Fashion Shows, Pageants, and Travel...Oh My!

Wow! What a busy couple of weeks. I have lots to catch you up on! First things first: Congratulations to all of the preliminary winners of the past few weeks. It is so exciting to see the titles filling up with names, some that I know and still so many new faces! I can't wait to see everyone again! To keep track of the newly crowned title holders visit http://www.missarkansas.org/ and click on 2011 Competition.

Coming up March 5th is the Miss Greater Jonesboro Pageant! It is going to be a bittersweet time for me. Miss Teen Jonesboro was the first preliminary that I ever competed in back in 2003 and I was first runner-up to the amazingly talented Evan Hall. The pageant then ended in 2004. It has been wonderful for me to  start my journey full circle by being crowned the first Miss Greater Jonesboro when the pageant came back in 2010! I am so excited to be moving forward and representing the Northeast Arkansas area at state this year, but I will never forget my amazing MGJ family and the wonderful year that I had representing my hometown. Jonesboro, you have been good to me and I hope that I made you proud this year. While I have the chance, THANK YOU Sean and Ellen Pollock for being my first executive directors and for helping me to accomplish my dreams! Good times and bad ;), you both saw me through to the end and I am forever greatful for your sound advice and caring. Good luck to all of the girls competing for MGJ 2011. You will have the best people working behind you!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to model for Dillard's in a bridal expo. I spent my Saturday being pampered with hair and make-up while wearing gorgeous clothes! Not a bad weekend. I enjoyed getting to spend time with Miss ASU 2011, Kelsey Dow, and her sister Mackenzie. I also had the priviledge of getting to know Jordan Foushee a little better; she has started competing in Miss prelims and I wish her the best of luck! Here's a picture:

Kelsey Dow, Miss ASU; Jordan Foushee; Mackenzie Dow; Me

You would think that I would be fully adapted to busy weeks, but I'm pretty sure my sleep schedule will never be normal! I will hopefully get in another post this weekend. I am modeling in the Red Dress Fashion Show benefiting the American Heart Association on Friday and then I'll be heading to Hot Springs on Saturday! I've never visited Oaklawn before, but a good friend of mine is an equine enthusiast and she is dragging me to my first ever horse race! I have to admit I'm pretty excited! Plus, Oaklawn is a sponsor of the Miss Arkansas Pageant, and I think there is pretty much no better way to say thank you for their support than to attend their races. If  you're ever down in Hot Springs, stop in! To end the evening, I'll be cheering on the girls competing for Miss OBU! Looking forward to a great pageant.

So this post is starting to get pretty long. Thanks for sticking it out! The last thing I want to say is good luck to Kathryn Holcomb (the best Miss Arkansas roommate) this weekend as she crowns her successor in the Miss Western Arkansas pageant! Kathryn, I hate that I can't be there, but I know you will shine!

Until next time...



Miss Three Rivers

Congratulations to Miss Three Rivers 2011, Cortnie DeVore! What a talented young woman. She has been blessed with such an amazing voice. I got to know her little by little during Miss Arkansas this past year because she spent a lot of time backstagewith us contestants as part of the Court of Honor! I'm so excited that we will be backstage together again this year!  

I had a great time at this pageant! I was able to travel with wonderful friends, including Bethany Bell, Miss Crowley's Ridge 2011. As always, here are a few photos!

Me with 1st Runner-Up Natalie Marcus

 Four Miss and a Teen

Me; Ashleigh Rogers, Miss Batesville; Kelsey Dow, Miss ASU; Bethany Bell, Miss Crowley's Ridge; Ashley Rocho, Miss White River Outstanding Teen

That Time of Year Again

Update: Congratulations Kelsey Dow, Miss Arkansas State University 2011
Now for earlier post :-)

I was supposed to be on the court for Miss Arkansas State University tonight, but have had to cancel due to a terrible cold that just won't seem to go away. I'm so sad not to be able to cheer on the girls competing! But, I am still excited to meet the new Miss ASU 2011! Good Luck tonight girls!

Since I'm stuck at home, I thought I would post a little update. I spent this past past weekend traveling with my director. (Thanks Marrietta for putting up with me while I was sick! I had a great time on the road with you and I'm thrilled at what we were able to accomplish.) We took care of some of my interview and talent preparations for Miss Arkansas. Because I am still in school, it is always so much fun to take time off to get ready for Miss Arkansas. I know it is still 6 months away, but at the same time, it feels so close. I can't wait to be in the hotel with all of the girls, old and new, going to rehearsals, and vying for the title! There really is no experience like it.

Well, I hope to be on the mend soon. I've got a booked calendar over the next few weeks and I can't wait to dive right in! Since I promised to add it after January, I'll leave you with a photo of last year's top 5 at Alyse's wardrobe preview! Until next time...

Top 5

Kristen Glover, Amy Crain, Alyse Eady, Simone Mullinax, & Me