Day Two at the Lake

Friday, March 13

Today was another busy day, starting with the opportunity to speak to the Rotary members at 8:00 am. I had the chance to meet so many business men and women from the Lake area, and to thank them for their overwhelming support for the Miss Lake of the Ozarks pageant.

Wendy and I enjoyed lunch at Arris’ Pizza Café, and headed to Osage Middle School, where I spoke to the seventh and eighth graders about peer pressure, body image, and learning to eat right to avoid developing an eating disorder. We had very interactive 70-minute sessions with Mr. Struemph’s health classes, and the students had so many great questions. Thanks again to Ashley Kile for handling arrangements, and to Mr. Struemph for the opportunity to speak to his students.

Day One at the Lake

Thursday, March 12

Today was the beginning of a whirlwind weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks! I started my morning getting pampered by Tracie at Trendz Hair Studio in Eugene, Missouri. We had fun getting to know each other, and she had me looking my best for my big weekend in record speed! I then traveled with my mom and sister to the Lake, where we met the board for lunch at Baxter’s, a brand new restaurant overlooking 7 miles of the Lake. It was gorgeous, with excellent food to boot!

After lunch, my mom, sister, and director Wendy accompanied me to Osage Upper Elementary School, where I had the chance to speak to the fifth grade classes about the importance of eating right and making healthy decisions. We had a ton of fun playing games and learning about the Food Guide Pyramid, and the kids really surprised me with the types of healthy decisions they’re already making every day. I’d like to thank Ashley Kile, also on the Board, for her instrumental role in getting all my school visits for the week set up!

Once we finished up at the school, Wendy and I met back up with the 101.9 The Wave crew at Baxter’s for a Martinis and Jazz event sponsored by the station. It was great getting to meet the owner of Baxter’s, Corey Roberts, and his staff. Thanks for the hospitality, and I’m looking forward to coming back soon!

We finished up the evening with a home-cooked meal by Ashley and Jeff, and had the chance to catch up, talk Miss Missouri, and start working on my interview. I’m so excited to spend the year with the Lake board, because they are working hard to keep me working hard!

Platform Presentation at Waynesville High School

Wednesday, March 11

I spent today speaking to the high schoolers at Waynesville High School about my personal platform, eating disorders. I had the chance to share my personal story and educate them about the different types of eating disorders, as well as how to develop a positive self-image through healthy eating and right decisions. I’d like to thank Mr. McCullough and Mr. Harris, the freshman health teachers, for arranging my visit! This was my second year speaking at WHS, and I hope to come back again next year to share my message as well.

Say Cheese!

Tuesday, March 10

I got to spend today with two of my favorite people – Lance and Tamara Tilford of Limelight Studio in St. Charles! Tamara beautified me and got me camera-ready, and Lance shot my official Miss Missouri headshot (for the second consecutive year). The team did an amazing job as usual, and you’ll just have to wait and see which picture we chose as the winner! We had a ton of fun, and I’m looking forward to working with them again soon!

Lil' Sis

Saturday, March 7

Today, I got to hang out with my Miss Missouri Little Sister, Annie, all day! I started the morning by doing Annie’s hair and helping her pick out some outfits for our photo shoot later that day. A big thanks to Doyle Whitten for taking our pictures! After all that modeling, Annie and I worked up quite an appetite. So we had lunch at Olive Garden, where we had the chance to catch up on how her school, Girl Scouts, and extra curricular activities were going. I have known Annie since the day she was born, so she’s like another little sister to me. I am so proud to have had the chance to watch her grow up into the beautiful young lady she’s becoming. I can’t wait to have her join me on the Miss Missouri stage again this June!

Miss Lake of the Ozarks

Preparations for Miss Missouri 2009 are now well underway since being crowned Miss Lake of the Ozarks on January 31. I must thank the Lake Board for a great pageant and to all the sponsors for their contributions - I will be in town shortly to thank you all in person! Congrats to all the contestants - especially first runner-up Amanda Williams and second runner-up Nicole Meloni.

I have to give a special thank you to Sydnee Stottlemyre, Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen, for making the trip from Chesterfield to watch the Miss Lake of the Ozarks pageant. Sydnee was my teen sister queen last year, and despite a hectic high school basketball schedule and car trouble, she and her parents still managed to make it in time for the pageant just to cheer me on. You guys are my second family - it meant so much to me that you were there!

Looking ahead, I'll be spending my spring break traveling around the state of Missouri promoting my platform, fundraising for Children's Miracle Network, and getting ready for Miss MO. I will be sure to update as I go - I've got tons of appearances and events planned for the week!

Here's my itenerary so far:

March 6 - Dinner with Annie (Miss MO Little Sister)

March 7 - Talent Rehearsal, Round Table

March 9 - Photo Shoot

March 11 - Eating Disorders Presentation at Waynesville High School

March 12 - Hair Appt. with Lake Sponsor

March 13 - Speak at Rotary, Radio Interviews, Speak to Health Classes at Lake

March 14 - Mock Interview

...and hopefully more to come. I'll post updates as they come!

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

--Mahatma Gandhi

Long time, no post...

I'm way overdue for an update! I've been staying incredibly busy during the past few weeks - so busy, in fact, that Miss Missouri snuck up on me. I will be moving into the dorm at the Military Academy in exactly two weeks. But first, let me backtrack on what I've been up to...

On April 8, I had the privilege of speaking to the students at Waynesville High School about eating disorders, the Children's Miracle Network, and the Miss America Organization. I would like to extend a huge thank you to the WHS students and staff, especially Mr. Murray, Mr. McCullough, and Adam Keeton for arranging my visit and their continued assistance throughout the day! As the school day came to a close, I headed back to St. Louis to host a benefit for Multiple Sclerosis at Clayco Corp. I had a ton of fun emceeing the poker tournament and auction, and even learned a thing or two about Texas Hold 'Em!

On Friday, April 11, I traveled up north to Kirksville, Missouri, to co-host the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance with my sister and Miss Kirksville 2008, Jenna. The dance is hosted by the Heartland Task Force and Eta Sigma Gamma, my former national health science honorary from Truman State University. I had the opportunity to meet with many of the little girls and their fathers/male role models, as well as to promote the 40 Developmental Assets. The 40 Assets emphasize building positive relationships and learning to embrace healthy lifestyle choices through anti-tobacco and anti-drug campaigns. Thanks to the Heartland Task Force for inviting me to host for the second year in a row, and to Eta Sigma Gamma for allowing me to help organize the dance for the fourth year.

The following weekend, I was a guest of honor at the St. Louis Variety Kids Fashion Show & Auction at the Chase Park Plaza, along with my two teen queens, Sydnee and Stephanie. We hosted the silent auction, where I had the opportunity to showcase the star of the show - Gretchen. Gretchen is a twelve-week old West Highland Terrier who was up for auction at the show. During the fashion show, Gretchen and I showed off our runway walks and found her a new home. Special guests Miss Missouri America, Lindsay Casmaer, and Miss Missouri USA, Candice Crawford, were the highlight of the fashion show. It was a lot of fun to catch up with them about their experiences at Miss America and Miss USA. Big thanks to Robin Graham and the Variety Women for hosting the event, and to Mrs. Stottlemyre and Mrs. Patton for taking great care of me all day!

"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."

--Henry David Thoreau