Much to be Thankful for...

Hello everyone!

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching (mmm... mashed potatoes and turkey!), I have spent a lot of time thinking of all that I am thankful for. It has truly been a year full of blessings:

I am thankful for...

• The opportunity to serve our community as Miss Monroe County 2006
• The wonderful people that I have met as Miss Monroe County... their smiles, kinds words, and cherished memories are carried with me always!
• The dedicated Miss Monroe County Board, everyone at Peg Harris, the Miss Monroe County contestants and volunteers... and everyone who has graciously helped me reach this dream of mine!
• The Make-a-Wish Foundation... this organization has truly shaped who I am today and provided me with the life-changing opportunity to experience the Power of a Wish!
• The Wish Children that I have worked with... They have taught me how to live!
• And of course... my mom, dad, Kayla, Clint... and all of my family and friends. I am blessed to have the most amazing loving and supportive network. Thanks for believing in me!
  

It will be a very busy week:

Friday, November 17, 2006:

• Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony and Autograph Signing at the Pavillion (6-8 pm)
• United Way Chic Fix at Monroe County Community College (8-9)
  

Saturday, November 18, 2006:

• LAMP Fall Forum and a visit to the Sparrow Children's Hospital with Miss Michigan, Angela Corsi, and the 2007 Miss Michigan contestants.
• Miss West Michigan Pageant - to CHEER on DELLE!!! BEST of LUCK!!!

Sunday, November 19, 2006:

• LAMP Fall Forum to enjoy lunch with our current Miss American, Jennifer Berry
• Monroe Downtown Holiday Parade (beginning at 3)

Monday, November 20, 2006:

• Monroe City Council Meeting as a Special Guest of Mayor Cappullucci (7:30 pm)

Throughout the week, I will also be making return visits to each of the 13 elementary schools that I visited this month on behalf of the United Way Silver Lining Campaign.

I am also looking forward to visiting three Monroe County wish children that I have been working with this year.

Of course I will also be spending time this week enjoying the holiday dinners, shopping on the biggest shopping day of the year, and spending time with my family and friends.

Wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Good Luck and Congrats!!

With the 4th Grade Class at Summerfield Elementary

Myself, Little Miss Michigan, Brooklyn, and our current Miss Michigan, Angela


Last weekend, my mom, Amber, Kevin and I made the long haul to Muskegon, Michigan to cheer on Monroe County's representatives in the Little Miss Michigan Pageant. How excited I am to report to you their successes!!

Brooklyn, Little Miss Monroe County 2006, was crowned Little Miss Michigan 2006.

Cassidy, Junior Miss Monroe County 2006, was 1st runner-up.

Jordyn, Little Miss Monroe County 2005, was 3rd runner-up.

I am so proud of these young ladies! They shined on stage during all phases of competiton and blew the judges away with their interviewing abilities. They were absolutely amazing!! (And let me just say... I am glad that I will be aged out of the MAO system when they are old enough to compete!!)

At the Little Miss Michigan Pageant, I was also able to spend some time with Angela, Miss Michigan... always a treat!! We were able to catch-up on our latest Make-a-Wish and America Stars activites.

I also want to wish the BEST of LUCK to Jenna and Emily, both of whom are dear friends of mine and part of the Miss Monroe County pageant family. They will be competing in the Miss Washtenaw Pageant this Saturday. Good luck girls!! I will of course be there to cheer you on!

This weeks appearances have taken me to 11 elementray schools throughout the county on behalf of the United Way Youth Campaign. It is very inspiring to see the excitement in the students' faces after sharing with them the opportunity to help Monroe County families in need. They are so anxious to begin fundraising and I am very confident that their dedication will bring great success to this years campaign.

Throughout the visits, I was asked some pretty interesting questions:

Is your crown made of real diamonds?
Are you the Queen of England?
What is it like being MISS AMERICA?
Will you come to my birthday party?
Are you rich?
Do you live in a big house?

My favorite... as one girl asked me where I got my crown from, another girl answered by telling her friend, "You Can get them at Claire's!"

And I have to say... school visits have left me with some of the most amazing memories during my reign thus far! I am looking forward to more :o)

Finally... I have a few people that I would like to thank for their help this past week:

My mom- for spending a wonderful mother-daughter weekend with me in Muskegon!!
Allen, Heidi and Lonnie- for your expert costuming advice!
Amber and Kevin- for being such amazing reps of our program in Muskegon!
Kaye Lani and Jill- for helping to organize my school visits!
And of course- Dione! Because you are just always amazing and I can never thank you enough!