Hello, hello!

I am so very excited to now have a blog to update everyone on my happenings as Miss Wisconsin ANTSO National Miss. Haven't heard of the ANTSO program? Well I'll tell you a bit about it. America’s National Teenager Scholarship Pageant was founded in 1970 to recognize outstanding young women throughout the country and help them reach their educational goals. Scholarships are awarded to the winners on both the state and national levels based on scholastic achievement, community involvement, leadership qualities and communication skills. The pageant system has awarded more than $125 million in tuition, grants and cash scholarships in its 38-year existence. The program continually awards nearly $5 million annually at the state and national level. This year they started a "Miss" program, and I am the first for Wisconsin. I have in previous years been the Jr. Teen (03') and Sr. Teen (06'). I feel so incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to be Miss for the state of Wisconsin as I believe in everything this program stands for.

There have been some incredible things occurring in my life since starting my reign. I feel like this a catch up post as to what has been going on. In November I was able to walk the red carpet for the premiere of "Enchanted" through the kindness of Idina Menzel. She is one of the kindest people I have ever met! I'll try to get a few pictures up once I figure this whole blog out.
I'll try to keep taking pictures at different events to put up here. I'm pretty much horrible at making sure I have a camera with me. I took literally thousands of pictures while in middle school and high school. It was so easy with one of those disposable cameras. Now I have a grown up camera and almost no pictures from my college years to go along with it.

Now I'm to the point in the post where I have links to place in. My first media appearance was on the PageantCast. I had so much fun recording this. Tim Kretschmann even showed me how to set up one of these blogs. I definitely recommend checking the podcast out at http://www.pageantcast.com/. My interview is episode 106. I recently had the opportunity to be on the Morning Blend to discuss my project "Blue Jeans for Healthy Genes" for the Immune Deficiency Foundation and my reign as Wisconsin's ANTSO National Miss. To view this interview go to http://themorningblend.com/NewsArticle/tabid/1474/xmid/18658/Default.aspx.

A photo of Patrick Dempsey and I from the "Enchanted" premiere can be found in the Spring 2008 issue of Pageantry Magazine. To view the on-line version of the magazine, go to http://www.pageantrymag.com/. The photo of me is under the "Celebrity Spotlight" section. This same photo is also on the new website http://www.mypageanttips.com/. Once there, click on the media portion of the page. Last but not least, I was nominated for Milwaukee's Woman of the Year. I am very honored to be nominated, and am really hoping to make it into the top ten. The woman named Milwaukee's Woman of the Year will receive a donation to her favorite charity. My charity of choice is the Immune Deficiency Foundation. To vote for me go to http://www.milwaukeewoy.com/NomineeDetail.asp?s={6EB33B87-B7F4-43CD-868A-5F97CF054AB5}&ID=2987. My apologies for the rattling off of websites. Now that I have established a blog, I will make sure to provide frequent updates instead of long lengthy posts.

Upcoming Exciting News:

*I was asked by Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to take part in their Miracle Marathon on WKLH from May 21st-23rd.

*The auctioning off of the decorated jeans for "Blue Jeans for Healthy Genes" is set to take place very soon!

*I am currently in the process of collecting prom dresses for the "Princess for Prom" program through the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee.

*I was contacted by the Immune Deficiency Foundation to be interviewed for their IDF Advocate magazine.

*A certain very well known magazine has expressed interest in conducting an interview with me about living a successful life with a chronic illness as well as being Miss Wisconsin ANTSO National Miss. More details once things are finalized.