Tom Luna

Superintendent Tom Luna and me

On July 15, 2009, I had the wonderful oppotunity to meet with the Superintendent of Education in Idaho, Tom Luna. I was able to introduce and speak about my program "Read With Me" with him. "Read With Me" is a program that I created last year. In it, high school students go to a nearby elementary school and read with the students. Superintendent Luna loved the program, calling it a "natural fit". He was very intrigued and impressed with "Read With Me". As a result of this interview, I recieved his wholehearted endorsement of my "Read With Me" program. He also stated that after I get back from the Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant, I needed to meet with his reading assistant. She would help me draft it so it could be presented to government officials, school superintendents, and other influential people in Idaho. In addition, my "Read With Me" program gets to be in an education newsletter that is distributed everywhere in Idaho. My program is officially endorsed by the state of Idaho. So, in essence, not only will I be promoting my program, but the state of Idaho will be promoting my program. YES!! With these new and incredible developments, I am so excited to see where this program goes!

P.S. When you are visiting a government offical, they do their homework. Mr. Luna knew everything about me before I arrived.

Special Olympics

Kylie Kofoed, Me, Kara Jackson, and Alli Lance at the Special Olympics

Many of the Miss Idaho contestants and I were invited to attend and perform at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Idaho Special Olympics. What a remarkable experience! The opening ceremonies were at the Hawks Stadium. At the opening ceremonies, Kylie, Kara, Alli, and I got to welcome the athletes as they walked around the baseball diamond. We were giving them high-fives, hugs, wishing them good luck, and telling them to have fun. And we got high-fives, hugs, and even kisses in return! When I saw the athletes walking into the stadium, I started to get a little teary. The Special Olympians are some of the most inspiring people that I have ever met. There is a spirit there unlike any other. Where everyone is loved simply for who they are and for trying to do their best. I love to be at the Special Olympics. The program and those who are involved in it are simply awe-inspiring.

Okay, so funny story...when Kara was performing her piece, her mic wasn't working. So, everyone in the stadium is looking at each other wondering what is going on. After she was done, Kara got to give an encore with a working mic and at the end, recieved a overwhelming applause. After the opening ceremonies were over, the four of us that were there took pictures with many of the athletes.

The next day, Genevive Nutting, Laura Nattress, Kylie Kofoed, and I attended the closing ceremonies of the Special Olympics. All four of us performed that night. The closing ceremonies actually started a half-hour late because the tech staff couldn't get Genevive's piano into the gym at Timberline High School. The tech staff ended up taking one of the gym doors apart to get the piano in. After the closing ceremonies were over, there was a dance held, which the four of us eagerly joined. It was such grand fun and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Special Olympics. Thank you!

Sun Valley

During the weeks after I was crowned Miss Idaho's Outstanding Teen 2009, I recieved the opportunity to travel to Sun Valley, Idaho with Miss Idaho, Kara Jackson. I am an Idaho native and I have never been to Sun Valley before, so I was really excited. (For those of you who are reading this who are not familiar with Sun Valley, it is the home of the nation's first ski resort.) Kara and I were going to speak to some young women about goal setting, confidence, being yourself, our pageant experiences, and our preparation for our national pageants. Kara and I had been instructed to go to the Wood River Valley YMCA. What we found was a mansion that happened to have a climbing wall, pool, and gym. It was unlike any YMCA that I had ever seen. It even had a fireplace and snackbars! The place was absolutely stunning! We were escorted up to a room where we found four girls waiting anxiously for our arrival. They were so excited to see us. The director Suzanne, introduced us to all of the girls. Two of them were competative figure skaters, one played softball, and the other one was quite the artist.

Kara and I with the girls!

Kara and I sat at a table with the girls and a discussion ensued. The girls asked us many questions. One of their first questions was "Are pageants really like Miss Congeniality?" Kara and I proceeded to explain that the young women who are involved in the Miss America/Miss America's Outstanding Teen programs are very kind, genuine, intelligent, friendly, and outgoing. We also were able to talk about the Miss America/Miss America's Outstandng Teen organizations and the pageants themselves. It was at this point that we were asked to perform our talents. After our performances, we continued speaking to the girls about goal setting, confidence, being yourself, and general advice for the future in a type of question/answer discussion. After that, we all went to do a photo shoot. Kara and I taught the girls how to stand and different poses that they could make. We were in this beautiful park. The cotton was even falling so gracefully. It was like snow in the summer. I can truly say that it was picture perfect. The girls all looked so beautiful. Hollie Smart, the photographer, was stellar. The photos turned out simply lovely. Hollie Smart even took pictures of Kara and I! Here is the link to check some of the pictures out: http://gallery.me.com/tmsmart/100459. On our way back to the YMCA, some skate boarders asked us to sign their helmets. I even signed the bottom of a skateboard! How awesome is that!

Kara and I signing a skate boarder's helmet

Kara and I had a fabulous time. We felt like we really connected with the girls. There was such a spirit around them and we were so blessed to be able to speak with them. I know that we have influenced them in a positive way. To me, being around little girls and being an example to them is one of the greatest feelings of all time. Thank you YMCA!

Meridian Dairy Days Parade

Miss Idaho Kara Jackson and me at the Dairy Days Parade

In my hometown of Meridian, Idaho, there is an annual celebration called the Dairy Days. It is a way to celebrate Meridian's dairy origins. A lot of people attend the festivities, especially the parade. The Dairy Days Parade was Kara and my's first appearance as the newly crowned Miss Idaho and Miss Idaho's Outstanding Teen. We were part of the Starmedia Promotions "float". We were on top of a silver Corvette with red leather interior! It was so cool!!

Our sweet ride!

That day, it was rather nippy and rainy. In fact, it did rain. Luckily, Kara brought this gigantic pink and white striped golf umbrella. Our driver had brought a black one and a blanket for Kara and I. We were so thankful for that!

I had never been in a parade before this one, so I was really excited. It was so much fun to go through the streets of Meridian and wave to people. The little girls were darling! I could hear them shout out to Kara and I, "Look, it's a princess!!" If my foot could have popped, it would have. Kara and I would talk to everybody watching the parade. We would ask them how their day was going, if they were having fun, if they were too wet or cold, and other questions similar to that. Some people would tease us and do the "beauty queen/princess wave". It made me chuckle. I could not believe how many people were there! It was such an enjoyable experience. Thank you City of Meridian and Starmedia Promotions!

After being crowned!

With Kara Jackson, Miss Idaho 2009, just after we were both crowned!

So, on the night of June 13, 2009 at the Morrison Center in Boise, ID an anxious bunch of contestants and audience members awaited the crowning of the new Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen 2009 and the new Miss Idaho 2009. As the time for the announcement came, all of the Teen contestants walked onstage. Before winners were announced, the emcee's were going to award the Spirit Award and the Talent award. The Spirit Award was announced first. I can almost remember perfectly what Mr. Lincoln Graves, one of the emcees, said. "And the Spirit Award goes to Contestant #7, Carley Campbell!" I was so honored to be given that award. The Spirit Award is voted on by all of the teen contestants and given to someone who embodies the spirit of the Miss America Outstanding Teen program. Dani gave me some flowers, we posed for a picture, and then I returned to my spot on the stage. Mr. Graves continued, "And the Talent Award goes to Contestant #7, Carley Campbell!" Wow!! To me that was quite an accomplishment. But nothing could compare to the whirlwind of emotions that I would be feeling in just a few minutes. My life was about to change. Mr. Graves announced the runner-ups.

Fourth Runner-Up: Alexis Chandler

Third Runner-Up: Shalese Kofoed

Second Runner-Up: Ashtyin Wahlquist

First Runner-Up: Jacqueline Lee

And then, the time we had all been waiting for had come. "And the new Miss Idaho's Outstanding Teen 2009 is (Looooooooooooong pause), Contestant #7, Carley Campbell!" My hand flew to my mouth and I think I let out a little yelp of astonishment and joy. I was so shocked, in a good way. Then I did something I never thought that I would do, I started shaking and crying. Crying! Oh well, it was an event worthy of tears. Dani hugged me onstage, I was given my flowers, and Dani shouted, "Are you ready for this?!". She put the sash on me (which came undone because the velcro came off one side of it. I didn't notice.) and then the crown. I guess I must have been shaking a little too much because Dani kept telling me to hold still. I tried my best. And then I took my walk and was presented to the audience as Miss Idaho's Outstanding Teen 2009. I was walking across this gigantic stage, with the lights on me, in this gigantic hall, and recieving a standing ovation by all in attendence. The feeling was glorious beyond description. I don't think my mind even registered what had happened until I walked offstage. All of the contestants got in order and walked back onstage to see the crowning of Miss Idaho 2009. Kara Jackson won! Congratulations darlin'! The pageant was over. Kara and I took pictures with our parents, the judges, the runner-ups, with the previous title-holder, and each other.

With Dani Beckstrom MIOT 2008 right after being crowned!

After Kara and I were released, we went to the Red Lion Hotel for the after-party. It was wonderful. Brenda, the Executive Director of Miss Idaho, asked me to give a speech afterwards. In it I thanked everyone who had helped me on my way and shared with them my excitement for all the opportunities ahead and my determination to do my best representing the Miss Idaho/America Outstanding Teen program and the state of Idaho. Then it was just pictures and talking to a few people. I was so tired. My parents took me home. On the way home, I reflected over the experience that I had just had. The girls that I had competed with were all remarkable, wonderful young women, that will do very well in anything that they choose to do. They were all so much fun and we all came to be quite close. I love 'em all wish them the best of luck in all of their endeavors! I am so honored and humbled to be chosen as MIOT 2009. My emotions and gratitude are beyond description. I am very excited and know that this will be an unforgettable year, and I will have the time of my life!