My favorite letter!

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the letters sent to my house after winning Miss Arkansas. I just wanted to share with all of you my favorite letter! Alexis was one of my students at Studio Allegro when I served as office manager. I plan on keeping this letter for forever! Thank you Alexis!

Click on this photo for an enlarged copy.

Learning more and more about this job... Week 2!

Every day, I am excited to learn more and more about the job of Miss Arkansas! I asked Lacy Fleming Glover, Miss Arkansas 2004, if it is normal to feel somewhat overwhelmed at first. She said, “Oh Lord, yes!” Haha! Thankfully, I have received an incredible amount of advice and encouragement from former Miss Arkansas titleholders. Coming from a group of women whom I have always admired, I can’t express how much I appreciate the words of wisdom!

I am realizing more and more each day how wonderful it is to have the privilege of traveling the state and representing the Miss Arkansas Organization! This week, we released my official crown photos and Miss America shots. It was so much fun to receive and begin using the Miss Arkansas autograph pads and official stationary. I also met with Mrs. Micki Konecny, Miss Arkansas 1981 and my mentor, to start working on my talent piece for Miss America! She is such a fantastic choreographer and teacher, I know it will be an awesome dance! Renee, Lacy and I met to begin discussing wardrobe decisions for Miss America. Lastly, I met with Anne Marie, my personal trainer, to start my fitness plan.

My official crown photo! Make up by Jane White and photo by Jerry R. Davis!

My photo for Miss America!

It is amazing to realize how the title of Miss Arkansas follows me everywhere! When I went to Wal-Mart yesterday, I signed 6 autographs in the parking lot before walking inside. Haha! So when you see me next… I would be very honored if you asked for an autograph or picture, no matter where we are.

I had so much fun at several appearances this week! Thank you to Ouachita Baptist University and Stuttgart High School for the photo shoots at those schools that are so near and dear to my heart! Interviewing with 105.9 radio station was lots of fun! It was a great privilege to speak to 400 Arkansas high school business teachers in Hot Springs and to encourage them before school starts! On Saturday, I attended the Ding Dong Daddy Day Parade and Festival in Dumas, Arkansas. It was my first time to attend this festival, and I fully enjoyed my visit! Congressman Mike Ross was scheduled to be in the parade but couldn’t get away from Washington D.C. because of the debt ceiling debate. I was so impressed with the warm welcome from the town of Dumas, where I met a lot of great people! Thank you to everyone who made this entire week so memorable!

Photo shoot with Ouachita Baptist University. It felt like home to be back on campus!

How many hours a week did I spend in the lab?! haha... too many!

Photo shoot at Stuttgart High School!

Yep, I am a ricebird!

Had a great visit with the Promise House! Jennifer Cloyde, director of the Promise House and my boss, and David Perry, executive director of the Arkansas Baptist Children's home. Great people!

Board members of the Arkansas Business Education Luncheon.

Flipping pancakes at the Ding Dong Daddy Day Festival in Dumas, AR.

Riding in the Ding Dong Daddy Day parade!

After eating lunch at Taylor's in Dumas, they told me "Only famous people get to sign a dollar and hang it on the wall!"

I want to share some of the best quotes I heard this week. In a parking lot, a gentleman asked, “Are you really Miss Arkansas? They must have picked you because you have all the teeth in your mouth.” Haha, that was very funny! Today, a little girl in a cute cheerleading outfit yelled, “Miss Arkansas!! I live in Arkansas, too!” I absolutely love this job!

We have another exciting week ahead, including the opportunity to meet with more sponsors and to continue preparing for the Miss America Pageant! My best friend is getting married, and I will officially move to Little Rock. I’m looking forward to the first preliminary pageant after Miss Arkansas, the Miss White River Pageant. Speaking of Miss White River, I am so pleased to tell you Simone Mullinax will compete in the National Sweetheart pageant! This pageant is held for first or second runners-up in each state’s preliminary Miss America pageant. Simone will do an outstanding job representing our state!

I hope to see you at my homecoming party next Sunday afternoon, August 7, at 4:00 p.m. The Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce and many volunteers are planning a wonderful event, which they have named, “Celebration Fit for a Queen!” It will be at the Grand Prairie Center of Phillips Community College in Stuttgart, Arkansas. For more information, please visit the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

And the job begins! Week 1

Can you believe it?! As I was announced the 2011 Miss Arkansas, I wondered if the moment of my dreams was actually real! Since the crowning moment, I have been overwhelmed with support and encouragement! Thank you to the other contestants who made the pageant week so memorable. It is the great honor to represent Ouachita Baptist University and I appreciate the support given from the entire campus! My hometown, Stuttgart, has been extremely excited to claim me as their Miss Arkansas!

Crowning moment with Miss Arkansas 2010, Alyse Eady.

Congratulations to the top 10!

I couldn’t have walked away with the crown if it weren’t for my incredible support team! Thank you to my mom, dad, and sister for the hours of practice, mock interviews, appointments across the state, and pep talks. Mark and Brooke, thanks for the love and support! Thank you to Mrs. LoraNelle for the year-round assistance with wardrobe. I appreciate your being a traveling companion and hostess of my send off party. Thank you to Mr. Carl for the great photos and friendship. Thank you to Justin, Kirt, and Amy for serving as enthusiastic, caring directors. Thank you to Mrs. Micki for being the best dance teacher and mentor I could ask for. Thank you to Laine and Shelley at the Royal We for a magnificent wardrobe. Tammy Belcher whipped me into shape and got me ready for the swimsuit competition. Jane Slocum was an excellent interview and pageant coach, along with help from Sarah Slocum Collins, Ashlen Batson Thomason, and Amber Bennett Bynum! Thank you to Bethany Whitfield for being the best roommate and making this a great week!

My proud family! Photo from You've Got The Look Photography.

Ashley, me, Mark, and Brooke. Photo by YGTL.

Mom and me! Photo by YGTL.

Attendance at the Miss Arkansas Pageant was remarkable! On Saturday night alone, around 3,000 individuals gathered into the Summit Arena to watch the final night of competition. Another 750 watched online through the live stream that was broadcast by the University of Arkansas. Almost $75,000 was handed out in scholarship and I was blessed to receive almost $26,000 in scholarship! Collectively, the 46 contestants vying for the title raised over $20,000 for Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that partners with Miss America.

On Sunday, I gave my first press conference and received the keys to my car, sponsored by Allen Tillery Chevrolet of Hot Springs. Robin Houseworth, my chaperone, and I traveled to Little Rock for a week of media appearances and meetings with sponsors. Mrs. Robin volunteers as the media week chaperone every year and I would have been lost without her knowledge and direction! I enjoyed appearing on 7 television shows and 5 radio shows. I had a lot of fun on the radio shows, since they are a bit more relaxed and the interviews were longer. “What was going through your mind as you were crowned Miss Arkansas?” was the question everyone wanted me to answer!

After the press conference, signing my first autograph!

Radio interviews!

Channel 11!

Channel 7!

Allen Tillery, sponsor of the Miss Arkansas car!

I have realized that the best part about this job will be the people that I work with throughout my reign. The Miss Arkansas board members are incredible! They desire to serve and give their time and effort to make this a great year. No other state has the sponsor support compared to Miss Arkansas! I have enjoyed meeting with sponsors all over the state and still have many to meet!

On Thursday night, I had my first official appearance as Miss Arkansas. While attending the Arkansas Press Association banquet, I met newspaper editors from all over the state. One lady asked if I had brought my puppets with me. Haha! I just laughed and explained that was Miss Arkansas 2010, Alyse Eady. Undoubtedly, Alyse has left a huge legacy in Arkansas, and I only hope to compliment her efforts.

I have a lot to look forward to as Miss Arkansas! We will release my official crown photos and Miss America photos this week. I also have a photo shoot with Ouachita on Monday. Soon, I will begin working on paperwork, wardrobe, and talent for Miss America. On Sunday, August 7, the Stuttgart community is throwing me a homecoming party. It will be at the new Stuttgart Grand Prairie Center, and I hope to see all of you there! More details will come later.

Why am I competing in Miss Arkansas?

This blog was inspired by Miss America Teresa Scanlan. Before winning the crown, she posted an explanation for her purpose in competing. I was incredibly impressed with Teresa's faith and outlook on life. If you get a chance, read her post and the comments as well! (http://teresastravelsandtidbits.blogspot.com/)

Kristen Glover, Miss Ouachita Baptist University

So why am I competing? I started competing in 2008, when I won my first Miss Arkansas preliminary. In 2009, I competed in three preliminary pageants and always placed as a runner-up. At that point in my life, pageants had become critical to my identity, and I was literally crumbling on the inside when I was not reaching my goal of winning them. I decided to step away from pageants for that summer and signed up to work as a mentor to pregnant teenagers. That summer was life changing! Working with those disadvantaged, pregnant teenagers opened my eyes to so much. It was then that I realized this life isn't really about me... it's about service. Miss Arkansas is an opportunity for me to fulfill my purpose of service while using the talents and abilities God has given me. Those teenage girls also provided me the motivation to create my platform, "Second Chances: Empowering Youth to Rise Above" which focuses on mentoring!

In 2010, I decided to compete again. After four more preliminary pageants, I finally earned the ticket back to Miss Arkansas. I took the lessons learned and passion for service to the Miss Arkansas pageant. The hard work and perseverance paid off! I was honored to be named Friday night preliminary talent winner and third runner-up to Miss Arkansas, Alyse Eady. I received almost $8,000 in scholarship funds which completed payment for my entire senior year at Ouachita Baptist University! It was a summer full of blessings!

Dr. Rex Horne, President of Ouachita Baptist University

This year, I am thrilled to be representing my "home away from home" as Miss Ouachita Baptist University! I recognize that not only am I representing Ouachita but Christ too! Miss Arkansas has an incredible opportunity for influence and service. It is a job position that I take very seriously, and I would be thrilled to spread my platform message across the state. The chance to promote the Miss America organization while sharing my testimony of personal growth and scholarship would be incredible!

All contestants competing in the upcoming Miss Arkansas pageant!

Although this year has been full of blessings, it hasn't been the easiest year. In fact, I feel as if I am standing in front of the Lord trembling because I realize how much He wants to use me! This year has been a season of changes and I have been desperate to seek Christ for strength. Within the past six months, I have graduated from college, rented my first apartment in Little Rock, and my boyfriend moved to Rwanda, Africa. I have hopes to be the next Miss Arkansas, but we won't know the outcome of the pageant until July 16, 2011. If I don't win Miss Arkansas, then I have an awesome plan B to attend the College of Pharmacy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Whatever happens, I know that God works for the good of those that love Him! Whether I am in heels and a crown or have my nose stuck in a pharmacy book, I know that God has a great purpose for my life. I find much comfort in that and live to give Him all the glory!

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

-Philippians 1:6

Thank you to everyone who has offered support and prayer! I hope to see you in Hot Springs at the Miss Arkansas pageant, July 13-16. If you can't make it to the pageant, please watch the online webcast at www.missarkansas.org. The newly crowned Miss Arkansas 2011 will then compete in Miss America on January 14, 2012!

Tony Bowls Photo Shoot

From the Miss Arkansas Organization office:

The Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2011 Tony Bowls / Mon Cheri People’s Choice Contest. In May, Arkansas’ own Tony Bowls hosted a high fashion photo shoot for all 46 contestants. They were treated to professional hair and makeup sessions and stylized by Bowls himself in stunning gowns from Tony Bowls / Mon Cheri. These photos are now available to view online at www.missarkansas.org. The public is invited to vote for their favorite for just $1.00. The winner of the public's vote will be named the 2011 Tony Bowls / Mon Cheri People’s Choice and will receive a scholarship on stage during final night of the pageant this July.

Did Tony Bowls not do an amazing job or what!? I encourage you to visit the Miss Arkansas website and vote for your favorite photos! I hope these photos generate interest and inspire the public to get involved with the Miss Arkansas pageant! We are truly blessed to have Tony Bowls as a sponsor. Not only did he give us a photo shoot, but he also is giving all contestants the opening number dress, earrings, shoes, and swimsuit shoes. Wow!

For more information about Tony Bowls and his gowns, visit his website (http://tonybowls.com/).

Women Like to Talk!

I was given the privilege to speak to the Stuttgart Women's Club during the lunch hour on Wednesday. This organization is dedicated to serving the Stuttgart community and welcomed my message about mentoring. After sharing my story of competing in Miss Arkansas and developing my platform (Second Chances: Empowering Youth to Rise Above), many women had multiple questions concerning my work with pregnant girls and poverty-stricken teenagers. More than any other audience, they were fully engaged with my message and joyfully discussed thebenefits of mentoring. I was encouraged by this group of women and appreciate their support!

Stuttgart Women's Club

My mom and #1 chaperone

Although my platform targets teenagers who will benefit from mentors and second chances, the Stuttgart Women's Club reminded me how my message can be shared with all audiences! They were inspired by my work and recognized the importance of mentoring. One of my platform goals is to reignite belief in the potential of my generation. After speaking to these women, I believe I am one step closer to that goal...

You should get a big sis too...

Since we will graduate and move in one week, I asked my little sister, Darlene, to write a letter explaining why she loves having a big sister and why everyone should get involved with the Big Brother, Big Sister organization. Whitney's little sister, Sarah, offered to write a letter as well. I tried to reproduce spelling and punctuation mistakes (they're only in the fourth grade, haha) when typing their responses for authentic reasoning. We are going to miss these girls!

I surprised Darlene and checked her out of school for lunch.

We went to a chinese buffet and she ate pickles and ice cream.

Dear Everbody if you don’t have a big sister than you should because you are missing out on all the stuff you can be have fun with. You big sister will take you to eat. Play and to their room. And best is when you help them put up stuff. Like for Cesmas, hoilween, thanksgiveing. And a nother thang is when is cesmus you get present and sing song take pic. Best of all you get to help on the cesmas tree. By the way is fun. Now you are hearing this from Darlene Scott from Kristen little sis. And that is why you should get to have a Big Sis so you have fun with all your friend. Dis really fun. From: Darlene Scott Kristen little sis.

Most of all they love you.

-Darlene

My best friend, Whitney, and her little sister, Sarah.

Dear, Everyone

I think you should get a big sister. Because They are fun to have, easy to get, and cost not a penny out of your pocket. I love my big sis. Because I have no sisters and we do all kind of things together. From hanging out to celibrating birthdays. My favorate thing I do with my big sis is being able to hang out. My big sister is so nice and aways coming no matter what I think you should get one too. Trust me you will lover her, and have so much fun things you would do. The first time I met my big Sister I had butter-flies in my stomch. But at the end of the day we new each other very well I felt that we already knew each other for along time even though it has only been an hour. I love my big sis. I sure if you get one you would love her too!

-Sincerely,

Sarah Rivas