I have sister queens! Hurray!!! I could not have asked for two better sister queens. I absolutely adore both of them. The state pageant for Wisconsin National Teenager was held at MSOE courtesy of the wonderful Coffey family. I was the official set designer as a part of my theatre practicum college class. The theme was Hollywood (I believe I have already mentioned this). Ever since my red carpet walk, I’ve been on a bit of a Hollywood kick. The stage was even complete with a mini walk-of-fame with each of the contestants’ names on stars. I got the chance to perform two songs at the competition. The first song I sang was “I Know the Truth” from Aida. This is the same song I auditioned for Broadway with. I also sang “For Good” from Wicked and dedicated it to the state director – Joan Kaminski and the now former Wisconsin National Teenager – Traci Baker. Traci and I have known each other since we were about six years old. I became pretty choked up while singing and I definitely forgot to wear the waterproof mascara. The new Wisconsin Jr National Teenager is CJ Bina. She was a Jr sweetheart when I was the senior teen. The new Wisconsin National Teenager is Paige Domurat. It is very exciting as she lives very close to me. We have already had lots of fun with appearances as sister queens, and just plain old hanging out.
Next I jetsetted out the Seattle for the Washington National Teenager competition. I had never been to Washington before so it was quite an experience. I was expecting rain in Seattle, but the weather was sunny and beautiful. I didn’t have time to make it in to see the first Starbucks, but I did get a few tall non-fat caramel lattes while there. Becca was the one contestant in the Miss division, and we had a lot of fun during pageant weekend. We will most definitely have a good time in Nashville! While in Seattle I also had the chance to meet the choreographer for nationals, Michael. He is FIERCE (I think he would appreciate me saying that – it became a popular word pageant weekend). Following the pageant I attended a shortened version of Boot Camp for Beauty Queens with Dale Smith Thomas. Let me tell you, it honestly changed my life. My life has been so much more positive since then. I feel more comfortable with who I am and all around just happy. I would encourage anyone and everyone to attend one of her boot camps. Her messages are truly words to live by. If you can’t make it to boot camp, at least sign up for Motivational Monday e-mails. They are inspiring tidbits that she sends out on Mondays.
Continuing on… I was asked by the Immune Deficiency Foundation to attend their Volunteer Leadership Conference in Chicago. The event was held at the beautiful, and really I mean beautiful, Palmer House. At dinner the first night, I sang in the historic Empire Room. Singers such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Dorothy Dandridge have all performed there. After I finished singing, I received a standing ovation that seemed to last forever. It was incredible. I can’t even describe it. I was not expecting it. Here I was trying to get my CD out of the laptop in front of this group of people who just kept clapping. I could feel my face turn red. All I could do was smile. Back in the hotel room I definitely did a little happy dance. While there I also had the opportunity to speak more with Christine Belser (she is in the picture with me), who is writing the article on me in the IDF newsletter.
Right before I left for Mexico, I had the opportunity to speak on the Miracle Marathon for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. I received a copy of my radio interview with a note that said the Miracle Marathon raised a total of 1.3 million dollars. Wow! Before the interview I stopped in at the lab to get my weekly labs drawn. I was in my crown and banner, and they were definitely surprised. They see me every week but had no clue that I was Miss Wisconsin ANTSO National Miss. The radio interview went really well. I had the opportunity to talk about how amazing the doctors are at Children’s and how I would not be where I am today without their medical care. I also talked about my time with Guillian-Barre and having to learn how to walk again. Let me tell you, I had the most stylish walker I think there ever was. It was even complete with a “slow moving person” sign. I can also walk so much better in heels. Walking is all about balance, something I naturally lacked even before I became paralyzed. In learning to walk I learned balance and was able to somewhat master the high-heel. I'm still working on attaching the audio for the interview. Once I figure it all out, it will be up here.
I have a few upcoming events in my schedule that I will mention. I am going to be speaking to the Briggs and Stratton retired workers reunion about Children’s Hospital and the upcoming Brigg’s and Al’s Run of which I am the poster child. I also was asked by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to be on a panel of sorts that will come up with a way for parents of patients and patients to provide feedback on new residents. I’m sure I am forgetting many more things that are going on, but it is almost 1 am and I’m becoming sleepy. I will post more events when I am more awake.
So the final decisions have been made on my attire for the national competition in July. My dress is an off-the-shoulder bluish teal (my favorite color) dress by LianCarlo Couture. I love, love, love it! I found it while I was in Chicago over Easter. My suit is being made by Alban Ltd in Oshkosh. It is burnt orange and chocolate tweed modeled after a suit from the Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection. My jeans have a “Hollywood” theme. They are not quite finished. I like to pay attention to detail, and detail takes me a long time. I figured that Hollywood would be a nice theme to represent me as I am a theatre (acting) major and will be going to grad school for screenplay writing/playwriting. My jeans even have a picture of Audrey Hepburn on them. For talent, I am singing “Diva’s Lament (Whatever Happened to my Part)” from Spamalot. Alban Ltd is also making my talent costume.
Other than that I have just been busy working on grad school application. I’m applying all over the country. The main schools I’m looking at are in Chicago, Boston, Denver, LA, and NYC. I will be taking my GRE in August. GRE = not fun! I’m also working on a screenplay to send out with my applications. In my free time I have been working on creating resumes for people. If you need a resume put together for any reason (pageants, job searching, college, etc), you can e-mail me at the address listed on this website. Resumes are kind of my thing, and I would be more than happy to help.
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