Thanks Georgia for all of your support!! I am tired and a little emotional…. kinda how you feel after Christmas. SO much time and effort went into making this dream a reality for me. While I didn’t walk away with the crown, I walked away with new friends, fond memories, and $9,000 in scholarship. I would have LOVED to been given the chance to sing, but that’s ok…. my day will come. Congrats to Miss Michigan. She is a true class act and will do a great job this year as our Miss America. I challenge Georgia to support and encourage her this year, as she represents all of us who compete, volunteer, and/or admire this program. I am honored to have had the opportunity to compete along side such amazing women. I’m going to be very honest- That was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done. I didn’t care for the focus being on who got “eliminated”..... that might just be because I was one of them…he he he. The audience didn’t like it either so maybe it is a valid comment. When I was told I would not be moving to the next phase of competition I was sad and my first thought was of you Georgia. I wondered how people would feel, what they would say, would you be mad, would you pick me apart?? I sat there on the stage and could hardly hold back tears…. It was a tough spot to be in, I have to be honest. While I’m sure there is someone on a message board right now letting me have it, I choose to remember that there are many, MANY people waiting on me back home with open hearts and arms that have always seen me as Miss America. These are the people who fostered this crazy dream of mine since I was a little girl. These are the people I am so thankful for- my friends, my family! I am tired, sore, and emotionallly drained, but I am ready to come home and get back to work. I made a promise to Georgia the day I was crowned that I would do everything in my power to serve the people of this great state. I intend to keep that promise. God’s plan for me is to be Miss Georgia for this entire year…and so Miss Georgia I will be!!! I want to share one story before I jump on a plane and head home- the second I walked off the stage last night, a little girl gently pulled on my gown. I looked down and saw a beautiful blond girl who said to me, “One day I want to be Miss Georgia.“ Those are the moments, the memories that will keep me pressing forward. We, as titleholders, represent the dreams of thousands. My dream does not end hear in Las Vegas- I have no regrets, no concerns, and no fears because my self-worth was not changed by the outcome of this event. I will always keep the memories of this journey close to my heart. My sisters of 2008 will go on, as will I, and we will be so successful. I intend to dream big for the rest of my life!!! After all, a door may be closing but I already see another opening!!! Thanks Georgia…. I’m coming home.