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