So starting with last Saturday, Natalie Marcus and I rode together (along with my mum) to Little Rock. I've known Natalie for a while now (we worked together), but I really enjoy spending time getting to know her better. She is an incredible young woman, and I am blessed to know her! We left my hotel in the downtown River Market area together and walked to the Tony Bowls photo shoot. Did I mention that I love downtown Little Rock? We all had such a phenomenal time at the shoot. Meeting Tony Bowls for the first time was exciting! And I can say from experience, he is SO involved in his photo shoots. You can tell that his designs mean a lot to him, because he doesn't just let someone take photos of them. He is right there with you, encouraging how you model in the shot, and sometimes he is even the one holding up your train for that perfect image! Here is an iPhone shot of my shoot, courtesy Toni Bahn. I can't wait to see the final photos. And don't forget to check out www.missarkansas.org for the final photos. There will be a link to view and vote on your favorites, and the winning contestant will receive a scholarship!!!
Taken by Toni Bahn at the incredible Tony Bowls shoot!
Sunday was the Spring Meeting a.k.a. Contestant's Meeting. We enjoyed delicious food at the Pleasant Valley Country Club. I must say that the Coconut Pie was AhhhMazing! All 46 contestants got to model for different vendors across the state. I modeled a beautiful gown from Rebekah Lane in Harrison. Here is a picture of Kelsey Dow and I getting ready for the runway show.
Now, the meeting was great. Meeting all of the contestants always makes competition feel more real, and you realize it isn't as far off as you've been thinking! I was really excited to win a Tony Bowls evening gown from Venue as a door prize! But, the most exciting thing for me (possibly from the whole weekend) was the announcement that Miss America 2009, Katie Stam, will be co-emceeing the first two nights of competition at Miss Arkansas this year! This may not seem like much to some, but while I am a fan of all our Miss America's, Katie Stam is my favorite! I credit my desire to get involved in this program to watching her win in 2009 and then keeping up with her year of service. I have the utmost respect for her and I can't wait to meet her! I'll do my best not to be "that" giddy school girl that you have to kick out of rehearsal. ;-)
After the meeting, we headed off to Solemates for a drop-in event. Shelly Arnold is such a wonderful sponsor of the Miss Arkansas pageant and she takes great care of all of us girls! She is responsible for my amazing interview shoes, and I came home this week with a new pair of Chinese Laundry heels that I adore!
My sister queen, Ashley Walthall, and I posing with Shelly and Margie at Solemates!
The final stop for all of us contestants was the 2nd Annual Golf Tournament benefitting the scholarship program. We experienced some interesting weather. I started the day with the girls from NEA and we huddled together in our little golf cart to hide from the sudden downpour! After that, we had sun in the sky! It was a great day. I got to know Rosalyn Taylor later in the day as she drove me around the course. I enjoyed getting to know a fellow baton twirler. I used to be a majorette, and I can't wait to see her routine at Miss Arkansas.The NEA gang! They let me drive...
Rosalyn and I rode around the golf course together!
Finally, I ended my day with total relaxation, and a little therapy session, courtesty Kay Talley. She is another one of the amazing Miss Arkansas sponsors, and she is helping me to have flawless skin! I so enjoyed my afternoon with you, Mrs. Kay!
Me with Kay Talley after an amazing facial!
Until next time....
All my love,
Somer