New York Trip - Night

That night, I went back to my room got ready for Fadil Berisha's Christmas Party. I came straight from ice skating and literally got ready in less than an hour. I met so many people from the Miss Universe Staff, other state contestants, and got to see Fadil Berisha and Sherri Hill yet again. I was fortunate enough to have my pageant sponsors from Henris Cloud Nine and my state director there. Audrey (Miss OH) and I had a lot of bonding time on this trip. We learned a lot of what it would be like to be Miss USA as well.

New York Trip - Day

I was in New York for less than 48 hours, but I did so much I felt like I had to split it up into two posts. When I first arrived, I went right to Sherri Hill's showroom where her and I designed the dress of my dreams. I then went over with some of the other titleholders to Rockafeller Center, saw THE tree for the first time, ice skated, and recorded some promo stuff for Miss Universe. Here are some of the other girls and I waiting in line to go ice skating.

Reppin' both my teams!

This has been a great year in sports for MI. Proud to represent my state, especially in 2012!

America's Thanksgiving Day Parade

How lucky am I to have been able to ride with Art Van, the owner of the parade himself. Thanks to Art Van, the parade still runs every Thanksgiving. Hundreds of thousands of people come out on Thanksgiving morning to watch all the floats pass by. This year's was bigger and better than ever before. After the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, this is the largest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the U.S. It can be watched nationally every year. For all of these reasons, I still cannot believe I got to be a part of it.

Grand Rapids Thanksgiving Parade

Courtney and I drove 2 hours to go the Thanksgiving Parade in Grand Rapids. There we met The Pink Fund and The Art Van family. It was SO cold! I hate hand warmers behind my neck, in my shoes, and in my hands.

Seriously though, how sweet is Wood TV's little Gracie shaking my hand! Precious.

Boobies Rock and The Pink Fund at Cheli's Chilibar Clinton Township

Molly from The Pink Fund, Boobies Rock, Courtney, and I spent an entire afternoon at Cheli's Chilibar Clinton Twp. raising money for The Pink Fund. It was fun getting to interact with so many people. Everyone was so inspired by The Pink Fund's story.

Look! I made it on the front page a newspaper in the Middle East.

Miss Blue Water USA 2012

I competed in Miss MI USA with the title Miss Blue Water USA. Blue Water represents the Port Huron area where our pageant was held. We got to revisit the Blue Water area as they celebrated Port Huron's New Future. Everyone was excited to finally get these plans approved, especially us with Proctor Productions. If all goes as planned, I will be crowning the next Miss MI USA in a new, state of the art theater! Here we are next to a helicopter that landed right in front of the hotel along the water.

Art Van's "A Night of Charity"

On October 20, 2011 Art Van Furniture’s flagship store in Warren, Mich. was transformed into the lively streets of New Orleans for “A Night of Charity in the Big Easy." Guests, including me, dined on delicious Cajun cuisine, listened to soulful jazz music, witnessed unique performances and danced the night away – while supporting two great causes in the community. St. John Providence Health System's Infant Mortality Program and Henry Ford Health System's Perfect Depression Care Program were the charitable causes of the night. Two competing hospitals in the tri-county area set aside competitive mindsets to come together and raise money and awareness for great causes. Kudos to Art Van for putting together such a regal event.

Hour Detroit's Best Dressed Event

On my way to Hour Detroit's Best Dressed Event. Only chance I really got to stop and snap a pic. At the event my teenie, Courtney, walked in the Neiman Marcus sponsored fashion show. I was a proud momma!

Oh, and it is so nice to have your hair pulled away from your face sometimes.

Pageant Proud

On my way home from seeing my director and modeling agency from Ohio, I always stop at the same Panera Bread. As I was eating, they all came out dressed like this! I have peeps from Ohio rooting for MI, which is usually unheard of thanks to our college rivalries. Pageantry really does promote world peace. <3

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! (Oct. 16, 2011)

Courtney and I are officially The Pink Fund Ambassadors! We were both crowned on October 1st, the kickoff of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Here we are at one of our first events with The Pink Fund. The Magic 105.1 Pink Party picked three breast cancer survivors and gave them head to toe makeovers. Many sponsors and supporters of breast cancer set up booths and interactive stations to make the night one to remember!

First Photo Shoot as your Miss Michigan!

How hilarious is this picture of Chester Ricks and I!? We did not even realize Courtney was in the background doing her thing. So here we are at our first photo shoot we had as titleholders, with Deb Knoske. The photos taken on this day are going to be used for our comp cards, websites, and other promotion pieces. Enjoy your behind the scenes look.