Closing out February

Well, the last 2 weeks have been super busy - just the way I like it!! Last Monday I had the pleasure of working with the amazing hair/make-up/photography team: Kristy Belcher and Joel Green! They are an amazing team, and I love my new pictures! Then, on the 19th, I met with the board members of Character Counts! Nashville to discuss ideas and plans to incorporate Character Counts! into more schools and community programs! Immediately following that meeting, I got on the road, and headed to Bentonville, Arkansas for the weekend! The 8 hour drive is long, but I picked up my best friend Ashley Cole on the way and we sang almost every song on the Glee soundtrack until we couldn't sing anymore! (you really do meet some of your very best friends in pageants) We had a blast singing on the Court of Honor for the Miss Heart of the Ozarks preliminary! We "Rocked the Crown" with some very talented Arkansas girls! We also judged the Princess and Little Miss pageants - and those winners will accompany the Miss and Teen Heart of the Ozarks winners to their state pageants. On Sunday afternoon, we went to a wedding shower for another pageant friend, Lindsey Chomiuk, who competed in AR and OK - isn't it amazing the true friendships that are made from competing in the Miss America system? It was a long and exhausting weekend, but SO MUCH FUN! On Tuesday, I had lunch with my good friend Kendall Schulz in Nashville, and we talked about her last minute preparations for the Miss TN Renaissance pageant - and last night, all her hard work paid off and she has a shiny new accessory to wear on her head now!! I'm so proud of her hard work and determination, and I'm so glad she is going to be at Miss TN with me!! I also spent some time in Chattanooga this weekend. On Friday, I went to Battleground Elementary and spoke to a group of 5th graders about working hard, studying hard, and how important it is to do well in school!! They all have a big writing test next week and I wish them all the best of luck!! Then, Friday night, I went to Falling Water Elementary in Soddy Daisy,TN where I was the "opening act" at the schools first talent show in almost 10 years!! The kids all worked really hard on their acts and were so sweet!! I even got a marriage proposal from a 5 year old wearing a super hero shirt! Then, Saturday morning, I got my nails done by the one and only Bobbie Nation, and then Rodney and I did a little shopping! I can't believe workshop is in 2 weeks!! I'm so excited to see all the girls I've competed with over the last few years, and to meet all the new girls!  Well, I think that pretty much closes out the month of February! Lots of exciting appearances and events coming up!! Check back soon for more pictures and updates!

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

 -Ella Fitzgerald

Playing Catch -Up

Since I was crowned Miss Scenic City in October of 2009, I have been pretty busy! I was so excited to be crowned by a former "sister queen", Chandler Lawson, who is one of the most beautiful and intelligent women I know - I will miss having her next to me back stage this year!! Then in November, I was honored to be asked to Emcee the Anerican Girl Fashion Show in Franklin, TN - which benefited the Special Olympics of TN. It was a blast! The sweet little girls were so much fun to be around all day, and the event was a huge success and raised a lot of money for Special Olympics! I have also had the opportunity to attend a few other prelims this year! I attended the first Miss Rhythm of Nashville pageant in Nashville where the talented Hannah Wade Powell was crowned, and I also got to spend a little time with Savannah Ivey, Miss Tennessee Teen Princess. Last weekend, I made a trip down to Lexington for the Miss Lexington/Miss Henderson County pageant, and saw two more beautiful girls get crowned!

Since October, I have also spent several weekends in Chattanooga with Rodney and Bobbie - also known as my "Glam squad" and the MOST AMAZING directors a girl could ever have! They both are doing their very best to make sure I look the part/talk the part/and walk the part of Miss TN come June! I don't know what I would do with out them!

I also don't know what I would do with out the amzing "No Excuses", Fitness Guru, Josh Rogers! I have been working out with Josh as much as possible to get in the best shape of my life - NO EXCUSES! :) Swimsuit has always been the hardest phase of competition for me, but not anymore! Josh is helping me stay on track and get physically fit by staying on a healthy eating plan and working out everyday! No more cupcakes and movie theater popcorn for me! But I've never had a cupcake that was worth not winning Miss TN - so I know I can do this!!

Over Christmas break, I had the chance to go to Kansas City and meet with my favorite music man, Bill Wolfe. He is so talented, and such a sweet man! I love spending time with him!! His tracks are amazing, and I can't wait to hear what he's doing with my new track for Miss TN! :)

Last week, I met with three wonderful people who are on the board for CHARACTER COUNTS! Nashville, and we are working together on a few new projects to reach out to more communities and schools! I can't wait to see what the next few months brings for this amazing organization!

I think that brings everyone up to speed on what I've been up to over the last few months!! More to come soon!!