Ahhh! I haven't wrote in so long! I have been so busy with school, college, applying to colleges, MMO appearances, dance class, work, Dr.Pepper and my fundraisers...the list seems to be endless! But, I love it nonetheless. I enjoy being busy, there's never a dull moment and I have met some of the most amazing people that support such wonderful programs each day. Also, I have met so many new friends that I plan to keep for a life time! Meeting all these people has been such a wonderful experience all on its own!
Anyways, I just wanted to catch up with all my adventures since I last wrote! I'll try to sum up the last three months as quickly as I possibly can!! =]
INTERNATIONAL PANCAKE DAY WITH IHOP
Nicole and I.
Rachel, Nicole and I talking to customers.
Nicole and I folding napkins! =p
The three of us[Miss West Michigan, Rachel; Miss Michigan, Nicole; and myself] met at the Lansing iHop to help out however we could and greet the customers that were coming in for International Pancake Day. As some of you may already know, the Miss America Organization(MAO)'s national platform is the Children's Miracle Network(CMN). On February 23, National Pancake Day, we teamed with iHop to raise money for CMN. Each customer was offered a free short stack of pancakes and was asked to donate to CMN once they were finished. It was, once again, an outstanding turnout! We were there for three hours and the entire time we were there, the lobby was completely packed with even more people waiting outside. It was absolutely crazy!
Orientation!
Rachelle, my roommate the week of Miss MI!!
All the title holders for both Miss MI &Outstanding Teen
Karaoke! "Don't Stop Believin'"
Rachel and I.
Wow...left Friday night with my mom to Muskegon. Miss Lighthouse pageant was that night. All of the first runner up's competed in this pageant, making it a lot of fun to watch! All the girls are so talented, each one of them deserved to win!! The winner at the end of the night was new Miss Lighthouse Coast Stephanie Frey. She did a great job. Her talent is Baton Twirling, and let me be the one to tell you...she is AMAZING at it!!!
The next day started sharply at 6am! My mom and I met Cheryl, my director for breakfast before we started the long day. Afterwards, we made our way to the ballroom with everyone else to start our meetings. The meeting went ALL day long. But luckily, it was extremely informative and I was able to learn everything that I hadn't already gotten from someone else. I also got to meet my role model, Miss Michigan 2007 and Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund! Ahh, I was so star-struck. =]
We also got to draw for out line up numbers at State. I am number 19 and in the Sigma group!!! That means I will be competing my evening wear and swimwear on Wednesday Preliminaries, with talent and on-stage question on Thursday! We were also told our roommates. I am rooming with Miss Washtenaw County, Rachelle Sweet. This was the first time I had met her, but she is awesome. We are going to have a great week in June!!!
Dr.Pepper/Snapple ACMA Talent Search
Jason and I. His son, Lars, received my 3rd ever Autograph..Such a little cutie!
John Hurst and I
All the judges
John and I again
During the 3 weeks I spent involved with this, I was devoted to Dr.Pepper and only Dr.Pepper. Haha, I had to miss work and college for 3 whole weeks! I even spent my 18th Birthday with them! But it was absolutely worth it. Since receiving my crown in August, I have grown up so much! I have learned to manage my time much more efficiently. I think I might be ready for college now! =] Anyways, my location branch was the Lake Lansing Walmart. Dr.Pepper/Snapple hosts a Singing Talent Search every year at different locations across Michigan and this year they asked the MMO to help out. The first two weeks was promoting Dr.Pepper/Snapple and letting everyone know about the talent search. I don't normally drink a lot of soda pop but I have NEVER drank so much pop in my entire than what I did those couple of weeks! Luckily it was the amazing tasting Dr.Pepper! ;] The final night of my events was the actual talent search. About 20 of the most talented singers from the Lansing area came out and performed. It was an American Idol style talent show. Myself, along with Aaron of Walmart and Kelly from Citadel Broadcasting were the judges. We had a lot of fun with it! They were all so talented and it was so hard to pick a winner. But Dylan won it! He was an amazing singer. He sang "International Harvester"...I couldn't help but sing along! His performance was amazing all in its own. He brought a whole crowd of fans along with him. Dylan will be competing at the finales on March 25th in Fenton along with the winners from the other locations. I think he has a pretty good shot! I will most likely be there to cheer him on. =]
