“For every young girl who feels like an ugly
duckling and wishes she could become a swan,
there’s a delightful children’s book that
addresses the issue of difference with sensitivity,
humor and wisdom. Wacky Jacky: The True
Story of an Unlikely Beauty Queen is an
autobiographical tale based on author Jaclyn
Stapp’s experiences growing up.
Jaclyn Stapp was invited to read her children’s book “Wacky Jacky” at the first Miss Florida USA Little Sister event of the year. The Little Sister program is a non-competitive mentoring program that values esteem and empowerment amongst young women between the ages of five and twelve. South Florida pageant title holders of all ages met at The Hollywood Production Studios in Hollywood, FL to met and greet with Jaclyn Stapp, a former Mrs. Florida herself! Check out the pictures from the event.
Jaclyn Stapp was invited to read her children’s book “Wacky Jacky” at the first Miss Florida USA Little Sister event of the year. South Florida pageant title holders of all ages met at The Hollywood Production Studios in Hollywood, FL to met and greet with Jaclyn Stapp, a former Mrs. Florida herself! Check out this video from the day’s event!
Jaclyn Stapp was invited to the annual Bookshare event at Pine Crest Elementary School in Boca Raton. The students in the Pre-K through 1st grade classes were treated to a book reading of Wacky Jacky and photos! Children purchased their personalized signed copies before the event. It was a great event and a fantastic school to participate with!
Jaclyn Stapp will be attending the holiday lighting ceremony on December 3, a fundraising drive promoted by all the South Florida McDonald’s restaurants
BOCA RATON, FL – November 2011 – Jaclyn Stapp, accomplished philanthropist, spokesperson, model and children’s book author, was selected to be the first honorary chair of the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of South Florida. She is the founder of the national outreach program, CHARM (Children Are Magical), which empowers at-risk youth and champions for women’s rights. She is also the Executive Director of The Scott Stapp With Arms Wide Open Foundation, a global charity dedicated to help families in need, established by her husband, singer/songwriter, Scott Stapp.
The Ronald McDonald House Charity of South Florida provides resources for families with children undergoing medical treatment, whether that support is through providing housing so that families can stay near to their children, helping families to afford staying in another city while their child is undergoing treatment, or even helping children to receive basic dental and medical care in at-risk communities. A mother of three, Stapp knows the importance of being near to her children and providing them with the best possible care.
The countdown is under way for the lighting of the city’s 100-foot Christmas tree.
The On the Ave event will take place Dec. 1 at Old School Square, starting at 5 p.m., when children’s author Jaclyn Stapp will read “The Night Before Christmas,” as well as her new children’s book, “Wacky Jacky: the True Story of an Unlikely Beauty Queen.” There will also be a performance by Lizzie Sider, a 13-year-old country and pop singer, and appearances by music groups from local schools. Santa Claus will make his grand entrance at 7 p.m. on the CBS Sky 12 helicopter, and the tree will be lit at 7:15.
Literary Classics announced its 2011 selection of top books for children and young adults today. Award recipients were selected from entries received throughout the world. The Literary Classics selection committee is proud to recognize the following titles in children’s and young adult literature which exemplify the criteria set forth by the Literary Classics Awards committee.
A list of the 2011 award recipients follows:
Picture Book – Early Reader
Gold Award Recipient
Wacky Jacky: The True Story of An Unlikely Beauty Queen
Written by Jaclyn Stapp, illustrated by Kristine Lucco
Looking at her now, it’s hard to imagine Jaclyn Stapp being the object of teasing. The Jordanian American stunner has won more than 100 pageant titles, including Mss New York and Mrs. Florida. Growing up, Stapp’s lanky frame and unruly hair earned her the nickname “Wacky Jacky.” Everything changed when she entered her first pageant. While she didn’t win, the experience redefined her outlook. “I realized it’s okay to be different because that’s really what makes you special.” Now a Boca Raton mother of three, Stapp has written a children’s book, Wacky Jacky, and travels the world promoting the book’s message. – Liza Grant Smith
August 18, 2011|By Julie Levin, South Florida Parenting
Looking back on her school years, Jaclyn Stapp remembers they were not always kind years. The Boca Raton mother of three and wife of Grammy-winning artist Scott Stapp, former lead singer of the band Creed, can vividly remember being teased over her frizzy, black hair and thin legs. It didn’t help either that as the child of parents of Jordanian descent, she packed hummus and pita bread for lunch, not a traditional PB&J sandwich. Because she stood out, she paid a price.
“It was hard to not always fit it,” she recalls.
Those awkward school years behind her, Stapp now proudly stands out with a number of different roles.
“Wacky Jacky: The True Story of an Unlikely Beauty Queen” is a self-portrait of the author as a child, written for children to inspire those who encounter special treatment because of their differences. Jacky decides to try to enter a beauty contest even though she has crazy hair, skinny knees, and her ethnicity is exotic, she is Jordanian.
