In 2016, a program called “GEMS- Girls Empowered and Motivated to Serve” was born. I saw a need for positive female role models in our communities to influence, encourage, and inspire the youngest generation of leaders. As a contestant in the Miss America Organization, I aimed to create a community of strong, powerful girls who wish to make a difference. As I go on the road to host GEMS workshops and share a love for service with others, I decided to feature MORE amazing women who also dedicate their time and talents toward making their communities a better place.
In continuation of this blog series, meet Serena Larie, a former Miss Oshkosh and a young woman with a mission to G.I.V.E. back in any way she can.
Serena is currently a senior studying Communication and Radio-TV-Film at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Serena was also born and raised in Oshkosh, a place that means a lot to her family.
“My sister and I both held the title of Miss Oshkosh, so it’s a city very near and dear to our hearts.” Serena said.
Serena has always had a passion for people and assisting them in any way possible. One way she does this is by working with the Community Blood Center.
“I began donating blood when I was 17. The initial appeal was all the pizza and ice cream offered at our high school blood drives,” Serena admitted. “However, after my first donation, I fell in love with the fact that even though I was the one giving blood, I was gaining much more in return.”
Serena was determined to graduate high school as a “Gallon Grad,” which involved donating up to a gallon of blood before gradation. With eight weeks between a single donation, she raced to accomplish her goal, completing additional donations of platelets and plasma.
“I achieved my goal and proudly donned the Community Blood Center cords at graduation. It was in that moment, I vowed blood donation and my relationship with my supportive Community Blood family would not end there,” Serena said.
As a regular donor and advocate for blood donation and the Community Blood Center, Serena was asked to share her experiences and the story of her tiny inspiration, Mira, at a high school blood donation conference. At just nine months old, Mira was diagnosed with HLH, a disease that weakened her immune system by destroying blood cells, causing severe inflammation, organ and tissue damage, and an extremely low blood count.
“I was so moved by her story and the Erdmann family’s appreciation for all the donations that gave them a happy, healthy daughter. It was yet another reminder that I was pursuing my passion,” Serena said.
After speaking at the conference, Serena had the honor of being pictured next to Mira on the side of the Community Blood Bus.
From this point, Serena began seeking additional opportunities to promote the important message of getting involved and being an engaged citizen.
“I competed in the Miss Oshkosh Scholarship Pageant and was crowned Miss Oshkosh in 2016. I developed a platform called G.I.V.E, standing for “Get Involved Via Engagement,” to advocate during my year of service and beyond,” Serena said.
G.I.V.E. encourages people to actively engage in their communities and experience the value of doing so. Involvement contributes to the overall well-being of a community and plays a vital role in the health of individuals by giving them purpose, hope, and positivity through meaningful activity.
“Blood donation is one of the many ways I personally choose to give back to my community, but there are so many unique ways in which each individual can G.I.V.E. of him or herself,” Serena said.
Serena encourages youth, and young GEMS in particular, to practice kindness every day, help their families and communities, G.I.V.E, learn the value of serving others, and immerse themselves fully into their passions, interests, and goals.
“It is so fulfilling to see your personal contributions benefit others. Ask what you can do for someone. Be the change you want to see in the world. You have every opportunity to make a difference, so spread kindness, compassion, and love everywhere you go,” Serena said. “Never forget that we rise by lifting others.”
Serena is a beautiful example of what it means to (literally) dedicate your life to your community. Blood donation was something she tried once, and over the course of a few years, that simple decision to try something new has provided her with countless opportunities to spread her love for involvement to so many others.
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