Oliverio's Fashion Show!! :)

On Friday, July 25th, my dad drove me down to Clarksburg, West Viginia to be fitted for my National gown! Of course, I can't describe it to you because it is a secret!! But let's just say it is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen and it is very unique and different (which is exactly what I wanted)!!! I also picked out a swimsuit, white dress, and earrings for Nationals too while I was there at the boutique!!

Angela, the owner of Oliverio's, was amazing as she helped me choose the right colors and clothes for my body type. She was honest when something didn't look right which I appreciated. I was surprised how fast she altered the evening gown and even more surprised when she invited my dad and me to have supper at her house!! Her house is gorgeous and the spaghetti dinner was delicious!! The house was full of other Teen USA queens and Miss Ohio and Miss Michigan Elisabeth Crawford (my sister queen) were also there and former Miss USA Chelsea Cooley was there as well. We talked "pageant talk" for hours and I learned a ton! :)

On Saturday we all modeled at Oliverio's for a fashion show and also had a seminar with Chelsea Cooley. Her insight and tips were most helpful and she is absolutely beautiful inside and out. I had the opportunity to speak with her at the dinner on Friday night and she was very sweet to me and had great advice to offer me!

I can't wait for the judges (and everyone) to see my wardrobe for Nationals . . . especially the evening gown! The rest of the outfits are fantastic, but for me, it's the gown! I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Dr. McVicker in Toldeo, Ohio :)

On July 18th I met a man who would change my smile forever!! He is a miracle worker and his name is Dr. McVicker. He works in Toledo, Ohio and his dental practice is one of the spectacular prizes I recieved when I was crowned Miss Michigan Teen USA 2008!

On the 18th I went to have my teeth whitened with a product called Brite Smile and wow . . . my teeth are unbelieveably white! :) The procedure was painless and easy (at least for me!!) but the technician, Jessica, worked hard to make my teeth white and perfect! I couldn't be happier!!

Yesterday, July 31st, I went back to see Dr. Mike to do a bit of contour work on my teeth. I didn't feel any pain and the results couldn't have been better! I have always been told I have a great smile, but now it is perfect! :) I will never forget Dr. Mike or his wonderful staff and the incredible job they all did on my teeth!

Thank you, Dr. Mike (and staff) God bless you all! :)

National American Miss reunion!! :)

In July of 2006 I was crowned Miss Michigan Jr. Teen's National American Miss and every year I go back to cheer all of the new contestants on as they compete!

I went back this year to visit with my former Directors Lew and Patti Schneider, my dear friends Mrs. Gatewood, and Marci Gatewood, Joe & Kara, Joy, Amanda, and all of the staff! It was a very special reunion for me to see everyone again! NAM was one of the first pageants I ever competed in and it holds a very special place in my heart and always will!

As I watched each competition in every age group all those butterflies that I used to feel standing on that satge came back to me! I was so excited to see who would be crowned and I think the judges did a fantastic job of choosing this years 5 queens!! In fact, Caitlin Klug, who crowned me as Miss Michigan Teen USA 2008, and was the former Miss Michigan Teen USA 2007 won the teen division! And another red head (like me) McKenzie Caprara won Miss Jr. Pre Teen! She is such a cutie!

My prayers are with the 5 queens who will be competing at Nationals in California around Thanksgiving time! It was amazing experience for me and a ton of fun!!! Good luck girls! I love you all!! : )

Saline Celtic Parade!

This had to be the craziest weather parade I have ever been in!!!!! It rained so hard that my dad could barely see out the front window of the car and I never got out of the car the whole time!! I literally sat in the front passenger seat waving to all of the people as they stood shivering on the sidewalk with umbrella's fighting against the wind!!

I am Irish and was honored to be invited to participate in the Celtic parade in Saline, MI on July 12th. I had hoped to go into town after the parade and enjoy all of the Celtic events. The costumes that many others wore in the parade were very authentic to the Celtic heritage, but they were soaked to the bone. It is too bad the weather did not cooperate because evryone really looked great!

Even though my title will be up as Miss Michigan Teen USA 2008 I hope to return to the Celtic celebration next year!

Relay for Life

On Saturday, June 21st, I participated in my first Relay For Life event. I had literally just returned home from Girls State, got out of the car, threw on my jeans and a sweatshirt (sash and crown) and drove to the Relay site (which is the Jr. High School here in Clarkston). It was almost 10pm when I got there and I had no idea what to expect.

I registered and gave a check donation in honor of my Aunt Suzan who had passed away from cancer on December 2, 2006. We were not able to get to her funeral in New Hampshire so this was my mom's and my way of truly letting go and saying our good-bye.

I was surprised it was so quiet. Very soft music was playing and a video was being shown on a huge projector screen. We stood there watching it and just wept. It was a very moving and beautiful experience. All around the track were luninary lights and each bag had a name and some bags also included a picture of the person to be honored. It was very emotional to see the candles all aglow in the dark as we walked around for about a mile or more. Although it was very sad I am glad that I went and I would like to do another one in the daytime where all kinds of events are going on.

If you have never participated in Relay For Life I hope that you will at some point in time. It is for a great cause and honors not only those who have passed away, but honors the survivors of cancer as well.

July 4th parade!! :)

On July 4th I rode in the Clarkston parade! This parade is the largest July 4th parade in all of Oakland county! There were 123 units and I was #116! I love a parade and seeing all of my friends, family, teachers, and church family was a thrill!

This year the theme was "American Heroes" and many of the floats and displays were outstanding! One of them was a beautiful white (fake) horse with George Washington who was kneeling in front of it as he prayed. Another one was all about the 2008 Olympics which took first place this year!

I got to see Danielle Dominski in the parade too! She was the only other pageant person that I saw. She was representing "Miss Oakland for Miss Michigan USA" as she will be competing for Miss Michigan this September. She was 2nd runner-up this last year and her cousin Chelsea Dominski was in my court when I won Miss Michigan Teen USA 2008! This year they will compete against each other in the Miss division and I can't wait to see how it turns out!!

It was a very special day to be a part of something that we can all celebrate no matter our religion, political views, color or race . . . the birthday of our country! I am very proud to be an American and I hope that you are too! :)

Girls State Week at Michigan State University!

June 14-21st found me attending Girls State at Michigan State University where girls from all over the state converged to learn more about how how government is run through mock elections, proposals, and every aspect of government.

I had a very sweet roommate named Emily and she was another red haired girl with very white skin just like me! We had a nice room where the bed was up high to the ceiling and the desk and drawers were underneath. Very different than I expected, but very comfortable.

On the second day I was very excited to be elected as the Mental Health Director and came up with a brilliant plan to save hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement excellent mental health care (and general hospital care) during the week until an unexpected natural disaster (a flood) destroyed my building!!!!! How rude!!! But it was all in good fun and I learned more than I ever wanted to know about how our State is run! Governor Granholm sure has her hands full!

I sang in the Girls State Choir (and got to sing on the Capital's steps) in Lansing, but did not get to see Gov Granhom during this trip. Although I did not bring home any awards it was a very enriching experience and I am so glad I was able to participate! I am now ready to return to address Congress again with a deeper understanding of our government system!