as we fund women’s health research through the NIH (National Institutes of Health). The terms “diverse”, “women”, “female”, and “minorities” need to be included in research studies because these representative terms lead to research that will prevent deaths in the future. 

This initiative has become deeply personal to me due to my own family’s experience with dementia, which I now work to address through advocacy. My “why” is because of a very strong woman, my great-grandmother Harriet. She passed away in a long-term care facility after refusing care for her dementia and breast cancer diagnoses. She was an incredible woman, mother, Polish immigrant, and friend. My family lacked the resources and awareness of what to do for her because she refused care. I was a child unable to help her, but now that I am older, I have turned my grief into purpose for families going through similar experiences. Today, I am an Alzheimer’s Association Legislative Advocate and Community Educator. I previously lacked the courage to advocate on behalf of the dementia cause because of my absence of confidence, I felt like my voice did not matter. Through the Miss America Opportunity, I have gained the skills and confidence needed to speak on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association and have since met with several legislatures, mayors of Indiana, and the Governor of Indiana, and I am planning on continuing my advocacy on Capitol Hill in June. A major pillar of From Heart to Head is legislative engagement; because using our voices together to make change is how we make tangible impacts in our dementia communities. 

Personally, being a woman in research, it is a core value of mine to be a scientific communicator and share objective facts. As an Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator, I educate at-risk communities by giving Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia presentations so the general public can understand dementia in a tangible light. I plan on giving another presentation in April, but I wanted to share a quick story of impact from a presentation I gave in November. After presenting, I sat in the audience to answer personal questions and a woman asked me for advice, “I am here today because I am caring for a friend’s mother with dementia. It’s only for a week but I’m scared I’m going to do something wrong, I’m not experienced with caregiving. What can I do?” Her emotions started showing through, so I held her hands to make her more comfortable, “Firstly, it shows that you care because you are here to learn and ask questions, so I already know you’ll do a good job. Secondly, in my experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant who has taken care of patients with dementia, the most important thing you can do is treat her as a human being.” Then, I proceeded to provide her with local resources, information about what a person with dementia may be going through, and the Alzheimer’s Association helpline number: 1(800)272-3900. 

I encourage you to visit FromHearttoHead.com to learn more about dementia prevention and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need support. Insta: @MissHeartMWIN or @FromHearttoHead.CSI. For business inquiries: FromHearttoHead@gmail.com.

------------------

Rachel Ramos is the current Miss Heart of the Midwest (IN). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Grow Your Garden

 By Isabella Williams

For as long as I can remember, my family has grown its own food. My gramma planted her first garden in her early twenties, just after having her first baby, just as her parents had done before her. She showed me that love of growing things, and now, I can’t imagine my life without a garden. It’s more than just fresh food—it’s a way of life, a way to bring people together, and a way to make sure no one goes hungry. 

Food was never just food in my house—it was connection. My dad, a trained chef, spent Sundays crafting meals from scratch, pulling ingredients straight from the backyard garden, the chicken coop, and even our neighbors’ meat freezers. I’d stand at the counter beside him, slicing mushrooms and peeling corn, learning the rhythm of cooking long before I understood its importance. One day, I slipped up and cut my thumb. He barely flinched—slapping a skull-shaped bandage over it and handed the knife back to me. Keep going, he said. And I did. And I keep going.

That same mindset has carried over into everything I do. No matter where I’ve lived or how much my life has changed, my garden has always found a way back to me. Every morning, I step outside, let out the chickens, gather fresh eggs, and walk the rows of vegetables, picking what we’ll eat that day. By the time I’m back inside, my sisters are awake, the house is alive, and the kitchen is the center of it all.

Over time, my dining table kept growing. What started as simple sibling dinners turned into something much bigger. Now, I tell my neighbors—if the dining room light is on, come on in, everyone is welcome! And each week, different people knock on our front door. I believe food should be shared, and no one should ever feel like they have to eat alone.

This isn’t just a passion—it’s a purpose. I believe that every child should know where their food comes from, every community should have access to fresh, healthy meals, and no one should ever have to wonder where their next plate is coming from. Whether through school programs, community gardens, or local food initiatives, I want to help people reconnect with the land, with each other, and with the simple, powerful act of sharing a meal, and sharing the knowledge of my garden.

As Miss Lake Champlain, and as I run for Miss Vermont, I carry these values with me. Because a thriving community starts at the table, and real change happens when we pull up a chair and make room for everyone. I look forward to seeing what grows at our table and in the garden this year. 

----------

Photo:
Jessielyn Palumbo

Isabella Williams is the current Miss Lake Champlain (Vermont). You can find her on her title's Instagram and/or her personal Instagram. She has been kind enough to write several guest blogs for Section 36 Forevers, which you can find here.

She is the author of several books, and the illustrator of the recent release The Fire Within You. 

To learn more about Isabella, feel free to check out her Interview with Section 36.