Mr. Rocky!

Mr. Rocky, Josh Hasquet, Me, and Mr. Rocky Jr., Kevin Belnap

In the fall, I got to crown the winners of my high school's Mr. Rocky Pageant. Last year, I created and founded the Mr. Rocky Pageant, and also got to be one of two co-directors. I am so excited to have seen the pageant become a fun school tradition and I cannot wait to see where the program leads in years to come!

Local Pageants!

Over the course of my reign, I have had the fabulous opportunity to see some local pageants. The new local titleholders are all remarkable young women and I cannot wait to see them compete in June at Miss Idaho! The Miss Idaho/Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen Pageant will be held June 10-12, 2010 at the Morrison Center. There are so many awesome young women competing for both titles and I hope many people come and cheer them on!

Miss Ada County 2010, Rylee McClellan and I

Miss Meridian 2010, Genevieve Nutting and I

Miss Western Idaho, Jessica Richardson and I

Miss West River Valley 2010, Carly Campo and I

Party!

On the arrival day, after our Tony Bowls shots, we got to go to video recording. Funny story...So I wore a green shirt, but I did not know that they were using a green screen. They told me that I could not wear a green shirt because I would be this floating head on screen. It was then that I began looking frantically for another shirt to wear. However, Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen, Laura Lee Lewis, was in the same boat. She had a darling blue shirt to wear and she let me borrow it too. Laura Lee became of one my best friends during pageant week!

Later that night, we had this huge dinner and party. Our DJ was from MTV and boy, did we have one sweet dance party! That night, I had to say goodbye to my mother and was handed over to the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Program. I made sure to call her every single night. I love my mom, she's the best! I also got to meet my roomie for the week. She was New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen, Katrina Rossi. She is absolutely incredible and I love being around her! I could not have asked for a better roomate. All in all, the party was fabulous start to such an exciting week!

Miss Florida's OT, Miss Massachusetts' OT, Miss Virgin Island's OT, and Me!

My roomie for the week, Katrina Rossi, New Hampshire's OT. She also became one of my best friends over pageant week.

Tony Bowls Photo Shoot

Today Carley had the opportunity to have a photo shoot with Tony Bowls for his new line. Here are some of the photo's her mom snapped today! 

Off to the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant!!

It's here!! This summer has passed by so quickly! I have been preparing and working for this moment and now it is here! I am so excited and have full confidence in my ability to do my best and represent Idaho to the highest degree. I am leaving for Orlando, Florida on Thursday, August 6, 2009. My mother is coming with me. This will be our second flight. We actually went to Orlando on our first flight. I have this white monstrosity of a dress that takes up a suitcase of it's own, so we get to carry it on the plane instead. (Hopefully the person sitting next to us won't mind!)
On August 7, 2009, I check in, attend orientation, and get to do a photo shoot with TONY BOWLS! (Yay!!) On Saturday, all of the contestants will get to be a part of the Medieval Times dinner show. Medieval Times is this incredible restaurant in Florida that has a jousting show, sword fights, and a love story. I also get to eat with my hands. Yes folks, no utensils here! The next day, Savvy Magazine is sponsoring a red carpet event at Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. I am wearing a pair of skinny jeans and some fabulous shoes. These shoes are about four inches high and are rhinestoned up the heel. Yes, they are awesome. On Monday, the contestants and I get to watch the Teen Choice Awards. Each of the contestants got to ask their favorite nominee a question. I simply adore Amy Adams so I asked her. My question is "When are you the happiest?" These are only some of the really fun things I get to do. I am going to have the time of my life. It's going to be a blast!!

P.S. Something really cool happened two days ago. I was asked to become a member of the state of Idaho's PTA (Parent Teacher Association). This would mean that I would literally (no pun intended) be able to promote my "Read With Me" program everywhere in the state of Idaho. I would be able to speak at the State PTA Convention and be able to get in schools all over the state of Idaho. I may even get to be a "Mystery Reader" at various schools during their reading weeks. So, now, not only is Idaho promoting my platform among government officials and school superintendents, but the PTA will be promoting it among parents, teachers, and most importantly, students. In my vast amount of appearances that I will have, I will not only be able to promote my platform, but the extraordinary Miss America's Outstanding Teen Program. HOW COOL IS THAT?!

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!