Sharing Safety with MSU Bulldogs!

What a fun day at the MSU (Mississippi State University) Lady Bulldogs game.  Not only was it a fun day because it was a MSU basketball game, but extra fun with 4-H'ers from across the state for 4-H Day with Lady Bulldogs.  It is still a little different for me getting the response I get from others as Mrs. Mississippi International as opposed to 4-H Agent.  I do have to say that I am so blessed that the kids I see as 4-H'ers and in the school have always been so sweet, and often have hugs and smiles when they see their 4-H Agent.  However, I am able to see and meet people I would not have met as 4-H Agent, and that is a blessing as well!

From pictures with babies to pictures with adults, I was able to meet a variety of wonderful people yesterday as I shared ATV Safety and prevention of head/brain injuries.  What is even more amazing is the stories many shared with me.  One lady told how important helmets are to her family no matter what they do- whether riding bikes or riding her dependable horse.  She was wearing her helmet when her long-time dependable horse stumbled and threw her off.  She landed on her head with her helmet crushing, and still suffered a concussion.  Without her helmet, she believes she would not be here, according to what her doctor told her.

As I visited with one father, he said that his son, now a young adult, still suffered with a brain injury from years ago.  He was hit by an automobile on while on an ATV.  He shared how difficult it is to find assisted living or assistance for those with brain injuries.  As I hear these stories, I am reminded of  how much we take for granted each day.

I enjoyed seeing the moms that with their children as they showed them that wearing helmets and being safe IS important!  I would ask them a few questions about wearing helmets, and if they rode on the streets.  The mom's face would light up, as I was reinforcing the same thing she had said to her child already...."See, this is how important it is.  She decided to do spend her time promoting this."  Oh, I love it when we mothers join forces!   And for those guys without their mom nearby and wanting an autograph, I made sure they got the safety info and lecture as well (with a smile and friendly warning that I did not want them riding without their helmets). 

It was truly a great day of seeing some familiar faces and friends, and making new connections with families across the state.  A special thank you to the MSU Event Staff who made my day go smoothly and to 4-H State President and her mom for helping me carry my display back to my car.  It was a pleasure meeting each of you!

My platform featured on MSU website

When I was interviewed, I didn't realize it would be featured on the MSU website Maroon MEMO!  Needless to say, I am thrilled that my platform of ATV Safety is featured.  We can never get the word out too much that SAFETY is key for preventing all types of  injuries.  I am thankful to be able to promote this in preventing accidents and brain injuries.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement!  You are helping spread the word, and for that I am appreciative.

Traci

Maroon MEMO: Employee News and Information

Week of January 30, 2012 Archive | Search

Traci Mongeon, Mrs. Mississippi and Choctaw County 4-H agent, will compete in the Mrs. International pageant in July. She promotes 4-H and ATV safety as her platform. PHOTO: Kat Lawrence | MSU Ag Communications

Mongeon promoting 4-H, ATV safety in pageant
4-H agent Traci Mongeon of Ackerman recently earned the title of Mrs. Mississippi International and will travel to Chicago in July to compete for the title of Mrs. International 2012. Juli Hughes, MSU Extension Service director in Choctaw County, said 4-H will benefit from Mongeon's promotion of the program.

Proud to be featured by Mississippi State University Ag Communications

4-H agent competes in international pageant

By Kaitlyn Byrne
MSU Ag Communications
MISSISSIPPI STATE – 4-H agent Traci Mongeon of Ackerman recently earned the title of Mrs. Mississippi International and will travel to Chicago in July to compete for the title of Mrs. International 2012.

Traci Mongeon, Mrs. Mississippi and Choctaw County 4-H agent, will compete in the Mrs. International pageant in July. She promotes 4-H and ATV safety as her platform. (Photo by Kat Lawrence)

Mongeon said she felt compelled to compete in the Mrs. Mississippi International pageant after learning that the Mrs. International pageant focuses on giving back to the community and helping others.
“After looking into it further, I learned the scoring system promotes physical fitness, which counts for 25 percent of a contestant’s score. The interview is worth 50 percent, and the evening gown competition counts for the last 25 percent of the score,” she said. “That was an appealing combination. I knew that I would be growing personally along the way to the national competition.”
Mongeon, a 42-year-old mother of two, said she does not usually compete in pageants, but she made an exception for the Mrs. Mississippi International pageant.
“I had only been in one pageant since high school,” she said. “I decided to do the pageant with my daughter since she had never been in one, and they had a married division. It turned out to be a great experience.”
An active volunteer, Mongeon is no stranger to giving back to her community. She started a multi-county Environmental Day and raised money for a local animal shelter and 4-H program through a Choctaw County 5K event. Now she is reaching a larger audience.
A Choctaw County 4-H agent for the past four years, Mongeon saw the pageant as an opportunity to promote 4-H and a cause she is passionate about: ATV safety. The winner of Mrs. International will spend a year promoting a charity and platform of her choice.
“As Mrs. Mississippi International, I plan to assist and speak at events concerning 4-H and ATV safety,” she said. “At the Mrs. International competition, I will be promoting 4-H.”
Juli Hughes, MSU Extension Service director in Choctaw County, said 4-H will benefit from Mongeon’s promotion of the program.
“Promoting 4-H will increase awareness of the program, the project areas it offers and its benefits. Youth are our future leaders, so we need to get them involved in 4-H to teach them leadership skills as well as life skills,” Hughes said. “Increasing the number of adult volunteers who use their skills to educate youth will also benefit the overall 4-H program.”
Mongeon said ATV safety is an important issue that warrants attention.
“When we, as 4-H agents and staff, hear of yet another terrible ATV accident, we know there are more people to reach with our educational programs,” she said. “I feel I speak for all 4-H families when I say we are glad to have the training and resources to be able to do just that.”
Hughes said Mongeon has been conducting ATV safety classes at Choctaw County public schools in an effort to bring awareness to the issue.
“Both youth and adults need to learn about ATV safety so they can operate an ATV responsibly,” Hughes said.
Regardless of the outcome of the Mrs. International pageant in July, Mongeon has an opportunity to raise awareness about 4-H and the importance of ATV safety during her time as Mrs. Mississippi International.
“It is an honor to represent Mississippi in this role,” said Mongeon. “Being Mrs. Mississippi International will allow me to share ATV safety with those I might not otherwise reach.”

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Released: Jan. 26, 2012
Contact: Traci Mongeon (662) 285-6337 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (662) 285-6337 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Grades 3rd-6th ATV Safety & Injury Prevention

 What a great three days I had presenting ATV Safety to the youth in grades 3 through 6!!  They were such a pleasure, and so honest when we talked about safety.  

 Let's help these smart kids make SAFE decisions by reinforcing safety.