Hello Everyone!
I am so sorry that I neglected to blog over the past few days. I did not anticipate how exhausted I
would be at the end of each night! I am home now, and finally have the opportunity to sit down and share all of the fun and
interesting things that I was able to do while in Vegas.
On
Thursday, Mom and I decided to see some of the sights surrounding our hotel (the MGM Grand). We spent the first part
of the day taking pictures and sight seeing. We went to the fountain outside of our hotel, the New York New York building,
the M & M Factory and saw the MGM lions inside the hotel. I put my crown and banner on for all of the pictures,
and let me tell you that it caused quite a stir! I was surprised at how many people wanted to take their picture with me.
I guess that is just a very small taste of what it is like to be Miss TN or Miss America. Following our site seeing,
we went back to the hotel and got ready for the Thursday night preliminary competition. Fortunately, this was Ellen's
on-stage question night, so we had nothing to be stressed about! She did a great job with her question and proved that
she is very well-spoken. I enjoyed this final night of competition and am so grateful that I was able to see all that
goes into the one night of Miss America that we usually watch on television. In a way, it made this goal seem so much
more realistic and attainable.
There was no competition
on Friday, but that did not mean we were not busy! Friday night I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the
Glam It Up! Divas to the Runway fashion show featuring the designs of Sherri Hill, Jamie Shaw, and Alisha Hill. I got
to wear the cutest little pink cocktail dress as I strutted my stuff along the catwalk at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone.
Prior to the actual show, I spent the day trying on gowns for the show and rehearsing. At rehearsal, I met two wonderful
girls that are competing in their state pageants this upcoming year. Their names were Cherise and Kimberly, and I am
so excited that we were able to become friends. We would love to be able to compete together at next year's Miss
America pageant!
As you all know, Saturday was the big
night. It was so surreal being a part of the live audience at Miss America! We were able to see the TV crews,
hear the announcements, and witness a lot of the backstage action that makes the live show possible. It was so much
fun getting to see everything in person, but it was also twice as nerve-wracking! We were on the edge of our seats as
they called out the top 15, but we knew Ellen was in when the TV crews ran toward our section right before she was announced!
I am so proud of how she performed that night. She was under so much pressure and stress, not knowing when her talent would
be performed or if she would get asked one of the on-stage questions, but she handled it beautifully! I think it is
incredible that she made it to the top 7 finalists. She should be very proud!
Aside from the fact that I was excited that Ellen was doing so well, I must also say that I was
excited to be in the same room as Clinton Kelly and MARIO LOPEZ! If you had told me as a kid that I would ever
see A.C. Slater in person, I would have thought you were nuts :-) I'm not exactly the "swoon around the celebrity"
type, but I will say that I was very excited to see them! It was also wonderful being in the room with so many former
Miss Americas. Seeing these women and being able to witness all that they have done with their lives since being crowned
was just another reminder of why I am involved in this organization.
All in all, I had a wonderful trip. I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to experience
the Miss America competition in person, and am more committed than ever to work as hard as I can to become a contestant on
that stage. Whether that happens or not, I know that I am involved in a wonderful organization that is shaping me into
a successful, well-rounded woman that is unafraid to chase after her wildest dreams.
I hope that you are all well. Thank you for supporting me and for letting me share these
experiences with you.
Blessings,
Victoria
