August 14^th, 2009

Our free day (not quite):

9:00- 9:30- Breakfast

10:00- 12:00- Casual workshop

12:00- 1:00- Lunch

2:00- 3:00- Workshop

3:00-4:00- Photo shoot

3:00- 4:45- Prep for Taylor’s party

5:00- 6:30- Princess make over

6:30- 10:00- Taylor’s party

**Bowls dresses go over to Convention Center Saturday**

This was the last night all the contestants would spend together. The ambiance of our night was one of sorrow to leave newly made friends and excitement for what was in store for one lucky girl the next day. I was in my room alone packing up my belongings when I heard a quiet tap on our door. It was not the hotel room door but the door that conjoins our room with Alabama and Nevada. Alabama was standing on the other side of the door with a sad, tearful face. I welcomed her into our messy pigsty. We had the most touching conversation. The main point was that we were all chosen as the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen class of 2009 for a reason. This was how God had wanted it. We all were supposed to meet each other and make these everlasting friendships. I would have NEVER wanted it a different way. Each contestant added her own flair to our experience. It wouldn’t have been the same without one.

I went to Miss America’s Outstanding Teen with one simple goal. It was not to make the Top Ten, although that would have been awesome. It was to get people to realize who Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen truly is and what she is most passionate about and I believe I did this. First of all, my red hair did set me apart from everyone else, but also I became friends with all the contestants, was always polite, and competed to the best of my ability. I made the best of the experience and I believe that it really did show on stage that Minnesota is a fun, and energetic, but also genuine and sincere young woman. Often, I receive Facebook messages from other contestants saying that they talk about Minnesota at their appearances and to their friends and how much they all miss my Minnesotan accent and me. While getting off the bus at the State Fair, a lady turned to me and said, “Coming to you from the state of blonde hair, blue eyes, and one red head…” That was my introduction at MAOT. How crazy is it that a lady that I don’t even know would remember that?! This is a simple legacy and I believe it will stick.

Funny Stories:

We were all enjoying the delicious breakfast that was donated to us each day by the hotel when we heard this story. It was coming to the end of our ten days and the mornings were getting earlier and earlier. This particular morning, Alabama had requested a wake up call for 6:30 A.M. When 6:30 A.M. came around, she answered the phone and told them to call back in 30 minutes.

On the final night of preliminaries, North Carolina had to perform her talent. She is a very talented dancer. Once she got off stage, there was a bottle of water sitting on the table. She thought it was hers and quickly took a gulp of it because she was out of breath and thirsty. Kelly, my roommate, looked at her and said, “Kat, that’s not your water. That’s Katie’s.” Kat replied, “Who?! You’re roommate, Minnesota?” And Kelly replied, “No! Miss America, Katie Stam!!!” North Carolina’s mouth dropped and she said, “Oh my gosh! I just made out with Miss America!”

(These stories might not even sound that funny but if you were as tired and exhausted as we were, you would have been laughing with us.)