July 13th

With Miss America's Outstanding Teen getting closer and closer, I have been soooo busy! Last week, Mom, Calee, and I made a four day trip to East Tennessee. Our first stop was the Second Harvest Food Bank. While learning new devastating facts about the hunger problem in our area, we volunteered. We cleaned, labeled, and boxed over 800 cans of peaches that afternoon! After all that work, there were still hundreds of cans just waiting to be used.

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is doing such a great job to try to fight hunger! I was amazed at how many volunteers were working daily and how organized everything was! I would love to go back and help out again any time! :)

Once we finished our Second Harvest visit, I went to mock interviews. Mr. Gary had set this up for me, and it came in very helpful! (Even after a fire alarm scare, haha.) After leaving Nashville Thursday night, we went and stayed at Sherrill's house in Knoxville. Sherrill was Mom's best friend in high school/college, so Calee and I got to hear lots of great stories, lol. We also loved meeting Megan and Cassie (Sherrill's daughter and neice)! Friday I went to work on my UT Majorette tryout routine. I can't wait to be able to try out at UT! On Saturday, we were off once again to have a visit with Rodney at the Splash Salon. After a few hours, Rodney had my hair looking completly amazing!! I am soooo grateful for his help! During my visit to Chatanooga, I also got to see Mr. Tim! As Rodney taught me the correct way to do my hair, Mr. Tim told me everything I needed to know about getting ready to go to MAOT! I can't wait to see them again!

June 20, 2010

For me, the past two weeks have been unforgetable. Not only did I attend my last University of Tennessee at Knoxville Twirling Camp (as a student, anyway), but I also had the time of my life at the Miss Tennessee pageant! As I sit here in my hotel room, I honestly cannot believe how quickly the time has flown by. When I was younger, I always wanted to grow up. Now, there are a million moments I wish I could freeze time just to make the most of this year. Being crowned Miss Tennessee's Outstanding Teen has allowed me to grow and gain so much confidence. Doors have been opened and I have had experiences and met people I could never have imagined. It has taught me to appreciate all the blessings God gives me and all the wonderful people that surround me.








When I arrived Tuesday night at the Jackson Civic Center, I had no idea what was in store for me. Being able to spend the week with Channing as we appeared together was one of the most fun memories I will ever have. We spent the days waking up early, getting coffee, and then freezing while we watched rehearsals. In the afternoons, we ate then went back to the Civic Center to watch more rehearsals. Once these were finished, we drove back to the motel where we got ready to appear backstage that night. Each night was filled with inside jokes, hurting feet, beautiful dresses (big thanks to JoAnn's!!! as always, lol), laughter, and photo ops. We were so fortunate and were able to not just be announced on stage, but also get to be Jay Demarcus's "personal assistants". Alison Alderson Demarcus and Jay Demarcus were the emcees each night. Before introducing Jay, Channing and I pumped up the crowd with signs, then made sure Jay was ready to go by bringing him towels, water, and mints. We had such a great time working with them! Towards the end of each night, we helped Alison and Winston celebrate their ten year anniversary of working together at the Miss Tennessee pageant. I helped carry out a coffee mug, pie, and even a crown cake! On Saturday night, my new big sister was crowned. Nicole Jordan was crowned Miss Tennessee 2010!!! Congratulations!!! Nicole was also one of my big sisters at my prelim pageant, so it was very exciting! Thank you sooooo much to everyone who helped make this week truly amazing. Mr. Tim, I could not ask for a better director! It would not be the same without you! Thank you for everything. I LOVE my gift basket from you and Mrs. Missy! MAOT, here we come! Mrs. Jane, Mr. Jimmy, Mrs. Val, Mrs. Missy, Brittany, Paige, Jared, all the local directors, the contestants, Chris, Craig, Alison, Jay, Stefanie, and all my Miss Tennessee family: You are all wonderful!! Thank you so much for everything you do for this system. This past week has flown by and I don't want it to end. All the contestants were so sweet to me and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend time with them. Also, to the local directors, thank you for being so helpful! I loved meeting and getting to know you! I had a blast!





The year hasn't even truly started, and I am already beginning to wish I could make time stand still. Now, my main focus will be to get ready for August where a whole new Journey is waiting for me. I pray that God will continue to bless me throughout this journey and allow me the opportunity to spread his blessings to others. Once again, congratulations, Nicole!!!


(I have tons of pictures!! Go check out my facebook!)

June 1, 2010

It's countdown time! Miss Tennessee week is almost here! I know all the contestants are either thinking one of two things: 1.) It can't get here soon enough! or 2.) How am I ever going to be completely ready in two weeks?! I'm sure it's the first one for most of the girls, and if not....It will all come together, so don't worry! I have had the pleasure of meeting alot of the girls during trips to JoAnn's and know there it will be a tough decision. Good luck to everyone competing! I can't wait to get to know you better. Miss Tennessee week also means I get to spend the whole week with my "Miss Tennessee family". Ahhh! I'm SO ready for this. I can't wait to see Channing again and appear for the first time with her! (: To prepare for the week, I made a trip to my favorite pageant shop ever (JoAnn's), where Paige, Jared, and Nikki helped me choose an amazing wardrobe for the week. Paige can design the best dresses! :) Not to mention the fact, I also was given shoes and earrings to match. I always look forward to my trips to JoAnn's!

In the midst of the mountains of paperwork I am trying to complete, my platform has not been forgotten. As I mentioned in my last post, I will be working all summer with the First United Methodist Church of Greenfield with the Summer Food Service Program. We are one of five churches in Weakley County to have adopted the program this year. I go to the church from 11-1 everyday that I am available to volunteer. The program provides fellowship and food to anyone up to the age of 18. There are no requirements, and you don't have to stay for the whole time. During the first hour, I either help prepare for the food to be given out, or play games with any children who come. At twelve, lunch is provided. We hope the program will grow throughout the summer and encourage all to come!

Just because I haven't been competing in pageants since March, doesn't mean I haven't been going and helping/watching! My pageant buddy/best friend (Taylor Hatcher) and I travel all over West Tennessee as I help her get ready for her pageants! While I miss actually walking out on stage a little bit, I love helping her do her hair and makeup! Just thought I'd give a little shout-out to my pageant buddy! :)

May 25, 2010

Even though I have not had any major appearances lately does not meanthat I haven't been extremely busy. When we were warned about paperwork before the pageant, well....let's just say they weren't exaggerating! Paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork! But don't get me wrong, the paperwork does have an upside. Each time I work on it, I begin to feel more and more excited about the pageant in August. I can't wait!! Also, not too long ago, I got to see my dress. It was sooooo beautiful!!! Thank you tons, Paige! I didn't want to take it off, haha. Not only do I now have my dress, but my talent costume is in the making as well! The sketches look amazing and I'm sure Kenerly Kreations will do a great job on it. I've always wanted one of their costumes!

As I continue my year as Miss Tennessee's Outstanding Teen, I am awarded many opportunities to work with my platform. This summer I will be helping the Greenfield First United Methodist Church with the Summer Food Service Program. The program offers a free lunch every single day to anyone up to the age of 18. It also gives the participants a chance to be surrounded by a positive, Christian atmosphere. It will begin on June 1st, 2010, and we would love to give as many meals as possible!

May 15th, 2010

Another one of my favorite things about being Miss Tennessee's OT is getting the opportunity to work with my platform. My platform is hunger awareness. I chose this platform because of the 30 Hour Famine event my youth group had attended a couple of years ago. During a 30 Hour Famine, you go without food while completing community service work and having worship services. This enables you to understand the real effects of hunger that some children (and adults) go through every day. During this event, I learned about how much of a problem hunger really is, even in our small communities. If children do not get the nutrition they need, they are set up to fail later on in life. They cannot concentrate in school, develop behavioral problems, and develop health issues. Last Saturday, I was invited to help with the Stamp Out Hunger program at the Crockett Care Food Bank. During this event, anyone who wished to donate food to the food bank could put it in their mail boxes and the postman would pick it up. Once it reached the post office is where we came in. My granddaddy and I loaded up the goods and transported them to the actual facility. Once they reached the food bank, they were weighed and then sorted so they could be put to use. As I stayed to help sort the food with the rest of the volunteers, Granddaddy (as well as other men) went to pick up more food. In Crockett County alone, more than 500 pounds of food was donated!

After I finished helping out at the food bank, I headed to Union City to JoAnn's. Jared had asked me to help him emcee and perform at the Jr. and Miss South Fulton High School pageant. I had a great time meeting everyone who was judging while also getting to know Leah Beth Bolton more! After a few technical difficulties with my music, I performed my talent routine. I love being able to perform and show everyone the sport of baton twirling! We saw tons of beautiful girls that night and crowned two of them. Congratulations, girls! Thanks to all the parents who organized the pageant. It was great. :)

May 3, 2010

As I've said before, appearances have to be one of my favorite things about being Miss Tennessee OT. This past Saturday was no different. Did it matter that it was pouring rain (soon to be the flood of 2010)? Did it matter that there were thunderstorms and tornado watches throughout the area? Noooo, it did not! Parades were cancelled, but not to worry, the pageant was still on. Haha. The Miss Paradise Island and Miss Tropical Princess pageants were held at Crockett County High School on Saturday, where I had been asked to emcee. After driving through many backroads because main roads were closing and running into the building in the pouring rain (ruining my curly hair and makeup, lol), I met Mrs. Danielle and Mrs. Misty. They were both so kind and did a great job hosting the pageant! The stage was beautiful, the food was great, and the whole pagaent was very organized. Thank you, CCHS FFCLA and HOSA! [Plus, huge crowns! Go Mrs. Janet!] Due to a judge cancellation, Mom had been asked to help judge. She helped make a panel of four judges. Mrs. Sherri, Mr. Steven, and Jennifer (Miss Nashville 2010) all kept me very entertained and I had a wonderful time getting to know them! Jennifer was so sweet and I wish her the best of luck in the Miss Tennessee pageant in June! :)

To help me with the pageant, I had a very special helper. The former Miss Paradise Island 6-9 yrs. queen, Caleigh Erwin, was there to present awards. She was adorable and I loved getting to know her! We even did some onstage "interviews" to kill time while the judges were making decisions. It was a wonderful pageant and even though it was pouring, we had some beautiful girls come out. Congratulations to all of the winners, and to Mrs. Janet who had several queens crowned and new royalty members! All in all, I had a fantastic day and cannot wait to do it again.

After attending last Saturday's 5K race, I have been inspired to do more than just wish I could run. Tonight, I (as well as two of my best friends, Laura and Callie Croom, because what fun is running alone?!) completed the first session of my 5K running plan. To be quite honest, I was dreading it because even though I work out and twirl daily, running has never come easily to me. After running/jogging 2.5 miles, I felt completely exhilirated. It was a huge surprise, and I was very happy, ha. Now, I am definately beginning to understand what people mean when they say they love to run. We will run again tomorrow night and I can't wait! :)

April 29, 2010

It doesn't seem true that over a month has already passed since the night I was crowned Miss Tennessee's Outstanding Teen. Yesterday, I opened the mail to find that Mrs. Missy had sent me my pageant dvds. I was so excited to finally get to watch the actual pageant. It was made into a family affair as I watched what they had already seen once. As I watched the dvd, it reminded me again of how lucky I am and of how special being in the Miss Tennessee's Outstanding Teen pageant is. I thoroughly enjoy competition and this was the most rewarding experience yet. As I viewed the dvd, I was amazed at how I missed talking to all the girls I had met, even though I had just met most of them that day!

Last Saturday, I made another appearance at the Greenfield Fiddlestick 5K. The run was put on by the Greenfield First Baptist Church's Relay for Life Team. Even though it was cold, windy, and rainy we had a good turnout and actually managed to complete the race and awards before the storms set in. Congratulations to all the participants and winners!

Tuesday night, I attended the 2010 Weakley County Youth Leadership banquet. It was the ten year anniversary of the Weakley County Youth Leadership program. For those of you who don't know exactly what the program is, I will give you a quick explanation. Every year, each student in the sophomore class from all Weakley County schools is given the opportunity to apply for the Youth Leadership program. They must fill out an application to turn it. Once the application is turned in, all their identity information is then taken away to be sure everyone has an equal chance. Then, five students from each school are selected as the WCYL class for that year. Beginning in October and continuing through April, these students work together and learn leadership skills that will last them a life-time. They learn about how Weakley County operates as well as how we can all work together to achieve more as a county. They go through team-building processes, make life-long friends, travel all across the county, visit banks/businesses/community service organizations, and tour our state's capital. It is a wonderful program to go through and I would recommend that everyone apply. As a member of last year's class, I returned to help celebrate the occasion. To my surprise, Mrs. Jan had been kind enough to nominate me for the Youth Achievement Award. Near the end of the banquet, they began reading off a list of achievements the winner had accomplished and I was shocked to realize that the award went to me. I was very honored to recieve such an award! Thanks so much!

I am working hard on my talent routine and continuing to book appearances. This Saturday, I will emcee and perform at a double pageant in Crockett County! I cannot wait to discover what else this year will bring for me.