NEMSA Waterbury CT Member Michael West is a very proud father. West, a long time shop steward and union supporter was instrumental in bringing NEMSA to Waterbury CT and has a long history in EMS. However nothing compares to the pride he feels as his daughter, Logan West; who has been crowned Miss Teen USA 2012!
Logan West is a senior in high school and has both academic and career ambitions. She wll attend Fordham University in New York and work to achieve a degree in Dance. She desires to travel with the presitgious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She also has a passion for law and hopes to earn a law degree to serve as a lawyer and advocate for Children in divorce and family custody matters. Logan loves to dance, cook, and is an avid reader. She collects anything related to Turtles as a hobby and describes herself as articulate, honest, and dedicated.
An Anti-Bullying Advocate
Logan created an anti-bullying program and travels to schools teaching and talking about bullying. Logan also has a website dedicated to combating bullying. In a May 2012 interview on "The Stan Simpson Show," the Southington, Conn., teenager recalled the bullying she suffered at the hands of peers who said the light-skinned 7th-grader didn't "act her skin color."
West tried to ignore the bullies. Then she reported them to the school, only to be called a "snitch" as the tormenting intensified.
The situation boiled over a few months later when West finally fought back in a lunchtime incident that ended in suspensions for both West and one of the bullies. While suspended, West created her own anti-bullying initiative, Bully Proof, a five-step program that aims to empower student leaders to help prevent bullying. In response to the efforts of West and other anti-bullying advocates, Connecticut Governor Malloy signed a new law that strengthened the states anti-bullying statues. Logan West was named Connecticut Outstanding Teen of 2010 as a result of her work in protecting students from bullying.
Miss Teen USA Gives New Opportunity
“Being Miss Teen USA will give me the opportunity to educate students about bullying on a national level and share my story,” West said in a statement published by MSNBC. “It wasn’t always easy, but my parents made sure that I learned how to cope with it and ensure that I didn’t stay introverted."
"I lost who Logan was when I was being bullied, but I found that participating in pageants helped me find ‘her’ again as well as gain the confidence to be a role model and voice for others," the statement continued. "During my reign, I hope to share with teens the importance of being true to yourself.’’
NEMSA members congratulate Ms. West and her proud Father, NEMSA Member Michael West for such a great achievement. |
