Dental Care at Ellie's Daycare

This morning I was very excited to visit Ellie's daycare! I was especially excited to see my little nephew there! I read to the children about the lion who didn't brush his teeth. I talked to them about the importance of taking care of their teeth and handed out dental kits to the children.

After the presentation I spent some time playing with the kids. They were so much fun to be around. The little girls loved my crown and the boys were so funny. One little boy even seemed a little embarrassed to take a picture with me.

My favorite thing about presenting my platform is being able to show children what a huge difference a smile can make in someone's life. While taking care of your smile is extremely important for your health, just giving someone a simple smile and showing them you care can turn their day around! :)

The Studio By Lauren's Mini Recital at Salem Assisted Living

I was so proud of my dance students for joining me in this next appearance. We were able to put on a mini recital for the residents at Salem Assisted Living Center. The girls enjoyed sharing their love of dance and it was so great to the smiles they put on everyone's face. Audrey (pictured above on the left) was able to dance for her great grandmother who is a resident. We were told that some of the residents who never leave their room left to watch these precious dancers.

The floors were slick and the girls were dancing in a smaller space than they are used to, but they did an amazing job and had so much fun! I am so proud to have such a great group of girls who enjoy doing kind things for others.

Studio D Imaging Shoot

I always love getting fabulous pictures taken with David Hatfield and Laine Berry at Studio D Imaging! Laine does an amazing job with hair, makeup, and wardrobe selection to make me feel and look my absolute best! David Hatfield does a great job with the pictures! Here is one of my head shots from the shoot!

First Pitch at the UCA Baseball Game

May 5th I was asked to throw out the first pitch at the UCA baseball game. You would think that I would be a tom boy since I have three older brothers, however I am not. I wanted to make sure I would be able to throw the ball far enough, so the night before my brother Ryan helped me out a little.

Thankfully my pitch made it all the way to the catcher! I was so excited! I am a huge supporter of the UCA baseball team and have enjoyed helping them out as a Diamond Doll! They have had a great season!

                  Pictured with Eric Fulton, who is a huge supporter of the UCA Baseball Team.

VIT Toad Race at Toad Suck Daze

Never in my life did I think I would have the opportunity to say, "I raced a toad!" Before this appearance I had never even touched a toad! The Toad Suck Daze festival in Conway is a tradition that has been around for years and while I do always take part in the festivities, racing toads was never part of my involvement.

I will say I had a BLAST at this appearance! I was a little freaked out by my toad, Honey Toad Toad, but wearing gloves helped with that issue. Honey Toad Toad decided NOT to cross the start line when the toad master said "GO!" Instead she hopped horizontally behind the start line. Not being a toad fan, I was not very eager to get her to the finish. My toad was the only one that did not make it to the end, but I had so much fun! I just may have to make racing toads a yearly tradition now.

Show and Tell With My Princess

My sweet princess Audrey was student of the month in April. She got to have show and tell for one whole week. On the last day she asked me to be her show and tell item as her dance teacher and Miss UCA. It was definitely one of the most fun appearances I have done. She was so excited!

We talked to the class about all of her dance classes and competitions. She loved telling them about the awards she has won with her solo. Earlier in the week the students got to watch her dance. I absolutely love teaching Audrey at The Studio. She loves dancing and puts her whole heart into it. If she isn't at the studio practicing, she is practicing at home, in restraints, and at the store. When she is on stage her personality comes to life and she is such a little entertainer! I predict she will be a future Miss Arkansas.

We also told the class about her being my princess. The children weren't exactly sure what that meant so I explained that she gets to go to appearances with me and spend the week with me at Miss Arkansas.

All of the children told Audrey her show and tell was the best ever! We had such a great time and I can't wait to visit her class again! :)

Miss Sweetheart of Arkansas Pageant

The Miss Sweetheart of Arkansas Pageant is the final prelim for Miss Arkansas each year. In order to qualify, a contestant must have placed as a runner-up in a local prelim for Miss Arkansas.

There were so many wonderful contestants in this pageant and each did an outstanding job. Congrats to Mary Scarlett for winning the title. She was my teen queen when I held my first title of Miss Spirit of Arkansas. I was so proud of her and know she is so excited to represent Miss Sweetheart of Arkansas. Many of the contestants for Miss Arkansas were able to attend this pageant! It was exciting to get to meet some new girls that I will be spending a week of my summer with. I am so excited for the Miss Arkansas week and am especially excited for the wonderful friendships that will be made.

AETN Telethon

I had the privilege of volunteering for the AETN Telethon. AETN is Arkansas's only statewide public media network that not only delivers local, award-winning productions relevant to Arkansans but is one of 175 Public Broadcasting Service member stations licensed by the FCC.

The telethon allowed for viewers to call in and make a donation to AETN. I had a great time volunteering with Halle, Miss Central Arkansas and girls from other pageant systems. I enjoyed listening to the viewers and learning about the programs they enjoyed most.