Carli Maucher is 10 years old and the 2015 Missouri Pre-Teen Butterfly Dreams Queen. She represented her age division all year for this organization that provides events and pageants for individuals who are differently-abled.
Her reign has afforded her many spectacular opportunities this year. It has also solidified that she does belong in a world with her peers and that the only limits she has are those she places on herself. Down syndrome is not a challenge for Carli – Carli is Down syndrome’s challenge!
Carli has something that the rest of this world needs: pure, honest love, innocence and a giving, full heart. She continues to soar to new heights and thinks about helping others before taking anything for herself. In her own beautiful words: “Mommy, I LOVE having Down syndrome and I am happy”.
Carli decided to raise awareness of Down syndrome and to help others by starting her own small business. She began hand crafting butterfly rings out of pipe cleaners in a multitude of colors. She sells these rings for $3 at her school and to family, friends and even complete strangers. We have shipped rings to New York and California and everywhere in between. She even gave her favorite summer camp counselors a couple; her butterflies fly as far as Australia, Holland and Scotland.
Carli has used her year as Queen to create an amazing platform that has reached groups and individuals both near and far. In her 9 years of life, there have been too many individuals who have created opportunities and helped her to count. Now it was HER time to give back.
In her local community, Carli
- Appeared on Brennon Woods Elementary News several different times with her crown, sash and talked about Down syndrome and disabilities
- Partnered with a local Boy Scout group to purchase food for needy families
- Donated a portion of her ring sales to purchase a “Butterfly Bush” for the CEO of a local non-profit organization who had just lost her newborn grandson
- Formed life-long friendships with local law enforcement by making them rings, presenting flowers and food during some of their toughest times over the past year
- Serves on her school’s ethics and social responsibility team
- Educated her fellow school mates on disability character awareness
- Had the confidence to overcome her fear of water and swam with no aides in three days at camp over the summer
- Climbed a 30-foot Alpine Tower and repelled from the top at camp over the summer
- Zip-lined solo over a lake at camp this summer.
- Is the face of the Pujols Family Foundation’s reach-out campaign for the 2016/17 giving year
- Is the face of Sunnyhill’s Down syndrome Awareness month’s educational material
- Is the face of Happiness Now magazine
- In her surrounding community, she
Teamed with other Queens and presented the first-ever Butterfly Dreams patch to a local Girls Scout troop - Rang the Salvation Army bell a total of 32 hours in the St. Louis area.
- resented the Pujols Family Foundation, the very Foundation who had a primary role in her adoption and prayed over her during her times of need, with $300 cash from the proceeds of her ring sales to date
- Appeared in the St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade, St. Charles St. Patrick’s Day Parade, St. Louis VP Parade, the Pattonville High School Homecoming Parade, and the Lindenwood University Homecoming Parade
- Was honored by Jane Seymour in the Open Hearts Foundation contest, along with the entire Butterfly Dreams Organization
- Made an appearance at the Illinois Butterfly Dreams Pageant
- Sang on stage with Toby Keith at his St. Louis concert
- Represented the Butterfly Dreams Organization at the 2015 O’Night Divine Christmas celebration for the Pujols Family Foundation
- Threw out the first pitch at a Little Rascals baseball game over the summer
- Sang Take Me Out To The Ballgame at a Little Rascals baseball game this summer
- Represents the Butterfly Dreams Organization at fundraising events and awareness events
- Was honored at Branson’s Baldknobbers show for her contributions and success
The following is Carli’s personal mission statement that she wrote: “I will define who I am by my actions and words. I am differently-abled and will respect my friends and my crown the best I can. I will make good choices and learn from my bad choices. I will not limit myself and will not allow others to limit me.”
Carli is too young to have her own FB page, but you can see her Queen’s page on the Butterfly Dreams
Website: http://www.butterflydreams.org/our-team/carli-maucher-2015
Carli is a huge supporter of the Officers from the St Louis County Police Department in particular the Affton Precinct. She has came to our station with cards, a flower and food for us. She is always positive and has a big smile.
Jeff, you have been in her life since she was a baby. Your support, encouragement and friendship only solidifies her place in this world. Thank you to you and all of our Police Officer friends for keeping us safe and secure. You are always in our hearts and prayers. Love to you.