My Green Maryland - 5 Facts About The Free State

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been working hard but smart and preparing for Miss Earth US next month! So thankful to the Almighty to have this honor of representing my beautiful Maryland at the national level. For today's "My Green Maryland," I'll be sharing interesting things about what else but my amazing Maryland. If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram you may already be aware of some of these because I've shared them before. If you're not following me, do so NOW and stay updated with my time of service as Miss Earth MD and all the preparations for nationals.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by Alex Smith
Click photo to enlarge

1. The National Aquarium is located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
2. Annapolis, Maryland's capital, is known as the sailing capital of the world.
3. Tilghman Island is home to the Skipjacks, the only commercial sailing fleet in North America.
4. Swallow Falls State Park near Oakland showcases Muddy Creek Falls. At 63 feet, it is the largest waterfall in Maryland.
5. Greenbelt was the first community in the United States built as a planned city. Greenbelt was an experiment in both the physical and social planning.

[BONUS]

• Maryland gave up some of its land to form our nation's capital, Washington, District of Columbia.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Credit:

50 States

My Green Maryland - 5 Facts About the Old Line State

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been working hard but smart and preparing for Miss Earth US next month! So thankful to the Almighty to have this honor of representing my beautiful Maryland at the national level. For today's "My Green Maryland," I'll be sharing interesting things about what else but my amazing state, Maryland. If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram you may already be aware of some of these because I've shared them before. If you're not following me, do so NOW and stay updated with my time of service as Miss Earth MD and all the preparations for nationals.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by Alex Smith
Click photo to enlarge

[1] Highest and Lowest Points

The highest point in Maryland is 3,360 feet above sea level on Backbone Mountain in Garrett County. The absolute lowest point in Maryland is a depression, often called Bloody Point Hole, 174 feet below sea level. The area is located approximately 1 mile west-southwest of the southern tip of Kent Island in Queen Anne's County.

[2] Maryland Forests

Maryland forests cover approximately 2.7 million acres, or 43% of the states land surface. Oak and hickory are the dominant hardwood or deciduous forest type, making up 60% of forested areas. Loblolly pine is the most prevalent softwood and is the predominant forest wood on the Eastern Shore.

[3] Garrett Park

The town of Garrett Park has been my home for the past 10 years. The town of Garrett Park declared the first nuclear free zone in the United States in 1982, thus affirming a tradition of peacefulness that began back in 1898 when it became illegal to harm any tree or songbird within the town limits.

[4] Maryland State Parks

Maryland has forty-seven operational State parks, including 7 parks with waterfront areas, covering 90,239 acres; 15 State-owned lakes and ponds open to public fishing; 9 State forests and portions of 15 State parks open to public hunting; 36 wildlife management areas, covering 88,348 acres, open to public hunting; 6 natural environment areas containing 7,676 acres.

MARYLAND
State dessert: Smith Island Cake
State beverage: Milk
State flower: Black-Eyed Susan

[5] Smith Island

Located in the Chesapeake Bay, Smith Island is Maryland's only inhabited off-shore island. Fun Fact: Smith Island Cake is Maryland's state dessert! Along with this cake, you can have a drink of nutritious milk (Maryland's state beverage).

[BONUS] We've Got Crabs!

Maryland is a prominent producer and processor of seafood and a national leader in the production of blue crabs and soft clams. Fun Fact: In 1989, blue crabs was designated as the state food of Maryland!

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Credit:

50 States

Miss Earth Maryland Attends Miss Culture Intercontinental 2015 Pageant

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks be to God! On June 13th, I attended the inaugural annual Miss Culture Intercontinental 2015 pageant held in our nation's capital, District of Columbia. This pageant is a Therapeutic Interventions Inc. Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Initiative. The hosts of the pageant were Sierra Leone's Kwame Fitzjohn and Ms. Welma Mashinini Redd from Liberia. This pageant is created for young African women living in the United States. Winner of this pageant goes on to compete at the Miss Intercontinental USA pageant this August, preliminary to the international Miss Intercontinental pageant later this year.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson and Ms. Fatmata Koroma (Director of Miss Culture Intercontinental)

Fatmata Koroma is the Director of the Miss Culture Intercontinental pageant. She is the Founder and CEO of Therapeutic Interventions Inc., a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC that provides communities with information on health, and strategies to enhance their quality of life. She is also Chair/co-Founder of Kushe’ Magazine.

Voice of America's David Buakei Vandy and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Pre-show host David Buakei Vandy, Singer Adele Clarice, and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Country Director of the Miss Intercontinental USA pageant Michael Lewis McBride and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

The chosen charity of this pageant is Melqosh Mission International, an organization that provides aid to marginalized children and orphans as a result of the former civil war and Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, West Africa. In preparation for the pageant, the ladies raised money for the cause and serve as goodwill ambassador for the organization. The ladies competed in introduction in African attire, swimwear, talent, and evening gown. There were also various musical performances from African nations and Jamaica.

Mr. Sully Hamid, Dr. John Sandy, and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson and designer of Konjo Models

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Africa USA finalist Ruhama Haile and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

As a reigning and visiting queen, I had the opportunity to crown some of the ladies along with Miss Africa USA finalist Ruhama Hayle. Fourth and third runner-up titles were awarded to Cameroon's Azeh Check and Agnes Atem, respectively. The second runner-up title was awarded to Ethiopia's Juliana Wolde, first runner-up was awarded to Sierra Leone's Miatta Mamie Sandy, and winner of Miss Culture Intercontinental 2015 is Sandra Lucy Asomugha from Nigeria. Other awards presented include: Miss Charity, Goodwill Ambassador, Director's Award, People's Choice, and Congeniality.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson Crowning Miss Culture Intercontinental People's Choice Winner Louisa Amokomayen from Central African Republic

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson Crowning Miss Culture Intercontinental Photogenic Winner Juliana Wolde from Ethiopia

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson Crowning Miss Culture Intercontinental Congeniality Winner Michelle Njehoya from Central African Republic

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson Crowning Miss Culture Intercontinental First Runner Up Miatta Sandy from Sierra Leone

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson Crowning Miss Culture Intercontinental First Runner Up Miatta Sandy from Sierra Leone

Miss Culture Intercontinental 2015 First Runner Up Miatta Sandy and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

There she is...our Miss Culture Intercontinental First Runner Up! I am so proud of this dynamic, beautiful lady. She represented our Sierra Leone boldly and beautifully at the event, and made me so proud to be a Sierra Leonean woman. She had me screaming throughout the night in support, and could care less if I was breaking some queen etiquette rules. I met this awesome lady a couple years ago and I'm proud to know her and call her a friend. Besides earning the first runner-up position, Miatta was crowned Goodwill Ambassador for the pageant's chosen charity and co-winner for platform presentation. Mimi is a phenomenal woman and I can not wait to see where the Lord takes her. She knows I forever love her, and by God's grace I'll be there to keep cheering her on in her future endeavors.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson and Miss Culture Intercontinental 2015 Sandra Lucy Asomugha

Click photo to enlarge

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson and Miss Culture Intercontinental 2015 Sandra Asomugha

Congratulations to all the other girls and newly crowned Miss Culture Intercontinental 2015 Sandra Lucy Asomugha! Congratulations to Fatmata Koroma and her team for producing a wonderful event in its premier year.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Winner at United States Earth Grand Pageants Goes To Miss United Continents

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

Hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy preparing for the Miss Earth United States pageant next month in Ontario, California, and feeling blessed throughout this journey. This blog is to help some of you that may not be aware of what the pageant entails, specifically the winners of the U.S. Earth Grand Pageants. All national semifinalists who meet the eligibility criteria will compete for: Miss Earth United States, Miss Grand United States, and Miss United Continents U.S. Although my title is Miss Earth Maryland, I am not only eligible to win the Miss Earth United States title but also the title of being the United States representative for the Miss Grand International pageant and Miss United Continents pageant. Now let's break these three pageants down and learn what makes them unique and great platforms for driven young women. I explained Miss Earth and Miss Grand International in previous blog posts. Now, let's talk Miss United Continent!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss United Continent, also known in Spanish as Miss Continentes Unidos, is an international pageant held annually. This annual pageant began in 2006 as Miss Continente Americano (Miss American Continent) and is based in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Up to 2012 the participants were restricted to the countries in America; in 2013 participants of world were invited; and the name changed to Miss Continentes Unidos. The current Miss United Continent is Geisha Montes De Oca from Dominican Republic. The reigning Miss United Continent US is Channelle Chacon from Texas; she won the Most Beautiful Face award at the international pageant. The United States has yet to win the Miss United Continent title; Maryland has yet to win the national title of Miss United Continent US.

Miss United Continents 2014 Geisha Montes de Oca of the Dominican Republic

Miss United Continents United States 2014 Channelle Chacon from Texas

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Winner at United States Earth Grand Pageants Goes To Miss Grand International

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

Hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy preparing for the Miss Earth United States pageant next month in Ontario, California, and feeling blessed throughout this journey. This blog is to help some of you that may not be aware of what the pageant entails, specifically the winners of the U.S. Earth Grand Pageants. All national semifinalists who meet the eligibility criteria will compete for: Miss Earth United States, Miss Grand United States, and Miss United Continents U.S. Although my title is Miss Earth Maryland, I am not only eligible to win the Miss Earth United States title but also the title of being the United States representative for the Miss Grand International pageant and Miss United Continents pageant. Now let's break these three pageants down and learn what makes them unique and great platforms for driven young women. I explained Miss Earth in a previous blog post. Now, let's talk Miss Grand International!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Grand International is an annual international pageant run by the Miss Grand International Organization searching for potential woman to encourage and run the campaign 'Stop the War and Violence' to help acknowledge people to avoid the conflict, violence that may lead to War in any form. The competition takes place over a week in multiple events spread around Thailand; the first edition was in 2013. The Miss Grand International pageant is organized under the direction of Nawat Itsaragrisil and Yuphayao Teresa Chaivisut. The 2015 edition of the competition will take place at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok on October 25th with the participation of more than 80 women from around the world. The current Miss Grand International is Lees Garcia of Cuba. The reigning Miss Grand United States is Sara Platt from South Carolina. In the first edition of Miss Grand Int'l, Miss Grand US 2013 Blair Griffith from Pennsylvania was one of the Top semifinalists.

Miss Grand International 2014 Lees Garcia of Cuba

Miss Grand US 2014 Sara Platt and Miss Grand International 2013 Janelee Chaparro of Puerto Rico

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Winner at United States Earth Grand Pageants Goes To Miss Earth

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

Hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy preparing for the Miss Earth United States pageant next month in Ontario, California, and feeling blessed throughout this journey. This blog is to help some of you that may not be aware of what the pageant entails, specifically the winners of the U.S. Earth Grand Pageants. All national semifinalists who meet the eligibility criteria will compete for: Miss Earth United States, Miss Grand United States, and Miss United Continents U.S. Although my title is Miss Earth Maryland, I am not only eligible to win the Miss Earth United States title but also the title of being the United States representative for the Miss Grand International pageant and Miss United Continents pageant. Now let's break these three pageants down and learn what makes them unique and great platforms for driven young women. First, let's talk Miss Earth!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth is an annual international pageant promoting environmental awareness. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote specific projects and often address issues concerning the environment and other global issues through school tours, tree planting activities, street campaigns, coastal clean ups, speaking engagements, shopping mall tours, media guesting, environmental fair, storytelling programs, eco-fashion shows, and other environmental activities. Under the management of Carousel Productions based in the Philippines, the slogan of the pageant is "Beauties for a Cause." The Miss Earth winner is the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other environmental organizations. The Miss Earth Foundation works with the environmental departments and ministries of participating countries, various private sectors and corporations, as well as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF).

Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell from the Philippines

Representing the four elements, winners at Miss Earth are awarded the titles of Miss Earth, Miss Earth Air, Miss Earth Water, and Miss Earth Fire. The current Miss Earth is Jamie Herrell of the Philippines. Traditionally, Miss Earth lives in Manila during her reign. The reigning Miss Earth Air is Andrea Neu of the United States (from Colorado); she's been the highest placement for the United States since the start of the pageant in 2001. The United States has yet to win the Miss Earth title, and the state of Maryland has yet to get its first Miss Earth United States title. I'm trusting God and doing my best to change both of those facts this year. 2015 commemorates the 10-year (tin/aluminum) anniversary of the US Earth Pageant Productions creating the Miss Earth United States pageant. The Miss Earth pageant commemorates its Crystal Year (15) and this year's edition will be held in Austria, Europe.

Andrea Neu, Miss Earth United States and Miss Earth Air 2014

Fun fact: the gemstone for 15th anniversary is ruby. The gemstone for 10th anniversary is diamond. My name is Ruby, and I worked at a diamond mine two years ago. As a mining engineer, I love connections like these! Also, I'm a Virgo, which is an earth sign!

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

My Green Maryland - 5 Reasons To Recycle

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing great, thanks be to God! I'll be sharing tips and tidbits on how we can practice sustainability in our everyday life and be environmentally-responsible with my series called "My Green Maryland." For today, I'll be sharing five reasons why it is important to recycle and make this part of our lifestyle. The average American generates 4.4 pounds of trash per day, adding to the grand total of about 251 million tons of trash the United States accumulates per year. American communities recycled and composted nearly 35% of municipal solid waste in 2012, diverting 87 million tons to recovery according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

[1] Conserves Natural Resources

Recycling conserves natural resources such as trees, water and minerals, preserving the environment for future generations.

[2] Reduces Landfills

Recycling reduces the need for landfills and incinerators because when materials are recycled, less waste is sent to disposal facilities.

[3] Prevents Pollution

Recycling prevents pollution and reduces greenhouse gas emissions caused by the extracting and processing of raw materials.

[4] Saves Energy

Recycling saves energy by eliminating the need to extract and process raw materials.

[5] Creates Jobs

Recycling helps create new jobs in the United States for both the recycling industry and manufacturing.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Source: 

I Want To Be Recycled

My Green Maryland - 5 Things To Know About Waste Diversion in Maryland

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks to the Almighty. I'll be sharing tips and tidbits on how we can practice sustainability in our everyday life and be environmentally-responsible with my series called "My Green Maryland." For today, I'll be sharing some information about waste diversion in our beautiful state of Maryland. 

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

[1] Waste Diversion Goals of MDE

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) promotes and encourages waste diversion across the State of Maryland. Waste diversion combines both recycling and source reduction activities.

[2] MRA Goals

The Maryland Recycling Act (MRA) requires all Counties and Baltimore City to recycle 15% (populations under 150,000) or 20% (populations over 150,000) of the waste generated.

[3] Task of State Government

State government is required to recycle 20% of their solid waste. These rates increase to 20% or 35% for counties by December 31, 2015.

[4] Waste Management

 Maryland established a voluntary waste diversion goal of 60%, and a voluntary recycling rate of 55% by 2020. The waste diversion goal is comprised of the recycling rate plus source reduction credits (maximum 5%) that Maryland Counties and Baltimore City earn through activities designed to reduce the amount of waste going to the waste stream.

[5] Collaboration With MDE

MDE works toward Maryland's waste diversion goals by partnering with Maryland's jurisdictions and the public and private sectors to develop markets for recyclable materials and by working with other State agencies to increase the volume of materials diverted from landfills.

[BONUS] Waste Management Pyramid

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Source: 

Maryland Department of the Environment

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 School Tour: Parkland Magnet MS (Mission Planet Earth)

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing amazing, all thanks to the Almighty! Yesterday, I continued my Miss Earth Maryland School Tour presenting my Beauties for a Cause project, “Mining Rocks: Importance of Mining in Our Everyday Life.” This platform provides kindergarten through grade 12-level children mining education lessons and activities, and to inform and educate the general public about the importance of mining in their everyday lives. My next school stop was Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Technology in Rockville, my former school. I am forever a Proud Parkland Panther!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Mrs. Donna Blaney (Parkland Magnet Coordinator) and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Yesterday, I returned to my first school in the United States, Parkland Magnet Middle School. This school is near and dear to my heart because it is where I got my "welcome to America" experience and started my American academic journey. It was great seeing my old teacher and the changes the school has gone through. I presented to Mrs. Vincent's 6th grade Mission Planet Earth class. This group of students were very interactive and asked lots of awesome questions about mining and college. I know they still have a long way to go, but hopefully I've inspired one of them to study mining in college (specifically Virginia Tech). I believe in recruiting them young :)

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson with Parkland Magnet MS 6th grade Mission Planet Earth students

Dr. Benjamin OuYang (Parkland Magnet MS Principal), Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson, and Mrs. Ben-Ami (Parkland Magnet MS English teacher)

It was so great seeing Mrs. Ben-Ami during my visit because she was the only teacher that didn't penalize me for spelling color and labor with a "u" and understood why I pronounced "z" differently when I had just come from Sierra Leone. Coming to America I wrote and pronounced words in British English and that was my biggest struggle in school. She was my eighth grade English teacher. She was patient with me and helped me understand the differences between American and British English.

....but after, let's take a selfie!
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson with Parkland Magnet Middle School students

Parkland Panthers!!!
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson with Parkland Magnet Middle School students

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE