Thank you!

With just eight weeks until the departure date for Las Vegas, my schedule gets crazier by the day. Amidst the madness of Miss America preparation, I can’t help but think about the endless support that I receive each and every day. It is incredible that even when our economy is experiencing great hardship and people’s lives become hectic with the holiday season, so many still come out of the woodwork and offer their services and open their wallets to our organization. I would like to take just a quick moment to thank some of my most recent sponsors and supporters.

Weddings with Joy is a boutique in Olympia that has become our official dress provider. This boutique has been sponsoring me since my very first pageant at age eleven! They have taken on a huge role this year in allowing me to borrow evening gowns and cocktail dresses for any and all of my appearances. I am so grateful to Angela, the owner, and every employee at Weddings with Joy for their enthusiasm for our program! Please visit their website at http://www.weddingswithjoy.com/ The following are just a few of many dresses from Weddings with Joy!

I am so thankful to have a full gym sponsorship including classes and personal training to Anytime Fitness from Anytime Fitness of Yelm. My local branch didn’t hesitate to offer their services in helping me physically prepare for the Miss America competition, and stay healthily fit during my year as Miss Washington. Thank you so much to Owner’s Mark and Helen and personal trainer Devonne for your endless support! http://club.anytimefitness.com/clubs/yelmwa/

Royal Hawaiian Tanning Salon has also sponsored a year of unlimited free tanning as my official tanning sponsor. I am so thankful to have the support of my favorite full-service tanning salon with a location right here in my hometown. Thank you to Mike, Becky and all my friends at the Royal Hawaiian!

The official skin care product provider of Miss Washington each year is Tutta Bella. These products use only quality ingredients from plants that are nutrient-rich in the essential vitamins and minerals. This toxin-free, all organic skin care line is by far the best I have ever used, and I am so thankful to Dana and Beth of Tutta Bella for their generosity! Visit their website at http://www.tuttabella2.com/ for more product information.

I had the privilege of receiving a Color 1 consultation from Barb Wilson early in my year as Miss Washington. I cannot justly describe how beneficial my meeting with her was. I learned so much about wardrobe and accessorizing and apply her advice each and every day. Our consultation truly was a gift that keeps on giving every time I head out to shop! You can learn more about Barb’s services at http://www.barbwilson.com/

Please be aware that this is a very incomplete list of sponsors. Hundreds of businesses and individuals offer their services and wallets to the Miss Washington Organization and we are so grateful for that generosity. I would also like to add a little note to say thank you to my co-directors Peggy Miller and Patti Belik. I am so blessed to have two inspiring, encouraging and fun-loving role models in these two women and in just four months have learned so much from the time they have invested in me. I could not begin to describe to you the personal sacrifice that these two and so many other volunteers make on my behalf and to further the success of our organization. Thank you Peggy and Patti – 8 weeks and counting – let the fun begin!

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.-- Albert Schweitzer