Christmas Time!

Well… I finished my first semester of Pharmacy school!  To be honest… it was a rough adjustment back to school.  However, with a lot of hard work and many long study days… I pulled off a 3.6 GPA from my 19 hour semester!  Now time to relax!!

I was excited to participate in the Christmas Celebrity Karaoke Contest put on annually by The Buzz radio station!!  All proceeds benefit The Youth Home, which is a non-profit organization that assists emotionally troubled adolescents and families become healthier contributing members of the community.  Celebrities like the governor, TV news personalities, and athletes rocked the stage for this great cause.  I was one of three former Miss Arkansas titleholders that participated, and I loved being a part of the group!

Miss Arkansas 2010 Alyse Eady and I performed Gangnam style with several girls from Channel 11 and Channel 7 news stations.  Danny-Joe Crofford pulled the entire performance together and was the best Psy you could imagine… until he pulled out his microphone while emphatically taking of his jacket onstage.  Thankfully… Dawn Scott from Channel 11 blasted through the back curtain to rap the final verse.  It was a great performance… one that will go down in history!  You can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFFafynF_5M

 Alyse, Danny-Joe, and me!

Christina Munoz, Janelle Lilley, Pam Baccam, Alyson Courtney, Dawn Scott, Lauren Scott, Katherina Yancey, Alyse Eady, me, and David Bazzel

Then, I had my first free Saturday since the beginning of pageant season so I decided to drive to El Dorado!  I was there to support all of the contestants in the Miss South Arkansas and Miss Ouachita River pageants.  I competed in Miss Ouachita River twice and have always thought the directors do a great job with their preliminaries.  I enjoyed seeing the contestants, families, sponsors, and volunteers.  The Miss Arkansas crew really does feel like family! 

 Congratulations to the new Miss South Arkansas Claire Hodgson!

Congratulations to Miss Ouachita River Abby Lindsey!

Sunday was a big day for Miss Arkansas 2012 Sloane Roberts!  We all gathered at the Hot Springs Country Club for Sloane’s wardrobe preview before Miss America!  I can’t even begin to explain how much effort it takes to collect a full wardrobe for Miss America.  However… I have confidence that Sloane will take the stage by storm in her dresses!  We were especially excited when Tony Bowls, designer of Sloane’s evening gown, showed up at wardrobe preview!  After all… he is an Arkansan. 

 Me and Miss Arkansas 2012 Sloane Roberts

 Me and Tony Bowls!

 Miss Arkansas 2008 Ashlen Batson Thomason and me!

I will be spending the next week in Stuttgart with my family for the holidays!  Then, I fly to Dallas for one of my best friend Amy’s wedding.  This is always the perfect time of the year to remember the blessings God has given us through friends and family.  However, God’s gift of salvation through his son Jesus Christ is our greatest gift of all.  We have lots to celebrate!  

Merry Christmas from the Glover family to your family!

Queen Mallard and More!

Lately, Pharmacy School has demanded my attention.  However, I have taken the time to do a little work with my platform and some of the organizations that mean so much to me!

Several weeks ago, Paw Paw asked me to be his date to a steak dinner at the Governor’s Mansion to benefit the Arkansas Department of Correction.  Before the event, he called to tell me that someone at his table couldn’t make it for dinner and asked if Barrett wanted to come.  So, I ended up having two dates to dinner!  I enjoyed the evening and met so many new people.  When the event was over, the speaker reminded us not to speed on the way home.  Haha!

I was honored to speak at the Little Sisters, Big Sisters tea party in Arkadelphia!  I was a Big Sister in the Big Brother, Big Sisters organization for two years and was tickled pink when several of the little sisters remembered me!  We sipped on hot chocolate, and I spoke about inner beauty.  I was particularly amused at some of the things the girls told me.  One girl complimented my green eyes and described them as “the color of a Jolly Rancher”!  Another girl remembered my etiquette lesson from last year when I spoke at their tea party.  I laughingly commented, “That’s important stuff… you never know, you may eat dinner with the President one day!”  She quickly responded with a question but first said, “Miss Obama… I mean Miss Arkansas… “  Haha, she was already dreaming of that future dinner!

Saturday was a big day in Stuttgart!  My day began with rehearsals for Queen Mallard, a title that I held in 2007.  I remain very proud to be a part of that legacy.  After rehearsals, I joined students from the UAMS College of Pharmacy for a free health screening at Mack’s Prairie Wings.  Because this weekend was the opening of duck season, you can imagine the amount of traffic in my hometown, the Rice and Duck Capital of the World! 

I then joined the Queen Mallard crew for dinner at the Stuttgart Country Club before the pageant.  Miss Arkansas 2010 Alyse Eady was one of the judges, and Miss Arkansas 2012 Sloane Roberts entertained us with some fabulous tap dances, including her Miss America competition dance!  Miss Arkansas 1981 Micki Konecny choreographed the opening number, and I was the emcee!  As you can imagine, we had the best time catching up!  Of course, we had to get a picture of the Miss Arkansas sisters when the pageant was over!

Miss Arkansas 1981 Micki Konency, Miss Arkansas 2012 Sloane Roberts, Miss Arkansas 2010 Alyse Eady and me!

I was elated to wear this red dress from The Royal We in Conway!  I had almost forgotten how fun it is to dress up!  We had a full house and delayed the pageant 15 minutes to allow the audience to get seated.  We started a new tradition by awarding Miss Arkansas with an RNT duck call.  It was probably my favorite moment of the night when Sloane almost blew into the wrong end of the duck call. Then, the audience cheered when she finally made a sound! The pageant ran smoothly, and I was especially proud of our outgoing queens for the dedication they have given to the pageant!  Junior Queen Mallard Robin Galloway and Queen Mallard Samantha Spicer were excellent representatives for the Grand Prairie.  Thankfully, we have two deserving girls to follow in their footsteps!  Congratulations to Queen Mallard LVII Ashley Hopson and Junior Queen Mallard Maraye Tudor.  They will participate in the Wings Over the Prairie Festival and World Duck Calling Contests during the Thanksgiving Holidays. 

 Flashback picture from 2008!  I was giving up my crown as Queen Mallard and Ashley was crowned Junior Queen Mallard!

 Proud of Ashley, our new Queen Mallard!

Maraye Tudor, Junior Queen Mallard

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Race for a Cure! Little Rock 2012!

I will not lie… I groaned when my alarm clock went off on Saturday at 6 a.m.  However, after braiding my hair and donning my pink attire, I was eager to meet friends downtown at Race for the Cure!  

Every year, I race in honor of my grandmother, a three-time breast cancer survivor!  She is the best example that I know of a kind, strong spirit!  I admire her in many ways!  When I called Friday to tell her I was entering the Race for the Cure, her response tickled me.  She was thrilled and offered to pay my registration fee!  Haha, no… that was my donation in her honor! 

Over 40,000 women participated in the 5K run/walk.  Little Rock ranks as one of the top five cities to support Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, raising $2 million during last year’s event alone!  More than 2,300 men lined the sidewalks to cheer and share support.  I was excited to see a very important man amid the “Miles of Men,” Governor Mike Beebe.  Although, I must say, the governor was a little overshadowed by the dancing firemen who were throwing out pink beads.  It really is inspiring to see a community come together for the hope of a cure. 

I also attended a Girl’s Night Out evening at my church, Fellowship Bible Church.  The speaker was a former national titleholder, who spoke on our purpose as Godly women.  I especially liked her comments on Proverbs 31:10.

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

“Why rubies?  Why not diamonds?  Aren’t diamonds more treasured?  Actually, rubies are 300 times rarer than diamonds and can only be harvested in Burma.  In fact, most of the rubies we find in jewelry stores are synthetic rubies.  While this world places value on things like diamonds, realize that God places value on things that are rarer and truer.  Strive to develop the biblical qualities such as noble character, and you will live a countercultural life that far outweighs the beauty and rarity of a diamond.”  

2012 Angels Pageant!

I have been looking forward to emceeing the South Arkansas Angels Pageant in El Dorado for several weeks! The pageant allows special needs boys and girls of all ages to enter. Every participant receives a sash, crown, and title… such as “Miss Best Hugger” and “Miss Always Smiling” and “Mr. Most Handsome!” We had over 70 contestants, and a few people traveled from out of state to the pageant! We also had an army of volunteers backstage… helping with make-up and hair, rolling wheelchairs, and lining up the contestants. The pageant was a HUGE success! I have never seen bigger smiles or prouder winners!

 Emcee!

 This sweet lady opened the pageant with the most sincere prayer! :)

All of the contestants were just precious!

Also, I was asked to entertain the audience with a couple of dances. My first performance since Miss Arkansas was so much fun! The best part was the little boy on the front row who flirted with me during my dance. Upon returning to the microphone, I mentioned to the crowd that I might have found a new boyfriend. He appeared onstage as a contestant later that evening,and eventually, he asked me for a picture! Haha, he was precious!! 

Pageant news: The countdown to Miss America has begun… 3 months! The Miss America Organization posted the official headshots of the state representatives. What a great portrait of our beautiful Miss Arkansas! I can’t wait to cheer on Sloane in Las Vegas! 

The biggest surprise occurred on Saturday! Several former Miss University of Arkansas titleholders were honored at the Razorback home game, including a sweet friend, Ann Brooks (Wizer) Difani. Then… Randy Jackson from American Idol appeared on the field! He announced that Ann will be on the upcoming American Idol season… a complete surprise to Ann!!! He then handed her a microphone to sing and call the Hogs! I can’t wait to see Ann on American Idol… I definitely will be voting this season!!

Yeah, she was surprised.  haha!  I love it!

Finally, I just wanted share a verse that has given me great encouragement this week!  

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

Homecoming Week 2012!

It is no exaggeration that the whole weekend was Homecoming! I attended Homecoming festivities Thursday at Ouachita Baptist University, Friday at Stuttgart High School, and Saturday at Ouachita again! It was a great weekend to catch up with old friends and celebrate the places that mean so much to me!  My social club, Tri Chi, presented a great show with the theme of "circus!" Found my name in the sidewalk!   There were many things that I had forgotten about a Stuttgart High School football game. For example, a group of fans blow duck calls to rally school spirit. Thankfully, I had not forgotten the band dances or cheers because cheerleading alumni were invited to join the current cheer squad on the sidelines! We actually had around 60 alumni participate in the event. It was lots of fun but pretty windy. I grabbed a few good pictures before the wind took over! Girls that I cheered with in Stuttgart High School! Thursday and Saturday, I attended Tiger Tunes at my undergraduate university, Ouachita Baptist University! Tiger Tunes is a competition among the clubs to create the best 6-minute skit, complete with theme, lyrics, costumes, and choreography. I actually directed the Tri Chi Show in 2010 so I fully appreciate the effort that goes into the competition!! Tickets are always sold out for Thursday, Friday, and two shows on Saturday, with all proceeds going toward student scholarships… Typically around $80,000 is raised in one week!  Cara and Ashley at the Tri Chi Tea  Pledge Class '08 Best friends.  I always brag about Ouachita because I truly believe it was the greatest four years of my life! The caring professors, quality education, and spiritual foundation helped develop so many aspects and priorities of my life. President Dr. Rex Horne always challenges students to be “difference makers.” His vision inspires students to develop an atmosphere of shared passions. If it weren’t for Ouachita, I simply wouldn’t understand the impact of service and purpose-driven life for the gospel. Thank God for Ouachita! Update on the pageant world! The Miss Arkansas Organization will be releasing a quarterly newspaper entitled “The Runway.” I want to share the update from our reigning Miss Arkansas Sloane Roberts.  For the entire article, look for "The Runway" on Facebook.  If you haven’t already, follow her on twitter and Facebook! "The very next day, I was flying out to Orlando to cheer on my sister queen, Laura Leigh, at MAOT. I had a great time catching up with several state titleholders who were their teen titleholders, four of whom competed with me in 2008! All 52 of the contestants were so kind and beautiful. I can’t wait for Miss America to see them all again! But the highlight of my week was of course sitting in the audience watching Laura Leigh take that stage by storm! She really did knock it out of the park. Her dance was phenomenal. Her evening gown was stunning. And she rocked her cute fitness routine. When she won the talent preliminary, I felt like a proud mom. All of the state titleholders around me wouldn’t stop complimenting her poise and talent all week long! Needless to say, we all thought she had it, but I’m so thankful that I get to keep her as a sister queen all year and hopefully tap with her very soon! I’m so proud of how well she represented us and I have no doubt that she is going to be just as fabulous throughout the year. Coming back from Orlando, it was back to reality...or back to the gym with Ann Marie! I know she’s going to have me in tip top shape for Miss America. I don’t know what I would do without her! During these past several weeks, I’ve been so honored to have homecomings at my hometown, at the Chi Omega house and at the Pride of Arkansas Dance Studio. I am so thankful for all of the people that came to all three of my homecomings to support me. As I said earlier, this has been a crazy transition, but I honestly wouldn’t change anything about it. I’ve learned a lot about myself and had to lean on God several times already. The best part about this first little bit of my reign, is seeing how active God is in my life and how he’s opened so many doors for me that are filled with his blessings. I am so grateful. I love my job!"  -Miss Arkansas 2012, Sloane Roberts

Fight Against Cancer!

Thursday night, I joined the A-team of Arkansas celebrities for a fundraiser for American Cancer Society.  We waited tables at Loca Luna and the Red Door while encouraging the customers to give a donation.  I saw a few familiar faces and met several new ones.  It was really fun to catch up with my media friends while raising awareness for a worthy cause! 

Saturday morning, I put on my sneakers and prepared to run my first 5K in Stuttgart!  The race was a benefit for Asher Ray, a young girl who is courageously fighting Ewing’s sarcoma.  When we all lined up at the starting line, she and her mother joined us in a convertible and rode behind the walkers!  She was smiling and waving, truly an inspiration to everyone involved!  I finished the race in less than 30 minutes, a personal record!  Now, I have to plan for my next race! 

I am getting more and more involved with my church, Fellowship Church in West Little Rock.  One of the ministries that I love about this church is MOxIE (Mentoring Others by Influence and Encouragement).  I am excited to get involved with this ministry and wanted to remind you of the direct biblical responsibility we have in the church:  

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine,but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good.In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.  Titus 2:3-8

Charities and Miss America Sisters Update!

I have taken a little hiatus from blogging due to Pharmacy School.  Having six tests in three weeks has been a little rough, but it feels good to be back on my blog!

On Thursday, I attended a fundraiser with PawPaw at the Governor’s Mansion for Paws in Prison.  It is a program that rescues dogs from euthanasia labs and allows prisoners to train the dogs.  Once the dogs are trained, the dogs may be adopted into a loving home.  However, the true victory is the morale and behavior improvements that have been observed in the inmates.  It truly is a win-win situation for everyone! http://adc.arkansas.gov/PawsInPrison/Pages/default.aspx

Also this week, I tuned in to watch Miss Georgia 2011 Michaela Lackey give advice to Alana on “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo!”  Alana became a reality TV star after making her debut on Toddlers and Tiaras and now has her own show on TLC.  Knowing Michaela personally, I was nervous to see how her proper personality mixed with Alana’s unpredictable mannerisms.  As expected, Michaela was truly graceful during her appearance.   I was very pleased to see that the show didn’t twist the situation for dramatic effect!   

I thought I would give you an update on what some former state titleholders in my 2012 Miss America class are doing now!  I did the best I could but couldn’t mention everyone!

-8 girls are engaged:  Washington, Illinois, Alabama, DC, Maryland, Alaska, Kansas and Wyoming

-Miss DC filmed a segment with “Say Yes to the Dress” in New York City.  It will air in the upcoming season.

-Miss Georgia is married!

-Miss Hawaii is running for public office in the House of Representatives for the state of Hawaii.

-Miss South Carolina has launched a new campaign, “Eating Healthy and Fighting Obesity” and is always on the road filming commercials.  Maybe she will release a book in the future?

- Several girls have gone back to college:  Miss Texas is back at TCU, Miss Arizona is on dance pom at UofA, Miss Oklahoma is at OSU, etc.

-Miss Utah is a professional Nu Dance Jazz Dancer for the NBA.

-Several girls are modeling:  Miss California and Miss Tennessee. 

-Several girls are reporters or broadcast journalists:  Miss Ohio, Miss New York, and Miss Minnesota. 

-Miss Missouri is director of marketing at the Big Cedar Lodge in Branson.

-Many of the girls are giving back to the Miss America Organization.  Miss Nebraska is now the co-director of Miss Nebraska Outstanding Teen.

-And I am in pharmacy school…  just got to make it through the next four years of school, and then I can devote more time to making a difference in the world! 

I want to tell you about two events coming up this week!  The first is a fundraiser at Loca Luna and Red Door on September 27 for American Cancer Society.  It is a celebrity waiter/waitress event, and you should check out the list of those involved!! 

The second event is a Drug Take Back Event sponsored by the UAMS College of Pharmacy.  Arkansas is actually ranked first in prescription abuse among teenagers.   71% of 12-17 year olds who abuse prescription drugs were given them, bought them, or stole them from friends or relatives.  Make plans to be a part of the solution!  Join us for the no-questions-asked Drug Take Back Event in the UAMS hospital lobby from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. on Saturday!  www.artakeback.org