Monday, November 19, 2007

Good to be home!!!

I think this is the first time I have sat at a computer in a month!!! (sorry for the lack of blogs....I’ll be better) Well- I have just rolled into town after a cruise through a Hurricane, my best friend’s wedding where I sang 2 songs and was a bridesmaid, an AWESOME trip to LA, God Bless Ft. Benning, a mad dash to Savannah, and a craft day with my friends, the miracle children, at Columbus’ CMN member hospital. Needless to say I am soooo tired. (I haven’t laid eyes on my family yet so I am really looking forward to that!!!!) I know what you are all thinking… DO YOU HAVE PICTURES?? And YES, I do have photos and will try to get them up during my Thanksgiving vacation. Also--- I have had so many phone calls wondering what I look like after my trip to California...well..... I have black hair and a tattoo. JUST KIDDING. I look about the same, just with some bangs that I am still learning to fix =) Some girls did make big changes. They look GREAT so I’m sure they were well-received upon their homecoming!!! Alright---Here we go….I have so much to share I really don’t know where to begin..... I guess I’ll start with the cruise. As most of you know, we were re-routed to Mexico due to the weather. This was totally cool with me because I had never been there. It was beautiful and I was able to enjoy some good Mexican food (my favorite) with my E.D. (Snooky), his wife Bernice, my wonderful mom, and my grandmother (Mimi). I was VERY pleasantly surprised when Kendrea Bailey found me on the boat and informed me she was performing during our cruise. SHE IS AMAZING!!!! WOW!!! Kendrea competed last year (2006) as Miss Albany and was a non-finalist talent winner. I had so much fun visiting with her. My roommate was Miss Iowa who is so funny and a blast!!! We had a great time together. All of the girls were super nice and we all got along perfectly. I was a little seasick when the water was rough, but other than that, everything was perfect! The last night at dinner I sat with the CEO of Miss America, Art McMaster, his wife, and a former Miss America. That was so much fun =) After the cruise I flew home and participated in a beautiful wedding. My best friend since 5th grade married her college sweetheart (I actually set them up). It was a very nice event...CONGRATS BRENT AND LINDSEY!!! Once the bouquet had been tossed I hurried to Savannah to catch my flight to LA. I cannot give you any details about the show we filmed, but I will say it was an incredible experience. We laughed and cried, played and learned. I made some wonderful new friends/sisters that will be a part of my life forever. The show itself should air in January. Hopefully they will not take things out of context or portray anyone in a negative light because I assure you NOTHING negative happened between girls!!! Everyone got along and there was not any drama (so hopefully they won’t create it). I hope you all tune in and root for Miss GA =) God Bless Ft. Benning was so incredible!!! I was born and raised in a VERY patriotic family so it is hard for me to even address the incredible men of our military without getting emotional….and I had to speak to thousands…..I just about lost it. I could feel my eyes burning with tears as I spoke and sang. They were the best audience I have ever had!!! I was very proud to have been invited to take part in that event!!! It was an honor to be among such incredible people!!!! To all of our troops: THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THIS COUNTRY!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!! Most recently, I hung out with the kids who are in the Medical Center of Columbus. We had a blast painting and playing! They are all such amazing little people. They have hope and courage like you would not believe!!!! They are there because they are sick, but hearing them speak or watching them play you would never know it because their spirits are so bright. One of my favorite things to do is play with the miracle kids (that’s what I call them...miracles). They keep me motivated, grounded, and thankful!!! I love them all soooo much. BIG thanks to Jennifer with CMN for letting me come play =) Well---- That should bring you up to speed. WHAT A WHIRLWIND RIGHT??? My life is one thing after another, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Safe Travels and Happy Holidays!!!

Monday, October 22, 2007

Comments

If anyone has constructive comments about Miss Georgia please direct these to the Miss Georgia Pageant office. Contact information can be found on our website http://www.missga.org. This site is set up to allow Miss Georgia the opportunity to share her journey with family, friends, and fans of our pageant. Please note that all threatening messages will be turned over to the proper authorities. Thanks for your attention to this matter. 

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Smart Women’s Lunch in Savannah

I was invited to attend the Smart Women’s Lunch in Savannah and it was wonderful. I was able to hear Ellen Burstyn discuss issues facing today’s women. I learned so much and was honored to have the opportunity to meet her. She is so down to earth and insightful! One of her comments about service really struck a chord with me and I agree whole-heartedly. She said, “Service means simply looking around to see what needs to be done and doing it.” I thought this idea was so simple yet incredibly powerful. We should all take a moment every now and then to look around, see what needs to be done and do it!!!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Cooking for Kids Update

The numbers are in and we raised $1600 in tips during our fundraiser!!! Thanks again to everyone that helped!!! A big thank you to FLOYD’S BBQ and the City of Fitzgerald!!!!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Cookin For Kids

I am so excited to report that our fund raiser for Children’s Miracle Network and the Miss America Scholarship fund was a success!!! Thanks to Floyd’s BBQ and all of the volunteers who gave up 11:00am-3:00pm to serve as waitresses, all tips benefiting our cause!!! There is not a clear count yet, but I feel very sure that we did well. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED!!!!!!

****Check back later for photos and more...****

Monday, August 27, 2007

National Sweetheart

Send cards, gifts, and flowers to Caitlin Andrews this week!! She is in Illinois representing Georgia at the National Sweetheart Pageant.

She will be competing in preliminary competition on Friday and Saturday (8/31 and 9/1). The finals are on Sunday (9/2).

We all wish her the very best!!

GO GET ‘EM CAITLIN!!! We are all so very proud of you!!!

I have enclosed some helpful info! I encourage everyone to send her something and let her know we are all behind her!!!

Host Family :
Marlene Bailey
890 E Honeywell
Hoopeston, Illinois 60942
217-283-7695

Florists:
Flowers and Gifts by Molly Culbert
217-283-5578
Schuler’s Flowers and Gifts
217-283-6681

Back in Columbus

Hi Georgia!!!
I’m back in Columbus after a fun couple of weeks!!! First of all, the Ageless Beauty Pageant in Blue Ridge was a blast. They treated me as if I were Miss America herself!! It was so much fun and I met just about every person who attended. Both men and women competed in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s categories. I was the emcee and entertainment. One man walked out on stage, grabbed the microphone, and asked me, “Where were you 50 years ago when I was out lookin’ for a honey?” ha ha ha ha =) Needless to say, with a personality like that he walked away with the crown.  The Braves game was also GREAT!!! I sang “God Bless America” in front of the largest audience I have EVER performed in front of (about 30,000 people). It was hot and sweaty, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I had the best time!!! Thanks so much to Kellie Appel for making that happen!! I also attended the Miss Atlanta Pageant which was great. All of the girls were beautiful and talented. I am so glad I do not have to judge in this system!!! Chasity did an amazing job and looked beautiful. It was hard for me to remain seated as she sang! That girl is incredible!!! Thomas Barnette, a personal friend of mine, was there and sang beautifully as well!!! It was also fun to see my sweet Teen Michaela!!! I just love her to death!!! Congrats to all of the prelim winners and runners-up. A special congrats to Caitlin Andrews who was crowned Miss Atlanta 2008. She has a tough act to follow, but I know she will represent Atlanta very well!!! Thanks so the Atlanta Board for the gorgeous roses they presented me and for making me feel so welcome!!! Also- Thanks to Darrett and Brian for putting me up for the weekend in your AWESOME Buckhead townhouse.
I have been staying busy with lots of events lately and they have all been fabulous!!! I’ve met some incredible people and have gotten so many bookings! Some of the things I am looking forward to are: A trip to Las Vegas to help Jovani at market, The Miss Chattahoochee Pageant, Several CMN fundraisers I have been working on, and another trip to Blue Ridge to stay with the Grizzle family again (thanks to Susan and Erin for having me!).
The photos are of my trip to Fitzgerald where I joined East Central Technical College for Summerfest!!
Until we meet again, take care and God Bless!!!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

I’m Back

I had a fun time in Orlando watching Michaela. She was beautiful and did an amazing job!!! I was BURSTING with pride as she performed her talent. I cannot get over how great of a dancer she is =) It was an honor to be there in support of such an amazing girl!!! WAY TO GO MICHALEA!!!
The only regret I had about my Orlando trip is that I was unable to attend some of the scheduled Miss America Contestant Events. I think the worse part was missing the trip to Disney!!! I had been up the night before tossing and turning with stomach pain!! UGH---Let me tell you, That WAS NOT fun =/ I was just about in tears when I woke up and still did not feel up to it.  Anybody who knows me will tell you… I AM A HUGE DISNEY FAN. One of my dreams as a little girl was to be Ariel at Magic Kingdom. (It kind of still is a secret wish of mine) Luckily when my chaperone saw how sad I was, she MADE MY DAY by saying, “If you feel up for it in a little while, then I’ll take you.” (Thanks for that Erin) I made it there just in time to see some of the other contestants and hear all about their day. I was SOOOOO happy! After a few hours it was back to bed for another night of stomach pain. YUCK!!!  I was however able to go to the CMN hospital with the MAO contestants that were in Orlando (29 were there).  That was a highlight for me!! I met a little girl who called me Snow White…this is funny considering I am a blonde hair, blue eyed, tan girl, with a touch of a southern accent!  HOWEVER- Any child THAT cute can call me whatever she wants!!!  That hospital was so BIG. I made some great connections there and hope to revisit this hospital again this year.  It was lots of fun and very interesting.
The girls I’ll be competing with are all wonderful. I really enjoyed hanging out with Miss Michigan (and her fabulous board of directors…they are amazing) and Miss North Carolina. I also really like seeing Miss South Carolina and Miss Alabama again!!! (I went to their pageants this year and was thrilled when they won)!! It was also nice meeting Florida! We spent the first ten minutes of our conversation discussing all of the people we both knew. It really is a small world!! Miss America, Lauren Nelson, looked fabulous!! She represented the MAO very well as she emceed and preformed at the pageant!!! She did a very nice job. I was very impressed and it was fun to see her again. I was also able to visit with Art McMaster (MAO CEO) and Mike Allegretto (who is the MAO board member that attended Miss GA). It was nice to see both of them again as well.
I got to see Lace and the Cobb board which was a treat!! The MGO board got us GREAT tickets in a fabulous location in the theater!!! I was able to sit with MGOT board members which was fun!! They were as proud of Michaela as I was =) SHE DID AN AMAZING JOB!!! YAY MICHAELA!!!
After returning home from Orlando, I visited the doctor and as it turns out those stomach pains weren’t just in my head after all. The doctor found stomach ulcers that had been progressively getting worse. He will be treating them for the next eight weeks. That’s kind of a pain, but necessary! I’m just glad we figured out what was wrong!! He basically said I needed to stop stressing. I said, stressing is a BIG part of my job =) Later that afternoon, my day was brightened when I learned of the plan to broadcast MISS AMERICA on TLC. That is one of my favorite networks!!! I think that was a GREAT move by the MAO and TLC!!! YAY!!! It’s good to have a home again =)
The last thing I want to share before I go is the fact that we have a new addition to my family!!! This morning at about 3:16am my Niece, Katherine Lee Massee (Kate), was born!!! Both Mom and Baby are doing great and will be home tomorrow!! Kate was 7 pounds and 2 ounces. She was 19.5 inches long and has huge hands and feet like my brother!!! (Her talent will be playing the piano at Miss GA 2027) She is beautiful and we are all exhausted, but totally thrilled!!!
Well-- that about wraps it up!!! I’m now headed to Columbus for a Rotary Club Meeting, then I’ll be in Blue Ridge for the Ageless Beauty Pageant, followed by East Central Technical School’s Summerfest event in Fitzgerald, and I’ll end my week Sunday at the Braves Games singing God Bless America!! I hope to see you there!!! Take Care and have a great weekend =)

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Hello again!!

I’m sorry it has been so long since my last entry. I have been very busy getting paperwork ready to send to Miss America. Not to mention I have just returned after spending 5 days in the Bahamas! It was beautiful. I was there to sing in Brian and Lori’s wedding, 2 of my dearest friends. Now I’m getting VERY excited about heading down to Orlando to cheer on my BEAUTIFUL sister queen, Michaela Lackey at America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant. After seeing her wardrobe and visiting with her at her “Send-off Party”, I KNOW she will do a fabulous job. I hope to see LOTS of GA support next weekend!!! I’ll look forward to seeing you in Orlando to watch our Miss GA OT show America what Georgia girls are all about =)

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Greetings!

Greeting Georgia~

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. I spent mine honoring the heroes of our country in Atlanta at the biggest Independence Day Parade in the nation!! It was lots of fun! Erin Haney, a former Miss GA USA who now serves on the Miss Capital City Board (my former franchise) accompanied me to the event. A special thanks to Erin and all of the Miss America Organization (MAO) Volunteers!! THEY are who make this system so GREAT!!
I have been home for a few days now spending time with my family and getting organized for the year ahead!! I was able to have a few HOME COOKED meals before I started my travels!  That was sooooo nice! I was also so overwhelmed by the “big-to-do” my hometown has made over me being Miss GA! The hugs, waves, horn beeps, cards, and gifts have all made me feel like a queen!! Also the newspaper (The Herald Leader) was plastered with my photographs. I was so taken back. It took me a long time to just get through it because my eyes were filled with tears!! There were ads taken out by local businesses and citizens on just about every page from cover to cover! I was so touched!! Thanks so much to my hometown of Fitzgerald for their support! I love you all!!
My first photo shoot will be tomorrow and I cannot wait. Art Johnson in Albany will be taking the pictures. He has been photographing Miss GA for many years. Before winning this crown, I would visit his studio for headshots and family photos. He would always show me the pictures he had taken of the current Miss GA! I thought that was so cool. Now I will take my Miss GA photos with Art. WOW!! I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS REALLY MY LIFE!!
Before I go, I wanted to take a moment to thank a few people I left out during my coronation speech at the Miss GA Ball. I was so overwhelmed and emotional that I had a hard time remembering all of the wonderful people who helped me along the way. As time passes, I‘m sure I will have even more people to thank. First, thanks to Thomas Barnette who was my vocal coach!! He was so much fun to work with and VERY talented!! Thanks Thomas!!! Also- Steve Betros, your support and love keep me going. Thanks so much and I love you!!
Well, I guess that’s all for now!  I look forward to sharing my year of service with you all!! I promise I will work very hard for this state as I believe it is my duty!!! Take Care All!!!

Monday, July 02, 2007

Miss Georgia to Blog Here

Miss Georgia 2007 Leah Massee will keep you updated on her year wearing the Miss Georgia crown.

Massee will be providing periodic updates to this site detailing her experiences as Miss Georgia.

Here you’ll be able to find information about her upcoming events and appearances.

You’ll also be able to to read about Massee’s experiences as she prepares for the Miss America Pageant.

Add this site to your “Favorites” or add our RSS feed to your favorite RSS reader to stay up to date with Miss Georgia.

New Videos Posted

Two videos that were shot during Saturday night’s competition have been posted.

Saturday, Leah Massee was crowned Miss Georgia 2007.  She entered the pageant as Miss Capital City.

Massee won preliminary competition events Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night.  She will go on to represent Georgia at the Miss America Pageant.

To watch Massee’s crowning moment and an interview, simply click the links on the right side of this site.

Sunday, July 01, 2007

New Miss Georgia Crowned

There’s a new Miss Georgia and her name is Leah Massee.

Forty-one of Georgia’s most beautiful and brightest competed at the Columbus RiverCenter for the title, Miss Georgia Saturday night.

Saturday’s competition capped off a week’s worth of activities, including preliminary competitions Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night.

More Miss Georgia Results

Miss Georgia 2007 Leah Massee takes the crown. Read on for the top ten results. 

Miss Capital City Leah Massee became Miss Georgia 2007 tonight. She will go on to compete in the Miss America Pageant.

First runner up is Miss Historic Southern Plains Kelley Bradshaw.
Second runner up is Chasity Hardman, Miss Atlanta.
Third runner up is Caitlin Andrews, Miss Gwinnett County.
Fourth runner up is Christina McCauley, Miss Cherokee County.

Rounding out the top ten were Miss Cobb County Lace Larrabee, Miss Carpet Capital Jessica Black, Miss Southeast Georgia Kristina Higgins, Miss Southern Rivers Kendra Pelletier, and Miss University of Georgia Ashley Foster.

The results of the Bob Ritchie Quality of Life Award was also announced. This is the first year for the award based on service and leadership in the community. Miss Carpet Capital Jessica Black received the award, which comes with a $1,000 scholarship. 

Miss Cobb County Lace Larrabee won Miss Congeniality. 

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Final preliminary night is over

Here are the results of your 2007 Miss Georgia Pageant:

In the swimsuit competition, Kelley Bradshaw took first place. The Miss Historic Southern Plains representative was first runner up to Miss Georgia last year.

Miss Gwinnett County, Caitlin Andrews, won the talent preliminary with her vocal performance of “Nessun Dorma”. She won a $1,000 scholarship.

Miss Capital City, Leah Massee, won her third preliminary competition, with evening gown. She won swimsuit on Wednesday night and talent on Thursday night.

Don’t forget, you can watch a LIVE stream of the Miss Georgia Pageant finals by logging onto http://www.wrbl.com and clicking on the Miss Georgia Pageant link.