Miss America is finally becoming a reality! Tonight every contestant participated in the contestant lottery. This process was a mystery to me until this year, as it probably is for many. In case you're curious...

Each contestant logged onto a special web page that showed all of the available placements. There are three preliminary groups labeled Mu, Alpha, and Sigma. Each group contains 17 or 18 placements. A computer randomly chooses states, displaying who is up to choose her slot and who comes next in line. When it is your turn you have five minutes to call the Miss America Organization with your choice.

It was a blast to see everything unfold in real time. Now it is really possible to visualize what the week in Las Vegas will be like. I am in the Sigma group. This means that I will have my interview, swimsuit, and evening gown on Tuesday; talent on Wednesday; and onstage question on Thursday. For a view of the entire line-up, check out the Miss America Web site.

What a fun way to begin the week! I will finish the month of September with another round of school visits (19 schools to be exact) and Mint Hill Madness. September has been a whirlwind of weeks. Between visiting students, attending festivals, and Miss America preparations like the lottery, I have been a busy Miss NC.

Last week is a great example of a typical September schedule for me. I spent two days and 7 hours driving to reach Wilkes County schools, arrived back in Raleigh for one day at home to rehearse, made a 1.5 hour return trip to my parents' home in High Point for more rehearsal and a salon appearance at Chakra's (I definitely took advantage of the makeover!), traveled almost 5 hours round trip to take some great photos with Lenn Long, left the next day from Raleigh to go 2 hours away to Clarkton for a purse luncheon raising money for the March of Dimes, spent another 3 hours en route to Indian Trail for a 2-day Pow Wow, and finally circled back to High Point.

My life is like one big run-on sentence! And I enjoy every minute of it. When I visit schools, I always tell the kids that I have the greatest job in the world. It is incredible to me that my job description includes reading stories to children, hanging out in a salon, taking pictures, giving away purses, and learning more about my culture. This opportunity allows me to meet new people, all the while representing something that is bigger than me...a network of young women who are role models and make a difference in their communities. The lottery tonight reminded me just how much I look forward to bonding with them in the upcoming months, on the Miss America cruise and taping reality television in Los Angeles.

So keyed up I might not be able to sleep,
Jessica

I couldn't think of a better way to kick off my tour of North Carolina schools than by visiting the school that I know best. I spoke to Ledford High School in Thomasville, NC on Wednesday. I am a member of the Class of 2002.

It's funny because I don't remember my class song, who won a senior superlative, or anything of that nature. However, I do remember every teacher I have had from pre-school through high school. Many of my high school teachers remain at Ledford and it was a blast from the past to visit with them before my presentation. I have to admit that, later that day, I called all of my high school girlfriends to share that I had caught up with so many people.

This school visit was particularly meaningful because my brother Drew is a Ledford senior. While most boys his age would be embarrassed for an older sibling to address him and his peers on topics such as good decision-making and anti-smoking, mine is so confident and self-assured that being embarrassed would never cross his mind. In fact, the poor guy has had to learn to cope with such things, especially this year. My sister recently studied abroad in China and is now studying in Egypt and the reports she writes for the local newspaper are plastered all over the bulletin boards at school. And he thought that she and I had gotten out of town a long time ago...

He, along with eleven other eager students, willingly came down to the floor of the gym to participate in some audience participation activities. Most of them were well-informed and able to answer the tobacco quiz questions, but my brother didn't do so well. And to think, I could have helped him to study the night before in preparation for the big exam! One of the most delightful students I met was a sophomore with Ausberger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism. While waiting to answer the questions, he shared how nervous he was to be in front of so many people and moved back and forth in anticipation. I replied that I understand what it's like to be nervous; it's not easy to get up in front of a crowd. It heartened me to see all of the students in the gym clap for him and cheer him on. Following the presentation, teachers and administrators shared that everyone really embraces him. I am proud to see that my high school continues to be such a wonderful, accepting environment.

I am looking forward to being impressed by all the other high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools that I visit. September will be full of similar presentations and programs on literacy as well. Many may wonder why I look forward to these visits; they assume that students are not receptive. I have found, however, that this is not the case. A couple days following my Ledford presentation I met a woman at a festival. She shared with me that her son came home and relayed all that I had talked about at school. She said she was surprised that he did not even mention the crown; he stuck with the message! This encourages me and demonstrates the power of speaking.

Watch for a list of more schools on the tour ... and here it is!

Jessica

Last week I began what I consider to be my first duties as a Children's Miracle Network ambassador in North Carolina. Although I had previously visited the Orlando CMN facility with the rest of the Miss America contestants (and boy was that pirate ship on the playground cool!), I had never been to our own state's CMN facilities. Now I have visited all three hospitals: Duke's Children's Hospital in Durham, Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, and Pitt County Memorial Children's Hospital in Greenville.

North Carolina is fortunate to have such fantastic health venues. Each Children's Hospital provides top-of-the-line care in a kid-friendly environment. Walls are colorful, animated characters hang from the ceilings, and children's artwork hold places of honor in every hallway. I was incredibly impressed with all that these places offer with the help of the CMN organization.

CMN provides the very things that our hospitals need most. Families of patients will often travel far from home to seek medical treatment and these hospitals do as much as they can to accommodate them. In Orlando, hospital employees were most excited about the brand new washer and dryer room funded by CMN. The room is for family use. People travel from all over to seek treatment at Duke and Levine; Pitt County Memorial has a 29-county region. It is easy to forget that these people, being far from home, don't have the security of knowing where they will do their laundry each week. This is the peace of mind that CMN brings.

My visit to Duke consisted of a lovely tour of the facility by the hospital's CMN Director Karen McClure. She introduced me to patients, room by room. She even had a colorful wagon to haul my brand new books. Each child received a book of his or her choice, and the remaining books will be distributed among future patients and used to supplement the libraries in the hospital's Toys R' Us playrooms (decorated in the taste of Geoffrey the Giraffe, animal print and all!). I did much the same thing in Charlotte with a friendly Child Life Specialist/Volunteer, Tucker Weller (on her 70th birthday!). Tucker noted that she went back to some of the rooms after my visit and the kids were reading their books and that she thinks the afternoon I spent "will have a long-lasting impact". I am glad that our time together meant something to the children, it certainly did to me. I am also thrilled that the hospitals have been receptive to my literacy campaign. Education is an important part of a child's overall well-being, in addition to the physical and emotional aspects addressed in the hospital.

In Greenville, Dr. Perkin, an ECU professor and head of pediatrics, provided an informative tour of the Children's Hospital, which was followed by a reading session and book distribution with patients. His demeanor was spiritual and compassionate. He said hello to every person we passed. This is a testament to the wonderful doctors we have in North Carolina, and how proud they are of our great facilities. I saw the NICU, with its individual temperature and light-controlled baby rooms and family sleepover units. The entire back wall was windowed, to cut down on the "compassion fatigue" of nurses and doctors. The floors were padded and a brand new computer system up and running. It is these special features that CMN helps to fund.

But CMN also assists with smaller, supplemental projects that are equally important. One example is "Josh the dog." Josh is a stuffed puppy that arrives to a child's room in a doghouse box to be a companion to the child throughout traumatic medical treatments. Another example is that of the courage beads given to children when they demonstrate bravery. These children have long strings of beads after all that they've been through.

Although I was not aware of each of the medical conditions that the children I met face, I felt that I got to know a little about each of their shining personalities. I met a triplet going home after a heart surgery, a "The Little Mermaid" lover, a young girl with a birthday the day after mine. I met a young woman who is only one month my junior and who has an uncannily similar name. I also met a boy who must be my cousin since we have the same last name! His companion shared that he had not talked all week until I arrived when we conversed about Nashville, Kenny Chesney, and High School Musical 2. I met a bright child who is one hospital's CMN "spokeskid." She is dynamic and energetic and sings to all who pass by. I met a fellow Tar Heel (he had more paraphernalia than you could imagine; I felt right at home in his room! Surprisingly, I met plenty of Carolina fans although the hospitals have strong affiliations with other schools. One nurse claimed she came from a "house-divided"!) I read "Tick Tock Sharks" with one 2-year-old. I made friends with a feisty middle-schooler with 7 siblings, all home-schooled. What a brave mother! I witnessed strong children who were fighting to live, and I admire them all. Oh yeah, I met someone whose job I hope to have when I grow up. She is the "princess, queen, president" of the world and I was lucky enough to gain an audience with her majesty before she left on her bicycle to a very important party in her honor for her bravery before a chemo treatment. Cake and all! Trust me, I did not forget to bow.

I have also been to Roanoke Rapids for a Pitt County Memorial CMN event and Willie Nelson concert at the new Carolina Crossroads entertainment complex. I met Randy Parton (Dolly's brother) and George Ragsdale, a delightful man who developed the complex and has dedicated tons of time, service, and funds to CMN. It was a pleasure to share a few words with concert-goers about the importance of the CMN organization and a few of my CMN experiences. I shared the stage with a CMN family with quadruplets (2 boys, 2 girls) and an older brother who was quick to point out the rowdiest of the four when I asked!

Later this year I will remain actively involved. I plan to visit the hospitals as new patients arrive, especially once Charlotte revamps its facility. I will take part in a Radiothon and emcee the Teddy Bear Ball in Durham to raise funds for the hospital. It is my honor to be a part of this. I am glad my eyes have been opened to our state's healthcare opportunities. Mostly, I am glad to have new young friends who have a lot to teach me about resilience and faith.