Sunday, March 30, 2008

Forum

Sorry it has taken me so long to post. Since Miss America, I have been booked like CRAZY, which is a good thing, however it leaves me very little time for anything else including thank you notes. (If you have not gotten a thank you from me PLEASE forgive me.... again, I’ve been so so so busy!!)
I wanted to take a moment and tell everyone how WONDERFUL forum was I had such a great time and all of the girls looked beautiful. Here are a few pictures from the “Old Hollywood"night...

Sunday, January 27, 2008

I just wanted to sing =)

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.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Onstage Question

Hey Yall!!! I am having so much fun!!! Last night’s onstage question went really well. I have a format that I generally use when answering onstage question- Answer the question, support it, and close it. I stayed true to this formula last night and it served me well. My goal with the Miss America experience has been to show the judges who I am, enjoy the process, and to leave with no regrets. So far this is totally what I have done. If I do not win the title of Miss America at the end of this week I will be ok becuase I know that I have done the best that I could do!!! My wardrobe is edgy, but timeless which is totally me...I LOVE retro-glam!!! I can only control myself- MY ACTIONS and MY PERFORMANCE. Everything else is out of my hands so I choose not to waste my time or energy worrying about it. However if the judges are looking for me, They will CLEARLY find me because I have been no one but myself this week! I am not trying to immulate passed Miss Americas or anyone else for that matter. I am just me!!! The reality show can cut my hair and put me in different clothes, but they can NEVER change the things that make me ME!!! And those are the things that define an “IT” girl!! Well--- keep your fingers crossed Georgia as I compete in swim and gown tonight!! I love you Georgia and I’m so proud to call you my home!!!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Miss America

Hey Georgia- I have like 2 free minutes to blog (so forgive me spellcheck people). I am feeling really great after the first night of competition. I had a good time and I walked away with no regrets!!! Miss Iowa won talent and that was well deserved. Congrats Diana!!! You ROCKED the house girly!!! As many of you know, I had to change my song one week before I left. I received my music 2 days before I was to jump on an airplane to Vegas!!! However… I like this song MUCH MORE than my other song so it all worked out. I think it was a sign from the Universe that I needed a new song!!! Thomas Barnette did the arrangement of “If I Had My Way” that I performed last night. He is AMAZING and I want to thank him for all of his help. T, YOU ARE THE BEST AND I LOVE YOU!!!! Well- That’s all I can say now. Sorry I am unable to blog daily!! They keep us so busy!! Take care and wish me luck as I compete in onstage question tonight!!! 

Friday, January 18, 2008

Miss America Day One

Hello from Vegas!! Well I got here yesterday safe and sound. Right when I stepped off the plane it was time for our first event. We walked the red carpet and introduced ourselves to all of the people on the strip. It was so much fun. All of the girls look great and we enjoyed seeing each other again. I am rooming with Miss New Mexico whom I adore. She is wonderful!!! As most of you know, Tennessee and I are really close so it was fun to see her too =) This morning we all got up to head to a IHOP/CMN breakfast. I was running around the room getting ready and “SMACK” ...I kicked my barefoot into one of my trunks. After being seen by the Miss America Nurse, they decided to take me in for Xrays. LUCKILY nothing is broken. They gave me meds and told me to stay off of it while I could. Before any of you FREAK OUT… I am sooooo fine. I can handle this!! My foot is both black and blue, but that totally works with my wardrobe… plus black is always in...he he he. I’m going to just be more careful and keep looking forward to the competition ahead. Just say a prayer that 4 inch heels don’t bring tears to my eyes!!! Well- that’s all for now. We are on our way to an event!! Can’t wait. I’ll try my best to keep you posted everyday!! Bye for now.... LOVE, Your Miss GA =)

Thursday, December 27, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope everyone had a restful holiday and is ready to celebrate the New Year!!! Can you believe 2008 is already here!?!?! Time does fly =) Since I was unable to send everyone in Georgia a Christmas Card, I wanted to share the photograph shown in my card this year and wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I am so proud to be representing this great state at Miss America.... Thanks for all of your support and the happy holiday wishes that many of you sent my way! My family and I really appreciate how wonderful everyone across the state has been to me!!! I love you all =)

I also wanted to share some photos from my Christmas as Miss Georgia. The first picture is of my sister Laura, my niece Caroline, and me =) The next shows both of my nieces Caroline and Baby Kate in the Christmas PJ that I gave them. The rest are of parades and Christmas appearance I did this holiday season.

Last and most importantly I want to thank those who helped make my CMN PJ Drive a HUGE success!!! Thanks to all of the sponsors- Ben Hill County School System, Central United Methodist Church, and Domino’s Pizza. Additionally, thank you Susan Hughes and Connie Massee (a.k.a. MOM) for all you did to make this a success. For those of you who have no clue what I am talking about… I threw together a fund-raiser after speaking with CMN staff members during Thanksgiving. They informed me of the need they had in their hospital for children PJs. I told them I would try to gather a few things to bring them after Christmas. My goal was to at least gather 50 items. So- We had a PJ party in honor of CMN. We all wore our PJs, played Christmas games, ate pizza and other goodies, and HAD A BLAST. I am proud to report that we surpassed my goal and raised over 300 items to take to the CMN hospital in Columbus. THANKS SO MUCH FITZGERALD FOR YOUR DONATIONS!!!! Again…. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Sunday, December 09, 2007

LA, California

I can’t say much, but I did have a great time. Here are some pictures. (I have even included some of my “new look")ENJOY!

Finally- Cruise Pictures

Miss Iowa and I learning the safe sailing techniques.
Miss Ohio, Miss New Mexico, Miss Nebraska, Miss Georgia, and Miss Alabama.
Miss South Carolina, Miss Kansas, Miss Georgia, and Miss New York in Key West.
All the girls in Key West.
Miss Tennessee and I at the formal dinner. (I adore her!!)
Signing autographs.
Georgia Peps in Mexico =)
Costume Party.
Racecar Driver and Elvis (GA and TN)

My Pit Crew!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Photos Coming Soon

I will post cruise and LA pictures soon. I am having trouble putting the photos on my computer. Until I figure that out, enjoy this promo video for the upcoming series, “Miss America Reality Check.”

Meeting Miss GA

At Miss Capital City, during my closing words, I mentioned that in fourth grade I met Miss Georgia during my school’s pride program. I got to go on stage and read a poem to her. I even wrote about it in my journal. I have the journal and thought I would share the entry (I wrote it the same word-for-word):
“Bless my heart. My little heart was filled with joy when I came up on stage and resited a beautyful poem for Miss Georga and it goes like this- Though many of lifes pleasurs may change from year to year, special people never change easup to grow more dear. Just like a chearist memory they have a place apart, a place reserved forever in the cornor of my heart. Another thing I am proud of is the great relationship Charlotte and I have grown closer this month as friends and as family and she is glad she moved here and I am too. The most important thing I am proud of that acrued this February is my goals I’ve worked even harder on. My goal to be be a better Cristan and my goal to be a vetinaran. These are all the things I am proud of!! Also I want to be Miss Georga.”
Well--- My spelling hasn’t changed very much, but I have grown like 4 feet!!! I CRACK UP everytime I read this, but I also think it is soooooo cool that I wanted to be Miss GA (Georga) in 4th grade and now here I am!!! This is always in the back of my mind when I hear a cute little kid express their very vivid, very BIG dreams. I don’t EVER discourage or tell them to think of something more practical. Instead, I tell them my 4th grade story and how I wrote in my journal that I would be Miss Georgia someday!! See, Dreams DO come true!!!

MISS CAPITAL CITY 2008

Congrats on a GREAT weekend. The Miss Capital City Board did it again.... another great pageant full of beautiful girls and very impressive judges. I had such a good time hanging out with everyone, I didn’t want it to end. Thanks so much MCC board for making it such a special night. CONGRATS TO THE NEW MCC Chasity Hardman and MCCOT Julianne Giles!!! You girls are going to have a great year!! Congrats to all of the girls who competed. I was so impressed with the caliber of girls!!! Thanks again to the MCC board… YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!

Monday, November 19, 2007

One More thing

I wanted to share a picture of my niece Caroline. She was Cinderella for Halloween. Needless to say, the candy was a big hit!!! She’s a chocolate lover like her Aunt Leah =)

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!!!