Miss America's Outstanding Teen - Last Prelim Night

Last night, we went to Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant (which, unbelievably, mom and I went to for lunch just two short hours before) - but it was great, so no biggie! Anyway, entertained everyone at dinner with my famous WV bowlers story and they all got a big laugh out of that.

After dinner, we proceeded to the MAO Teen pageant for the last night of preliminaries. California and Rhode Island won last night's awards, and Jackie Riggleman, our Miss WV Teen, looked awesome in evening gown. I sat by Miss Maryland, Oklahoma and Arkansas and had a great evening.

Miss America Photo Op and Meet and Greet

5:30 came very early! The humidity, even at 7:00 a.m., has us all drenched in sweat. We took a photo shoot in the pool (which, by the way, was as hot as the humid air!) My group doesn't have interviews today, so I'm off to the mall until a dinner this evening. Love meeting these girls!

Miss America's Oustanding Teen Prelim 2

The talents were outstanding! I was mesmerized by each contestant's ability to capture the audience in their performance. The talent phase started out with “Angelical Cat” from CATS and her costume was amazing! She was so agile and added in dance, gymnastics and theatre into her routine. From there it just got even better. Jackie Riggleman, Miss WV’s Outstanding teen, performed a captivating lyrical dance to “Butterfly Kisses.” She made me and WV so proud! California’s OT ended up winning the talent portion with her Ballet en Pointe and New Jersey's OT won evening gown. Both very deserving!

I sat by Miss Maryland and we had a blast exchanging comments and excitement for the teen contestants.

Universal Studies with Miss America Contestants - Wednesday

Met all the Miss America contestants this morning and spent the day at Universal Studios with them - had a blast! Well, make that a HOT, SWEATY blast! I had to wear jeans (yes, EVERYONE ELSE had on shorts) because the bugs made a feast on my legs from Tyler's wedding, so needless to say, I was not the freshest face or body in the bunch! Had fun anway, made some new friends, and am anxious to attend the teen pageant this evening. Jackie Riggleman, Miss WV's Outstanding Teen, is doing a fabulous job representing our state, and I am so excited for her!

Miss America Outstanding Teen Pageant and Miss America Taping - Tuesday

Tuesday was a crazy day, making sure I had everything I'd need for the next two weeks, trying to fit it all into ONE under-50-pound bag (can anyone say WRINKLES??), getting out the door and on the plane! Once we arrived in Orlando, we checked into the hotel, went to Wal-Mart for food, literally fell into bed!

WV Nazarene District Camp

Traveled to Summersville, WV on Monday evening to speak at the WV Nazarene Campground. This campground is where I always went to church camp as a child, had some of my earliest spiritual decisions made around that altar, and "family camp" in August is a family tradition where we all go to get revived, rested and fed by Grandma's great food. With my partnership with Massey Energy, I have the opportunity to speak to churches around the state recruiting for foster and adoptive families, so I wanted to approach my Nazarene churches with that opportunity. I spoke a few minutes about what my presentation would involve, and I took the "Heart Gallery" of children available for adoption to leave at the camp all week, in hopes that someone there may fall in love with one of them.

Cherry River Parade and Festival, Richwood, WV

Hopped up early Saturday morning after the wedding to head to Richwood for the Cherry River Festival. Their parade was well-attended and fun, and their festival was great also. Thanks to Michael Rader for being such a good, good friend and for inviting me!