"Miss Excellence Pageant"

When I was asked to speak at a youth group for girls about the importance of service and beauty coming from within I was ecstatic. I love opportunities to speak about my platform, H.E.R.O, and about discovering confidence by finding out who you are and developing your talents.

The night was title "Miss Excellence Pageant." Leading up to the night, the girls each completed a project that helped develop different qualities of confidence, self-worth, and responsibility. After I spoke, the girls were each spotlighted and then crowned.

I had a wonderful time getting to know the girls, giving advice and answering questions about my high school experience, my embarrassing moments, my favorite foods, etc.

One of the girls little sister wanted to be a part of it too so the leaders quickly made her a little sash that said "Miss Excellence Mini."

Christmas Light Parade

My last post was all about the adventure of putting the lights on the float and this post is all about the adventure of trying to get them to work.

The Provo Christmas Light Parade and Lights-On Ceremony was on December 3, 2011. I was really looking forward to this after decorating our float with all the fun lights.

After a few bumps in the road, like the lighting system on our float breaking down about 500 feet before we reached the start of the parade, we rolled with it and made the best of it. One of the lessons I have learned through out my life and especially as Miss Provo, is to be flexible. Sometimes things do not go according to plan but it is in these moments that you show your true colors and can make the best out of challenging situations.

After riding down the parade route, I welcomed the crowd, I recited a famous line from one of my all time favorite Christmas movies, Elf..."The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear..." then I led the crowd in the singing of Christmas caroling.

After a message from Mayor Curtis, SANTA came!! Melanie and I were able to be "Santa's little helpers" and scatter the "magical" dust over the city to turn on the lights.

It was a magical evening!

I was able to wear a stunning white cape while on the float... it has always been my dream! I saw a former Miss Utah County in the same parade growing up and she had long blonde hair and wore a beautiful cape and while watching the parade that year I leaned over to my mom and said, "one day I want to do that too." I love when dreams come true!

SANTA!

Peyton was the Grand Marshal of the parade. He was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome but has battle through many surgeries and procedures and is doing well. He is definitely an inspiration!

"Light" up the Fireworks!

Robyn, director of Miss Provo, my wonderful mother and I spent an afternoon putting lights on the Provo City Float for the Provo City Light Parade.

I started out proficient in my staple gun technique, but I can now say I am a master at the ways of the staple gun.

One word of warning... do not touch the prongs of a strand of lights that is plugged into the wall... from experience I can say it will electrocute you.

After many laughs, countless staples, a lot of lights, a few installed back-up fuses, 2 bouts of electrocution on my part, the float and good 'ole Abe were ready to light up the night!

Robyn and I in front of the Provo City float

Veteran's Day

I had the opportunity to be a part of the 2011 Provo Veteran's Day Celebration at Timpview High School. I was so excited to be invited to lead the pledge and be a part of the assembly because when I was a senior at Timpview High School, I was the Public Relations Director on Student Government and in charge of planning, preparing and directing the Veteran's Day Celebration. So it was a lot of fun to come back and see the traditions that started my senior still going strong.

I thought there was no better place to promote my platform of "H.E.R.O - Helping Everyone Reach Out!" than at an assembly full of our nations heroes and the future heroes of America. As part of my platform I have a service project that goes along with each of my presentations and one of them that is near and dear to my heart is "Thank a Hero, Be a Hero!"

I had each of the high school students write a letter of gratitude to our Veteran's or active servicemen and women. It was a big success and I can not wait to continue this service project whenever I promote my platform of "H.E.R.O."

Wild Ginger Ribbon Cutting

A new Chinese and sushi restaurant opened up in Provo recently. It is on University Avenue just a block south of Provo Library. The decor and atmosphere of Wild Ginger is fabulous and the good is even better. The sweet owners of the restaurant served lunch to all the members of the Chamber of Commerce and I. Thank you Wild Ginger!

Provo's Halloween Carnival

I love Halloween! Whitney Booth, from Provo City, and her crew put on the most amazing Halloween Carnival. Melanie Jones, 1st Attendant, and I dressed up as "blast from the past" Miss Provo's. We helped with a couple different games, including the very creative and popular Angry Birds game.

Here are a few pictures from the event:

Ribbon Cutting at Utah Valley Medical Center

Hannah Harkness, Miss Orem, and I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the ribbon cutting for the Utah Valley Heathcare Foundation. Steve Densley, the President of the Chamber of Commerce, was also there. He is always so positive, kind and welcoming.

The Chamber and the Foundation really know how to plan a ribbon cutting/grand opening. The Foundations new offices are beautiful and serve the needs of the Foundation wonderfully.

Cutting the Ribbon

Hannah and I with the "ginormous" scissors!

It is Provo - Orem Chamber of Commerce so Hannah and I thought it would be fun to get a picture with the scissors!

Trendy Xchange Grand Opening

Another exciting grand opening happened in Provo a few weeks ago. A clothing store called "Trendy Xchange" opened by Sally's, 24 Hour Fitness, and across the street from Shopko and Movies 8.

Waiting with a group of girls for the store to open.

Presenting the "first dollar" to the store owners

A little shopping after the store opened :)

Madhatter Tea Party

This event was also put on by the Dollhouse Festival, but was geared towards little boys and girls. The attendees were invited to wear their favorite hat or costume. It was a wonderful tea party for an even greater cause. All the proceeds from the Dollhouse Festival help abused children in the Provo, Utah area get the help they need to overcome the trauma they have experienced with abuse.

With the Madhatter

This little boy was dressed up as a Pirate Clifford The Big Red Dog. He was darling and so sweet.

Dollhouse Festival Auction and Dinner Gala

I was asked to entertain on the harp during the silent auction and hor'derves hour of the Dollhouse Festival Auction and Dinner Gala. The Dollhouse Festival is a friend of Children's Justice Center in Provo, Utah. All the proceeds from the Dollhouse Festival help abused children in the Provo, Utah area get the help they need to overcome the trauma they have experienced with abuse. I was thrilled to volunteer my talent for such a worthy cause.

Before the Gala

With an incredible dollhouse that was part of the live auction. It was a replica of the White House. The inside even had tiny replicas of the oval office, the dining room, the Lincoln bedroom and a President Obama doll walking in the front door (if you look closely you can see his back in the picture above.)

Make-A-Wish Magic

I absolutely love being a Make-A-Wish volunteer. There is no greater feeling than watching a child declare their wish and helping it come to life.

I was asked to dress up as a princess and surprise Birkley at the party held to unveil her new "wish" playground. She wished for a swing, but as always Make-A-Wish volunteers went above and beyond and got Birkley an incredible playset complete with swings, a super fast slide, rock climbing wall and tire swing.

Birkley was so sweet and loving. She showed me all around her playset. She had me climb up onto the top and go down the slide with her and then I pushed her in the swing while she kept saying, "higher, higher."

All of her friends and family came over to support her and play with her. It was a big party celebrating Birkley and her bravery. I am so happy that I was able to be a part of her wish.

Swinging with Birkley

This little girl dressed up as Snow White to come to the party and when she saw me she ran as fast as she could screaming, "mommy, mommy, it's a princess! It is a real princess!" then she gave me a huge hug. these are the moments that I hope I never forget.

Here I am explaining how to use "fairy dust" to make a wish. Once they have a wish ready, they close their eyes, I count to three, and then sprinkle the sparkly, fairy dust over them and then they blow the extra out of my hand. So fun!

Birkley was showing me inside the playset.

About to go down the slide with Birkley.

With all the kids at the party.

With the wish granters and Birkley on her dream playset.

Lakeview Park Grand Opening

This was an incredibly fun event to be a part of because of how many community members and especially children came. Right after the ribbon was cut all the kids swarmed the playground. It made me remember how much a I loved going to the park as a child. In fact the little kid inside me became so persistent that I had to test out the slide. I give it a 10/10.

After talking to these cute kids for a little while the little girl in the black ran back to her mom yelling, "Mom, I talked to a princess and she was nice." It made me smile. I love my job!

I received my first engraved, commemorative tennis ball.