MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I had so much fun taking Christmas pictures at Strain Photography with Santa Claus! Thank you Strain for always taking wonderful pictures! Here are a few of my favorites! :)

              I hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS and enjoys their time with loved ones!

Sloane's Wardrobe Preview

Sunday, December 16 was Miss Arkansas, Sloane Roberts, wardrobe preview for Miss America! WOW is all I can say! While I will not give away any of her wardrobe I will say that every piece is absolutely stunning and I know she will represent Arkansas extremely well! I can't wait to go cheer her on in Las Vegas and watch her bring home the Miss America crown!

Kristen Glover, Miss Arkansas 2011, was the emcee for the afternoon. She did such a great job and spoke beautifully. Tony Bowls was able to attend the event as well. I know many girls were just as excited to see him as I was. Arkansas is so blessed to have such wonderful supporters for the organization.

                     Kristen Glover- Miss Arkansas 2011                          Tony Bowls

Ashlen Thomason- Miss Arkansas 2008

Crowning A New Miss South Arkansas

December 14-15 I spent the weekend in El Dorado giving up my title of Miss South Arkansas. Friday evening was full of rehearsals! I had a great time getting to know all of the teen and Miss contestants for South Arkansas and Ouachita River. Saturday morning I was awake early to introduce the contestants before the interview. The judges were extremely friendly and I know they enjoyed getting to know the contestants.

That afternoon Miss Ouchita River's Outstanding Teen, Emily Ann Hall and her family hosted a luncheon at their house. The food was absolutely delicious and I loved seeing all the Christmas decorations at their house. The Miss contestants competed in onstage question and swimsuit that afternoon, while the teens competed in talent. My favorite part of the pageant had to be after the girls competed in swimsuit. The song they modeled to was Gangham Style. After they were finished, Miss Arkansas, Sloane Roberts, Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen, Laura Leigh Turner, and I went out on stage to do the gangham style dance. We had our routine all planned out (a routine I stayed up until 1:30 practicing) but the music was never at the right place. We stood on stage nodding our head for the right moment to come but it never did. Eventually we added a little freestyle section in and soon we were able to perform our routine. Some of the teen contestants even joined us in the middle. 

That evening the contestants competed in the remainder of the competition. I was so excited to perform my routine from Miss Arkansas that night as well. One of my princesses joined me for my farewell that night. I loved having Hailee there with me. She was so mesmerized by Miss Arkansas! Sloane even let her wear her crown. It was absolutely precious! That is one of the amazing traits our Miss Arkansas has. She is so personable and knows how to make every person in the room feel like they are the most special. She made Hailee's night and she definitely felt like a princess. My dad, my brother, Dustin, and my boyfriend, Dylan all brought flowers to me during my farewell. I am so lucky to have such supportive men in my life.

I was so excited to crown Claire Hodgson the new Miss South Arkansas. She is such a sweet girl and I know she will be an amazing representative! I can't wait to be at Miss Arkansas this summer with all my pageant sisters. Many of us were able to enjoy a reception at the Holiday Inn after the crowning. I loved getting to hang out with Sloane, Claire, Sarah and many other contestants. I am blessed to be a part of an organization that has given me the opportunity to make some great friends.

Conway Christmas Parade and Autograph Signing

The annual Christmas Parade in Conway was held on December 8. I was so excited to take part in the parade, and the weather was absolutely beautiful for it. Before the parade I had the honor of attending an event at Simon Park. It was a Christmas Corner set up for young children. There was entertainment, food, jump zones, coloring stations, and even Santa Clause! I was asked to sign autographs and play with the children.

 I loved signing autographs, taking pictures, and getting to know each of the kids, but there was one little girl who especially touched my heart. Her name was Ally. Ally was the first little girl to run up and ask for an autograph and picture. She was a little shy at first, but throughout the event she kept returning to talk to me a little more each time. After signing many autographs, I took my princess to the coloring station. As we were decorating Christmas cards Ally came up to me and said, "I want to be a princess when I grow up." I told her that she already is a princess and her response was, "No I'm not. I can't be a princess." As a dance teacher it always breaks my heart to hear little girls say they can't be something or do a certain thing. I preceded to tell her that any little girl can be a princess and she stopped me telling me she didn't know how. After talking to her for a bit, she soon turned her frown around and told me she couldn't wait to be a Princess. She even said she wanted to do pageants when she was old enough. Later she brought me a Christmas card she had made. These are the moments I absolutely cherish.

A verse I put on all my autographs is Jeremiah 29:11, "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 hope and a future." I hope this little girl sees that God has huge plans for her future! :) 

The parade was a lot of fun that night. I am so thankful for my director, Mrs. Susan, and her husband, Mr. Setzler, for helping me decorate the car. They did a great job and I am so blessed to have them supporting me through my journey. Another special thanks goes out to my brother Ryan for being my driver! :)

One of my princesses, Hailee, rode with me in a beautiful red Solara convertible that the Crain dealership in Conway provided. We had a lot of fun waving to the crowd and listening to Christmas music. We even got to see a lot of familiar faces from the dance studio and Mrs. Milicent from the Miss UCA Board!

I love this time of year and the joy it especially brings to little children. Merry Christmas! 

Introduction to the UCA Board of Trustees

Friday, December 7, I had the privilege of being introduced at the UCA Board of Trustees meeting. I was accompanied by many great leaders of the University. I was overwhelmed by the "Congratulations" and support of much of the faculty at UCA. I think it is so great that everyone at this University is so supportive of me and my endeavors this year.

A few minutes after the meeting had begun, it was time for introductions. Lindsey Osborn walked to the microphone to introduce me and I followed her. After my introduction I took a moment to thank President Courtway and the UCA Board of Trustees for the scholarship I was awarded at the Miss UCA Pageant. I was awarded over $7,000 in scholarship and am so thankful for that. I also spoke about how excited I am to represent my University this year and continued my speech by discussing my goals as Miss UCA. I have been so blessed in this first month of holding this title to really be able to get involved around campus and the community. I look forward to more appearances like this. 

Meeting with the President of UCA, President Courtway

If I had been asked my freshman year of college if I thought I would ever have the chance to sit in the Presidents office of the University and have a conversation with him, I would have said no.  At that point I was not yet involved in the Miss Arkansas Pageant System and I did not quite have a grasp on what amazing goals I could possibly accomplish within my college career.

This past week I was told the Board of Trustees would like to be introduced to me at the next meeting, however before that President Courtway would like to meet me first. I think this was the moment that my new title of Miss University of Central Arkansas really began to sink in even more. What an honor!

On December 6, I walked into Wingo Hall and found my way to the floor the Presidents office is located on. Mrs. Susan Lilly greeted me and showed me where to wait. When I got to meet with President Courtway I was very excited to learn of how supportive he is of the Miss UCA and Miss Arkansas Pageants. He gave me a lot of encouragement and we talked a lot about my goals for the future and my goals as Miss UCA. He was very personable and easy to relate to! UCA has been blessed with such a positive role model as our President and I was greatly honored to have this meeting with him.

7 Appearances...1 Weekend

What a busy weekend this was, full of appearances! But what a blessing it is to be able to represent the University of Central Arkansas every opportunity I can.

On November 30, I was asked as a special guest to go Christmas caroling with all the contestants of the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant. We attended Heritage Center Nursing Home and spent our time singing to the patients. Soon the memories of Christmas caroling as a young student at Conway Christian came back. I always loved taking Christmas cards to the elderly people there. This appearance soon became so dear to my heart. Seeing their faces light up as all of us would come by singing holiday songs was absolutely priceless. We made our way to one of the dinner halls and surrounded it to sing. I noticed one lady looking sad, but once we made eye contact and I smiled at her saying Merry Christmas, her face came to life. Tears filled my eyes as I began to think of all of the people who aren't as fortunate as I am to see their family every day, but I know each person there enjoyed our singing. (Even if mine isn't the best ;) ) I look forward to returning to Heritage and visiting the patients again very soon.

                                        (All of the group at Heritage Center before Caroling)

                                          (One of my princesses who came caroling with us)

That evening I was asked to entertain at Simon Park on the Kris Allen Stage. The contestants gathered and reigning title holders of the Merry Christmas Pageant sang Christmas songs. I enjoyed performing my tap dance from the Miss UCA pageant. I was able to hear some young girls talking while I was dancing. They were so interested in tap dancing that they said they wanted dance lessons for Christmas. I enjoyed having hot chocolate and visiting with all the contestants and reigning title holders.

                                                          (Tap Dancing at Simon Park)

On December 1, I attended the Alpha Sigma Alpha Race for a Reason. ASA's national philanthropy is the Special Olympics and all proceeds from the race will go to benefit Area 17 Special Olympic events which will be held in the spring. I was able to speak a little about ASA's support of the Miss UCA pageant for the past 17 years and how thankful I am that because of their involvement I can represent UCA today. I then was able to start with race with... "On your mark... Get set... GO!!!" My favorite part of the event was getting to meet a few of the special olympic contestants. One young man came up to me wanting to know if I wanted my picture taken with him, and of course I did! They were so sweet and some of the best crowd pumpers I have ever seen! They did a great job of getting the runners ready to race! Thank you to Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority for allowing me to attend this event! What a blessing it was!

                                                       (Kati and I at Race for a Reason)

                                                     (My new friends I made at the race)

                                                       (Speaking before starting the race)

After the race I rushed off to my final 2 events for the day. Performing and being introduced at the morning Miss Merry Christmas Pageant, and later the evening one. The contestants were all wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the pageant. Thank you to Renee Lawrence for inviting me, and to Laine Berry of the Royal We for allowing me to wear 2 stunning gowns!

 December 2 was the annual Keyboard Christmas that Woodland Heights Baptist Church puts on. One of the pieces played was the March of the Toys, and I was asked to choreograph and coordinate a toy march. I was also able to perform in the piece. I was a "toy fairy" who brought the toys to life until the "rat kings" stole the wands and froze them all again. Thankfully in the end the wands were returned to us and the rat kings were apologetic for their actions. There were 2 shows and they both went great! I am so glad to have been involved. It was a lot of fun for the kids

That is the end to my busy weekend and I loved every minute of it! This year has already been such a huge blessing to me! :)

                                         (A few of the toys, the rat kings and the toy fairies)