Peoples Services BBQ and Yountville Flag Day

I love doing events in my community and in others. People's Services in Lakeport held their annual fundraiser BBQ and they kindly invited me. 

I helped host by making announcements on stage and ate some delicious food! 

And of course handed out autographs and took pictures with the event goers. 

It was so much fun!! 

Flag Day Ceremony

Every year the Yountville Veterans put on a beautiful Flag Day ceremony. All the girls in our field were invited invited to join in on the festivities. We each introduced ourselves on stage, talked to the veterans and ate BBQ. It was so much fun to hang out with my sister titleholders while talking with the veterans. They have some amazing stories!

Memorial Day Parade

I love parades! 

The Memorial Day Parade was held on Main Street in Lakeport. Of course the wonderful Bill Knoll drove me in his flashy car.
After the parade, I enjoyed a nice lunch at Park Place and even met a Pearl Harbor survivor.

Yacht Club and Relay for Life

Boy have I been busy! I'm going to catch up on my blog posts this week before I go back to school. I know everyone is curious how everything went at Miss California. I'll get to that after I go over the events I attended before I left. 

The Lakeport Yacht Club

The Yacht Club in Lakeport graciously invited me to join them for dinner in April. It was so much fun to meet new people! 

They even made a donation to the Miss Lake County Organization. This group is so caring and sweet! 

Relay For Life

In May, I was invited to the Lake County Relay For Life to help out. I greeted the survivors and passed out the survivor T shirts. This is always such a rewarding experience that I've participated in for the last 6 years. 

I know that cancer has touched all of our lives whether it be a family member, a friend, or even yourself. Participating in a Relay For Life is a wonderful way to support and give back. 

Miss California Orientation and The Spring Dance Festival

I realize that I haven't posted in a while! I've been so busy with school, work and prep for Miss California!
I will be graduating Mendocino College in 2 weeks so finals are coming up quickly. Let me fill you in on some of the things I've been up to:
 In April we had Contestant Orientation for Miss California and Miss California's Outstanding Teen contestants. It was a busy busy weekend in Fresno. As our CEO Bob said: "We packed 5 pounds worth of stuff into a 2 pound bag."
 

All the beautiful women who will compete for the title of Miss California

 There was so much for us to do and we had to be up and ready very early! First thing was breakfast and a meeting. Then I moved on to a talent review. I was the second young woman to show off my talent of the day. After that I turned in my music and paperwork then changed into interview wear so I could complete the rest of my day. I attended voice over recording of my talent introduction, a walking workshop, social media workshop, current events with Bob, makeup work shop, a mock interview and recorded a little promo video.

Me, Miss Napa and Miss Solano

Of course it wasn't all work. During our lunch break, we all got together to shoot a silly harlem shake video. We had so much fun together! These young women are truly amazing.

My new Lorna Jane inspirational tank top!

And no pageant weekend would be complete without a formal dinner. I got to enjoy myself with some of the girls from our field! During dinner, we received our Miss California Class T Shirts and some goodies from our newest Miss CA sponsor, Lorna Jane Active Wear! Their motto "Move, Nourish, Believe" goes directly with what we believe in the Miss America Organization.

Miss Merced, Miss Yosemite Valley and I before dinner

Me, Miss Sonoma (Love her!) and her Teen at dinner Saturday night.

Right after dinner, we had little time to change for our rehearsal. We learned all our dance numbers and walking patterns during rehearsals. And let me tell you, it's going to be awesome! Girl Power! When we got out of rehearsals it was late, so that ended my first day at orientation (crazy busy right?).

The next day we were up bright and early again for breakfast and more meetings. Then we were off to more rehearsals until we had to head back to another meeting. It was a long day! Eventually, we had time to take a picture with all the girls from our field. Our field director is Gwen Adkins, so of course we are "Gwen's Girls." 

Our field!

And that concluded my super busy orientation weekend!
A big thank you to Rick Mather (my Teens dad)! He drove us all the way to Fresno and back. I was taken care of very well!

Spring Dance Festival

Last weekend was our spring dance festival. This year, I decided to challenge myself and take an African Dance class with the Lakeport Dance Center. I was so honored to be asked to perform my competition piece for Miss CA at the festival (even though I'm a singer not a dancer). It was sooo much fun to hang out with all the sweet dancers and applying a TON of fake eyelashes! Haha! 
All the dancing has inspired me to try new forms of dance since it's a fun way to exercise and perform! 

Taking a breather outside before our African Dance performance (I know the pants don't match, but they were comfy!) Thanks for the awesome shot Laurie!

My teen Boo Boo (Julie Ann) and I after the show

 I'm so blessed to perform with such kind, intelligent and encouraging people. I was sick all last week with a cold, so of course I was nervous to go on stage. But the encouragement from all the other dancers and instructors was extremely helpful. 

Thank you to Laurie Ann Martin Photography for these amazing pictures!

Laurie Ann Martin Photography

Laurie Ann Martin Photography

Laurie Ann Martin Photography

Fitness!

I'm so excited to announce that Healthy Habits of Upper Lake has agreed to be my fitness sponsor as I get ready for Miss California. They offer such a wide variety of classes to get you in tip top shape! 

I'm feeling nice and sore from the cardio class last night! And I can't wait to do more on Wednesday! (I'm at school all day on Tuesdays). 

Check out all their classes! They even have childcare there. 
No excuses!

Healthy Habits is more than just a fitness center, it is a start to a healthier and positive way of life.

I will make sure to include my progress in future updates with my fitness!

Miss Sonoma, Miss San Francisco and Miss Golden Gate

Miss Sonoma

On Saturday March 2nd, the new Miss Sonoma County was crowned. Congratulations Ashley Kimball!

Miss San Francisco and Miss Golden Gate

On Sunday, March 10th, Miss San Francisco and Miss Golden Gate were crowned! Congratulations Miss San Francisco Heidi Cheung and Miss Golden Gate Raquel Fatiuk. 

State preparation update!

I'm getting closer and closer to competing for the title of Miss California 2013! 

I have been slowly preparing these last few weeks. I have finished my paperwork and the most important things are turned in. I only need to raise $100 more for the Children's Miracle Network to qualify for the competition. 
Feel free to share my donation page or donate yourself so that I have a shot at the title! 
Also, I need sponsor ads for the program book at Miss California. If you or someone you know is interested in advertizing their business to thousands of people statewide, please contact me. I have to turn in at least 3 pages to qualify.

Now, on to the part I know everyone loves. Wardrobe! What will I be wearing?
I wish I could show everyone what I'm wearing for each phase of competition, but I don't want to give it away! I will give you a hint though: think sparkles! So far, I have my evening gown and talent costume, the two most important pieces in my opinion. Pageant shopping is not for the faint of heart. It's a very long process, but completely worth it when you feel stunning as you compete on stage.

Now as you may or may not know, each Miss contestant rooms with another Miss contestant at state. I'm so proud to announce that I will be rooming with Miss San Joaquin County, MacKenzie Freed! 

I will be going to orientation in April! So excited to meet everyone and have a good time.

Keep following for updates! 

Visiting February Pageants

Miss Solano and Miss Napa County

February 16, 2013

 

  Congratulations Angela Laird and Noeli Cardenas!

Angela Laird, Your Miss Solano 2013!

Noeli Cardenas, Your Miss Napa County 2013!

We love hanging out with princesses!

Miss Sacramento County and Miss Sacramento County's Outstanding Teen

February 9, 2013 

Congratulations Ashley Newman and Mackenzie Starnes!

Ashley Newman,Your Miss Sacramento County 2013!

Mackenzie Starnes, Your Miss Sacramento County's Outstanding Teen!

Visiting titleholders onstage

Miss Mendocino and Miss North Coast

February 2, 2013

Congratulations to Jill Santos and Olivia Polkinghorn!

Jill Santos, Your Miss Mendocino County 2013!

Olivia Polkinghorn, Your Miss North Coast 2013!

Current titleholders with the newly crowned

Canned Food Drive and K-Town Crazy Sock Drive/Fundraiser Concert

I know it's been a while since my last post. The holidays were so busy with traveling and preparing for my last semester at Mendocino College. Plus I'm about halfway done with my Miss California paperwork and completed lots of shopping for my competition wardrobe! Stay tuned for all the exciting news while I prepare to compete at state!

But I want to tell you all about my last two appearances.

Canned Food Drive

On December 14th I was at the courthouse in Lakeport to collect food and cash donations for the annual canned food drive. This year, all the money and food was donated to Saint Mary's Immaculate Church in Lakeport.

I went around to each department to chat and collect.

It was a lot of fun and I ran into a few friends along the way.  

Chatting with some of the women in the courthouse.

Counting some of the donations to keep tabs on which department donated the most!

Some of the checks we received!

Our last stop to collect was the District Attorney's office.

Working Hard!

Our District Attorney Don Anderson and I

 It was such a rewarding day!

K-Town Crazy Sock Drive/Concert Fundraiser

This was so much fun! Jennifer Humble who was Miss Lake County 2012 came along with me to this concert.  

Shout Out to Taj! This is an amazing thing you guys do!

Here I am as I put my donation into the basket and with K-Town! These socks will be donated to Shriners Hospital in Sacramento so that the kids have some fun on their feet!

Thank you to Pulse Studio for the exercise!

Before the concert started, we did a little Zumba to get all warmed up! Of course I did the workout in my crown!! Hehe!

The concert was wonderful. I always love listening to this talented group because their music is so inspiring and uplifting. 

Thank you so much for inviting me Taj. I always enjoy being there!