Initiative gives these discarded crayons new purpose by remanufacturing them into ergonomically shaped crayons , providing them to hospitals at no cost . The Crayon Initiative sends free crayons to over 240 hospitals across the United States . Brighton recently sent off 100 pounds of used crayons to be recycled . She also picks up litter at parks , visits the residents at the Elkhart Oaks Care Center , fills the book rack and blessing boxes at the Firehouse Ice Cream and Coffee Cafe in Elkhart and the Blessing Box at St . Philip ’ s Episcopal Church in Palestine .
Getting ready to enter second grade , Brighton still loves art but has found a new love for math . This summer she began taking Cheer lessons . And her team just participated in the state tournament in T-ball . Brighton began participating in pageants as an infant , but really caught the bug in 2021 winning Petite Miss East Texas in Lufkin . These competitions all promote age appropriate , natural looks with contestants competing in categories that include casual wear , gown , fun fashion and interview . In 2021 , Brighton received several pageant titles , including 2021 Petite Miss East Texas , 2021 Petite Miss
Brighton Bedre said she was surprised when they announced she was the 2023 Miss Elementary America Second Grade . COURTESY PHOTO
24 SUMMER EDITION 2023