Madi Franquiz, founder of Becoming 31, knows about adversity. Whether it be bullies, poverty, or abuse, she struggled greatly in her formative years. As a result of those struggles, Madi learned a toxic survival skill - success. She saw at an early age that personal success was a way out; being successful can bring you out of poverty, silence the bullies, and make your relationships “look” healthy. However, success cannot bring you passion or purpose! Madi so desperately wanted to be seen as successful that she found herself drawn to different activities and challenges that were never intended for her. Driven by unhealthy competition and a desire to win at all costs, she pursued a life to please others. That life ultimately left her feeling empty and unfulfilled. While filling out her medical school application at Starbucks, she came to the realization that most decisions she had made in life were to prove her worth to others. After struggling with insecurity, and in the midst of an identity crisis, she knew something had to change. She pulled out her receipt and flipped it over and wrote a simple prayer. In August of 2019, that prayer was answered. Her life was radically transformed and she discovered her purpose!
Did you know that 73% of young Texans self-report feeling hopeless and without purpose? Through her work internationally, Madi acknowledges that life is hard. Not everyone will struggle in the way she has struggled, but life will ultimately throw everyone hardship. One thing Madi knows for certain is that trials produce perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Character is the linchpin to both purpose and hope. Madi firmly believes when generations of young people commit to laying a foundation for better character, it will change the world. Madi created The Becoming 31 Foundation with this in mind. The Becoming 31 Foundation exists to see generations of children cultivate passion, discover purpose, and boldly step into calling. Through the Becoming Better Curriculum, character development programs, educational resources, and now scholarship opportunities, The Becoming 31 Foundation is equipping the next generation to become better.
The Board of the Becoming 31 Foundation has established the annual Miss Texas “Foundational Five Scholarship,” in recognition of the organization that radically transformed Madi’s life and allowed her to discover her purpose. The Foundational Five is the basis of the Becoming Better Curriculum. Traits like resilience, discipline, empathy, integrity, and versatility all help young people lay a foundation for better character. This scholarship will be awarded to the young woman who best embodies the Foundational Five traits and is using them to Become Better.
Please upload below your written application of not more than three pages and any other information you choose to include:
(a) Describe your passion and purpose. This should not be competition related but the vision that you have for your life outside of Miss America competition.
(b) Describe a time you had to be resilient.
(c) How do you practice discipline?
(d) What is empathy? Share about a time you used empathy to connect with someone who is different from you.
(e) What does it mean to live with integrity?
(f) Demonstrate how you are versatile. What are your unique gifts and abilities that make you special?
(g) Finally, how are you using all Five Foundational traits to Become Better.
(h) You may upload any documents that you would like to submit.
*** Since its creation, The Becoming 31 Foundation's educational resources have been implemented in school districts across Texas and in 13 US States. Currently, the Becoming 31 Foundation is working directly with 17 countries around the world to bring character development resources right to children of Texas. Becoming Better Resources are in schools and orphanages in India, schools in the Middle East, ministries in Mexico, and more.
If you would like to support the work of this foundation or the work of Becoming 31 Ministries please contact Outreach Coordinator, Chrissie Dunham at cdunham01@gmail.com.