Happy Thanksgiving!

I would like to start off by giving my congratulations to Devonni Patridge, our new Miss Seattle! I had the honor of being a guest at Miss Seattle on November 8th and I must say that the talent of our local competitors gets better and better every year. We are blessed with so many remarkable, high-achieving young women in our state!

After the Miss Seattle festivities we set out to find the perfect midnight dining location. With pancakes in mind I was anxiously anticipating IHOP. Unfortunately for IHOP they turned out to be closed (either that or they knew what they were in for). We ended up making our way to the local Shari's my craving was put at ease with the discovery of APPLE CINNAMON SMOTHERED PANCAKES! After a very late night of laughing to tears and filling our bellies with heavenly goodness we said our goodbyes and tried to get a good night's sleep (more like a quick morning nap) before the next busy day.
After a little bit of rest, we headed over to Poulsbo to share an incredible day with the Miss Poulsbo/Miss Kitsap family. It was the annual Miss Poulsbo/Kitsap Tea, where this year's contestants are introduced to their 'little sisters' for the first time. I was in awe of the incredible mentoring program that the Miss Poulsbo/Miss Kitsap organization has established within their scholarship organization. Throughout the contestant's journey of preparation for their local program, they are paired with a little sister in the community to befriend and mentor along the way. It is a perfect example of how the Miss America Organization is in many ways a mentoring organization in itself, both through the efforts of our contestants to mentor children in the community, and also through the relationships our volunteers build with the contestants. I was pleased to spend the afternoon with my friends Amy and Samantha, Miss Poulsbo and Miss Kitsap of the class of 2008! The champagne cake was plentiful, the cookies were abundant (at least until I got to them) and the sherbet fruit punch was amazing. It was quite the party. The food, entertainment, and company in Poulsbo was wonderful as always. Also a special thank you to Michele Wasson of the Poulsbo/Kitsap program for having me at your event.

Shortly thereafter I took a three day excursion to Bellingham where I had the special privilege of staying with Dawn Marr, a dear friend and valued sponsor of the Miss Washington Organization. The Marr's sponsor a beautiful mink coat each year for Miss Washington. Dawn even joined us for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Dinner Auction and Gala! I emceed the event along-side the magnificent Patrick O'Brien, possibly the best auctioneer ever. After being on our feet for seven hours he still had the energy to teach Patti and I some fabulous self-defense moves - watch out potential attackers! After a late night of quick-paced but long lasting auction excitement, and some very successful fundraising, Dawn and I returned to her home with apple pie and carrot cake that we thieved off of some vacated tables. We spent the rest of the night watching movies until we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer.

While in Bellingham I also had the privilege of returning to Rotary North of Bellingham for another visit. This was their annual awards dinner, and I was invited to present the awards to the chosen recipients, or so I thought. Little did I know that I had been deceived by my dear friends at rotary! I stood up in front with an award in my hand waiting to present it to the person that Brian Finnegan spoke of on the microphone. I was listening intently, but was caught by surprise when he turned around to reveal that they had actually invited me to rotary that evening to present a Paul Harris Fellow award to me! It is such a great honor to receive an award that represents service and community at the level of rotary.

Soon after my trip to Bellingham, Patti and I set off for a four day trip to Wenatchee to celebrate the annual Festival of Trees. The Festival of Trees raises necessary funds to support the Performing Arts and welcomes over 5000 visitors. Those of you who know Patti and her reliable navigator Magellan, her GPS device, know that she is (and I mean this with the utmost respect) somewhat directionally challenged, even with Magellan at her side. What I typically don't share is that if anyone is more directionally challenged than Patti, it's me. Long story short, sending us on a trip across the state together is a fiasco waiting to happen, and always an adventure! Honestly, I'm very proud of us though, we made it there and back despite the roaring snowfall in the pass (so maybe only 1 or 2 inches) and only got lost enough to make our way to Dairy Queen for Pumpkin and Mint Oreo Blizzards! I had the opportunity to meet hundreds of incredible people in Wenatchee, and everyone was so warm, welcoming, and excited to learn about the Miss Washington Organization and the non-profit causes I am honored to call myself a part of.

While at the Festival of Trees I had the opportunity to perform at two different Holiday Spice concerts with a number of incredible performers. The hidden talent in our state is unbelievable and it was a special honor not only to play piano at such a beautiful event but to watch as individuals of all ages performed in celebration of the holiday season.

with the Holiday Spice Show Big Band

Bob was kind enough to be my 'body guard' in Wenatchee, and waited to attempt to arrest me until the last night so that I could fulfill my duties!

I had the opportunity to model for Studio 10 Boutique of Wenatchee at the Holiday Luncheon and Style Show. They also invited me to speak on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children's Miracle Network, and the National Meningitis Association during the show. The audience was so receptive and enthusiastic about offering their support! Afterwards I had an opportunity to interview for a local television station and even met the beautiful Arlene, mother of the last Miss Greater Wenatchee! (We haven't had a pageant in Wenatchee since 1991)
The Festival of Trees Gala Dinner and Auction was quite a glamorous event. I have never seen a more beautifully decorated ballroom filled with holiday cheer! With 10 fully decorated and creatively themed Christmas trees, it was an incredible sight and a hugely anticipated event as people traveled from all over the state to attend. I again was able to speak on behalf of the organizations I advocate as Miss Washington, and also encouraged participants to 'bid high and bid often!' throughout the auction as the honorary 'Vanna'. We were ecstatic at raising close to $100,000 during this evening of community fellowship. It was an amazing experience that I am overjoyed to have been a part of.

Father Christmas is one of the kindest men I have ever met. We had a wonderful time together!

Crowning one of the event's sponsors!

For those interested, the Miss Washington Fashion Show is January 4th and tickets are now available at $35 each. Contact Fianna Dickson at misswa2003@hotmail.com to reserve your seat. The fashion show is at the beautiful Liberty Theater in Puyallup and brunch will be served. Also, official Miss Washington t-shirts are now available for $20 each. Contact Patti Belik at aclassactevents@gmail.com as soon as possible to place your order!

My preparation for Miss America keeps me continually busy and constantly growing. I am so grateful to be surrounded by incredibly encouraging people as the date grows nearer. My parents have been consistent sources of support and I want to take a second and express a special THANK YOU to them both for their dedication to helping me achieve my goals, for instilling their love for service in me, and being two of the best role models I could ask for.

Frank Lloyd Wright perfectly describes my state of mind as a prepare for Miss America with these words: "I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen."

Happy Thanksgiving friends!