I thought this week would be fun,
but I had NO idea that I would have this much fun!! The Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen Pageant will go down in the
books as one of the highlights of my year!
Tuesday, I picked up Sydney Friar (Miss Missouri 2011) and Jennifer Sedler (Miss Arizona 2011) from the Little Rock Airport. They competed with me in Las Vegas and I always admired their dedication to the Miss America Organization. I was especially excited when they agreed to judge Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen Pageant! That night, we headed to dinner to meet the other judges: Kristin Freeman Wood, Paul Crews, and Tara Perry.
Sydney, Tara, Jennifer, me, Kristin, and Paul
Jennifer, Sydney, and I had so much fun catching up and reminiscing about our
Miss America experience. However,
I didn’t realize how good it felt to discuss the blessings and hardships of my year
with girls who know exactly how it feels!
It was the best therapy! I’m
so thankful for the time I got to spend with girls who I admire so much, and I
miss them already!
The arrival ceremony kicked off
the Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen Pageant on Wednesday. I was excited to wear an adorable Betsy
Johnson dress from A Formal Affair in Batesville! During the ceremony, Ashton and I posed for a picture with each
of the 36 contestants after she crowned her Diamond State Prince or
Princesses. The princess program
is a mentoring opportunity for young girls to shadow the contestants throughout
the pageant week. The arrival
ceremony and princess program were a great success!
Group A interviews started on
Wednesday afternoon, and I headed to rehearsal. Frank Byers directed the production and put on a fabulous
show! The court of honor and
production crew worked tirelessly from Wednesday to Saturday night to smooth
out the kinks. Thomas Collins is the
Executive Director and led the board of directors to continue the quality and
success of the Miss Arkansas’ Outstanding Teen Organization! As always, I was so impressed!
Picture with Laura Leigh before the winning interview!
Suzanna and I headed to rehearsals!
Wednesday night, Amanda Farmer and Bella’s Gifts in Springdale hosted an “Under the Sea Party” for the contestants and princesses. They decorated the room like a Little Mermaid Fairytale and had lots of games, food, and activities planned for the girls. After making a brief appearance at the party, I joined the judges for dinner at Patty Tackett’s house. The Tacketts were gracious hosts, and we sat on the back patio, talking and laughing for many hours! What a great night!
Before the princess party!
Jennifer, Sydney, me, Paul, Patty Tackett, Tara, and Kristin
Thursday morning, Ashton traveled Little Rock for an interview on THV with
former Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady.
Check out the interview here:
(http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/216113/2/Miss-Arkansas-Outstanding-Teen-program).
I went to rehearsals while group B
started their interviews. While I
watched the girls practice, I was surprised to get choked up. I saw a few of the girls onstage who I
have been watching for several years and realized how much they have
grown. I thought about how much
the Miss Arkansas Organization has been a part of my life and how much I will
miss it. The title of Miss
Arkansas has been the greatest blessing!
The show started on Thursday
night! I performed each night and
helped backstage with the production crew. I was thankful to be wearing gorgeous Tony Bowls dresses
sponsored by Tommy Lyons and Venue!
The emcee Katie Bailey-Harris also wore Venue dresses throughout the
entire week! Congratulations to
the preliminary winners:
Sydney, me, and Jennifer before the show!
Miss Greater Camden OT Haley Bird (newcomer talent) and Miss Heart of the Ozarks OT Elle Johnson (newcomer active wear and newcomer evening gown)
Miss Diamond Lakes OT Laura Leigh Turner (active wear and evening
gown) and Miss Metro OT Rachel Harless (talent)
Having a sister queen like Ashton
Campbell was a huge blessing! With
a smile on her face, she worked hard the whole week! I was so impressed with her performances and heart for the
contestants. Also, I loved
spending time with Ashton’s family this week. On Friday, I invited Ashton’s little brother to my parent’s
condo for fishing and swimming!
Throughout the week, her parents and grandparents supported me like I
was in the family! I can’t say
enough about the Campbells!
After rehearsals on Friday, I was
excited about the pool party at John and Missy Gibson’s house! Every year, they host the contestants
and volunteers for lunch and fun.
They have a beautiful home on Lake Hamilton with a breathtaking infinity
pool. I hopped in with the girls,
and we splashed our way through the afternoon!
Me and Thomas Collins, Executive Director of Miss Arkansas OT
Missy and Bailey Gibson
Friday night was another great
show! I was thrilled to wear gowns
sponsored by Laine Berry of The Royal We and Shelley Kelley of Clark’s
Bridal. As I thanked these
sponsors onstage, I also shared a thank you from Sydney Friar Miss Missouri
since Clark’s Bridal also sponsored her evening gown at Miss America. Congrats to our winners!
Elle, Jaycie, Raygan, and Kate before the show!
Anna Claire, Ebony, Emily, me, Lacey, and Kelli backstage!
Miss Diamond Lakes OT Laura Leigh Turner (talent), Miss Little
Rock OT Bailey Moses (active wear), Miss Lights of the Delta OT Kelli Collins
(evening gown), Miss Heart of the Ozarks OT Elle Johnson (newcomer talent),
Miss Texarkana OT Kyl’Lee Colvin (newcomer evening gown), Miss Greater Camden
OT Haley Bird (newcomer active wear)
Saturday, I enjoyed lunch with the judges, prior to Ashton’s ice cream party. The event was sponsored by Venue and allowed for one last celebration of Ashton’s incredible year of service. She has made 129 appearances as Miss Arkansas’ OT and landed several modeling opportunities, including the cover of Fourpoints magazine. She has been an amazing representative for the organization!
Several Miss Arkansas contestants volunteered to serve ice cream!
At the ice cream party, a few of the judges took the opportunity to encourage
the contestants. I actually asked
Jennifer and Sydney to write some of their words of encouragement for me to
share on my blog:
“Outstanding, and it has been no
easy job. These truly are outstanding young women, who will make wonderful
leaders of tomorrow. I could spend days complimenting these young women on
their talent, intellect, and character. Instead, know this, any one of these
ladies would represent the state beautifully, but only one can wear he crown.
So, to the rest of you, remember that you are only able to see one small piece
of the puzzle that is your life. The only one who knows the whole story is our
heavenly Father, and He knows what is absolutely best for you. If you trust Him
and follow Him, together you can paint the best picture possible for your life.
His timing is perfect. Never doubt that. In whatever position you find yourself
at the end of this competition just know that is exactly where you are supposed
to be. Each of you will go far, and I have so enjoyed witnessing this piece of
your journey in life. God Bless!”
Love, Sydney Friar Miss
Missouri 2011
“Let me start off by saying that you truly all
blew me away all week. Now that a girl has been crowned, I understand that you
may be feeling like your hard work and opportunity has been lost. Let me
reassure you that anyone who chooses to, can spend their life in devotion to
improving and changing their state, and taking action in everything you believe
MAOT should be. If you have the strength to take those values that you think a
MAOT should have, and carry them out in your own community and wherever you go
in life, you can carry out the duties of MAOT without the crown. It doesn’t
matter if you are a national, state, or local titleholder, a teenager, a grown
woman, a businessman, a student, or anyone else, the distinction that
encompasses the crown is available to all people who are willing to reach and
work for it. It’s been said that life is like a coloring book, and we must be bold
enough and daring enough to color outside of the lines. But if you want to
accomplish your dreams, here’s my advice: throw away the coloring book and get
a blank piece of paper where no lines have been drawn. There is no mold that
you have to fit into in order to succeed, no pre-set outline that will guide
you on your pathway to a brilliant drawing. The most successful people are
those who are not afraid of the white blank page, and who are not scared to put
away the erasers and pull out the permanent pens and make their mark on the
world with their own everlasting stroke. You must decide that you want it more
than boundaries, more than work, more than fear. If you want to be a leader,
then be. To some of the most beautiful leaders I’ve ever met, congratulations
and best of luck to you all.”
With love,
xoxo Jennifer Sedler, Miss Arizona 2011
Sydney, me, and Jennifer
Saturday night was a sold-out
show! The contestants had
pre-recorded a vocal performance to “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson, which made a
phenomenal opening number! Once
the emcee Katie Bailey-Harris received the envelope, she announced the top 15
contestants.
After the top 15 girls appeared in
active wear, Katie announced the top 10, who then moved into the talent
phase.
We did a little something
different during talent. Frank set
up a backdrop backstage for me to interview some of the non-finalist
contestants between performances. It
gave the judges a break during talent and provided the audience with some comic
relief. For example, Miss South
Arkansas OT Kate Johnson gave a hilarious commentary on our judges and shared
encouragement for the girls in the top 10. It was a big hit!
Cori, Kate, Jasa, me, and Emily
All of the dresses I wore on Saturday night came from Bella’s Backroom in Springdale. I wanted to honor Amanda Farmer, owner of Bella’s Gifts, since
she has been one of my biggest supporters this year! Thank you, Amanda, for all that you give to the Miss
Arkansas Organization!
During evening gown, each
contestant were escorted by someone significant in her life… a dad, brother,
grandfather, or mentor. The onstage
questions were chosen from Twitter, but the last question was a surprise. Colton Dixon, Top 7 contestant in American
Idol, recorded the question, “What are your life goals and how do you plan to
achieve them?” The night kept
getting better!
After I performed my Miss America
dance, Ashton gave her farewell address and a last song. She sang, “I Will Always Love You” with
the band and blew the roof off of the auditorium! Undoubtedly, Ashton will be remembered for her hard work
ethic, genuine spirit, and powerful voice!
Then… the announcement of the
awards! Check the website for a
complete list of the awards
(http://www.missarkansasot.org/2012.htm). In summary,
Miss Diamond Lakes Laura Leigh Turner won everything. Literally, she won overall interview, overall talent,
overall evening gown, and overall active wear! She worked very hard for the crown and will do an amazing
job representing us at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in
August! Along with the crown, she
won over $5,000 in scholarships!
Congratulations to all of the girls in the top 5! So proud of you!
Me, Bailey Moses (3RU), Elle Johnson (1RU and congeniality), Miss
Arkansas’ OT 2012 Laura Leigh Turner, Raygan Sylvester (2RU), Rachel Harless
(4RU), Miss Arkansas’ OT 2011 Ashton Campbell
Me, Miss Arkansas’ OT
2012 Laura Leigh Turner, Miss Arkansas’ OT 2011 Ashton Campbell
