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!

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