Miss Lights of the Delta

The 2011 family is now complete! Saturday night in Blytheville two new queens were crowned after a whole day of wonderful competition. Ashley Walthall is my new sister queen, Miss Lights of the Delta. And, Bailey Moses became Miss Lights of the Delta Outstanding teen. I am so excited to be working with these ladies throughout the next year as we each prepare ourselves for our respective state competitions.

One of my favorite aspects of the Miss Arkansas Pageant system is the connection with other young women from all over the state that it provides. After last July, I was able to say that I had made 43 new friends that I could call upon no matter where I was travelling throughout Arkansas. And now, I'm looking so forward to getting to know Ashley, who is from Magnolia, as we prepare for Miss Arkansas. I know that the connections I have made over the last year will last me a lifetime and I am so blessed to call so many talented young women my friends!

When I consider the size of the Miss America Organization I am unable to comprehend the connections that it builds for young women all over our country. Very few organizations can impact the number of individuals that MAO reaches year after year and because of that, I am honored to be a small part of it. I  began this blog intending to detail the Lights pageant, but this is what came out! :) Suffice it to say, we had a wonderful weekend and were privileged to not only have our unmatched Miss Arkansas 2010, Alyse Eady, present, but we were fortunate to meet Miss Missouri 2010, Erika Hebron, as well.

As always, here are a couple of photos for you to enjoy!

From Left: Me, Ashley Walthall, Miss Lights of the Delta 2011, Bailey Moses, Miss Lights of the Delta Outstanding Teen, Courtney Welsh, Miss Northeast Arkansas Outstanding Teen

The beautiful Miss Arkansas 2010, Alyse Eady. I absolutely adore her!

Holiday Fun

Last night was the opening ceremony of the Lights of the Delta Festival in Blytheville, AR and as Miss NEA 2011 I had the honor of helping to take donations of canned goods and toys at the entrance once it was open. I so enjoyed spending time with Miss NEA Outstanding Teen Courtney Welsh and Miss Lights of the Delta Outstanding Teen 2010 Ashleigh Rogers. We had a great time and the Festival of Lights has never been more beautiful! Driving through the lights' display is such a wonderful start to this holiday season. I encourage everyone to take some time in Blytheville with your families to view the lights.

If you didn't know, the Miss Lights of the Delta pageant always occurs the weekend the festival opens so come out and see the new Miss and Teen queens crowned on Saturday night! We will also be taking a hayride through the festival display on Friday night and will be getting our pictures with Santa. I just want to say a huge thank you to Marrietta Jerome and Eva Lee Graves for being such wonderful directors and for teaching me what it means to be a Miss America preliminary title holder. Also to all of the volunteers to assist in the putting together of this weeks event, thank you for your hard work year after year! Here are a few photos we snapped of the opening...

The lighting of the "Old Glory" display during the National Anthem.

Courtney Welsh, Miss Northeast Arkansas Outstanding Teen, Ashleigh Rogers, Miss Lights of the Delta Outstanding Teen, and Me!

Me and Courtney working the gate collecting toys and canned goods!

Phone-Phrenzy Fun

Back in October, I had the great pleasure of volunnteering with the Lawrence County Circle of Friends for their annual Phone-Phrenzy for Arkansas Children's Hospital. The pledge goal this year was $10,000 and I'm happy to say that in a few short hours, not only did we meet it, we surpassed it!

I have always loved volunteering my time for events like this, but there is something about being asked to come as a representative of northeast Arkansas and the Miss NEA organization that makes it all the more special. I have never been happier than when I am volunteering for the benefit of others and I could not recommend anything more rewarding to anyone.

If you are reading this now and you that impulse to get out and volunteer, too, don't hesitate! There are so many worthwhile causes that need your support and, speaking from experience, you will appreciate the support that is returned to you. Here are some pictures from that night. And if I may...we queens sure can raise some serious funds!!

Making some calls!

Our team "The Queens"

Fun Things

On October 9th I had the pleasure of hosting the first Northeast Arkansas Music Fest. My wardrobe for the event was provided by Clark's Bridal in Jonesboro. This is just one of the many exciting events that I have had the joy of participating in since becoming involved in the Miss Arkansas Pageant. I've added some pictures below. Check out the amazing outfits!

Me with Ashleigh Rogers (currently Miss Batesville 2011), Ashleigh was one of the performers at the event

Some of the wonderful ASU Convocation Center staff  and officers of the Jonesboro Police Department who were kind enough to take a photo with me!

More to come soon from my year as Miss NEA 2011. Thanks for reading ;)

Miss Arkansas 2010

As promised I am going to post some photos and thoughts from Miss Arkansas 2010 back in July. I cannot say enough about my first experience at the state pageant. Not only was it an adventure for me, but the pageant was so well ran with volunteers, board members, production crew, and chaperones all willing to go that extra mile to make the week a success. I cannot say thanks enough to all of these amazing individuals who created a week that I will truly never forget.

Top 5

4th Runner-up, Somer Allen; 2nd Runner-up, Amy Crain; Miss Arkansas 2010, Alyse Eady; 1st Runner-up, Simone Mullinax; 3rd Runner-up, Kristen Glover

I was so excited this summer to receive the following awards and scholarships: 4th Runner-up, Dr. Rhys Branman Newcomer Award, Preliminary Alpha Award in Evening Gown, Preliminary Alpha Award in Talent, Preliminary Alpha Award in Swimsuit.

These awards provided me with much needed scholarship assistance to help me finish my undergraduate years at Arkansas State University. I can now, gratefully, say that I will be debt free coming out of my first four years of college. 

In addition to being humbled by the awards and scholarships that I received, I was further blessed to make 43 new friends from all across the state! Never before have I been surrounded by so many beautiful, talented young women and now to call them my friends is just a further demonstration of the great opportunities provided by the Miss Arkansas and Miss America Organizations. I'll leave you with a few photos.

My wonderful roommate: Kathryn Holcomb, Miss Western Arkansas 2010

Best Friend: Kristen Heuck, Miss Lights of the Delta 2010

Backstage with Simone Mullinax, Miss Lakes of the Northwest 2010