And Miss Moorpark Begins!

I'm done with my interview, it was scheduled at 9:32 but I didn't get in there until after ten. I purposely didn't put any politics-related interesting facts on my resume, but since I've been judged by one of the judges on this year's panel before, the first question out of his mouth had to do with politics and an interesting fact that I had on my resume in the past.

I was really nervous last night, but after talking it over with Trevor on the steps of my front porch, I calmed down a little bit.

Some questions I was asked in interview:

• 2 years ago you told us of how you went to the New Hampshire primaries with Hillary Clinton, do you think we made the right choice in choosing Obama?
• Do you think Obama is doing the right thing concerning the BP oil spill?
• If you were President, what would be your top priority?
• How do you feel about the amount of money the city puts into the local theater?
• Do you think the money put into the theater should be put into protecting the community?

There were a bunch of other ones, but I can't remember them all right now. I know a lot had to do with uplifting girls and self-empowerment. Lots of talking about confidence and how I would handle the crown if titled Miss Moorpark. I talked about "Water Damage" for a little while too.

I hope I didn't stutter too much, or rush over my words. I feel like I might have. Sandy afterwards said that I was really passionate about everything I talked about and that came through, which is really important. I just hope it was good enough.

My make-up is getting done at 2.

Call-time for the show is 5:30.

The rest of the competition starts at 6.

Hopefully we'll know who Miss Moorpark 2010 is by 8:30!

IT'S ALMOST HERE!!

Miss Moorpark is on Saturday! Two days and counting!

I've got to go and pick up my evening gown today from Sandy's and hope that Nani's check comes in the mail today so I can turn that in as well.

Tomorrow is the dress rehearsal at 4pm to whenever it finishes.

I'm really excited/NervousNervousNervous!

Who's going to win!?

Yes! Yes! Yes!

I found my evening gown!!

AND got $150 in sponsers! One more to go!

Sponsers!

I'm going on a hunt through Moorpark today, looking for potential sponsors for Miss Moorpark.

I need to raise $200 in ads for the program book.

$50 buys you space to put a business card, $25 allows us to give you a name shout-out.

If you know of anyone who could potentially sponsor me, please let me know!

All of the money raised goes straight back into scholarships for all those participating in the pageant!

It's programs like these that help make it easier for young women to pay for their college educations!

Back in the Pageant World

I'll be competing in the Miss Moorpark pageant on June 26th at the High St. Theater.

It has an 80's theme!

I've got my talent picked out, but I have to schedule a meeting with Paul to try and figure out how I'm going to cut it. I haven't been able to meet with him much because money has been tight, but it's looking like I'm going to have to since I have no idea where I can cut the song to make it 2 minutes and still show off my voice in a good way.

Evening gown? No idea which one I'll be wearing yet. Maybe one of mine, maybe one from the closet, maybe Amanda Warshaw can beg her uncle enough to let him lend one to me. For interview, I can find something in my closet that will be appropriate. Thank god I don't have to do swimsuit, otherwise I'd be stressing out hardcore.

I need to practice for my interview. (Which includes becoming up to date on current events, even though I'm not sure if they quiz you on that stuff in this pageant...)

Question of the day:

What would you say is the biggest problem facing our educational system today? Why?

I'm excited for this pageant though. I miss being able to compete and to use my talents on stage. I haven't competed for a year and I'm certainly missing the thrill of it. Not to mention, I'd love to be able to do parades again! An extra plus: Trevor was asked to perform in this pageant as well!

It would be amazing to be Miss Moorpark because it's a town I've lived in for so many years and would be so excited to be involved in local activities. I loved being Miss Santa Barbara County, but a lot of times I felt disconnected from it since I didn't actually live/have any real connection to the county besides Trevor going to school there.

I'm a bit behind on all my paperwork because I wasn't 100% sure if I was actually going to go through with competing in the pageant. My dad expressed that he wasn't comfortable watching both Kate and I compete for the same crown and even though I shared similar concerns, my sister didn't seem to have a problem with it and so I figured that neither should I. She had a point though, as she reminded me that we're not really competing against each other, but against ourselves to the standard. At least Jill isn't competing too, I don't know how I'd be able to handle competing in the same pageant as BOTH of them! Kim is competing for the title of Miss Simi Valley, so I'm crossing my fingers for her to do well too.

I can't believe it's been almost a year since Miss California. Where has the time gone? It still feels like it all happened last month or something. I can't believe I haven't seen the majority of those girls since June of 2009. I'm so envious of the people I know who are going back, as well as the new Miss VC and Miss SBC who are going to get to compete this year. I can't believe we crowned them almost six months ago! Of course, I'm rooting for them to well in the Miss Cal competition though!

Days till Miss Moorpark: 23

I'll keep you posted!

Back in the Game?

So I got asked to do the Miss Ventura County International pageant, but after some careful consideration and a long talk with some people about it, I've decided to just take the break and compete again for the title of Miss Moorpark. I can always practice from now until then!

PS: Today is the last day I could apply to be in LA/Culver City. No opens for me yet!

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS CALIFORNIA, KRISTY CAVINDER, WHO WON FIRST RUNNER UP LAST NIGHT AT MISS AMERICA! So exciting!

And the winners are...

Congrats to Ebony Taylor and Carley Ryckman,

the new 2010 Miss Ventura County and Miss Santa Barbara County Titleholders!

Our Farewell: The Rehearsal

Today's the day!

We were at the theatre from 4-10 last night. Brutal, but it went by so fast! I've got to be back there in less than an hour for some run-trus and then I'm back to the house to prep for 5pm.

Better believe I'll be posting a ton of pictures after the fact.

I'm so excited to see some of the girls from Miss California again! I hope it isn't the last time.

Last night, as I was sitting in the theatre and looking up at the girls competing for the crown, I was thinking about how they don't even know what lies in store for them if they win. They get to remodel themselves in the best way possible, they get to go to Fresno and experience some of the greatest days and meet the most extraordinary young women, they get to touch lives and be a face for the community. I loved looking up at them and thinking about who would go home with the coveted title(s) and thought about how much my life has changed because of this year.

As much as I hate to lose my title, I'm excited to see a new girl have a year that will be one that becomes a defining point in her life.

Carpe Diem, right?!

Farewell Speech

My year as Miss Santa Barbara County has been one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. I was beyond shocked when my name was called on January 17, 2009. I’ve grown so much in this past year, and I can owe it all to the Miss America organization.

As Miss Santa Barbara County I was able to work with my platform by talking to talk to young girls in the community and will forever treasure the events we got to attend as titleholders. The ten days I spent in Fresno in June competing for Miss California opened my eyes to the woman I aspire to become and I left there with 55 extraordinary new friends from all across the state.

Sandy, Becky, Seth, Patti, Jen and Pat. Whether it be filling out paperwork for HOURS, shopping downtown, driving to countless events or organizing my personal closet, you were all there for me no matter what. I knew that if I had a question, a dilemma, or simply just wanted to talk, I could come to you.

Our "littles", Kim and Stephanie. You two ladies are the most fantastic young girls I have had the honor of meeting. I've had the privilege of watching you grow up so much this past year and am excited to see how far you both go in life. You're incredible people and I adore you both with all my heart.

Jillian. Sharing this year with you has been a dream come true, filled with enough memories to last a lifetime. Being lost at pageants, trips to the mall, late night phone calls, adult mac and cheese, cabbage patch dolls, hundreds upon hundreds of pictures, pancake breakfasts, and so much more. Since our first lunch together a few days after we were crowned we've dubbed ourselves the "Oddballs" and there's no way I'd rather have it. I feel so beyond fortunate to have been able to have you as my sister-queen this year and I'll love you like a real sister for the rest of my life.

Trevor and Kellen. My two favorite boys. Both of you have been my backbones throughout this entire journey, trekking to parades and to Fresno to support me throughout the year. I don't think you'll ever fully comprehend how much it meant to me to be able to look out and see one of your faces in the crowd.

To all those who sponsored and supported me on the road to Miss California. The Shor’s, The Cosimati’s, The Patterson’s, Glenn Evans, Jason Sobel, The Levan’s, my grandmother and my cousin Emma. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.

Mom, Dad and Kate. Every time I thought I was going to fall, you held my hand and helped me up. The days I was stressing out about certain things and the days when I thought I wasn't cut out for being a titleholder, you helped me sort out my fears and helped give me the courage I needed to continue on. I love you all, with all my heart.

If I had been asked seconds after I was crowned Miss Santa Barbara County, how much I thought my life was going to change, I wouldn't have been able to give you an answer. Today, as I prepare to pass my title on, I stand before you a different girl. I keep reminding myself of something William Shakespeare said: "My crown is in my heart, not in my head, Nor decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen; my crown is called contentment" Because of my year as Miss Santa Barbara County 2009, I have become content with myself and I am immensely proud of the person I have become.

Saying Good-Bye

I'm in complete disbelief that this year has finally come to it's end. I give up my title tomorrow and it's taking every last nerve in me not to take my crown and sash and run as fast as I possibly can in the other direction.

This year has been one filled with memories and stories that will certainly last a lifetime. I've met so many extraordinary people and have grown up more than I ever anticipated.

I never would've guessed that it would be this difficult to say good-bye, but I have to remind myself that this title will bring the same blessings to a new young woman and will take her places she never thought possible. It will do the same wonders for her as it has done for me.

I owe so much of myself to this title and to this organization, for without them I would just be another girl in the crowd.

Being Miss Santa Barbara County 2009 has greatly altered who I am and has set me in line for the person I hope to become. Because of this crown I transformed from a girl to a young woman and have learned so many life lessons along the way.

Despite the fact that this blog is for "Miss Santa Barbara Co.", my hope is that it can turn into my diary of experiences through the pageant world. There's not a doubt in my mind that one day I'll be back on that stage, flaunting my stuff in a bikini or an evening gown. The pageant world, as much as I was against it in the beginning, has become a part of my life.

It's something that is a part of me, and something that I'll hold near and dear to my heart forever.

xoxo,

Miss Santa Barbara County 2009

Brings Back Memories

Expiration Date

Only 22 days left of being Miss Santa Barbara County 2009.

Where has time gone!?