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Today we have a really special guest on our episode all the way from Texas and her name is Layla.
Layla, thanks for joining us today.
Would you like to tell us a little bit about yourself?
Yes, hi, my name is Layla.
I am your International United Miss Texas Junior Pre-teen.
I like to sing, dance, act. and I love to read.
I also love to just be myself and play around with other kids and my friends.
My dreams are to one day be a teacher or an actress.
Those are really great dreams.
Either one would be wonderful.
Do you have a favorite kind of dance that you do?
No, I just usually like to dance to different songs and move my body to a different beat that I like.
So good to do when you need to change your mood, you know what I mean?
What makes you, Layla, a good example to others?
I feel like when someone's not being kind, or when someone's not saying words that are kind, or someone's just being mean overall.
I just want to make sure that the other kid is okay.
I also want to tell the other kid to be kind and not be mean or rude.
I'm sure, when others see you advocating and stepping in in that way, that they're really glad, because sometimes it's hard to stand up for yourself.
Can you share an example about a time when you showed others how to do something by doing it yourself?
Well, I do videos every about Friday, and it's called Keeping It Teal.
And I talk about how, some ways that you could become friendships, or some ways you can show empathy or gratitude.
And I just use so many different ways and I educate other people. on whatever the topic is about.
And looking back, I don't think I would really change anything.
I feel like it's great that I'm doing that and I want to keep on doing it.
I think it is.
Since I've gotten to know you and your mom, I've started to tune into those.
And I love it because I think we are in such a time in our society right now where sometimes we all need that reminder to be more empathetic and compassionate.
I think in order to even do those things, it all starts with gratitude.
Who do you admire as a leader in your life and why?
And it can be more than one person if you have more than one.
I feel like my mom and my dad are really great role models to me.
I think that my dad's a great role model because he's really good at math and social studies and studying with me.
And I feel like that is something I can get better at.
I feel like my mom's a very helping person and someone who really supports me.
And I'm very thankful for that.
And I want to do that for other people.
You are a very fortunate girl like so many kids.
And as you grow older, you will realize how much more appreciative you are of everything that your parents do to support you.
It's really nice to have a built-in math partner, isn't it?
Yes.
Yeah.
I always went to my dad too when it came to math and things like that.
What inspired you to start your pageantry career and writing your book, which I'm so interested in hearing and learning more about?
I think I remember one day when I was four, I came to my mom and I told her that I wanted to do a pageantry.
And she didn't know what that was, but I did.
And I think it was because it was from a video that I watched.
And I saw someone in a really very pink dress beautiful dress and I wanted to do pageants, because I saw her doing a pageant and I really wanted to do it.
So I asked my mom if I could do it and she looked into it and eventually I got to do one.
Also, when I started my book, I was thinking of something that I could do to get out the word that I want to spread kindness, and I hope that other kids do.
And I didn't want to have the center of attention, but I still wanted to have some sort of attention.
But also I didn't want the kids who wouldn't listen to what I have to say to just be ignoring me.
So I decided to make a book about it, so that everyone who reads the book can really take something away from it after they read it.
So a book like that is such a gift because you're adding value to anyone and everyone who reads it and shares it with others, whether they're sharing the book or following the advice or examples that you give about being kind in your book.
And you are so young, young lady to be an author.
That's amazing.
Thank you.
Pageantry.
Let me ask you this.
The dresses are just gorgeous, aren't they?
Yes, they are amazing.
Did you find that it's really hard work once you got in, once you started?
Yes, I found that once I saw that you have to get coaches and it takes a bunch of months to prepare and you have to figure out which shoe size you are so you can get inside of your heels.
I just... see now that it really takes a lot of time.
And I'm really thankful for my mom being by my side and helping me through all those processes.
Yes, I think it's such a special way for you guys to spend time together.
And the reason why I bring that up is because sometimes I don't think the public or people realize how much is involved the preparation for interview or for talent as you're getting older.
You know, you're meeting new people, new judges all the time.
But it's a wonderful to do to help you grow and develop.
You know already that life is very, very busy.
What are some ways that we can handle the busyness so that we can stay true to ourselves?
I think that we shouldn't overwork ourselves.
And we definitely should not just be focused on all the work that we have to do and all the work that's coming ahead.
Because learning from has intrigued me.
I feel like don't look at the journey that's up ahead and all the things that you have to do in order to get to your destination.
Just look at where you are right now and look at where you are on the side of the road.
Because if you're driving on a road and you're looking at all the places that you have to be and you're not looking up ahead, then you may bump into something and then now you have a problem.
Very good advice.
I think i hear the word balance in there.
I think if we all learn how to balance all of the things and going back to what you were saying about being grateful just being grateful for the path that we're on, wherever it may take us that is a good way to stay true to ourselves.
Where can listeners find you and connect with you?
What my platform is really about and some things about me.
So that's really where you can connect with me or talk to me about something.
Or maybe you could go on my talk show and you can find me on Instagram.
What is next for you, Layla?
What's coming up for you in the next several months or so?
In July, I go to nationals because I won state.
I also have some summer camps and I'm just really excited to get school over and go in the time of the summer.
And that's going to be an amazing experience for you.
Where are they holding nationals this year?
This year they're holding nationals in Orlando, Florida.
Oh, you're going to have a wonderful experience.
I would like to say thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule on a school day, no less, and a Friday to talk with me.
Thank you very much.
Thank you for your time.
We have great picture books to highlight Layla's episode today.
And our very first picture book spotlight is The Buddy Bench, a children's book about kindness, friendship and inclusion, written by Layla LaRue Lewis herself and illustrated by QBN Studios.
We hope you love it as much as we do.
What if a friendship bench at recess could change a child's day? or even their life.
The Buddy Bench is a heartwarming children's picture book that teaches young readers the importance of kindness, friendship and inclusion.
Inspired by real-life buddy benches found on school playgrounds, this story helps children understand that Everyone deserves to be seen, valued and supported.
When a child sits on the buddy bench, it's a brave step toward connection and friendship.
Through gentle storytelling and relatable moments, children learn how small acts of kindness can make a big difference and how choosing to include others creates stronger, more compassionate communities.
Our next picture book spotlight is Be Kind, written by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Therese Plummer.
When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate wants to make her feel better, wondering what does it mean to be kind?
From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving story explores what kindness is and how any act, big or small, can make a difference or at least help a friend.
The Little Leaders Podcast is written, edited, and produced by me, Tina Shepardson.
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Keep reading and keep leading.
