I was thrilled to participate in Washington D.C.’s beautiful Cherry Blossom Festival.  During the parade, I danced to “God Bless America” which was sung live by Laura!  Performing on national television in front of our nation’s National Archives was extremely special to me.  I was also honored to have state “miss” representatives, and my teens from D.C., New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginina, and Florida accompany me during the broadcast. Truly a fantastic weekend!  Here are some photos with more details.

Katie Couric

I watched Jeopardy every night growing up, so when he complimented my dancing I was completely flattered. Alex Trebek

Love my teens!

Laura couldn't be a better Miss America. It was great to see her during the business of her travels

Lets Talk Live

Let's be honest, I am obsessed with baking and visiting Georgetown Cupcake was too exciting!

 

 

The Washington Ballet's "Alice in Wonderland" was absolutely spectacular - I was blown away! Aside from the parade, this was my favorite part of the trip.

 

 

Look who we ran into at ABC! Marie Osmond - a true supporter of Children's Miracle Network

 

My Utah visit was full of new experiences and friendships that put this trip at the climax of my best memories from MAOT.  My appreciation and attachment to the people of Utah is endless.  Even if I wrote out every single detail, I guarantee it would never do this trip justice,  but here  is a brief summary of my exhilarating Spring Break/birthday week in this fantastic state!

On Saturday we were cheerfully picked up at the airport in Salt Lake City by Amy Rasmussen, the director of Miss Utah’s OT.  Our adventures immediately began as we met with Miss  Utah’s official photographer, Chad Braithwaite, for a bite to eat and discussed photo shoot ideas.  We then ventured to the city of Lehi to stop by a quaint boutique by the name of Valshi.  From there we departed for Provo were we attended the final performance of the Provo Civic Ballet where my girl and Miss Utah’s OT 2011, Tiare Keeno, was the star of the show.  Tiare is the rock star of the dance world.  Her technique is flawless and  I was bursting with pride by the time I was able to congratulate her on her performance.  We drove to Spanish Fork where  Ms. Dianne and I were pampered in the home of Ms. Amy and her husband, Jason.  Upon arriving we were greeted by their three precious boys who showed us to our bedrooms.

Sunday morning I attended a spectacular performance by by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the historic Temple Square.  Believe it or not, they not only recognized me, but dedicated the service to the celebration of my 18th birthday.  I was floored! After a tour of the LDS Conference Center and  Temple Square I  experienced the delicious P.F. Chang’s for the first time while being interviewed by a reporter from the Desert News. Then it was off to Faces Photography for a paint fight with Danica Olsen, Miss Utah 2011, and the new Utah’s Outstanding Teen, Jessica Richards! Two other Miss Utah contestants joined us for an after noon of splattering paint. We had a blast. Dinner was made at the Ramussen household and the rest of the evening consisted of visiting time with Tiare Keeno.

Monday was my 18th birthday and Ms. Amy could not have made it any more special.  She had every second filled with surprises and planned to perfection. I woke up to the sound of her sweet sons delivering a homemade breakfast menu to my door with catering by her husband.  The day began by visiting her four year old’s preschool before we headed towards Midway where Tiare and I swam in the warm hot springs in the Crater. One minute we were playing in the snow, the next we were diving in a natural hot tub. It was priceless, not to mention we were accompanied by our very own videographers, Nate Pickett and Chad, who documented the day. I obviously felt like a super star, but this was only the beginning! We ate at local Mexican restaurant before stopping by a few fun shops before arriving at the Brazillian Tucanos.  My day could not have been more jam packed with excitement.  We immediately headed to the home of Meredith Gaufin’ where her and her mom became two of my new favorite people as they helped me get ready for the nights events.  Miss Utah’s hair and makeup sponsor, Mindy, freshened up my appearance before all of us girls were picked up in a limo! My very first ride in a limo with the sweetest girls I’ve ever met.  I was in heaven as we pulled up to the Provo Beach Resort for the party.  Instead of gifts, guests were asked to bring in donations for Children’s Miracle network. I was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to celebrate with me and support CMN.  In addition to the party festivities, Jessica Richards and I climbed the ropes course and even attempted the Flow Rider.  Do not be fooled by the pictures below, I was scared to pieces during each of these activities, especially the heights on the ropes course! Jessica and I were thrilled to squeeze in all of this before the day ended. I cannot count how many times happy birthday was sung to me (just about every place we went) or all of the wonderful new friends I met.  I am SO blessed!

Thank you to Aubrey Depasquale for this one of a kind cake and brownie pops. I was speechless.

Tuesday was filled with exactly what I needed – rest and chill time.  After interviewing with the ABC affiliate, “The Daily Dish”, the day consisted of down time, and Italian dinner, thrift store shopping, and a pit stop at YogurtLand.

Before leaving on Wednesday, we went back to Salt Lake to visit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital headquarters where we handed over donations that we received at the party.  Here  I was able to meet with Nick Ward who gave us a tour of the new facility.  Visiting the headquarters was significant to me because it brought into perspective how vast Children’s Miracle Network is and how many kids are helped through the organization every single day. I am so grateful to have talked with Nick Ward and the other staff at CMN.  My passion and dedication to CMN seems to grow daily and through my visit I obtained a higher understanding of how the organization works so that I might be able to better promote CMN and communicate its importance to others.

THANK YOU Dr. Glenn Harman for sponsoring this entire opportunity for me to have a fantastic time touring Utah. 

Also, to Ms. Amy and her family for going above and beyond to spoil me with love and surprises.

To  The Miss Utah Pageant organization and all of my friends: Jessica, Tiare, Meredith and their families, Katy, Chad, Nate, Tiffany, and the many others – You made my experience complete.

I officially LOVE Utah!

Laura Keappler is astonishing, and so were the homecoming celebrations coordinated by the Miss Wisconsin Organization.  I had the honor of participating in the events located in  Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Oshkosh over the course of five exhilarating days.

The first day was filled with warm welcomes as we arrived and settled in just in time for the first Homecoming Celebration Show and VIP event that followed.  Aside from Laura’s spectacular vocal performance and words to her home state, the show consisted of a showcase of talents performed by Miss Wisconsin’s Outstanding Teen-Annie Jorgensen, MAOT 2010-Jeanette Morlean, and the four runner ups to Miss America: Miss California – Noelle Freeman, Miss Arizona - Jennifer Sedler, Miss New York – Kaitlin Monte, and Miss Oklahoma – Betty Thompson.  Being able to share the stage with these girls was one of my favorite parts of the trip!

On Friday we were  able to briefly tour Milwaukee before participating in a fashion show for Express, Miss America’s official clothing sponsor.  If modeling for Express wasn’t a thrill enough, we were each given two complete outfits to take back home! By the time we were done working with Express it had began to snow outside, which was fantastic in my opinion. Being from Florida fluffy, pristine snow is not something to be taken for granted. Our Wisconsin friends were not quite as overjoyed, but they celebrated with me as we were taken to Maggiano’s, our destination for an elegant dinner to acknowledge Laura’s birthday. This was the first time I was able to meet some of her family and friends, who I absolutely fell in love with. Jeanette Morlean was able to come back to our quaint hotel and spend the night which gave me a special time to get to know my MAOT sister.  Hilarious, intelligent, and down to earth – she’s a great girl.

We were both excited to travel to Laura’s high school, St. Joseph’s Academy, on Saturday morning.  After the pep rally, the “crew” signed autographs with our new Miss America.  It was by far, the longest autograph line I’ve ever been through, which confirmed our knowledge of  Laura being well loved on a personal level before she ever achieved the successes of Miss America. Before a fun pizza outing with Ms. Debbie, Jeanette and I tagged along to the airport to pick up Mr. Sam and Mary Haskel. We obviously adore them and even made a special ”Welcome to Wisconsin” sign. Back at our hotel, Jeanette and I were busy making cookies and shuffling through the snow before our energy died down and we fell asleep.

The final day was packed with a sophisticated brunch, meet and greet, luncheon, and of course the final gala show located at a beautiful old opera house in Oshkosh.

As with any trip, in the end it’s always the people you meet and  friendships developed that make it all the more extraordinary.  I sincerely fell in love with the people I spent the week with. I left Wisconsin with a hint of ease knowing that I will be back in their arms this summer upon attending the Miss Wisconsin pageant. Ms. Jeanne, Mr. Micheal, Ms. Brenda, and Mr. Mark are WONDERFUL. They made the week a detailed and smooth production.

I know I am blessed to have been a part of such a  prestigious celebration. Thank you to each of you. Also, I left with two new second families – the Morleans and the Jorgensens!  All members of each family made me feel perfectly at home. As to Miss America’s court – Betty, Kaitlin, Jennifer, and Noelle – they are without a shout of a doubt my new big sisters. Spending hours with them reminded me of exactly how many opportunities are alive in this country and how diligent, directed efforts can significantly make a difference  not only in our lives as individuals, but can be used to better our culture as a whole.  They are such remarkable young women, and I do not take their counseling and friendship for granted.

Here’s to our new Miss America, Laura Keappler!

A true representation of what the organization stands for.  Keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she reigns. She has been handling the job in a superior manor with grace and intelligence, and I have unshattered faith that she will continue to do so throughout the rest of the year.

Back in Las Vegas when I first met the Wisconsin team.

Check out the following blurb on my latest connections with Elizabeth McGlynn.  Her preparation manual and our last session has left me feeling ready to conquer any interview or speaking engagement.  Her training will not only help me successfully complete my year of service, but I will continue to use her advice and skills throughout college and my future professional life.  I have loved working with her and am looking forward to our next session!

Elizabeth McGlynn of Professional Pageant Preparation, LLC, is scheduled to work with Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2012, Elizabeth Fechtel, to prepare her for several upcoming media interviews and public speaking engagements.  McGlynn, who specializes in interview training and platform development, will help prepare Elizabeth for her appearances through a series of phone coaching sessions. 
 
“As the National titleholder, Elizabeth has already established herself as a great speaker. But speaking in an interview situation outside of the pageant interview can be very different from what she experienced as part of the pageant,” says McGlynn.  “Because of these differences she needs to be able to handle herself in any situation.”
 
McGlynn will help Elizabeth determine her message goals, brainstorm possible questions, and develop her own personal rules for media interviews. 
 
To learn more about Elizabeth McGlynn and Profession Pageant Preparation, LLC, or to schedule your own coaching session, visit http://www.thepageantcoach.com/.

SPECIAL REQUEST FROM MAOTeen

Shout out to Hannah Brewer and Erica Bristor! Thanks for taking the time to donate and ship such beautiful dresses.

Dedicated Individuals Vying for Achievement – Meet a few of the local DIVAs in my community! These girls are pushing their way to the top by striving to put their full effort into everything they want to accomplish. I was able to support them as they marched in a Mardi Gras Kid’s Parade.

The Sash Company makes sure I always appear as royalty as they have sent me yet ANOTHER original sash! They spoil me...MAOTeen couldn't ask for a better sponsor.

I downright LOVE my family at Miss Orlando and had great time participating in their 2012 pageant weekend.  It is hard to believe that only one year ago I was delegated a local title in the Outstanding Teen program.  Donald Gray and Juan Cantu have generously influenced my life and will never cease as father figures to me.  I was thrilled to pass on the crown to my sweet friend, Samantha Janolo.  She will be unstoppable as she carries out her duties as the new Miss Orlando’s Outstanding Teen! Also, warm congratulations to Miss Orlando, Amanda Harris, and Miss Orange County, Sarah York. 

Samantha Janolo - Miss Orlando's Outstanding Teen

Amanda Harris - Miss Orlando

Sarah York - Miss Orange County

Landi Hicks - the new princess to Miss Orlando (pre-teen)

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Like many other Outstanding Teens and Miss representatives across the nation, I was able to help fundraise for Children’s Miracle Network by serving stacks of pancakes at my local IHOP.   There’s nothing better than flipping pancakes for kids!

Learn more about IHOP National Pancake day here.

My Student Goverment Club came out to support CMN, too!