The 2022 Miss Maine Young Teen Young American Woman of Service is taking on a new title of Standard Bearer for the tournament. Every year, patients are selected to represent each Shriners Children’s location as Standard Bearers at the Shriners Children's Open. In this role, Maddie will have an “inside the ropes” experience at a PGA TOUR event, helping to carry the scores of professional golfers competing in the tournament. The Open takes place October 9 – 15, 2023. “I was so honored to be asked to represent Shriners Children’s Boston at the Open,” Maddie said. “In my almost 15 years of life, I have never left the East Coast, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how it is on the other side of the country!”
This October is one Maddie will remember forever. There are two big events on the horizon: her first high school homecoming and a Standard Bearer experience. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent Shriners Children’s Boston in Las Vegas,” said Maddie. “I’m beyond excited! I’m going to be sharing this experience with my grandmother who I call Memere,” Maddie said. “Every time we see each other, it’s all we talk about! We're in the final stretch and I'm counting down the days.”
With a passion to bring an end to bullying, I am 14 year-old Maddie Thayer and have made it my mission to be kind and to spread kindness throughout schools and communities. I am grateful for the kindness I was given at Shriners, and am honored to serve as Patient Ambassador for Shriners Children's Boston.
BRAVE BEES is an organization that believes in GIVING, HELPING, & SPREAD KINDNESS.
"We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, some higher purpose. The illumination of a thousand POINTS OF LIGHT ... WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE. "
— PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FOUNDER OF POINTS OF LIGHT