Why is your name "Miss Awesomeness?"

Obviously because I’m awesome. The End. No just kidding.

This is the story of the evolution from normal me Karen, to having a character called “Miss Awesomeness”.

I’m writing this up in detail partially because people tend to be curious about the name’s origin, and partially so I can address the suspicions of extreme insecurity and/or narcissism that come along with a name like “Miss Awesomeness”, as it’s been pointed out to me.

I was working with a kindergartener (who has requested the name of “Rex” for this story) who could never remember my name. Rex enjoyed working with me and knew me well! Week after week he didn’t know my name and it drove me crazy. Finally I teasingly whispered to Rex that my name was actually “Miss Awesomeness” and then forgot about it. The next week, as always, I asked him my name, hoping for Miss Karen. Shockingly, he remembered “Miss Awesomeness”. We all thought it was hysterical.

Now, the hilariously unexpected part: the name began to spread. If that was the only name that he knew, the teachers/parents had to call me that because otherwise he would stare blankly. It turned out many of my littlest kids could remember that name better than my real one. And it meant other kids heard reference to a “Miss Awesomeness” and were intrigued. And kids went home and told their parents they got to see Miss Awesomeness.

It was as if I were a character, like Cinderella or something. It also helped that I also have always worn glittery eyeliner and glittery hair tinsel, and typically had some fun toys or things with me, so I was somewhat of a kid magnet anyway. I loooove when a child with autism will look me in the eyes to better see my glitter eyeliner, or when I walk out onto the playground to retrieve a kid and their eyes widen at the sun on my glittering hair. Yes, I have the fashion sense of a four year old. I would totally wear a tutu if I could get away with it. I can’t. But I have to work with kids forever, for how else can I rationalize constant glitter and toy buying?

I was working at four schools and the two I was at the most were the ones that had the character name spread. I didn’t go out of my way to teach a kid my name as Miss Awesomeness unless it was with a child who has trouble with memory or motivation or I knew would be amused. It was more just another tool I could pull out if it helped.

It’s gotten to the point that most of the kindergarteners at one of my schools know me only as Miss Awesomeness. I only know about five of the hundred? or so of them, but most of them seem to know me. For some, it’s a casual acceptance (I walk past and they say Hi, Miss Awesomeness), and for others it’s an exciting moment, a spotting, a multiple exclamation point kind of encounter.

I’ve found out in various ways that quite a few kids, who are not on my caseload, talk at home about Miss Awesomeness. I’m still not sure what they could talk about since it’s not like I dance with dragon puppets on tables or anything. Although hmmm, note to self, good idea….ahahaah. It’s the name/character that appeals to them.

I’ve written this story up before I think, but maybe not to this level of detail. A legal mentor just told me that he worries people will hear of a company called Miss Awesomeness and think I’m insecure or narcissistic, and that makes sense. He recommended I rename my company and just have Miss Awesomeness be a character, kind of like Ronald McDonald but hopefully not as creepy.

The thing is, I know when I see a company with a bizarre name, I am amused and intrigued and more likely to use them. I do my best work with the type of people who see the humor in life and don’t take those kinds of things seriously. Luckily, there are plenty of those types of people!! I did seriously consider changing the company name, and got some great feedback for both.

However, as I kept having to call services support or do legal paperwork or whatever for starting the company, I realized how much silliness the name evoked. Most of the support staff laughed instantly. One lawyer kept a straight face when she asked me a clarifying question about trademarking, but as soon as I teasingly asked her if she had been shocked/laughed when she first saw the name, she began to giggle. It also gave me an opportunity to brief people on working with children with special needs. 🙂 Everyone needs to laugh, and it’s especially vibrant when it comes from an unexpected source. I am getting all sorts of business mail now, and every SINGLE FREAKING TIME I see Miss Awesomeness over my name, I laugh.

In conclusion, the name began as a total joke but it spread because it worked – children remembered the name, and it made me/OT seem extra interesting, due to its neurolinguistic effect. I’m happy to admit that at times I suffer from insecurity but not excessively, that I am often not very awesome, and also want to note that anyone who regularly uses social media has at least a smidge (cough) of narcissistic tendencies, so that includes me. But overall, the name is about silliness. 🙂 And so is the company. So. It stays!! 🙂