Hello again North Carolina. I have been working hard and staying busy since my last blog. I have made so many appearances that the web master has not been able to keep my appearance schedule up to date on the web site. I want to catch you up on my activities before I leave for Los Angeles.

Much of my time has been spent on my platform, ALS. I had the honor to be the featured speaker at the ALS "Lunch and Learn" for corporate affairs. I also spoke to the Garner Rotary Club and Raleigh Rotary Club on behalf of the ALS Association. The fundraiser I organized for my platform was an amazing success! The "Bowling for ALS" event, due to the generous nature of the 95 bowlers and 105 observers in attendance, was able to raise $1,500 for the charity so close to my heart. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event fun, organized, and prosperous! I have always felt that if I believe in myself, others will follow. This was so true with the success of this event and everyone who supported me and the cause I believe in so strongly.

Last Thursday I traveled to Hope Mills, Fayetteville, and Burlington. I was fortunate to make two appearances for RJ Reynolds to speak with middle school students regarding the negative effects of smoking and making good choices in their lives. I love when I am able to speak with kids in this age group. You never know what they are going to say, or how they interpret what is said to them. They sat so quietly and listened beautifully to every word. My hope is that my message will make a difference in their lives. Visits like these in Hope Mills and Fayetteville are what make my job as Miss North Carolina such a joy. Hi kids if you are reading this...I loved my visit and I am so proud of each and every one of you! Please make sure you remember your values and never compromise them just to be popular or cool. It is never cool to damage your body doing unhealthy things such as smoking! You are cool just as you are!

Thursday evening in Burlington, I had such a great time at a Chick-fil-a "Princess Party". All the little girls dressed up like princesses, crown and all. As I looked around at all the precious faces, I regressed a bit, remembering when I was their age, dreaming of one day wearing a real crown and feeling like a princess...both my heart and my eyes were full remembering that special, simple time. No worries, just fairy tales and dreams. Isn't life wonderful? I am now living the beauty and reality of my dreams...a quote I remember from high school by Eleanor Roosevelt. Pensive and honored at the same time I signed 500 autographs that evening. I made sure no little dreamer left empty handed! I love my job!

This weekend, I was in Selma to emcee the annual Miss Railroad Days Pageant. This was quite an event and it was my joy to share the experience with all of the wonderful people in Johnston County. I have developed such affection for the people each time I have traveled there, and it was a compliment to be invited back again. Thank you to the gracious town of Selma for providing me with a “key to the city”!
I will be back after Miss America to co-emcee the 2009 Miss Johnston County Pageant with the Mayor of Clayton, Jody McLeod in Late January. Please mark your calendars. I understand it will be quite an affair and I am looking forward to playing a part in the crowning of the new MJC 2009 and making sure Kinsie Howell gets a fantastic send-off!

This morning I am sitting in the airport as I anxiously await my departure for Los Angeles for the taping of the Miss America Reality Check Show on TLC. I am extremely excited to see all of the contestants again. I will be away for three weeks and what little information we have been given sounds like the experience will be a blast for us all. This, as all my travels as Miss NC, will be unique and hopefully entertaining for you and for all fans of pageantry. I will do my very best to make you proud. I ask for your prayers and support as I embark on this particular expedition, as it is the beginning of the Miss America experience for me...I am ready!

Once I return, October will be an extremely busy month. I will be traveling all but two days, yet I will be so happy to be back in the Tarheel State I think I will kiss the tarmac upon my return. I will miss all of you while I am away and cannot wait to hit the ground running again visiting the people and towns in my favorite state! I have always said there is no place like home! So I will be sure to carry my treasured memories of NC with me on this journey to “Reality”!

Until next time North Carolina:
"If happy little blue birds fly beyond the rainbow, why oh why can't I?"
Author: E. Y. Harburg

Amanda Watson, Miss North Carolina 2008