WHERE IS MY CROWN! That has been the question that has been on my mind for the past week and all over the news as well! I am so shocked and saddened that someone would deliberately go into my car and steal, I feel incredibly violated. This crown represents so much more than just something each titleholder wears, it is a symbol of the Miss Maine/Miss America Organization. The design is extremely specific to the Miss Maine/Miss America Program donning four points standing for style, scholarship, success, and service. The crown also symbolizes the lengths at which the Miss Maine/Miss America Programs value the furthering of each titleholder's education, poise, interview and speaking skills, and many other necessary traits that are key to fulfilling the duties of Miss Maine. Not only does the crown stand for these ideals, but it is the outward symbol of our pageant, recognized by all. It is more than just a shiny piece of jewelry and I am devastated that someone would take it.

Having said all of that, I have been so touched by the tremendous out pour of support and good wishes that have been coming my way this past week! In fact, many people have offered to help pay or help fundraise the 300 dollars I need to buy a new crown! I want to sincerely thank all of you who have been so helpful in this time of stress. A new crown will be ordered on Monday and order will be restored! I am also grateful to Adrienne Watkinson, Miss Maine 2008 and her family for allowing me to borrow her crown until a new one can be restored to me. Thank you everyone!

My mom has always told me that everything happens for a reason and I have come to believe this quite strongly. Maybe this fiasco has happened to help me realize that although I am proud to wear the crown and represent all the wonderful things this program stands for, I am still Miss Maine without it! Even though I do not have a crown (at the moment) I still represent our beautiful state and all of the ideals our program stands for and instills in young women of today. I am still Miss Maine with or without a crown and will continue to do my job to the best of my abilities. This is a great lesson to learn. It is not what we wear on the outside that makes us who we are, we are who we choose to be. I do not need a crown to know who I am and what I stand for and I hope none of you need a prop to solidify who you are, even if it is really shiny! hahah

Talk to you soon!