Miss America's Outstanding Teen

I had the honor of performing in the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC this month. Mr. Anthony LoRusse picked Mrs. Dianne and me up at the airport and took us around to see some of our Nation’s Capital’s highlights. After a little sightseeing, we took photos on the mall between the Capitol building and the Washington Monument. Even though it took several tries, Mr. Anthony captured a shot of me in midair! That night, I had the pleasure of attending the American Ballet Company’s performance of La Corsaire at the Kennedy Center. Their performance was simply breathtaking, and to say it was beautiful would be an understatement. We also had a nice dinner in the Kennedy Center. I so enjoyed the day and evening.

The next morning I had the privilege of being a guest of the National Museum of Art for a VIP tour. All the treasures in the museum were fascinating, and I adored our sweet tour guide who shared her insight on many of the pieces. Next, I had rehearsal for the parade with Mr. Todd and Mrs. Gina. I practiced with the other dance troupes and flag twirlers that were there, and it was so neat getting to see how everything came together! Once rehearsal ended, we made a quick stop by Union Station to grab some dinner, and I ran into Miss West Virginia’s OT, Morgan Breeden, there on a school field trip! It was such a treat getting to see one of my OT sisters! From Union Station, we made our way to the Folger ElizabetheanTheatre for a performance of “Music for Maximillian”. Afterwards, I got to meet the talented musicians who put on the marvelous performance.

Saturday started off bright and early with a rehearsal in the streets where the parade would take place later in the morning. After practice, we stayed in a holding room where I was able to warm up, and catch up a little with my big sister, Mallory, and her thoughtful traveling companion, Mrs. Marcie. Mallory sang beautifully in the parade, and after riding through the parade route and waving to many, it was time for the finale! I got into place, and, once the music started, you could feel the energy radiating from the crowd, singers, and other dancers! I had so much fun dancing in the parade, and loved the time I spent in DC.

This past weekend, I traveled to beautiful Tampa, Florida for a photoshoot with the fabulous Mrs. Deb Knoske.  Mrs. Holly O’Brien did my hair and make-up, and I have never felt so beautiful. She is truly wonderful at what she does. I just wish Mrs. Holly lived closer to SC!  Thank you Mrs. Deb for your amazing vision and the way you are willing to do whatever it takes to get the perfect shot!  I cant wait to see the pictures! Also a huge thank you to Miss Jessica Scheuler and Miss Kristen Black for making sure everything went smoothly. I appreciate all the hard work you both put into coordinating this shoot. I had a blast!

The South Carolina Scholarship Organization recently held their March Workshop Weekend. I was grateful that I was able to be a part of this fun-filled weekend along with Ali Rogers, Miss SC, Sydney Sill, Miss SC Teen, and over 100 contestants who will be vying for the titles of Miss SC and Miss SC Teen this summer. The weekend began with an interview early Friday morning on Good Day Columbia (Fox WACH.)  Ali, Sydney, and I discussed the upcoming events for the weekend, promoted the Miss SC Organization, and invited the public to attend “Queen for a Day” as well. Following the interview, we had breakfast and then made a little time for some shopping!   Friday night, the last local pageant was held by local executive director, Benson Odom who did a fantastic job. Everyone had a great time and four super girls were crowned. Congratulations to these girls and all contestants as they embark on this wonderful journey. Saturday morning, with every title holder checked in for the weekend and the “Queen for a Day” vendors all set up with an assortment of pageant-related goodies such as hair and make-up products, gorgeous gowns and cocktail dresses, jewelry, shoes, photographers, even some health screenings, etc., it was time to begin. Informative meetings were held during the morning where contestants learned exactly what is required of them in order to compete in July. Ali, Sydney, and I modeled the new teen physical fitness outfits, and I was even able to “shake” things up a little during the meeting by leading a Harlem Shake! Everyone joined in and had a good time. It provided the contestants with a short, fun break from all the important information that was being presented. Once the meeting and lunch were over, there was an autograph signing session with all contestants along with Ali, Sydney and myself.  A fashion show followed that afternoon where I was fortunate enough to get to model a gorgeous dress for the lovely Mrs. Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000.  Mrs. Henry was the key note speaker Saturday night at the Judges’ Seminar where she spoke about what it is judges are looking for in a title holder. She shared some of her favorite memories while competing and from her year as Miss America. She did an awesome job. I had the opportunity to speak briefly about my year so far, and offer the contestants a word of advice. Sydney Sill and I had some fun during my talk by demonstrating duck calls we had been practicing as a “new talent” introduced to us by my dad, George Wyatt!  All in all, it was a fantastic weekend, and I loved getting to spend time with my SC pageant family!  Thank you Ashley Byrd, Steve Frocchi , and SC Board Members for an outstanding weekend. The March workshop was a huge success!

The time I spent in New York for Miss America 2013, Mallory Hagan’s, Homecoming was so special, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The weekend began with a warm welcome from Mrs. Desantis, former MAOTeen Maria’s mother.  She greeted Mrs. Dianne and me at the airport with a lovely gift basket Thursday night. The next day, We got off to an early start with an appearance at Good Morning America. to watch Mallory do her thing on camera and discuss her year so far. I was in great company with the Miss America top 4, Ali Rogers, Alicia Clifton, Lexie Madden, and Mariah Cary, along with Miss Hawaii, Miss Arkansas, Miss Virginia, Miss Georgia, the new Miss New York, and NY’s Outstanding Teen, Shannon Ryan. We got to see everything that goes on behind the scenes at GMA in order to make the magic happen on screen. After the show, we took off to one of my new favorite stores, Pink and Pepper. They make the most unique, stylish, shoes, and the owner’s were so generous! Mallory is very lucky to have them as a sponsor, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting acquainted with these wonderful women and their super cute products. Next, we walked the beautiful, Brooklyn Bridge in some very chilly, windy weather. Mallory was given a special presentation by the president of Brooklyn when we reached the middle of the bridge. Once we made our way back down from the bridge, we had lunch, and then toured the Empire State Building. Much like the bridge, it was also bitterly cold and extremely windy way up at the top, but the view was remarkable! Thank you to the workers who ushered us up in such a kind manner. Afterwards, we stopped by the Habitat for Humanity base in NY to help out with painting the new facility. We then returned to the hotel to attend Mallory’s Welcome Reception where I was able to share a few words (along with the top four) about how proud I am of Mallory, and to thank the NY board for allowing me to be a part of her homecoming. It was a lovely reception and you could certainly tell from all the kind words shared about Mallory that she is a perfect representative for the Miss America organization. I was honored to be in attendance at this special event and slept very well after that fun-filled day.

Saturday,  all of the titleholders took part in the “Miss America and Me” youth leadership breakfast where many of the young Hurricane Sandy victims were in attendance. It was so wonderful hearing Mallory speak to the kids about her journey to Miss America and encourage them to continue to pursue their dreams as she did. The P.S. 22 youth Chorus performed for us, and they absolutely blew my mind with the outrageous amount of talent they possess! Their singing gave me chills! Afterwards, we  had photos made with the children and signed autograph cards. All the little girls got princess play crowns. It was so nice to see their faces light up during the event and to be able to make them feel like the princesses they truly are. Next, we went to see the Broadway Show, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” This was my first broadway show and it was nothing short of spectacular! Finally, it was time to go to the Fashion Institute of Technology to attend the “Here She Is” show. The performers were amazing. The show was simply phenomenal and did a great job of showcasing Mallory, our new Miss America! This trip was unforgettable, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful celebration. Congratulations again to Mallory, you have represented us beautifully so far, and I’m confident you will continue to do so! Thanks for being an exceptional role model and big sis!  A huge thank you to the entire Miss NY team, especially Ms. Claire Buffe, for all of the hard work each of you put into making this special event so successful!

I spent this past weekend in Garner, North Carolina with my mom, Karen. The two of us were welcomed with open arms by Megan Huff, the reining Miss Garner’s Outstanding Teen, and her mom, Mrs. Lesa. We arrived to smiles, hugs, flowers, and gifts. Megan is simply an outstanding young lady, and I’m proud of all that she has accomplished at such a young age, not to mention thankful to have had her as my hostess during my visit. Thank you to Mr. Harold Garner, Executive Director of the Miss Garner Scholarship pageant for your belief in the organization and for the dedication you put into each one of your “Garner Girls”. After being welcomed by Megan and her mom, the Garner pageant committee expressed their thanks to us for coming with a surprise gift basket at our arrival to a reception. Thank you to the Garner committee and the community, who were without a doubt some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met! Thank you for going out of your way to make us feel right at home and for making this trip a very special one. During the reception, I was able to speak to all the Outstanding Little Miss (OLM) contestants and some of their family members about my journey, my platform, the MAOTeen organization, and my year so far. Then I had the opportunity to sign autograph cards and get pictures made with each young lady. Thank you to Mrs. Lisa Messeck who is the director of the OLM pageant for all your hard work in coordinating this terrific event. I loved socializing with all the Garner OLM committee members, contestants, and moms. One of the tiny contestants even tried on my shoes! It was a magical evening to say the least! The town of Garner truly rolled out the red carpet for us that night.

The next morning, before leaving for a delicious breakfast at IHOP, we ran into several of the OLM contestants before their interview and were able to wish them good luck and give them a few last minute tips. My heart melted every time I came across one of the mini contestants dressed in their cute little interview outfits preparing to go in and meet the judges. Later, we travelled to the Outstanding Little Miss Pageant. I cannot even begin to express how impressed I was by the itty bitty contestants’ talent, poise, and how well spoken they all were! It was a real treat getting to watch these precious little ladies compete, and I was also able to perform “The Climb” during the production. After congratulating all the deserving new titleholders, and thanking the girls who served during 2012, it was time to hit the snowy roads and head to Johnston for the Miss Johnston County pageant. The contestants all did a great job and there was definitely some stiff competition. I loved getting to talk with the emcee for the evening, Miss North Carolina, Arlie Honeycut, who is such a sweetheart. I also had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Beth Knox, the NC Executive Director. I continued to be amazed with the caliber of competition in the prelim and was so thrilled for the two special ladies who were crowned at the end of the night. We celebrated and had dinner at a nearby Outback and then it was time to say goodbye to our very special new friends I had made during my time in NC.

The next morning was full of sad goodbyes to our fabulous hosts, Megan and Mrs. Lesa, and then my mom and I headed back home to SC. One thing this trip convinced me of is that the Carolinas truly have some of the most caring people in our nation. I’m thankful to now have my Garner family in NC! I will miss you guys terribly, and thank you for letting my mom and me experience southern hospitality at its finest!! You all have so much to be proud of. Keep up the great work, God Bless! I love y’all!!

I hope all titleholders enjoyed working at a nearby IHOP on February 5th, National Pancake Day, as much as I did. What a great fund raiser for CMN!

This past week I had the privilege of heading down to Miami, Florida to model for the incredible, Tony Bowls. Not only are his dresses exquisite, but he is such a friendly, caring, person who pours himself into his work.  Mr. Tony, model Ashley, and make-up artist, Mr. Joel greeted me at the airport and transported me to meet up with my roommate Miss America, 2009 Katie Stam Irk! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to bond with her and having someone so wonderful to share this experience with. Katie and I went to a quaint little cafe that night, so I was able to get a small taste of the Miami culture. The next morning, we got an early start and made for the studio where we loaded some of the dresses, shoes, and accessories into an RV. Then we were off to our first shooting location, the beautiful, sunny beach.The weather could not have been anymore perfect. The scene was simply breathtaking, and after Mr. Joel did my hair and make-up, he had me looking and feeling like a super model. Once we got started, I was fortunate enough to get to model several of Tony’s gorgeous gowns, and although I’m no pro, and it took me awhile to get the hang of things, I had a blast shooting on the beach! Next, we moved to a location where the walls were covered in graffiti. I loved viewing all the neat designs that decorated many of the buildings. The photographer was so nice and Mr. Tony was very helpful as far as directing me on how to pose and what to do. I really appreciated all the effort he and his whole team put into the shoot, and how welcome they made me feel. I also made a new friend, Ashley, who was 1st runner up to Miss USA a couple of years ago. She was without a doubt one of the sweetest people I have ever met, and made me feel like I had known her forever! After a long day of shooting, we finally ended the night with a tour of  Mr. Tony’s home, which was just as beautiful as his dresses! My trip to Miami was short but memorable and fun-filled! A huge thank you to Mr.Tony Bowls for allowing me this amazing experience & opportunity!

I spent this past week in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Planet Hollywood Hotel for the Miss America pageant. The week started off Tuesday morning with a costume fitting with Trish, from Togatea Designs. The costume she made for me was absolutely gorgeous, and I’m thankful to have such talented people as sponsors. Thank you Togatea! Next, Mrs. Dianne and I headed down to the Miss America office which was set up in the hotel to check in. It was great seeing all the Miss America staff members’ smiling faces. Once all our business was settled in the office, we had a wonderful lunch with Dr. Glenn Harmon. I was fascinated by his life as an Appalachian Trail hiker, professional pianist, world traveler, doctor, and former professional figure skater. Dr. Glenn is such an interesting man, and I’m glad I got to chat with him and thankful for his support of the MAOTeen organization. After lunch I had rehearsal so Mrs. Dianne and I went to the auditorium where I ran through my solo. Once rehearsal was over, Taylor, who is part of Jenn Cady’s team of makeup artists, helped get me stage-ready for my performance that night. Thank you Taylor for being so sweet and always doing a fabulous job! After we were all ready to go, Mrs. Beth, our special security guard for the week, lead us down to the auditorium where we mingled until the pageant began. Towards the beginning of the show, I was introduced, and then headed back to the tent to get changed and warmed up for my dance. Finally, with the help of the backstage crew directing me on where to be at certain times, I made it out onto the stage and perform the same dance I did at MAOTeen, The Climb. Dancing on the Miss America stage was truly an indescribable feeling, and even though I don’t usually enjoy dancing with tights on because I feel like I’m not able to perform my best, this experience made even having to wear tights fun! I loved every minute of it, and the whole time I felt like I was in a dream. All 53 contestants did a spectacular job, which made the first night of prelims a success. At the end of the show, I received my Duke of Edinburough gold medal award along with Miss SC, Ali Rogers. I was so incredibly proud of her because she won the lifestyle and fitness prelim that night as well! Of course this made me ecstatic for the rest of the night, during which time, we headed up to Jenn Cady’s room for a photoshoot with Laura Keappler, Miss America 2012. I always enjoy Jenn’s photo shoots because they are so much fun, and this one was no exception.

Wednesday was a rehearsal-filled day. We began with a teen rehearsal that morning to review and perfect our fitness production number we had performed at MAOTeen in Orlando. I had a blast getting to see all my dear friends I made this summer and catching up with them. Rehearsal was especially fun, because I got to introduce one of my very best friends, Sydney Sill, Miss SC’s OT, to all the other state titleholders. Rehearsal could not have gone any more smoothly thanks to Mrs. Mary Bocchicchio, and Mrs. Jodi Fonfi. After rehearsal, I had lunch with these sweet ladies. Following lunch, we returned to the auditorium to run through the number one more time. That night, after being introduced, I headed back to change and then had the time of my life performing with all my teen sisters on the Miss America stage. I think we wowed the audience with our high energy, tumbling-packed routine. After another very successful prelim, Mrs. Dianne, Mrs. Beth and I stopped by visitation where we encountered several state directors and got to mingle with many of the different states. Of course we also stopped by South Carolina’s area for a bit, and it was so nice getting to see Ali, Sydney, my parents, and two of my favorite people in the world, the SC directors, Ashley Byrd and Steve Frocchi!

Thursday morning, I got to attend the Miss America press conference where I observed as some of the former Miss Americas, along with Laura, answered questions about the organization and some of their memories during their reign. When the press conference ended, we all loaded up on a bus and headed to the Miss America luncheon. I was in awe of many of the former Miss Americas, and was so honored to get to meet, and talk with, many of these inspiring women. The luncheon venue was beautiful, (thanks to MA sponsor, Neiman Marcus who provided it) the food was delicious, and I enjoyed mingling with all the folks who attended. Also a huge thank you to MAO Board Member, Mrs. Lynn Wiedner for helping to arrange and make the luncheon possible. While there, I was incredibly moved by Sara Stonier’s speech about her experience in the Miss America circuit. I also enjoyed being in Mr. Robin Leach’s company and listening to him talk; I loved his accent! After the luncheon, I joined the Teens for an autograph session. There was also a CEO reception in the theatre that Mrs. Dianne and I attended that night before the show. Since I wasn’t performing Thursday night, after being introduced, I was able to sit back and enjoy the performances. Following the show, we headed to the Miss America hospitality suite where I was able to visit with some of the formers a little more and get some photos with them before heading back to our room for some much needed sleep.

Friday was teen day, and boy was it fun! First we got to tour the historic Las Vegas sign, where our great photographer, Mr. Allen took some excellent photos. From there, we went to the St. Rose CMN hospital where we were able to have a tour thanks to Mr. Jaden. Next, we visited White House Black Market, and the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Mr. Jason gave us a tour of the beautiful Smith Center and he was so incredibly kind. You could just tell he had a true servant’s heart, and I was inspired by, and throughly enjoyed, his telling us about how he got into the business that lead him to his job today. Thank you to Ellie Smith, Miss Nevada’s OT, and her mother, Mrs. Gerrie, for helping to coordinate these special appearances for the teens.That night, six of the former MAOTeens and I were treated to a dinner by the precious Mr. Jeff Parker. This was my first time meeting Mr. Jeff, and I could feel the love radiating from him. He is probably one of the friendliest, most genuinely caring people I have ever met. I’m so very thankful to have someone like him support the MAOTeen organization. This dinner was absolutely incredible because I got to spend it with my MAOTeen sisters! I’d never met a couple of them before so it was a real treat!

Saturday, I had the privilege of being a part of the Miss America autograph session with many of the former Miss Americas. Then, I headed over to the Fourpoints boothe which was set up in the trade show where I got to sign magazines and take photos. For lunch, I joined my SC crew at a restaurant in the hotel where I was able to see my parents and grandparents, as well as almost all of Laurens County who had come to support our incredible Miss SC, and my big sister, Ali Rogers. After lunch, Taylor beautified me for the final show that night, and away we went to the auditorium. My nerves had me all excited, and it was so cool to get to see the show in person instead of on TV. After being introduced, I held my breath each time the contestants were narrowed down. By the end of the night, we had our new Miss America, Miss New York, Mallory Hagen. I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of things, and am beyond proud of my SC big sis, Ali Rogers, who placed first runner up! I’m sure Mallory will do a magnificent job representing our nation and the organization this year, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the 53 remarkable young women who competed this year.

with Will, "The Pageant Guy"

I flew into Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, December 11th for a short, fun-packed trip. The next morning began with a Mental Management Systems session. Mr Lanny Bassham and Heather Sumlin taught me all about how the mind works, goal setting techniques, and how all the parts of the brain have to be balanced in order to win the “mental game” (which is often a primary component in many areas of life). I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Mental Management, and gained many valuable ideas that I’m sure will stay with me, not only during this year, but for the rest of my life. After my time at Mental Management, I visited the Heart House, which is an after school program for at-risk children. I loved talking with the kids and getting to know them. I also handed out children’s books written by some of the  MAOTeen staff members, and then I helped several of the girls try on my crown! I had a blast at the Heart House and was so glad I was able to make an appearance there in order to spend time with the the special boys and girls really brightened my day. Once we left the Heart House, I got to stop by a Toys for Tots donation center and drop off a couple of toys. I also had a brief interview with the local Fox News station. Toys for Tots is such a wonderful cause and I was glad to be able to spread a little Christmas cheer by giving back while there. To end our night in Dallas, we had a great dinner at “On the Border” restaurant thanks to our pageant friend, and General Manager, Mr. Bob Lewis. Joining us at dinner was one of MAOTeen’s sponsors, Baseball Diamonds owner, Mr. David D’Aquin and his sweet wife, Rebecca, along with one of the Teens In Training Camp participants. I had a fantastic time in Dallas, and I would like to thank Will, The Pageant Guy, for capturing much of my trip on camera for his very first “Day in the Life” video segment. And of course thank you to Jessica Scheuler, for traveling with me on this trip and making sure everything went smoothly.

Now I am looking forward to the Miss America Pageant this coming week. I can’t wait to be in Vegas cheering on my beautiful sister queen, Ali Rogers, performing on the Miss America stage, and getting to reunite with the teen state titleholders!

My week in Philadelphia started off with a fun get-together with several of Pennsylvania’s teen title holders including Pennsylvania’s OT, Kaitlyn Miller, and the Pennsylvania directors. They were all so sweet and brought with them one of the biggest pizzas I have ever seen along with gifts and other goodies. I had a great time signing photo cards, socializing, and watching parts of the MAOTeen video with the girls.
The next day I had my first rehearsal for the Dunkin Donuts Thanksgiving Day parade with Mr. Robby Mackey. He was very nice and offered me some great tips on my dancing. I later had dinner with Mrs. Nicole Melchiorre and her precious daughters, Grace and Alexis. We ate at Max Brenner’s restaurant where the theme is chocolate, and boy, was it delicious!
On Tuesday, I performed and spoke with the students at Woods School for the disabled. Mr. Larry Harvey was the host and I am so thankful that he helped make this appearance possible. My visit to Woods was very memorable, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the students. After visiting Woods, Mrs. Dianne, Mr. Anthony LoRusso, who was our driver/guide/helper for the week, and I enjoyed a little picnic outside with the sack lunches provided by the staff at Woods School. Next, I was fortunate to have a tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art led by our exceptional tour guide, Mrs. Deena Gerson. Mrs Deena was so kind and knowledgeable. She graciously went out of her way to be sure and show me some of their works of art related to dance because she knew how much that would appeal to me. The museum was breathtaking, and thank you to Mrs. Jane Allsopp who helped coordinate making this tour possible. After the tour, we headed to the U.S. Dream Academy where I was able to dance for, and speak with, the kids. I also got to visit with them on a one-on-one basis as I rotated from table to table. All the kids were adorable and had some really great questions to ask me as well. Thank you to Mr. Lavarr Zuber for your dedication to the U.S. Dream Academy and for allowing me to visit and be inspired by your incredible organization! That night, Mrs. Dianne, Mr. Anthony, myself, and Mrs. Alyson Sulpizio all had dinner together at a unique restaurant with a gorgeous view of the city of Philadelphia. Lastly that evening, I headed to the on-street rehearsal at the telecast area to rehearse the “Classic Christmas” number that I was going to perform in for the Thanksgiving parade.
On Wednesday, I had the privilege of touring CHOP, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I got to interact with the kids while I made crafts with them and gave out photo cards. I also got a brief tour of the hospital before we headed out to do some sightseeing. Mr. Anthony took me to see the Liberty Bell as well as the famous Independence Hall. Philadelphia truly is a lovely and historic city full of culture and diversity.
My family arrived in Philly on Wednesday night, and I was so thrilled to see them. After they settled in, they got to come watch one of the rehearsals in the street for a sneak peak of what the parade would be like.
On Thanksgiving Day, I had breakfast with Mrs. Dianne, New Jersey’s OT, Amanda Ross, and Pennsylvania’s OT, Kaitlyn Miller at the Four Seasons hotel. It was so great to see Kaitlyn again since the pizza party and Amanda, who was my roommate during MAOTeen week. Getting to reunite with my fellow teen sisters absolutely made my whole Thanksgiving! And as if things couldn’t get any better, I also got to get my picture made with Cinderella, Belle, and Goofy! After breakfast, we went to the Parade site and I got ready to perform. When it was time for the Perfect Christmas number, everyone took their places and we performed for the spectators standing nearby as well as those watching on TV. I had so much fun dancing in the parade, and once the number was over, I hopped in the convertible with my roommate and good friend, Amanda Ross, and we got to ride the rest of the parade route together. Once the parade was over, I spent the rest of Thanksgiving Day with my family, and we enjoyed a delicious meal together at a local, family-style restaurant recommended to us by the concierge from our hotel.
Upon returning home to SC, I had the privilege of riding in the City of Mauldin Christmas Parade as the Grand Marshall where I had the opportunity to meet US Senator Lindsey Graham. My SC Princess, Belle Hunsinger, and SC Prince, Maddie Golden also joined me in the parade.
I also had the honor of emceeing my high school’s pageant and performing at it on both Friday and Saturday. Two of my dearest friends, Sydney Freeman and Madison Capps were awarded First Runner Up and Miss Wrenicycle 2012 respectively. I enjoyed getting to be a part of the Wrenicycle 2012 pageant while cheering for them both.
Along with all this activity, I also had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton on Best Ever You Radio to promote the MAOTeen organization, CMN, and my personal platform, while sharing a little about what motivates me to be my “best self”.

In addition, the Miss Powdersville and Miss Powdersville Teen pageant (a local preliminary pageant in the Miss SC Scholarship system) was held this past weekend, and I had the privilege of emceeing and performing at this event as well.
It has certainly been fun filled month, and I can’t wait to head to Vegas for Miss America!

Last week I visited Nashville, Tennessee and stayed in the beautiful Opryland Hotel. The hotel was a sight to behold, and Mrs. Dianne and I got a glimpse of the extravagant Christmas lights that were being put up when we arrived. That evening I had the opportunity to attend the Grand Ole Opry’s “Opry Goes Pink” show as a VIP guest. I got to mingle backstage with some of the performers including a new upcoming star, Sarah Darling, who I met before the show. I also met Kellie Pickler and Hayden Panetierra. The highlight of the night though would have to have been listening to the Isaccs sing one of their songs acapella. I thoroughly enjoyed the “Opry Goes Pink” show from my seat on the stage.

The next day, I participated as CMNH’s Teen Ambassador, attending a fall carnival with children at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. It was touching and inspiring being with these kids who are in a hospital, making the most of their situation. Many came out to celebrate at the Halloween carnival in spite of their conditions. Some of the patients even showed up with Halloween costumes on! It was a joy and a blessing spending time with the children at the photo booth station and sharing autograph cards with them. Mrs. Stephanie Vandyke, director of Volunteer Services, was kind enough to give Mrs. Dianne and me a tour of the hospital and point out many of the features that make it so kid-friendly. A huge thank you to Mrs. Karen Hunter-Lowery, Director of Development as well for providing us with transportation and joining us on our hospital visit.

That night, I met and had dinner with my 2010 MAOTeen sister, Jeanette Morelan, as well as Miss America, Laura Keppler, her traveling partner, Mrs. Marci, and Mrs. Dianne. I so enjoyed meeting and getting to know Jeanette. She’s so sweet and funny and shared with me how much she’s loving her college experience at Belmont. A special thank you to our pageant friend, Mr. Jeff Parker for sponsoring our wonderful dinner. The whole evening was a real treat.

The next morning I enjoyed a fun photo shoot on the outskirts of the Opryland Hotel with Jenn Cady of Studio 157. Thank you to Jenn for the awesome photos and to Taylor for doing such a great job with my hair and make-up. I had a blast and can’t wait to see the end results. That night I had the honor of walking the red carpet at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards alongside many of today’s country stars. Some of the artists I met while on the red carpet include: Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellem, Brooks & Dunn, and Scotty McCreery. The show left me speechless and the entire experience was incredible. Thank you to the Miss America Organization and ABC TV for the CMA tickets.

Following my return to South Carolina on Friday, I danced with my highschool dance team at our final football game. Then Saturday, I had the opportunity to dance at the 2012 Dancing with the Starts Oxygen Ball. I was a guest dancer and performed a jazz solo routine to “Run the Show”. Just like in the show Dancing With the Stars, the guests voted for their favorite couple and all proceeds went toward the American Lung Association. I loved getting to dance for this worthwhile cause and had such a great time mingling with all of the guests. Thank you to Tiffany H. Linder for allowing me this special opportunity.