It's a Gateway Day!

On Sunday, December 18, I had the privilege of seeing my sister queens, and the Gateway board to begin preparation for the Miss Missouri Pageant in June.  We all drove out to O'Fallon, IL to have our first Talent Review.  (Thanks to David Fairchild for allowing us to use the facilities.)  It was great to perform my talent in front of the board, and talk with them about what talent I will be competing in June.  Dance is a passion of mine that I have been involved in since I was a young child, so any chance I get to be on stage is one of which I take full advantage.  I have now begun my search for the perfect song and can't wait to begin on the choreography!  Thanks to the Gateway board for devoting your time to helping us prepare, and providing us with your insight.

Kelby, Samantha, and I waiting to go in for our Talent Review

Next, Kelby, Samantha, Tess, and I journeyed out to the Magic House in Kirkwood for the Children's Miracle Network Hospital's annual holiday party.  We were able to meet the 2012 Ambassador Families, and then spend the rest of the evening playing in the Magic House with all of the Miracle Children.  It was such a great experience and such a wonderful evening!  These families and children are some of the most gracious and kind-hearted people I have ever met.  I look forward to future events with CMNH!

The Gateway Girls with the 2012 CMNH Ambassadors

In the Executive Suite

We loved the shadow wall!!

The Children's Village was such a blast.  Samantha and I were so excited to play house.

The crown seemed to prevent the hair from getting too static-y, but I tried!

Happy Holidays to everyone!!  I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

Thank you, Todd Caraway for taking such wonderful pictures throughout the entire day!

Miss Springfield

On November 20, I attended the Miss Springfield pageant, which was held at my school, Missouri State University.  There was a great showing both on stage and in the audience.  The support for this pageant was evident through all of the returning titleholders, sponsors, and volunteers.  It was a great production, and the talent on stage was wonderful!  Tippe Emmott and Savannah Moore provided entertainment during the evening and shared their experiences from the past year.  Congratulations to Mary Bauer, Miss Springfield, and Cheyenne Parks, Miss Springfield Outstanding Teen!  Good luck during the coming year!

Emily and I are currently in the MSU Speech Pathology Graduate Program together, and she was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for Miss Springfield.  Go Emily!

Ozarks Outdoor Festival

This morning, I volunteered at the Ozarks Outdoor Festival in Springfield, MO.  Bass Pro was hosting a 5K, half-marathon, and full-marathon.  I had to report to my aid station at 6:45.  I worked with several of the girls I teach at Red Door Dance Company.  We were at the 10 mile marker for the full marathon.   Upon arriving, we prepared the snacks and drinks and decorated our table.  It took awhile for the first group of runners to come through, but we kept busy by cheering, dancing, and singing.  Once the first group came through, we stayed busy for the next hour. It was quite inspiring to see everyone running through our station, especially those that were 3 times my age.  They were so appreciative of our help and smiled at our cheering.  It really made me want to train for a half-marathon (we will see if I can fit that in the schedule)!

I feel so strongly about staying healthy and fighting obesity, especially in today's society, so it was great to see the hundreds of people running in the race today.  I think there are so many opportunities in the community to stay active, so I am glad that I could do my part to help support this race and its participants.

Miss Lake of the Ozarks

On Saturday, October 29, I attended the Miss Lake of the Ozarks Pageant at Osage High School.  My sister queen, Kelby Czerwonka, was giving up her title of Miss Osage River Outstanding Teen.  She looked beautiful, as did her fellow titelholders, Malorie Howe, McKensie Garber, and Jessica Arl.  It was a wonderful pageant with many great contestants at both the teen and miss level. At the end of the evening, Savannah Moore was named Miss Lake of the Ozarks Outstanding Teen and Jeni Dixon became a member of the Miss Missouri Class of 2012 as Miss Lake of the Ozarks.  Congratulations to you both!

The pageant also gave me the opportunity to meet one of the other members of the Class of 2012, Megan McWilliams, Miss Boone County.  She was so sweet, and I cannot wait to meet the rest of the girls and spend a week with them in June!  I believe the countdown will begin soon.

My college roommates, Whitney (L) and Emily (R), were my travel companions during my journey to the Miss Lake of the Ozarks Pageant.  Thanks, girls!  Love you both!

And your 2012 Miss Gateway St. Louis is...

When I heard my name being called, it was sort of surreal.  I temporarily forgot that I was standing on stage and was in front of a crowd of people.  All I could think to do was jump up and down, especially once I saw Jillian coming at me with arms open wide.  I could not believe that I had finally earned my opportunity to be a titleholder, and compete in the Miss Missouri Pageant in June 2012.  I feel honored to represent the Miss Gateway St. Louis Pageant, and work with its wonderful board over the coming year.  Gary and Mallory produced a wonderful show, and I cannot wait to get started on my year of service.  I feel that this will provide me with the experience needed to not only succeed at the Miss Missouri Pageant, but also to excel in my professional life.  It was also an exciting night, because my parents and all 4 sisters were there to celebrate with me.  It is not too often that all 7 of us are in the same place at the same time anymore, so that made the evening even better!

Congratulations to Kelby, Samantha, and Tess.  You all did such a wonderful job this weekend, and I am so proud to call you my 'Sister Queens'!  I know that we live scattered throughout the state, but I hope that we will all be able to see each other regularly to share in our journey this year.  You are such beautiful and talented young women.

Also, thank you to Gary, Mallory, and the rest of the Gateway board.  I am so proud to be a 'Gateway Girl'!  I cannot wait to embark on this journey, and make the most of this year.

My 4 beautiful sisters (from L to R): Audrianna, Abbie, Halie, and Erika

Passing the crown down!