National Pancake Day Benefitting CMN

The National Pancake Day celebration began in 2006. Since then IHOP has raised more than $10 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. On February 5, 2013, guests from around the country celebrated National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoyed a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free pancakes, guests were asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

I was honored to volunteer at the IHOP in Conway along with several other local titleholders. Many people came out to support Children's Miracle Network and it was great to see all the smiling faces that donated. I enjoyed greeting the customers, hanging donation balloons, and visiting with the tables while giving them more information about CMN. I had a great time and can not wait to work the event again next year!

 

 And of course I had to have my picture made with the "I'm a fan of UCA" sticker! :)

Cheering For Our Miss Arkansas at Miss America

I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to travel to Miss America this year! What an amazing experience it was. Our Miss Arkansas, Sloane Roberts, did such a fabulous job representing the state. She is such a beautiful person inside and out and I know that I was extremely proud to answer, "Miss Arkansas, Sloane Roberts!!" anytime I was asked who I was there to watch.

Her first night at Miss America, Sloane competed in evening gown and swimsuit. She was absolutely stunning! Her gown was white with long sleeves and beads all over. She walked with such poise and elegance on the stage and definitely stood out. Her gown was my favorite from the night and of course she rocked her swimsuit also

                          (A group of the Miss America contestants doing a promotion at Burgr)

The second night of prelims Sloane competed her talent which is always amazing! I love to watch her tap dance, especially since it is my favorite style of dance. She started her dance with music and ended with a section of a cappella tapping. Her dancing was flawless and entertaining!

The final night of prelims Sloane competed in onstage question. She answered her question with such confidence and looked beautiful as well.

 I had such a great time getting to watch throughout the week and see the representation that each state made. Our Miss Arkansas won Miss Congeniality and to me that is such a compliment. What a great award to walk away from Miss America with. She is a true example as to how each young women should respect herself, stand up for what is right, and hold herself to high standards. Sloane is a wonderful role model for our young girls to look up to.

Polar Bear Express with Theodore Jones Elementary

I was so excited to return to Theodore Jones Elementary over the Christmas break. Last year I spoke to the third grade class about my platform, Giving Children Hope Through A Smile. This year I read the Polar Bear express to the fourth graders. It was great to hear the class say they remembered me from last year and what I spoke about. For the end of the semester they had pajama day at school and later got to watch The Polar Bear Express movie. The children also had a chance to ask me any questions. This is always the part I love about speaking with children. They had some really good questions about how I became involved in pageants and what all I had done as Miss UCA. I do believe my favorite question was, "Do you wear your crown everywhere you go?" As much as I love doing appearances where I get to wear my crown I think I would get some funny looks if I wore it to class everyday! I had such a great time reading and talking with the children and I look forward to returning to Theodore Jones in the future. Thank you to Amy and the other teachers for having me!

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!