Teen uses birthday to remind seniors they are not forgotten

Autumn Perez says she wants to use her special day to brighten the lives of others.

“I want to take my special date and make other people’s days special.”

Perez describes herself as an ambitious teen who enjoys life to the fullest.

She spends her time cheering, shopping, competing in pageants and hanging out with friends.

She also loves animals and says her family means everything to her.

“I cheer, I love to shop, I do pageants. I love getting fun drinks. I love hanging out with my friends. I love animals. I have two cats, Biggie and Cotton. I have a brother, I have two very loving parents, and I’m just a teenage girl that likes to have fun and be yourself.”

When Perez is not spending time with friends or family, she is often preparing for pageants.

She currently holds the title of Miss Knoxville’s Iris Teen and previously served as Miss Chattanooga’s Iris Teen. She is now preparing to compete at the state level.

“And I’m currently Miss Knoxville’s Iris teen, and last year I was Miss Chattanooga’s Iris teen, and I am preparing to go compete at Miss Iris Tennessee teen. So it’s like the state level to the local prelims. It is so much fun.”

For her 15th birthday, Perez is asking for letters instead of gifts.

Her platform focuses on Alzheimer’s awareness through a project called Remember Me.

She is collecting handwritten letters for Give a Letter to an Elder Day on February 26.

“So my platform is called Remember Me, advocating for Alzheimer’s awareness. I am collecting letters for Give a Letter to an Elder Day. It does not take much energy, and it does not take much time, but it has such a meaningful impact on reminding someone that they are not alone and they are not forgotten.”

Perez says her connection with residents at a senior living community inspired her to start the effort.

“She always made me feel like I mattered. She always inspired me, and I feel like that made me want to have that same effect on others. I want to give a little bit of good to the world with everything that’s going on right now. I want to be the one to put good in the world.”

She hopes the community will help her reach and exceed her goal of 300 letters, reminding people of all ages that they are valued.

“Sitting here today talking to you, I am trying to expand past that goal of 300 and get to at least maybe 500. I wanted to make others, not just seniors, but anyone feel remembered. I don’t think anyone deserves to feel forgotten, but specifically the generation that paved the way for us. I think it’s very special.”

You can join News 12 and Autumn Perez by writing a thoughtful letter to residents at Morning Pointe.

Letters can be dropped off at the following locations

Morning Pointe Senior Living Corporate Home Office
6020 Arbury Way
Ooltewah, Tennessee 37363
Monday through Friday from 8 30 a m to 5 00 p m

Barn Door Boutique
9470 Bradmore Lane number 104
Ooltewah, Tennessee 37363

Autumn’s Birthday Wish