Throwing the 1st Pitch at the AR Travelers Game

Last night I got to throw the first pitch at the Arkansas Travelers baseball game!! My sister was worried about me throwing the first pitch because she didn't think that I could make it to home plate...little did she know I had the arm of a MLB star! Haha but in all seriousness, I did make it to home plate with my professional pitch and couldn't have done it without my princess Jessica by my side:) I walked around the Travelers game signing autographs for little ones and talking to kids while they ate popcorn, chowed down on corn dogs, and drank some old fashion lemonade. Nothing better than a baseball game! My favorite part of this appearance was a little girl named Whitney. She came up to me multiple times asking for a picture, and then a picture of her cousin with me, and just talked and talked to me about the pretty crown on my head. After I had moved on and was talking to some other kids she came up to me with a sharpie and asked if I would sign her and her cousins t shirt on her back. I felt like such a superstar signing their backs! (after asking their momma of course) ;) But it was a fun game and I met lots of new friends! Thanks to the Arkansas Travelers for letting me come! :) I really appreciate the opportunity!

Miss Arkansas has begun!

Today is the third day for me to be back in the good ole Spa City! Sunday was arrival and let me tell you it was quite an event. This year the ceremony was held in Horner Hall instead of on the staircase of the convention center. They spiced things up by making a runway with a red carpet and an atmosphere with a Hollywood feel! There were two photo spots set up to take pictures with a Miss Arkansas background! I was VERY impressed with how they choose to put the event together this year and how they really stepped it up. These past few days have been full of anticipation. They are days of rehearsals, stress, not eating, and emotions. Everyone is just ready for competition to get here and lots of girls think that cramming hard work into these couple of days is going to make all the difference in the world. To tell you the truth I don't think it does. Kristen said and I agree, "when you get to Miss AR you are as prepared as you are going to get." So really all you have to do is be the young woman God put you on the earth to be. I believe that God truly has amazing things in store for every single one of the talented girls. It's such an honor to even get to be on that stage and it's hard to think that only one lucky girl out of 47 very qualified woman will get the dream job of Miss Arkansas. I'm praying for my sister this week and that she shows them how capable she is of the job. Hopefully they will see the potential in her that I do:) I believe God has a wonderful Miss Arkansas picked out for this year...I cannot wait for his plans to be revealed! I'm more than thrilled that tomorrow start competition! Ahhhh. I'm looking forward to performing out MAOT opening number and reunite with all my girls at rehearsal in the morning!

For one its a mark made and a bitter end, for another it's a new beginning.

To think that Miss Arkansas is already here blows my mind! I can remember being here last year at this exact same time, watching Kristen become the next Miss Arkansas. Now I'm currently sitting on my bed and staring at my large pink suitcase that needs to be packed for the long week of festivities. This week, someone special will be passing on her job. Kristen Glover is a very unique, beautiful, talented, and truly outstanding young lady that has been the ambassador for the Miss Arkansas program for the last 365 days. She served our state to the very very best of her ability and I tell you i don't think she missed a preliminary pageant! She is ALWAYS there to give encouraging words and being a teen that really means a lot. When I see Kristen she always is very humble about what she does and it's hard to catch her not smiling. Who doesn't want to talk to her? She has been a role model for me because no matter the situation, she makes the best of it and is happy to do what she does. That to me really shows her character. Kristen was at most all of the MAOT events and made a point to get to know every single one of us. She is quite the caring young lady and when I say she has left large shoes to fill, I'm not kidding! She told me I would be referred to as her sister queen for her remaining two weeks after I was crowned:) Kristen has not only shone through her character but she has only made the Miss Arkansas pageant bigger and better with grander sponsors! Needless to say, I'm very proud of we hard work this year and I will miss seeing her very much.

It's the Little Things in Life

I've learned that God will use me with the smallest things in my life to serve him. No matter where I am are or how tiny the situation, God will use every opportunity he can get to show Christ's love through his people. Tonight I went with my best friend in the whole wide world (Caroline;) to go see her boyfriend Jake play baseball. Im not the biggest baseball fan but I was going with Caroline, and who wants to pass up a night with your best friend? So we went to the game, and when I was sitting there observing everything I noticed a precious little girl in a wheelchair. She was just sitting there by herself, coloring on her doodle pad, and drinking some of her sweet tea every now and then. I have such a heart for people (especially little ones) that have special needs. So I decided that I might as well go make a new friend. So I went to "go to the concession stand" so that I could talk to her. She was pretty standoffish, a little nervous, and a tad confused as to why I kept making eye contact with her. I eventually made my way to where her and her mom were sitting and started talking to her. Her name was Julliana and she was very smart to say the least. She was very understandable when she talked, and could even read what I wrote. She wanted me to draw pictures with her, and by the end of the night me, her, and Caroline were playing "stare contests". She had to introduce her new friends she said to her mom. I figured out that she was on the Twins at miracle league! How awesome! Tonight i learned that God will use you to show his love no matter where hou are...even at a small baseball game. If you are interested in getting involved with sweet little kids with Julliana I suggest you volunteer with Miracle League.

www.miracleleaugear.com

Piggot Arkansas 4th of July parade

I'm starting to learn that every experience that God puts before me has a purpose. No matter where I am, who is there, or how stressful my day is God has a reason for it. Today I went to the Piggot, Arkansas parade. My grandmother (Grandmary;) grew up in Piggot and she was just thrilled to have my sister and I in the parade. One of the things I love about Arkansas is the fact that there are so many small homey towns. Little cities with small main streets, antique grocery stores, and restaurants my mom remembers coming to when she was a little girl. We even ran into some cousins, related somewhere down the line! What a small world. My mom has been telling us on the drive home about how she remembers coming to the Piggot parade and strapping her and her brothers and sisters bikes to the top of the station wagon. They would go to my great grandmother Granny's house and eat corn on the cob. Today I feel like this experience taught me to truly treasure my family. My mom has these wonderful memories that she will never forget. Unity and family is a special thing, don't ever take it for granted.:)

Thanks to my big sister Molly Anne for taking pictures and coming along for the ride!

Thanks to my amazing cousin McKenzie for driving the convertible! :)

My Grandmary and Papa Doc!

My Very First Appearance as MAOT

Being on KATV with Beth Hunt was so much fun!  It was officially my very first appearance as Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen.  She was very friendly and we had lots to talk about the pageant.  She was excited to hear all about it:)  Turns out we had friends of friends that had been in pageants together and her son even took at MKDS for a while!  Arkansas is one small world.  It was so much fun to wear that crown on my head and I look forward to my year to come.

The beautiful Beth Hunt and I :)

KATV News Station!

Barry, Beth, and I!  They are practically famous.

Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2012

My Life Is Forever Changed

On June 30, 2012 my life was forever changed when I was crowned Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2012.  I'm not sure it hit me that it really happened until I got a text message the next morning saying "Good morning Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen".  I'm surprised I didn't go to sleep with the crown on my head.  I was actually MAOT.  My goal and what I had dreamed of for years came true and I was walking away with more scholarship money than I could imagine.  After receiving the overall and preliminary evening gown, fitness, and talent awards as well as the photogenic, most talented dancer, and overall interview award I got over $5,000 in scholarship money. I agree with the fact that everything happens for a reason, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me this year and how he will be working through my life.  I believe that God has opened this door for me to serve him and I will use all that I have to represent Arkansas to the best of my ability.  So, where to begin. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." I look forward to promoting my platform and I know that this job will only give me a greater voice in encouraging teenagers to get involved with children and teenagers with special needs.  I will start blogging pretty often so I would love for you to follow me on this endeavor in my life.  I love quotes, reading, dancing, and learning so hopefully this year will consist of a lot of all of that:) Miss Americas' Outstanding Teen will be here before I know it, and who knows I could soon have a job where I serve America. 

Thanks to Michelle Roberts for capturing this priceless moment:)

Congrats to these talented and beautiful young ladies.  4th runner-up Rachel Harless, 3rd runner-up Bailey Moses, 2nd runner-up Raygan Sylvester, and 1st runner-up Elle Johnson.  They are truly wonderful.

And of course the magnificent panel of judges that crowned me MAOT 2012.  Tara Perry (Marina! :), Kristen Wood, Sydney Friar, Jennifer Sedler, and Paul Crew.

I want to thank my family of course!  They are SO supportive in everything I do and I had a whole fan section that was just consumed of family.  I love them so much:)