Traveling, traveling
Disclaimer: I meant to post this on 8/8. However, when I arrived in Orlando my luggage was missing! Needless to say, the whole afternoon was spent looking for a cocktail dress to wear to the preliminary MAOT pageant and navigating Wal-Mart for other necessities. Luckily, we have an amazing state committee who took wonderful care of me, like a daughter. And, my luggage arrived at 4:30 the next morning...Here is what I hoped to communicate early last week!
I am writing this as I take off to fly to Orlando to watch our very own BrieAnna Hester compete in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Competition. She is a darling young lady, with energy and spunk! She deserves the honor of representing us on a national level. On Wednesday she will perform her "Cha Cha" tap dance and Thursday she will waltz across stage in her evening gown. Her interview was earlier in the week, and I even heard she was the star of the show at Medieval Times, a fun dinner/show event that all the girls attended.
It is my delight to support BrieAnna (and it doesn't hurt to take a trip to Orlando, does it?). I happily stand behind her because I know that she uses this leadership position to make a difference in our communities. BrieAnna has spent the past several years volunteering at a number of organizations, most notably the MDA camp at Camp Carefree in Stokesdale. She speaks glowingly of this annual experience and was torn that she could not be a counselor this year due to this week's competition.
Yesterday I visited this camp to spend time doing arts and crafts, playing Shrek UNO, and eating tacos while watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the campers. Now I have had a glimpse of why BrieAnna speaks so fondly of these children. They are remarkable, resilient, and funny. I enjoyed the day, and all the more so knowing that I could serve in place of BrieAnna, at a place that is important to her, during a week that is important to her. You haven't been forgotten at Camp Carefree, BrieAnna!
On behalf of BrieAnna and myself, thank you to all of our supporters, not only during weeks such as this, but during the entire year. Over the past weeks I have had the pleasure of traveling with some delightful people, just to get to go see other delightful people! These people include a number of fellow local titleholders, all of whom have become lovely friends. Miss Mecklenberg Whitney James and her Outstanding Teen Kelsey Norkett met me in Charlotte to take part in a birthday bash for Maggie Moo to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. We scooped ice cream and consoled the poor high school boy who dressed as Maggie the Cow (crown, sash and all!). Miss Moore County Emmy McLean and I rode in what we deemed a "Disney princess", old-fashioned carriage through the streets of Robbins for the Farmer's Day parade. And of course, I am still attending Boot Camp class at Gold's Gym in North Hills and Miss Johnston County Chelsea Ingram has been joining in. A whole host of Misses attended the Miss Statesville pageant as well. Hopefully the people behind us could see the stage over our crowns!
These experiences remind me just how connected we all are through this experience. I love knowing that our paths will continue to cross as I criss-cross the state. It is always a pleasure to spend time with these amazing women. Just as they are friends to me, they are superb role models to the Outstanding Teens, like BrieAnna. I am looking forward to making more friends like them this week as the state contestants meet for the first time in Orlando.
One last thing. Best of luck to our outgoing queens, Miss Statesville Jessica Marshall, Miss Gaston County Nicole Southgate, and Miss Gastonia Grace Wepner. Congratulations to our new Miss Statesville Kaitlin Cook and our new queens to be named this weekend. And of course, kudos to Miss North Carolina's Outstanding Teen BrieAnna Hester for a job well-done this week!
Now I'm off to visit Children's Miracle Network kids and to act like a kid myself at a Fast-Pass tour of Disney World...More to come later!
From Orlando,
Jessica Jacobs
I am writing this as I take off to fly to Orlando to watch our very own BrieAnna Hester compete in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Competition. She is a darling young lady, with energy and spunk! She deserves the honor of representing us on a national level. On Wednesday she will perform her "Cha Cha" tap dance and Thursday she will waltz across stage in her evening gown. Her interview was earlier in the week, and I even heard she was the star of the show at Medieval Times, a fun dinner/show event that all the girls attended.
It is my delight to support BrieAnna (and it doesn't hurt to take a trip to Orlando, does it?). I happily stand behind her because I know that she uses this leadership position to make a difference in our communities. BrieAnna has spent the past several years volunteering at a number of organizations, most notably the MDA camp at Camp Carefree in Stokesdale. She speaks glowingly of this annual experience and was torn that she could not be a counselor this year due to this week's competition.
Yesterday I visited this camp to spend time doing arts and crafts, playing Shrek UNO, and eating tacos while watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the campers. Now I have had a glimpse of why BrieAnna speaks so fondly of these children. They are remarkable, resilient, and funny. I enjoyed the day, and all the more so knowing that I could serve in place of BrieAnna, at a place that is important to her, during a week that is important to her. You haven't been forgotten at Camp Carefree, BrieAnna!
On behalf of BrieAnna and myself, thank you to all of our supporters, not only during weeks such as this, but during the entire year. Over the past weeks I have had the pleasure of traveling with some delightful people, just to get to go see other delightful people! These people include a number of fellow local titleholders, all of whom have become lovely friends. Miss Mecklenberg Whitney James and her Outstanding Teen Kelsey Norkett met me in Charlotte to take part in a birthday bash for Maggie Moo to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. We scooped ice cream and consoled the poor high school boy who dressed as Maggie the Cow (crown, sash and all!). Miss Moore County Emmy McLean and I rode in what we deemed a "Disney princess", old-fashioned carriage through the streets of Robbins for the Farmer's Day parade. And of course, I am still attending Boot Camp class at Gold's Gym in North Hills and Miss Johnston County Chelsea Ingram has been joining in. A whole host of Misses attended the Miss Statesville pageant as well. Hopefully the people behind us could see the stage over our crowns!
These experiences remind me just how connected we all are through this experience. I love knowing that our paths will continue to cross as I criss-cross the state. It is always a pleasure to spend time with these amazing women. Just as they are friends to me, they are superb role models to the Outstanding Teens, like BrieAnna. I am looking forward to making more friends like them this week as the state contestants meet for the first time in Orlando.
One last thing. Best of luck to our outgoing queens, Miss Statesville Jessica Marshall, Miss Gaston County Nicole Southgate, and Miss Gastonia Grace Wepner. Congratulations to our new Miss Statesville Kaitlin Cook and our new queens to be named this weekend. And of course, kudos to Miss North Carolina's Outstanding Teen BrieAnna Hester for a job well-done this week!
Now I'm off to visit Children's Miracle Network kids and to act like a kid myself at a Fast-Pass tour of Disney World...More to come later!
From Orlando,
Jessica Jacobs
