MISS AMERICA!

Sunday, January 31st

We flew home today. We left for the airport at 6 A.M. We did not return home in Minnesota until 5 P.M. Our flight made a quick stop in Denver, Colorado and then California! So really, I visited 3 states this week! It was a tiring week and I slept the whole plane ride. It was nice to be home and to see my dad, brother, George and my other pets. Can you imagine? I had school the next day. YIKES!

Saturday, January 30th

Saturday was a lazy day. The three of us, Lisa, my mom, and I, slept in. Then we went out to eat, got ready, and left for the final night of Miss America! We all looked great. I had on a purple, floral Tony Bowl’s dress. Robert and I had coordinated ahead of time. He had on a purple vest and tie. I received my new dress as a gift just a few days before we were leaving for Vegas. It was definitely too big, but our seamstress, Laurie, worked really hard to fix it up. I did not get to try it on before we got on the plane, I was praying that it would fit, and it did! It was perfect! She can do wonders! As we walked down the street, people did double takes, congratulated me on my win, and told me that I looked great! This was an assuring feeling! With all the confidence given to me, I could have been competing on that stage. All the teens had been given tickets as a group on the bottom floor. Brooke had known where I would be sitting and we exchanged eye contact and gestures to each other throughout the night.

The energy of the auditorium was high and the contestants looked great.



Although Brooke did not make it into the top 15, we are all so proud of her. She definitely represented Minnesota well. One of the most exciting moments of the night was when CC, Miss Oregon, was chosen by the girls as the last contestant to be in the top 15. I was sitting next to Amanda and we jumped up! The show went on. It is way different watching it on TV. During the commercial breaks we just sat there and talked. As the competition narrowed down further and further, finally the crowning moment was up. Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron is the new Miss America for 2010. She will represent our nation well. With grace, poise, confidence, style, and wisdom, she is the full package. Congratulations!



After the show, I went up to visitation to give Brooke a huge hug and for the usual picture with Lauren, Miss Brainerd Lakes. This is where we found out that Brooke had won a nonfinalist talent award. It is well deserved.



My mom, Lisa, and I enjoyed dinner and then I was off once again. This evening, Robert, Veronica, and I were going on the roller coaster at New York, New York. It was a blast! It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. I went to Vegas with a list of things I wanted to do. It was a very short list and only consisted of one thing… riding the roller coaster. It was a beautiful night in the city, and I’m glad I got to share my last night with friends. I MISS VERONICA! L

Friday, January 29th

Words cannot express what a wonderful day I had. It was an early morning again, and I was looking forwards to Saturday because it was the first morning I would be able to sleep in. Today, Miss Nevada’s Outstanding Teen, with the help of her director, Michael Hannah, and many generous donors and supporters, the MAOT class of 2009 had a fun filled day out in Las Vegas. We all met in the lobby of Planet Hollywood for group photos. It was really cool because all of us had matching pink shirts but we all dressed the shirts up differently. Our bus came and we all received a goodie bag. Our first stop was at the St. Rose Dominican Children’s Hospital where we listened to speakers and met a few Children’s Miracle Network kids and families. I would like to wish David the best of luck. God has truly played a role in his life and given him the strength to get through his cancer. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch given to us at the hospital, signed autographs for the kids, and were off to our next destination.



Next, we were going to the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign for photo opportunities. Did you know that the lady that designed the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign never patented it? So, every time someone uses it, she does not get paid! She could be a millionaire! Elvis greeted us, and we all had the opportunity to meet the mayor of Las Vegas, who took the time out of his busy schedule to take photos with us. Amanda, Miss Oregon’s Outstanding Teen, and I took many photos. It was great getting to spend the day with my best friend.





Our next visit was at the Paris Hotel. We went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The one in Vegas is only a fifth of the size of the real one and boy, was this replica is tall! Amanda, Jill, Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen and I were the first girls to go up. I took many pictures of the strip below us and we had a blast. We all were wondering what the maximum capacity of the tower was… thankfully we were all safe.



Our last stop was back at Planet Hollywood for an autograph signing. We were all tired and happy to sit down. It was great to see all the people who wanted our autographs. It was a wonderful end to a great day.



Jordan- you were an outstanding host for the day. Thank you so much for planning such a fabulous day. You are truly a role model and a real friend.

Thank you to all the donors and helpers for this event. I am so gracious and appreciate everything you have done for the Outstanding Teen Organization. It was a stress free day. The atmosphere was completely different than when we competed in August. It is sad to think that this was the last time all of us would be together as a group. L

I MISS AMANDA!!!!



But, my day was not over yet. My mom, Lisa and I were off to the Harrah to see the Legends show. It was awesome! The impersonators looked so real! I was bummed that I couldn’t get my picture taken with Michael Jackson. I also saw the volcano blow up! As much as I thought it would be intense and exciting, it was actually graceful and pretty.

The Miss America Behind the Scenes was also on tonight. We returned to the hotel; we stayed at Paris. Oh, I forgot to explain what a beautiful sight my hotel window overlooked. The Eiffel Tower was right outside my window with the Belagio water lights behind it. At night, the view was amazing. I was now off to Veronica’s, Miss Alaska’s Outstanding Teen, room. Veronica, her sister, Jill, and I watched the show. I was sad that Brooke wasn’t shown a lot, but excited for CC, Brooke’s roommate, Miss Oregon, and my best friends big sister, had a lot of TV time! Jill fell asleep after a long, tiring day. Veronica and I went out to get a taste of Las Vegas at night.



I forgot to mention that the Kueppers boys, Andrew and Robert, had flown in while we were visiting the hospital. I have become friends with both of them, which in a way is weird because Vicki, their mom, was one of my judges at Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen. Veronica and I met up with them and walked around Vegas. Later that night, we also saw Ali, Miss South Carolina’s Outstanding Teen, so we invited her to hang out with us as well. I am so glad I got to opportunity to talk to her. During competition Ali and I never actually had a conversation, and I’m glad that we did not pass this opportunity up. My mom was so laid back. She let me stay out late with my friends. I love you, Mom.



Thursday, January 28th

Rehearsal… once again. The teens, including myself, were all putting on a presentation during the final night of preliminary competition. So, we had about five hours of rehearsal on Thursday. This included my first experience on the Miss America stage. It is HUGE! Hopefully, it won’t be the last for me. J I also received my interview DVD from the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition. All the girls were scared to watch theirs, and I even considered throwing it away. What happened five months ago was done and over with. I had done my best. When I got home, I caved in and I’m glad I did. It wasn’t as bad as I had thought it to be.



We would be dancing to the Hoedown, Throwdown by Miley Cyrus. We had pink cowboy hats and cut off shorts. It was a really cute number, but I am always faced with the fact that I cannot dance. There are techniques to being a bad dancer though. If you struggle with the same disadvantage, email me. I’ll let you in on my little secrets. I felt like I was the only girl that did not have that dance down pat on the stage Thursday night. I had a great time though; it was a real rush. Being on that stage was so exciting. The crowd was cheering and the enthusiasm was high. I loved it. Maybe my destiny is a job on stage!



Did I mention that I got to meet Clinton Kelly? He was backstage with us and I shook his hand! Embarrassing that it had to be in a pink cowboy hat, cut off shorts, and a bandana. I also saw Brooke backstage before she went on stage for onstage question. She looked ready for anything.



All throughout my busy day, my mom and Lisa had a relaxing day. They did not have to wake up at 8 A.M. and they were not on their feet dancing around in pink cowboy hats.

Brooke did amazing again. She competed in on stage question. Today was an exhausting day. I slept like a baby.

Wednesday, January 27th

It was an early morning, 4 A.M. My mom, Lisa, and I had a plane to catch to Las Vegas! I only missed one day of school because we had Thursday and Friday off, but I did miss all my finals. So when I returned home, that would be the first order of business. I slept most of the plane ride. Not to mention it kept me from experiencing the pain of popped ears.



When we landed in Vegas, it was raining. It rained the whole day. I knew I should have brought my umbrella, but my mom, who has been to Vegas before told me that it doesn’t rain often there. So, I left it at home. Las Vegas must have gotten enough rain for the whole year! Unfortunately, our plane did not land soon enough for me to go to the teen commercial shoot, but we did make it in time for the trade show. The first girl I saw was Idaho and emotions poured out. I could not hold back tears. I haven’t seen any of these girls for a really long time and it was overwhelming to be with them again. At the tradeshow, I saw everybody- my best friend, Amanda, Miss Oregon’s Outstanding Teen, Kathy Shellum and the Minnesota group, Jeanette Morelan, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, and all the other girls I competed with! It was so exciting! Every time I turned around there was a new face waiting to greet me.

Next, I had my first official look at Las Vegas. Even in the rain I saw many things. I was continuously amazed at the beauty and vast diversity of the city. Slot machines to gardens of flowers! And the most expensive store I have ever stepped foot in, Louis Vuitton!



The girls and I had a commercial shoot before the Miss America preliminary show. So, we were soon back at our hotel to freshen up my rainy hair and makeup. I officially saw all the girls who had flown to Vegas at our shoot. It was like we were back in Orlando competing because we all had to pose for pictures and wear our Tony Bowls dresses.



Brooke, Miss Minnesota, competed in talent and she rocked the Miss America stage. I was so proud of her and could not stop cheering! I couldn’t wait to see her at visitation that night and give her a huge hug and congratulate her. My night ended with a smile and a sore back from all the walking.

September through the first part of January

Time has flown by! I can’t believe that it is now January and I have not written a single blog! Let me recap these past few months for you.

School has been tough. I have all honors classes including English, chemistry and my first A.P. class, Stats and Probability, which is by far the HARDEST class I have ever taken! I have been keeping up and have continued to work towards good grades. I got my license on September 28th and celebrated my 16th birthday cheering on the Minnesota Wild against my second favorite hockey team- the St. Louis Blues. I had my first job at American Eagle. Although it was a seasonal position, I got a taste of what the real world is like… And the discount didn’t hurt my wallet either! All the holidays have passed and were celebrated with my friends and family.

George and I have continued to visit and added two new facilities to our routine. Both are in Cambridge- Minnesota Extended treatment Center and Grace Point Crossing Care Center. George has continued to brighten up the lives of many people and is the best partner in crime that I could ask for.

I have had many appearances. Here is an overview of my favorites. My school asked me to participate in own homecoming parade.



I had the opportunity to wrap gifts at Southdale Mall with a local church to raise money for their charity. I am so blessed to have met them. They are truly generous people. It is because of people like them that remind me how much I truly love Minnesota… but not the weather. We have continued to stay in touch through emails.



I also had the chance to ring the bell at Southdale Mall as a local celebrity for the Salvation Army. I am amazed at the amount of donations that were given! Drum roll please… my bucket had a whopping $5.50! (It’s because I was not in the path of mall walkers.) Every dollar counts!



A WILD GAME! (By far my favorite event, so far) Thanks to Lisa, who has the best connections, Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen rode on the zamboni between the first and second period. I wish I could have met the team too. Hockey is my favorite sport and the Wild ROCKS!



New Years Eve Party at the Brooklyn Park Community Center- I walked in and DJ Bob was there! I met him earlier in November with Brooke, Miss Minnesota, at an event at Macy’s. I thought it was funny that we crossed paths again! I loved seeing the enthusiasm of all the little kids. We brought in the New Year together (at 8:30 P.M.) and I signed my first arm!



I went ice-skating for the first time in six years too. Most of the kids were more skilled than me! I was so scared that I would fall and break my crown. I have a new aspiration though, figure skating. Here I come 2014 Winter Olympics! J



Lastly, is Brooke’s send off to Miss America. Brooke, I just want to say that you have been such an inspiration to me and a great role model to all Minnesota including myself. I couldn’t have asked for a better “big sister.” J I love sharing these experiences with you and I can’t wait to see what the remainder of the year brings for us.



So, there’s an overview! I would like to thank everyone that has made my year fabulous. And thank you to my family. My mom, dad, and even brother have been behind me every step of the way, and I am so thankful.