Say My Name

"If you're breathing God has a purpose for you. As long as you have breath, somebody needs what you have. Your gifts, your talent, your love, your smile."

With the Beautiful Anika!

          Last Saturday I checked in to Miss Florida. Throughout the rest of the week 50 of Florida's most intelligent, beautiful, talent young women were sequestered away in St petersburg. We spent time in rehearsals, interviews, and onstage trying to prove to 5 people that we were each the perfect representative for the State of Florida at the Miss America Pageant. At the end of each day we faced the scary realization that only one of us would win. Only one of us would become the next Miss Florida.

With the beautiful Myrrhanda Jones

Through out pageant week, some girls break… some can't withstand the grueling hours of rehearsal or the pressure of living with 50 amazing women. I have heard that the girl who wins Miss America is the one who is still smiling and loving the experience at the end of the week… every complaint, every tear, every doubt works against us through out this process… Not only do we have to survive… but we have to help each other. We help with hair and make up, we help with the mental break downs and blocks as well. We all become a backstage pageant coach during the week.
I can tell you that some of my VERY best friends have been made through pageant week. We are there for each other no matter what!
This is one of my most favorite parts of the Miss America Organization! The Sisterhood and bond that is formed!

The lovely Katey Dauble

Miss Tampa sisters with the director, Bob Clark

The ever So sweet Leila Sabet!

My sister queens, and friends for life, Kristilee and Kalen

People think of pageants as a hobby, something that looks a whole lot like Honey Boo Boo's life. They think we have a hair stylist and make up artist to help us at the pageant… they think we just hop on stage and do whatever we come up with and cross out fingers that we win. HA! No way.
My life is the furthest from this. I have spent the past 7 years perfecting my Interview, Speaking skills, Living a healthy life style, voice lessons each week… I have had to deal with the haters… and the fans. I have seen the highs of winning, and the lows of losing.

I have always said, you have to be a good loser and a good winner...

Over the past few days I have had some time to reflect, and think about my experience at Miss Florida. I walked into this year much different than I ever have. I thought to myself, "I will fight for this. I want this more than anyone will ever be able to understand." I woke up each day saying that I would win every single day, even if we were only in rehearsal for that day! I wanted to be the best me I could be. I knew I had to claim beauty over my ashes. I put everything I had worked for, every hour , all of the blood, sweat, and tears in Gods hands. Because I know His plan is much greater than mine will ever be.

Once it came down to finals night I was on cloud nine! I knew it was going to be a great day!
I was the last one to be called into the top five. Usually all that is going through my head at this point is "SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME…." But this year… all I could tell my self was… "No fear, no doubt. I am the head and not the tail in Jesus name. My dreams are coming to pass. I believe God has great things in store for my life!"
and BOOM They said my name. I know you are reading this saying "well if thats how you see it… then God really let you down!"
No… my point in telling you this is the fact that, God came through for me. 
(Like he always does.)

I am reading a book by Sarah Young, called "Jesus Today." and one of my favorite pages says this…
"I am Calling you to live in joyful dependence on Me. Many people view dependence as a despicable condition, so they strive to be as self-sufficient as possible. This is not my way for you! I designed you to need me continually- and to delight in that neediness."
"When your energy is running low, connect with me- Your Strength. Sometimes I pour abundant energy into you as you spend time in my presence. At other times I energize you only bit by bit, giving you just enough strength to keep slowly moving forward. Although the abundant provision is more dramatic and satisfying, do not be discouraged when I choose to give you strength sufficient only for the moment. This may be my way of keeping you ever so close to me on your life-path, leaning on Me."

When you get to the end of your rope… when you no longer know what to do with your life… That is when God starts working. God has given me enough strength to keep moving forward, but just enough to keep me close to him! I can truly say, I love this, and I needed this. I wouldn't have changed that moment in time for anything in the world! I had to trust in God with every ounce of my being. Until you do that yourself, I can not explain the feeling.
I am just thankful for everything that came to me this past week.
I have been told, that is the aloha spirit in me.

…On that note,

I would like to thank The Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant for an experience of a life time, and to Mary Sullivan for your unwavering support and love for each one of the women who come through The Miss Florida organization. Thank you to EVERYONE who came to support me, and for all of the kind words and prayers!!! 

I was in awe when I saw a picture of everyone who came to support me! The sweet words, and kind notes that I received were more helpful than I can explain!

Although I did not walk away this year with the crown, I have learned that this organization is SO much more than beautiful Gowns, and sparkly crowns… It is a sisterhood, a job, a networking experience, a door opener, a life changer, a dream giver, and a scholarship provider. 

This year, I finished 2nd runner up to Miss Florida, I won Preliminary Interview, Preliminary Evening Wear, Preliminary Swimsuit, and Over All Evening Wear. Totaling up my Scholarship winnings this year to, $7,200. I am SO very excited for our new Miss Florida, my dear friend, Elizabeth Fechtel! She will be a wonderful representative for our state! I have one more year to achieve my dream of becoming Miss America. There is no time to waste. Time to start perfecting for next year! Here we go! One last time!

Top 5

A Magical Weekend in Savannah

Hey friends!

I just got back from the magical wedding of Jaclyn & Jarod Dicks, in Savannah! How did I have the honor of being a part of such an amazing weekend? Well Im glad you asked ;)

I met Jaclyn Raulerson almost 7 years ago. My cousin introduced us by saying "You both are such sweet people, I know you guys will love each other!" from that moment, I knew I was gaining a life long friend! A few years down the road we ended up competing against each other for the title of Miss Florida! In 2010 She won the title, and was off to Miss America!
One night, I remember her telling me about this guy from her hometown that she just reconnected with… I remember her saying "He's amazing, Chloe. He seriously could be the one!"
The next thing I know, I am being invited to be a bridesmaid at their wedding!

I absolutely love the Raulerson, and Dicks families. They are phenomenal people, I could not be more honored and more excited to be a part of their big day!

Kristin Glakas Ingram, Jaclyn Raulerson Dicks (The Lovely Bride), Jennifer Mckenna, and myself! At the rehearsal!

The Beautiful Bridesmaids!

The most beautiful bride ever!

With Melaina Shipwash Bjorklund! Such a beautiful lady, inside and out!

Brittany Decker! I can't begin to explain my love for this girl!

The Stunning Bride!

The wedding was so beautiful! I do have to make a side note though… At the top of this post, I explained that Jackie went to Miss America in 2010! Almost all of her bridesmaids were Miss America Sisters! That is exactly why they are all amazing women, and did I mention stunning?!

I followed Jackies year as Miss Florida, but I also followed these women the entire year they represented their states. I look up to each of them. I pray that one day I will have the opportunity to influence my community and state the same way they have!

I jokingly told Jackie that I might "fan girl" when I meet all of her amazing bridesmaids… Well, I kept it together… But I most certainly wanted to just sit, listen, and take in every word that they said!

Even though I was not a part of their Miss America Class, they welcomed me into their group without question!

Who are they?:

(Reference the pic below, from Left to right:)

Katie Dowden, a stunning sorority sister of Jackies! She is currently conquering the world, and being the life of the party!

Myself…. You know who I am ;)

Jennifer McKenna, My mentor. She is a former Miss Virginia America, and Miss Virginia USA. She is expecting her 4th child, but 1st little boy of the McKenna Clan! She is also Part owner of McKennaWalsh!

Melaina Shipwash Bjorklund, Miss Colorado 2010! She currently is a Zumba Fitness Instructor, and works with Penrose-St. Francis Health Services in CO!

Ashley Melnick Yarborough, Miss Texas 2010! She is currently the community Relations coordinator at Raven + Lily (also my newest obsession!)

Brittany Decker, Miss Connecticut 2010! She is currently a reporter at ABC40 in CT!

Kayla Martell, Miss Delaware 2010! She is currently a spokesperson for Gemtress.

Lindsay Staniszewski, Miss Maryland 2010! She currently is working for Under Armour.

Also! (How could I forget!) An extra special Thank you to Chris Martin for making all of us look BEAUTIFUL! People, Seriously… The hair styling was amazing! If you don't believe it, take a look!

Now do you understand why I was starstruck? ;) On a serious note, without having to open their mouths, these women speak volumes to what the Miss America Organization is all about!

Meeting these ladies, and getting to know them, makes me even more proud to be a part of such an amazing organization!

I am inspired, and motivated. Ready to take on the Job of Miss Florida, and hopefully Miss America!

I leave 17 days! Send all those positive vibes, and prayers my way!

In honor of a beautiful soul, Maya Angelou, who passed away today:

Till Next Time,

XO

Sitting, Waiting, Thinking.

Have you ever laid down to try to go to sleep, but your racing mind just wouldn't let you?
Yeah thats happening to me... right now.
Lets just let you peer into my brain right now! (read as fast as possible...)

"Tomorrow I have to; go work out, find my sparkly black shoes that I need for Miss Florida, go to the office, stop by the Publix, Stop by the church, practice my talent, research for interview. Phew... what else?... Im hungry... WHERE are my earrings for my blue cocktail dress?! Its hot in here. Do I need to get anything else for my Princesses before I leave for Miss FL? Why didn't I use such and such stat in my mock interview... wow... Should I have posted that last tweet? Does anyone really care what that tweet even meant to me?! haha! Im such a dork. I need to write a blog!"

Sometimes I wish I had an on/off switch for my brain.

As you can tell I am in full swing of things! Preparing to leave in just 12 short days to compete for the title of Miss Florida 2013... and then a few weeks after that is Miss America!
This is big time people! Im not just preparing for the Job of Miss Florida... I am potentially preparing for the title of Miss America!

Today I was asked how I was feeling about leaving for Miss Florida. This emotion is incredibly hard to explain, it is an even combination of excitement, nervousness, a calm heart, anxiousness... and did I say excitement?!
Everything is ready to go, but now I play the waiting game.

"Until God opens the next door, Praise him in the hallway."

This whole season of my life has moved so fast that it almost seems like a blur...
I had a conversation with my lovely roommate, Haley, and she shared with me that she really wants me to win Miss FL, but she doesn't want me to forget that this is for Gods Glory... not mine. That conversation, has forever changed my life... I have never been a cocky person, and I have always tried to keep Christ at the center of everything I do. But preparing for a pageant is all about YOU! Its how you walk on stage, its how you market yourself and the organization, it is how you portray yourself to America.
It is easy to get caught up in what you are doing...instead of why.

I want to change the world. I want to change lives of Floridians and people across the country. Thats my heart.

Every day I have been reminded in some way, that this is all for Gods Glory. That is all I want out of this. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself, and I know that this is just the beginning!

I am realizing that this is not about me. Im striving for the greater good. Praying that God would use me to change the world. 

"May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight..." Psalm 19:14

Let It Be!

I have to apologize for being absent from my little blog world for almost a year! It has been a whirlwind of a year! I don't even know where to start. They say a picture is worth a thousand words... so be prepared for a lot of them!

Last January I was able to participate in the Gasparilla parade as Miss Tampa! It was a blast! But I have to say my bead throwing arm hurt for days after! It was all worth it!

                                                                               

Then shortly after that, in February I competed for the title of Miss St. Petersburg. 

This was my third time competing for this title... It is a very prestigious pageant, most of the top competitors in Florida come to compete in this pageant.  I had no idea what was going to happen, but I prepared to win. (and prayed that I would have favor in the sight of God and man!)

I am blessed to say I was able to walk away with the title of Miss St. Petersburg, and overall interview winner! and boy has it been an amazing year!

Laura Mckeeman, Miss Pinellas County 2012 and our new Miss Florida 2012 and Kristina Janolo Miss Florida 2011!

My first appearance as Miss St. Pete was with the Southeastern Guide Dogs! And St. Petersburgs honorary puppie, Peety, at the Guide dog walkathon.

Southeastern Guide Dog's mission is to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating lifes journey with mobility, independence and dignity. 

And they do an amazing job at it!

With Peety!

Then at the end of February It was time to give up my title of Miss Tampa. Bitter sweet, but I was incredibly excited to invite another young lady into the sisterhood of Miss Tampa! The Miss Tampa Board puts on the best show, every year! It's a wonderful organization to be a part of!

Bob Clark taught me a lot through my year as Miss Tampa, and about a week before I had to crown our new Miss Tampa... He looked at me and said "Sweetheart, 50 years from now you will still be our 65th Miss Tampa... But 50 years from now no one will know who I was." and I replied "are you kidding me?! You will always and forever be our Mr. Tampa!" SO of course I had to supply him with a sash of his own ;)

Crowning our New Miss Tampa, Olivia Stacey!
She is beautiful inside, and out!

Back to the other side of the bay! I  was off to another appearance as Miss St. Petersburg! 

The Honda Grand Prix! It was incredible to be a part of such a HUGE event! St. Petersburg is an amazing host for different events, they do a fantastic job at bringing the city together to embrace our guests!

Festivals of speed parade! with Miss Florida, Kristina Janolo!

With My sunshine Princess, Kiersten Herman and Miss St. Petersburg's Outstanding Teen, Savannah Gribbins.

From the moment I won Miss St. Petersburg I started preparing for Miss Florida. Along the way I was able to have an AMAZING photo shoot with the one and only Deb Knoske, Met with S.A.F.E. (Stay Alive From Education), and worked with the talented Jennifer Mckenna.

The beautiful Katie Buttson Shearer 

The Paramedics of S.A.F.E

The one and only Jennifer Mckenna!

In the middle of preparing for one of the most intense weeks of my life... my dad decided to take my family on a trip to Italy for my parents 25th anniversary! I have to say, his timing couldn't have been more perfect!

I was just lucky enough to land in Rome on my 21st birthday!

Once we landed in Rome, we stayed there for a few nights then traveled down to the Amalfi coast, and Sorrento. Then up to Venice and Florence and then back to Rome. 

I have to say it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!

Heres just a little glimpse of what I was able to lay my eyes on....

In front of the Colosseum!

Inside!

Colosseum at night!

The Vatican!

Fontana Di Trevi! 

Amalfi Coast!

Sorrento!

Stuck on a gondola in the rain!

Venizia!

The Duomo!

Okay! Back to real time here! Once I got back from Italy, I had a week to pack and finish preparations for Miss Florida! After a week of eating everything in sight... I cant explain to you how much pizza and gelato I ate... I never thought winning a swimsuit prelim was possible.

Little did I know, that would be the first Miss Florida preliminary award I would ever win!

If you don't know me, I hide my emotions very well sometimes... you may be thinking to yourself "Wow I wish I could do that." No... I have to disagree with you, It is so hard... because when it comes down to a time that I do let my emotions out, its like everything that I have kept bottled up comes out even more intense than it would have if I just let it out in the first place!

This is what happened when it came down to a few days before I left for Miss Florida. I was on a emotional roller coaster! It was pretty funny. I was just SO excited! 

 This was my 4th trip to Miss Florida, so I was there to have fun! It truly is a life changing experience and every year I have met some of my best friends through this pageant. Pageant girls understand other pageant girls. My dad teases me now saying that one day when I get married my whole bridal party is going to be Incredibly beautiful, and full of Miss America Girls :)!

Sunday was move in day: My AMAZING roomie was Sarah York this year, we waited around for hours before our room was ready... but all of our luggage took up almost the whole hallway... I guess I should say, all of MY luggage took up almost the whole hallway. haha! I never know what to expect, I am an over packer. But I can blame that on Mary Sullivan, The Executive Director of the Miss Florida pageant... My first year at Miss Florida she said "As Miss Florida you should be prepared for anything, and be ready at all times!" So I took this to heart... and made sure I was ready for truly Anything!

After finally getting into our room, we attended the Rays game, and then straight to rehearsals!

Monday consisted of more Rehearsals for myself!

Tuesday I had my Interview with the judges, and then continued with rehearsals.

Wednesday was our day off! We were aloud to sleep in, then joined Ann Marie Griffin, and Lavoyce Porter for our annual luncheon. At this luncheon I was announced one of the 7 Quality of Life finalists!

This is the first year the Miss Florida Organization has given the Quality of Life award. 

Sponsored by Kylie Williams, the Q.O.L. award is an award that they give at Miss America and it is platform based. Once the Q.O.L. finalists are chosen they have another interview with a separate panel of judges. (This interview was Friday Morning.)

Thursday was the first day of Preliminary competition! I competed in Swim Suit and Evening wear this night. I won Prelim Swim Suit that night! WOOOHHOOO!!!! That was an Amazing feeling!

Friday was the second night of prelims, and I had my Quality of life interview! That night was my onstage question and Talent night!

Then!

Saturday was finals night!

I cant even begin to explain this night to you! Remember how I said I was on an emotional roller coaster before Miss Florida... well, I was back on that Saturday night!

I was called into the top 11! Then was rushed back stage to start competition once again!

after re competing, I was called into top 5! If I wasn't in a beautiful gown, from Regalia, I would have been jumping up and down when this happened!

I walked away that night with the Fourth runner up spot, Preliminary Swimsuit winner, Preliminary Evening gown winner, and the Quality of Life winner!

Although I did not win, I couldn't be disappointed with my performance! I was so incredibly proud to represent St. Petersburg and I had a wonderful time!

Im just plotting and planning for next year now!

Proud Parents!

My beautiful momma and I at the teen pageant!

Samantha Janolo, Orlando's OT.

Getting called into top 11!

Top 5!

Thank you Kylie Williams for sponsoring the Quality of Life Award!

Top five after crowning!

Congratulations to our new Miss Florida, Laura Mckeeman!

All in all it has been one life changing year! 

I will without a doubt be back to compete for Miss Florida next year, but one thing I have learned through this experience is...

You can make many plans, but the Lord purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21

...

and that sometimes all you can do, is Let It Be!

I promise I wont leave you hangin for another year! Thanks for reading!

Make sure to check out my website at:

www.chloelupo.com

You decide every moment of every day: Who you are and what you believe in. You get A second chance, every second. Don't waste it.