Jenna Hager Bush - Girls Scouts Event

Throughout life we are blessed to cross paths with wonderful, talented, giving people.  Liz Raese is one of those people.  I received a call from her and one of her extended business partners/friends about possibly attending the Black Diamond Council Girl Scouts event with guest speaker Jenna Bush Hager. 

Many may know, but prior to Miss West Virginia, I worked for one year with the Bush administration and traveled with President and First Lady Laura Bush.  During that time I never did get to actually meet Jenna or Barbara, so I jumped on the opportunity.

Jenna spoke openly about her experiences overseas and work with UNICEF.  She related it to the encouragement of her parents to always be a person of service.  Just like the Girls Scouts Black Diamond Council, Jenna and Barbara at a young age were using their talents to help serve others in need.

She was a wonderful speaker and not only was I able to enjoy the company of Liz Raese, but also a former Miss West Virginia and my boss, Executive Director of Miss WV, Leah Summers.

Final PASS Meeting

As I may have mentioned before, PASS, Partners in Assurance for Student Success, is the state organization that provides the funds for Miss WV to partake in a 100+ school tour during her year.  In the beginning of her year, she meets with the PASS Board and discusses her platform and what she hopes to achieve through her school tour.  At the end of the year, the PASS Board has Miss WV attend their last meeting before school is out to provide a recap of her school tour and year experiences.

Because I knew EXACTLY what I wanted out of my school tour, my first meeting with the PASS Board and its members was a piece of cake.  Well…..my last meeting wasn’t.  It became a realization to me that my year really was almost over, the school tour – the part I love the most – was almost over.  So during my speech I was able to get through most of it, but when I provided the number of days I had left to be Miss WV, I started to cry.  By the end of the emotional speech about my year being everything I wanted it to be, partly due to the PASS organization, everyone was crying, including Jack Wiseman, a seasoned veteran who serves as the President of the PASS Organization. 

It has been everything I wanted it to be….I have no regrets, only fond, fond memories and experiences.

Froggy 99 Charity Basketball Game

Froggy 99, Country Radio Station, each year puts on a basketball game where the students of Ohio Valley College play the professors and the local Marine Corps play against the member of the radio station, all in hopes to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network.

I was asked to attend their game and mingle with the audience members.  Autographs were signed, games were played, and surprisingly the Froggy 99 team had some great plays!  They insisted they weren’t professionals, but they fooled me:)

Roane County Schools

Roane County is one of the counties adjacent from my home county.  My dad grew up there and worked there as a lawyer and prosecutor, now serves as the Circuit Court Judge. Because of his "roots," the WV Black Walnut Festival was one of the "must" visits for our family each year.  I wouldn't miss it for anything, and even though it might not have been my 'roots at first, Roane County/Spencer BECAME my roots!  


In high school, I dated a guy pretty seriously (for High School, lol), so much time was spent there at ball games, dances, etc.  In 2005, I was crowned Miss Black Walnut Festival and represented at the WV Association of Fairs & Festivals pageant where I placed 4th runner-up. So being in Roane County Schools for a week felt like "home" and was one of my requests during my year.

I started out the week at Reedy Elementary and finished up the week at Walton Middle School.  Each presentation was a prep for the upcoming Westest, but for material interest and content, half of my Overcoming Adversity presentation was added on. 

(Pictures - 2005 Miss BWF Crowing.  Then this year at the BWF)

In the middle of the week I visited Spencer Elementary, Geary Elementary & Middle and Walton Elementary & Middle.  

 

[Reedy Elementary]

(Spencer Elementary)

(Geary Middle School)

America's Ultimate Miss Pageant

In all my years of involvement in pageantry, I have never seen a director that is as dedicated and committed to his pageant and his queens as Mr. Kirk with the America's Ultimate Miss National Pageant.  I was honored to be a part of his production which started on Friday and went until Sunday afternoon.

This pageant hosted preliminaries earlier in the year at which the contestants could win the opportunity to 1) Hold a title or 2) Go on to compete for an America's Ultimate Miss title.  There were ten age groups from dollbaby to Mrs. and at least five contestant in each competition.  In total, there were 92 contestants that competed for the various titles this weekend.   

What amazed me the most was the 1) the organization of all 92 contestants, but 2) THE PRIZES!  After EACH phase of competition each contestant was given a gift.  These gifts ranged from a huge makeup set to a mini gumball machine, zuzu pets, etc.  The winners got a flat Screen TV (went to High Point winner), Jewelry, Makeup, life size Mini Mouse doll, crowned queen piggy bank...and the list goes on and on.  Honestly, I wanted to enter myself in the competition just for the prizes!  

Saturday evening the reigning queens were escorted in a LIMO to The Dairy Mart for dinner, fellowship, and ice cream:)  After that followed a dance party and autograph signing!  The evening was a blast, but both Jackie Riggleman, Miss WV's Outstanding Teen, and I got to spend the evening with the NEW reigning Miss Virginia, China Helmendollar.  

   

(Before, in limo on our way to Dairy Mart for some dinner  and ice cream - yum!)

  

[Dance Party & Autograph Session]

On Friday, the casual wear competition and (optional) disco wear competition took place.  Saturday, (optional) fashion modeling, swimsuit, interview, and evening gown.  Sunday the winners were announced and each age group was crowned. 

  

[Doll Baby, Baby Miss, Tiny Miss]

   

[Pre-Teen Miss, Teen Miss, Junior Miss]

[Senior Miss, Miss Ultimate Miss]

[Mrs. Ultimate Miss~  Had to put even the blurry picture in because she was so excited and jumping up and down!]

Jackie & I got to spend some MUCH NEEDED time together which is always so enjoyable!  Her mom was in attendance as well and the two of them together such a delight to be around. I am going to miss Jackie after our years conclude...guess I will just be driving up to Morgantown to see her~  

  

[In Virginia, the trend is to have others sign your titled sash, instead of an autograph card.  Interesting, but a definite keepsake that you will have forever!]

Kanawaha County After Schools

This week was full of after school programs.  Because of the many snow storms that we had all over the state earlier in the year and testing around the corner, the school officials felt is most appropriate to invite Miss WV to the various different after school programs in Kanawha County.  At each of these schools, I delivered the message of overcoming adversity, pursuing your dreams, never letting one thing define who you are.

I was offered a few teaching jobs once I was finished with my year.  I was flattered, but I still haven't COMPLETELY figured out what I want to do yet.  I am living each day to the fullest in my current job and then will worry about the future later:)

     

(All pictures were taken at Ruffner Elementary School)

  

(Pictures from Elk Elementary Center)

(Ruthlawn Elementary)

(At Alban Elementary)

  

(At Central Elementary After School Program)

Grandview Elementary After School

I think when you are least looking out for God's involvement in your everyday life, He shows up.  I was asked to come and speak to Grandview Elementary's after school program about making positive choices.  After the presentation, as usual we did a short Q&A.  The kids asked the normal questions about "What does it feel like to be Miss WV, "What is your favorite part," "Did you come in a limo," "What is Miss WV," etc.  This time one of the teachers asked a question.  She simply wanted to know where I was from, and I replied "Jackson County, about 30 minutes from here."

Later after I had concluded my presentation, she asked me if I knew the Kerseys, Ashley, Jim and Debbie.  I replied, "Yes! I just love Ashley!  How is Debbie doing?"  We then talked for 30 minutes about Debbie's battle with cancer and how Ashley and Jim were taking it.  I then asked her how she knew them.  She teared up and said "I am Ashley's aunt and take care of their home when I am not at school." We both just sat in the cafeteria...with the kids running around...and got tears in our eyes.  

I realized then, that God needed me to go to that school so I would see how good I had it, that I still had my mom around and will forever...I hope.  That I didn't have family members that were battling with life-threatening diseases.  That I had this wonderful job....my dream come true.  I needed to see that there were others around me that were battling and I needed to reach out.  

She, the wonderful teacher, was brought into my life for more than just a school presentation.