Mar. 7th-Church, Lunch, and Back to Wisconsin

March 9th, 2010

Hey! I had to head home, but not before some last bits of fun! We went to church with Ms. Donna and Mr. Roger, at the First Baptist Church of Orlando…it was HUGE!! I loved the worship service and my chance to connect with a lot of fellow believers and strengthen my faith in the Lord!

After church, we went out to lunch at the Seasons grill. It was delicious! It was a lot of fun and I was sad to head on the plane back home, but I was glad to see my family and friends again!

XOXO,

Jeanette

Mar. 6th-Recording Studio, Pottery, and the Melting Pot!

March 9th, 2010

Hi! After ANOTHER incredible breakfast by Ms. Dianne, we headed out to Mr. Keith Wilson’s recording studio to record music for the Cherry Blossom parade in April in Washington D.C! I was so excited to record such an upbeat and fun song! It is the finale for the parade, and I’m really excited to visit and perform!  The recording, with Mr. Wilson’s help, was a hit, and we left with lots of smiles and excitement for the parade in April!

After recording, we headed over to CiCi’s Pizza for lunch and then went to Studio 6 for pottery making fun with Gracie, Rachel, and Ms. Kimmy! I made a little trinket box, Gracie made a mug, and Rachel made an apple for her teacher! It was really fun, and we ended up mildly paint covered, but really happy!

After that, Ms. Dianne and I headed out to dinner at the Melting Pot! It’s a fondue restaurant that is as much entertainment as it is good food! It had three courses, cheese, frying sauce for meat, and my favorite-CHOCOLATE!! We left SO full but SO happy! It was an amazing day that I didn’t want to end!

XOXO,

Jeanette

Mar. 5th-Pageantry Magazine, School Visit, and TAYLOR SWIFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 9th, 2010

Hey everyone! I woke up this morning to a delicious breakfast, fixed by Ms. Dianne, and a warm and sunny day! After breakfast and saying hi to Mr. Corb (Ms. Dianne’s husband) we headed out to the Pageantry Magazine offices.

I love Pageantry magazine, so I was so excited to visit Mr. Dunn and Mr. Anthony, who are in charge of making the magazine magic happen! I got to learn more about what goes in to each jam-packed issue, that is filled with everything from pageant advice to hair and makeup tips! I also got to meet Mr. Dunn’s wife, who helps coordinate the photoshoots, and Anna, a model from the magazine!! It was fun visiting with all of them and afterwards Mr. Dunn presented me with dress bags with the Pageantry logo on them and a special edition copy of the magazine! It was so sweet and I really enjoyed spending time with all of them!

After grabbing a bite to eat, we headed off to Westbrooke Elementary School, where Gracie and Rachel go to school! I visited the classrooms, and then headed down to the lunchroom where I gave a presentation. I sang Party in the USA and The Climb by Miley Cyrus, then I spoke about my platform “The Power of One” and then did a question and answer session. It was really fun getting to meet all the kids and I had a great time!

After having dinner, we headed to the Amway stadium for one of the most exciting events of my life….a TAYLOR SWIFT concert! Not only was it my very first concert, but it was also by my very favorite artist, Taylor Swift!! Gloriana, a band from Tennesee, and Kelly Pickler were the opening, and they were fantastic! The concert began, and I was blown away! Taylor is so talented and she has such a passion for inspiring others through music. EVERYONE, including me, were singing along! It was so much fun and I even got an autographed CD!!

It was an incredible and unforgettable day….more fun in the Sunshine State tomorrow!

XOXO,

Jeanette

Mar. 4th-Trip to Orlando!

March 9th, 2010

Hey everyone! I was happy to leave my freezing hometown of Racine and trade it in for the 70-degree weather of Orlando! I had finals, but once I survived taking a Chemistry and English exam, I headed for the airport and soon was welcomed by a sunny paradise. When I arrived at the airport, I was welcomed by Ms. Dianne, my travelling companion and my host for the trip, as well as her daughter Ms. Kimmy and adorable granddaughters Gracie and Rachel!!! We got home pretty late, so I didn’t have long before I was safely at Ms. Dianne’s house and in bed!

I can hardly wait for an exciting four days!!!

Mar. 1st-Empty Bowls

March 9th, 2010

Hi Everyone! To start off the month of March, I headed over to the Racine Masonic Center to help with Empty Bowls, a fundraiser for the homeless shelters of Racine. At the event, hand-crafted bowls created by Racine students were filled with many delicious soups and then followed by yummy bread! It was a great night! I got to spend some time with Miss Racine and other VIPS of the Racine Community. It was a great night, and wonderful to see how the entire community was so willing to support this great cause!!!

Feb. 7th-Waffle Breakfast and Mall of America!

February 15th, 2010

For my last day in Minnesota, we really went out with a bang!!! We went down to the Waffle Breakfast held by the Lions Club, and spent time with the mayor, the new Miss Coon Rapids, and Kate, and Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen 2009 Alyssa Mayfield!!! It was great to spend time with them while enjoying some VERY tasty waffles, if I do say so myself!

Afterwards, it was time to hit the mall! But not just ANY mall. Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you the Mall of America, aka GIRL’s DREAM COME TRUE! We shopped til we dropped, ate an AMAZING lunch at a place called Kokomo’s (go visit!!) and then had to leave to make it in time for my flight.

Well, due to all the snow, I was delayed about 2 hours before I made it home to Wisconsin. Maybe I should have stayed in Minnesota…not that I would have minded ;)

Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible!

XOXO,

Jeanette Morelan

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2010

Feb. 6th-Miss Coon Rapids Pageant!

February 15th, 2010

Hi! Well, after all the rehearsals and preparation, the Miss Coon Rapids was today! But not before a few more fun events :)
After waking up and getting ready, we headed over to the Coon Rapids High School Auditorium to begin the Junior Royalty pageant rehearsal! I was so excited  to be able to help with the pageant. All of the kids were so cute and they all were just there to have a good time!!!

After rehearsal, we grabbed some lunch and the pageant began. Kate played the piano beautifully, and was able to talk about her platform concerning therapy dogs! She was amazing! I also got to sing Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb” and be interviewed. My hardest question: How do you feel about Brett Favre playing for the Vikings? (Actually, it was easy, since I’m a TOTAL Vikings fan!!!!) The pageant ended with our new Junior Royalty and lots of very happy kids who had a great time (I was one of those kids ;) )

We didn’t have much time afterwards, but we did have time to stop at the silent auction and grab a snack in time for the dress rehearsal for the Miss Coon Rapids Pageant. I was really sad, I had already become really close to Heather (Miss Coon Rapids 2009) and I wish I could have stayed longer! But I knew that one of the young ladies’s lives would have been changed forever, and I was so excited for that girl!

The pageant began, and Kate once again wowed the crowd with her piano piece! Then Heather played her violin, and it was beautiful. It was a tough act to follow, but I managed to hammer out my song again, which I loved! It was great and ended with the crowning of the new Miss Coon Rapids, Allison Lordbock. Congrats, Allison!

XOXO,

Jeanette

Feb. 5th-The Mayor, Lunch With Seniors, and Rehearsal!

February 15th, 2010

Hi! This morning Kate’s mom made a wonderful breakfast for us!! Mmm….cinnamon braided bread is my favorite! After getting ready, we headed over to the City Hall, where I met Mayor Tim Howe, the mayor of Coon Rapids. After being interviewed by a reporter from the Coon Rapids Herald, and then got a picture with the mayor and his famous Coon Rapids coon-tail hat! It was great getting a chance to meet him and learn more about the historic city of Coon Rapids.

After meeting with the mayor, we headed right next door to the Senior Center, where we helped serve lunch to the seniors and got a chance to meet and visit with them! It was really fun. I love spending time with seniors–they have lots of life expirience and stories that are fun to share.

After lunch, we went to another rehearsal for the Coon Rapids Pageant. I got a chance to meet all of the contestants…they were all so beautiful and  talented! I fell in love with each one of them! After rehearsal, we got a chance to spend some time with Kate at her house.

I am really enjoying my time in Minnesota. The people that I’ve met are so kind and gracious. The Coon Rapids community is very supportive of the pageant, and vice versa. It’s a great relationship!

XOXO,

Jeanette

Feb. 4th-Trip to Minnesota!

February 15th, 2010

Hey everyone! My next adventure didn’t take me too far away from home…just to Coon Rapids, in my neighbor state of  Minnesota! I took a quick flight to Minneapolis, then met Ms. Roberta, Katlyn Ziegler (Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen) ’s mom! She drove us to McCormick and Schmick’s, a really good seafood restaurant! When we arrived, I met Kate, and one of the volunteers of the Miss Coon Rapids Organization, Ms. Lisa! When we sat down to eat, we discovered another surprise. Katlyn’s dad, who is a manager of the restaurant, had my name printed on all the menus with a little message! It was so cool, and a really good welcoming gift into Coon Rapids! After a delicious dinner, we headed to the Miss Coon Rapids pageant rehearsal, where I met Ms. Diane Bustza, the director of the pageant, as well as Miss Coon Rapids, Heather Erickson! They were both so sweet, and after meeting them and the contestants, I knew it was going to be a great pageant, and a great stay!

After rehearsal, all of Kate’s family, Ms. Dianne and I went bowling! It was really fun! Although I’m not much of a bowler, I gave it my best shot and ended up with a high score of…76 (hey, quit laughing!!!)

After rehearsal, we all headed to Kate’s house, where I met her two adorabke dogs! It was a late night, so we all headed to bed early!

XOXO,

Jeanette

Jan. 30th-The Miss America Pageant!

February 15th, 2010

I could hardly believe that is was the big day!!!!!! The entire week had boiled down to this. I woke up and headed right to rehearsal for the National Anthem. Who did I meet there but CLINTON KELLY!! From one of my favorite shows, What Not to Wear. It was great meeting him….he’s so down to earth, and we got a chance to talk a little bit backstage before I had to head out and rehearse. It was awesome getting to meet him!

I had just finished singing the anthem and was heading backstage when I got to meet another celeb…MARIO LOPEZ! He was just getting in to go through the emceeing for the show. He was kind of busy, but I got a chance to say hi and grab a photo before we had to go!

After rehearsal, we went to lunch with Mr. Jeff, Meghan Miller, Taylor Fitch, Ms. Dianne, Ms. Donna, and Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Fitch! It was really fun! We titleholders talked about everything under the sun, from the most fun appearances, to who I would elect to the various office postions when I become President :P It was a really good time to relax with all the girls!

Afterwards, we headed up to the room, where Miss Jane did my hair and makeup for the big night! She is so talented, and made me look gorgeous in minutes! I was soon slipped into my Tony Bowls gown and headed down to the theater, which was really packed! Security was tight, but thankfully, I had the best escort EVER, Mr. Joe. Mr Joe had taken us everyhwere so safely! I headed backstage right away and then went out to sing the anthem! I had chills from head to toe. Seeing all the people–singing a song that encompassed what our nation is really about–taking in the expirience–it was a moment I will never forget. As I walked offstage, I knew I had to return again, and someday grace the stage as a new Miss America.

The show began, and I was so excited! I honestly couldn’t have been a judge. There were so many talented, wonderful, and beautiful girls there! They were all winners in my heart. The two hours just flew by and it wasn’t long before the judges announced the new winner…CARESSA CAMERON, Miss Virginia! It was like a dream! I could hardly believe that I got to share that moment of happiness, that moment of success, with everyone there. I was so proud of my new sister queen!!

Afterwards, we all headed to a press conference, where I got a photo with my new sister, and then we all headed to visitation. I could hardly believe the week was over! It was so much fun, and it once again renewed my love and appreciation for the Miss America organization, which is building up America’s future by impacting the lives of young women all across the nation–my thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to make this organization possible. You are the lifeblood of the Miss America organization and are the reason for a stronger America!

XOXO,

Jeanette