January 2008 Newsletter

(February 16, 2008)

    The Miss America pageant has come and gone and what an amazing experience it was. Just a few short weeks ago the anticipation and preparation seemed unending and now it is all behind me. I truly believe that I am a member of the grandest sorority on earth. It was a thrill to spend the past week and a half reunited with my sisters. Much like our time spent taping Miss America Reality Check we were thrown for one loop after another as we took part in phase two of the “New Miss America”. 

    As I am sure most of you noticed, there were major changes to the format of the live show. Right from the opening number it was obvious that this would not be the Miss America pageant we were all used to. Each team from Miss America Reality Check strutted across the stage sporting our team colors and dark wash blue jeans. They asked us to come up with cleaver facts about our states to share as we introduced ourselves. Many of us experimented with different lines during rehearsal and preliminaries. Some were informative, some were clever, and some were hilarious. I must say that the MAO class of 2008 has more than one class clown. I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard in my entire life. Many of us enjoyed poking fun at ourselves and stereo types of our states. For the live telecast I chose to make a joke referring back to the infamous “flag incident” from the reality show (and just for the record, I do know what the state flag of Pennsylvania looks like… I simply had a hard time finding it under duress). 

    Another major change to the telecast was the way in which contestants were called out. Rather than calling the names of the contestants as they moved closer and closer to the title of Miss America, the production team took the “elimination” approach made popular by so many contemporary reality shows. Those of us who were eliminated however did remain on stage to watch the show. We were seated in the grand stand along with a very talented DJ who played top 40 hits during the commercials. The folks at home never saw the real party that took place in the grandstand when the cameras were off. We really had a blast up there between the great music and the tasty high-carb pastries provided by Clinton Kelly from What Not to Wear. . . bringing me doughnuts definitely made up for his poking fun of my gown during the reality show. 

    All in all my entire Miss America experience was unforgettable and very positive. Of course I was disappointed not to leave with a new title and of course I would have liked the opportunity to compete on national television. But I can honestly say that while looking back I the highlights definitely outshine the low points. Prior to this year I had never been west of Ohio, but Miss America took me to Los Angeles and Las Vegas. 50 years from now I can tell my grandchildren that I was on a reality television show. While I did not get the opportunity to perform my talent on national television I did sing a few bars of America the Beautiful on Reality Check and received a non-finalist talent award at Miss America. I can tell people … “Yes I know Miss America very well. In fact, we used to be house mates,” (and on that note I must offer a HUGE congratulations to Kirsten on her new title. It was well deserved and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for her year of service. I know she will be an amazing Miss America.) Finally and most dear to my heart, I left Las Vegas with 51 sisters with whom I shared a trailblazing experience that will be often imitated though never duplicated. For all of these things and the lifelong friendships I have acquired I am truly blessed. 

I    n closing, I must thank all of you, for your cards, prayers, words of encouragement and financial support. For those of you who came out to Vegas, your cheers lifted my spirit and gave me strength to continue along that grueling schedule. For those of you who where cheering at home I know you were with me in spirit and I thank you for the effort you took to let me know you were thinking of me along the way. To my wardrobe sponsors the Bridal Suite of Johnstown I am forever grateful. I was absolutely in LOVE with my wardrobe and felt like a million bucks walking across the Miss America stage. To my dear family who traveled from around the country to be with me, I love you all and thank you for your love through the years. I must also thank Mike Hartman and my West Chester University family for their tremendous support. Your fundraisers helped send me to Vegas in style. Also, thank you so much for the ad you placed in the MAO program book! Last but not least I must thank my executive director Marlene Wynne for her guidance through this entire process. She gave me direction when I was clueless but also gave me the freedom to be the woman that God made me. She knew when to intervene and when to let me be. I am forever grateful.