by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
Posing for pictures with families, paparazzi cameras flashing, unexpected autograph signing; taking a walk through Downtown with Shenette Howard might make you feel like you’re hanging out with an “American Idol” performer.
Howard is Miss Florida International 2006. To a pageant winner, the scenario of fans flocking is very familiar. However, Howard is also an abstinence educator at Project SOS, a youth education non-profit organization for Northeast Florida. As often as she can be seen greeting fans, tiara in place, she can be seen doing things like presenting healthy-living themed puppet shows for students in area schools.
Howard’s career with Project SOS started two years before she won the title of Miss Florida International. She had just graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business management when her friend called with some interesting news.
“He had a dream that I was working at (Project) SOS,” said Howard who was later contacted by another friend who informed her Project SOS was appearing for a workshop at the school she worked at, The Potter’s House.
Howard went to the school in hopes of finding out more about the organization and whether it was something she could get involved in. When she got there, she immediately recognized a few of the people that worked for SOS and decided to get involved.
“I would say it was a divine connection,” said Howard said.
According to Dr. Pamela Mullarkey, founder of Project SOS, Howard was made for the organization.
“Shenette is an awesome role model for females,” said Mullarkey. “She’s abstinent from sex, drugs, alcohol and other negative behaviors. She’s an awesome speaker and has a huge heart to help change her youth culture for the better.”
Howard says she also has a passion for the performing arts. She was granted a full performing arts scholarship to study dance at Florida Community College at Jacksonville.
This passion is evident in the work she does with SOS, and she describes herself as an “edutainer,” — someone who educates using entertaining methods of communication.
Some of the other positions that Howard has held within Project SOS include program presenter – one who goes into local schools every two weeks and mentors students – as well as interim lead teacher.
“I always knew that there was a reason that I talked too much,” said Howard. “It wasn’t until I found out about SOS that I realized that this is what I was created to do.”
Recently, she was added to the list of outstanding spokespeople for the Illinois-based Project Reality Speakers Bureau after speaking at the 2006 National Abstinence Clearinghouse conference in Kansas City, Mo., for an international audience of youth, parents, and abstinence advocates.
As a dance choreographer, she has participated in intensive dance programs at the University of Florida and the University of South Florida. She has opened for gospel acts such as CeCe Winans and Israel Houghton. She recently completed a tour in Spain and is currently the assistant dance choreographer for the Potter’s House Dance Ministry in Jacksonville.
In July, as a competitor in the Miss International pageant, Howard was named Miss Congeniality and placed in the top 10. Although she did not win the title of Miss International, Howard continues her work urging parents and teenagers to act on the importance of “abstinence accountability.”
“As Miss Florida, I was always told that I will be able to use this title forever,” said Howard. “I hope the title will continue to open doors for me and help me spread my message and fulfill my calling.”
Currently, Howard is waiting to find out if she will become a full-time employee at Project SOS. She has a goal of owning a performing arts center to provide youths a positive outlet to artistically express themselves.
“When kids have extraciricular activities, it just keeps them away from the drama,” said Howard. “If I open a center, as a manager I will definitely stress abstinence from destructive behavior overall.”