Making Miracles Happen

Last month, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Children's Miracle Network/KEZK Radiothon at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. This has been one of my favorite volunteer opportunities this year for so many reasons. As you know, Miss America has teamed up with CMN as its national platform, enabling contestants on the local, state, and national levels to fundraise as a co-requisite to compete. While many have criticized this requirement, I welcome it with open arms, and if everyone had the same opportunity as I did, I am confident that they would share my feelings.

I was joined by my Lacey, our director Gary, Lacey's dad, and my parents and sister, Jenna, who is Miss Kirksville 2008. We started off our afternoon answering phones and receiving donations for CMN, but a few hours into the day, we were presented with an even more exciting opportunity - the chance to visit with some of the pediatric patients in the hospital!! We played darts with Austin in physical therapy, and then had the opportunity to talk to and visit with multiple patients and their families, including 10 month old Destiny, 4 year old Emily, and 5 year old Madison and her sister Abby. A big thanks goes out to Angie from Glennon for her help in making our tour and visit happen! We had so much fun with the kids, and it meant so much to be able to give back to such an upstanding organization. Miss America contestants spend a lot of time and hard work raising money for CMN, but most of the what we do is behind the scenes. It means so much to be able to meet the families we work so hard for and it makes what we do a reality.

After our tour of the hospital, we met someone who has forever changed my life - 12 year old Josh, the face of CMN at Cardinal Glennon. Since he was four days old, Glennon has been a second home to Josh. At seven years old, Josh underwent a successful kidney transplant, which was even more special because his mom was the donor. Within minutes of meeting Josh, I realized how special he is. He has a charisma and love for life that is unmatched, and his personality is contagious to everyone he meets. I got to talk to both Josh and his mom about their history with Glennon and CMN, and what an instrumental role both have played in their lives. Josh told me about some of his fondest memories made possible by CMN, including throwing out the first pitch at a Cardinals game and meeting his favorite player and long-standing supporter of kidney disease research, David Eckstein. Josh entertained KEZK listeners as he was interviewed live at the Radiothon, and I don't think I've ever seen someone so excited as he was when he was presented with an acoustic guitar autographed by Jewel, a gift from CMN and KEZK. Josh is an aspiring rock star, you know, and I have no doubt that he'll become one someday. We ended the night by singing happy birthday preemie Aiden in the NICU celebrating his 8-week birthday, before Josh closed the Radiothon and was presented with the official check, totalling $340,424.00. I want to extend a big thanks to KEZK for hosting the annual Radiothon, and an even bigger thanks to St. Louis for their support!

On Saturday, I hosted the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association Winter Festival at Fulton High School in O'Fallon, Illinois. I had so much fun as MC - maybe a little too much fun! - and watching all the color guards and drumlines from across the Midwest. A big thanks to everyone who helped out with the Gateway Flower Sale Fundraiser and to my Gateway little sister, Sydnee for helping out with MCing.

Kindness in words creates confidence.

Kindness in thinking creates profundity.

Kindness in giving creates love.

--Lao-Tse

Out and About...

I have been so busy the last few weeks promoting my platform and preparing for Miss Missouri! On Friday, February 15, I spent the day at Fulton Junior High in O'Fallon, Illinois, speaking to 250 seventh- and eighth-grade students about eating disorders and the importance of self-respect and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I'd like to give a special thanks to Dave Fairchild and Lori Meier for helping set up this event, and for the students and faculty of Fulton Junior High for welcoming me and being so receptive to my message! I had a blast!

I spent the next weekend in New York with professional dancer and choreographer, and former Tap Dog, Anthony Russo. Anthony did a phenomenal job choreographing my tap dance for Miss Missouri! The combination of music and choreography are really going to stand out on the Miss Missouri stage, and I am so excited to perform! Big thanks to Anthony for his fabulous choreography and hospitality while I was in New York! Anthony is currently touring the West Coast directing and teaching for Tap the Map, the first tap convention road trip in America. To book Tap the Map/Tapademics for your studio, visit http://www.tapontour.com/.

Lacey came in from Kansas City on Thursday, February 28, and we spent the morning at Creative Expressions Learning Center visiting and playing with the pre-schoolers. We had a fantastic question and answer segment with the kids, lots of fun trying on our crowns, and plenty of arts and crafts. Thanks to Stef for setting up the appearance and to all the teachers for being so welcoming and helpful during our stay! I had so much fun!

That afternoon, we were guests of honor at Kirkwood Rotary. We enjoyed a delicious lunch, and then spoke about the Miss America Organization, Children's Miracle Network, our personal platforms, and what the Miss Missouri Organization has done for us. Afterward, we performed our talents: Lacey sang "Trouble" and I tapped to "Speaking in Tongues," the routine I performed at Miss Missouri last year. Thank you so much to Gina Moline for setting up this appearance and to the entire Kirkwood Rotary for your hospitality! I hope you all got to know a little bit more about the Miss America circuit and how beneficial the organization truly is.

This past Saturday morning, Lacey, Sydnee, and I participated in yet another mock interview at Hampton Inn & Suites in Chesterfield. Thanks to the hotel for letting us use the facilities, and to the panel of judges who volunteered their time and expertise to help us continue to refine our interviews. I'm feeling more and more prepared every day! I appreciate all of your continued help!

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind, and the upcoming weeks are even more packed with appearances and volunteer opportunities. I can't believe Miss Missouri is in just three months. I am so excited as it gets nearer, but I cannot believe how fast time has flown. I look forward to continuing to work hard to prepare and will keep you updated on my travels!

"Character is what emerges from all the little things you were too busy to do yesterday, but did anyway."

--Mignon McLaughlin

Handing Down the Crown

On February 2, I handed down my title as Miss Kirksville 2008. The pageant was held in Baldwin Auditorium at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. I'd like to give a big thanks to Bonnie Collier, Executive Director of the Miss Kirksville Pageant, and to the fabulous Miss Kirksville Board and all the volunteers who contributed to make the pageant such as success. I am so fortunate to have had you all for the past year, and I will miss you dearly. Although, I won't be far away, because the new Miss Kirksville 2008 is my sister, Jenna Osseck! Congratulations to all the contestants, Connie Walker, Christy Fraticola, and Tricia Hurt (1st Runner Up). You all shined on stage, and you have bright futures ahead of you. I hope to see each of you up on the Miss Missouri stage some day. I couldn't be more excited or proud of my little sister for being crowned! I can't wait to have her at Miss Missouri with me this year and share the experience with my best friend and biggest fan!

"So make the best of this test and don't ask why.
It's not a question but a lesson learned in time.
It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life."
--Green Day, 'Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)'