get your tickets!

Hey everyone,

So this is just a quick reminder to you all to get your tickets for this year's Miss Maine Pageant. I cannot believe my year is almost over, it seems like the year just flew by, but now we have to focus on the new Miss Maine. You won't want to miss the show! Go to missmaine.org for more info and tickets. Hope to see you all there!

Miss Maine Fundraiser

Hi all,

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to all those who came to the Silpada Jewelry Fundraiser for next year's Miss Maine! It was a success and I am happy to be able to add the Miss Maine 2010's scholarship award. I'm sure all of you know how great it is to get some extra cash for school, I hope this helps! If you were not able to make it to the show but would still like to help out and get some gorgeous jewels, feel free to contact me. The more jewelry sold to better:) Thanks again for all of the support, I can't believe the new Miss Maine will be crowned in less than one month! Make sure and buy your tickets for June 18-19 to see the next girl crowned, you'll be happy you came:)

Fundraiser!

Hey everyone!

First off, congratulations to Miss Maine USA, Katie Whittier! You did an incredible job at Miss USA, we are all very proud! GO MAINE!

Ok, I want you to put this date in your calendars!!! May 29th I am throwing a fundraiser for next year's Miss Maine! I know I know, we don't know who she is yet, but I'm sure any one of the girls would appreciate some extra scholarship money in the 2010 prize package. So here's the deal, we're throwing a Silpada Jewelry party with 30% of the money going directly to Miss Maine 2010. Silpada is a company much like Lia Sophia or Pampard Chef. You have parties at home where people can buy great high quality products, in this case, jewelry! Not only are you able to donate scholarship money to a well deserving contestant, but you get fabulous jewelry in return! It doesn't get much better than that huh! Please come and have a good time. The party will be held at 32 Gray Park, Gray Me 04039 from 11am-1pm. The only thing you have to bring is yourself and of course, parties are much more fun with friends so feel free to invite everyone you can! There will be food and drink as well so it's sure to be a good time. It's also a great time to get to know the new contestants. Yes, this year's Miss Maine contestants will be attending! Visit my Miss Maine Fundraiser facebook event for more details and a guest list! Don't worry if you are not on the online guest list, everyone is invited! SO COME ON. Save the date and don't be late!

Hello everyone,

I'm sure by now the word has gotten out that my dear friend, Robert Towle, died suddenly Thursday morning. We are all so shocked and saddened by his passing, especially since there were no warnings that anything was fatally wrong with him. He was always so caring. Whenever Robert was around, I felt at ease. He always made me feel as though I could do anything and be anything I wanted. I knew that I was Miss America in his eyes. Robert was one of the reasons I stayed so strong throughout my year as Miss Maine. He made everything fun and kept my mind in the right direction. His dedication to the pageant world and me was touching, I never wanted to let him down. He will be sorely missed by so many. But, there is good that comes of every sad event. Robert's passing reminds so many of us to live our lives to the fullest everyday. I can say with no hesitation that Robert lived every moment of his life as if it were his last. I doubt he had any regrets. What more could you ask for in life than to have a full and beautiful life. I have faith that Robert is in a wonderful place full of exquisite scarves, wine glasses that say "queen" on them, laughter, and lots of music. I bet there is also a rule wherever he is that you cannot wake up before noon :) I love you Robert and will miss you dearly. I feel blessed to have been your last Miss Maine, I hope I have made you proud.

Springtime Gala

Hello Everyone!

SUCCESS! That is all I can say about this year's Springtime Gala at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport. Every event went off without a hitch (for the most part) and I'm sure each attendee left with a smile on their faces. I think the biggest smiles were on the faces of the Azure Cafe owners who bid $750 dollars for two front row center seats for the two nights of Miss Maine 2010! UNBELIEVABLE! A special thanks to Azure Cafe owners for their donation to the Miss Maine Scholarship Program and to next year's Miss Maine!

The night was great fun all around. We were able to have a sneak peak at the talents from this year's Teen and Miss contestants. Their talents ranged from karate and drums, to clogging, inspirational speeches, dancing, and singing. We have a lot of variety this year, you won't want to miss the pageant. Everyone did a great job, especially in front of such a large crowd! You should all be very proud of yourselves and excited for when you get to perform again in June.

As for me, the days are flying by. I can't believe I only have another month and a half or so before I will hand over the crown to someone else. But that doesn't mean that my schedule has slowed down, which in all honesty, I'm happy about. I want to make the most of my year. I want to look back at the events, fundraisers, school visits, etc that I have made and know that I did the best I could. Just today I had an appearance at the Cathedral School in Portland. I have been a member of the Cathedral since I was very young, so it was my pleasure to speak to the kids attending the Cathedral school. What a day! I was there from 9am until 3pm speaking to each grade level from pre-K to 8th grade. All of them were adorable and surprisingly eager to listen. It could have been that they were mesmerized by the crown! One little girl told me she would pay me two dollars if I would give it to her. She was so sweet, I thought about it for a second, and then realized that I probably wouldn't be given a THIRD crown so I told her that I would give it too her when it didn't fit on my head anymore. Thinking back on it, I probably could have come up with something better than that, but she skipped away smiling so I guess that was an OK answer. I have to say though, after being in the school the whole day trying to command the attention of all those little ones, I have some sincere respect for teachers! I now know why my father, who teaches at Westbrook High School, would come home so tired! Kudos to all you teachers out there, you have my respect!

How lucky am I?

So I was just thinking. I have just about three months left as Miss Maine 2009! I've been able to do so many wonderful things this year and met, had meals with, talked to, performed to/with so many people that are doing wonderful things are their communities. I was just reflecting on how lucky I am. Lucky to have a beautiful family, a job, a little money in the bank ( very little:) a fiance that loves me, food, water, a home, a bed, and clean air, and this amazing title of Miss Maine, just to name a few. How could I possibly ask for more? I wonder sometimes why I ever complain. I've seen only a small portion of the world, but I am so glad to have seen people who have none of the things I just mentioned. Sometimes I am sad that I don't think of these things everyday, every minute really. I have so much and so often I forget to be thankful. I know that I am blessed to live in such a wonderful country and I do thank God for giving me so much, but I wanted to take this time to think about those who don't have...anything. I'm going to say a quick prayer for them, and I hope you will too. I hope you all have a great day, we are so lucky:)

Hey everyone!

Just a few little updates, I wanted to let you all know that April 3rd, the producer of the Miss Outstanding Teen Program is putting on a special event, The Green Carpet Event, Crossroads Recycled actually. It's going to be great, full of broadway songs and all kinds of fun things. Please put this event into your calendars, it's going to be a great time.

Miss America 2009, Katie Stam after she got engaged!!

Katie Stam just before she got engaged at Miss America's Evening of Dreams Fundraiser.
Marie Osmond, guest speaker at the Evening of Dreams Fundraiser

At the Venetian Hotel. This place is unbelievable, it felt like we were in Italy and we all were able to go on gondola rides!

My roommate, Miss Wyoming, Anna Nelson and myself out to dinner at P.F. Changs located in Planet Hollywood.
At P.F. Changs again with (L-R) Miss Pennsylvania, Miss Washington, and Miss Arizona

TLC filming crew. This is at one of our rehearsals, the cameras followed us around for a good portion on the trip.

Miss Alabama and Miss New York at breakfast.
(L-R) Miss North Caralina, Miss Ohio, Miss South Carolina, and Miss Florida just before going out to dinner after rehearsal.

Miss New Jersey, Miss Oregon, and Miss Nebraska before an appearance.

Hello all!

I am back from Vegas and what an experience! I would be lying if I said I was not disappointed that I did not come home with the crown, but I did have an absolutely fantastic time. I have never worked with so many amazing young women and would not trade this experience for anything. Even the crew backstage and the choreographers were so much fun to work with! It was a pleasure to work with the people backstage because they have worked with so many other amazing artists like Beyonce, Usher, U2, and Michael Jackson to name a few. What a rush to be able to perform on at Planet Hollywood! It is something I will never forget.

I wish I could start at the beginning of my trip, but I think I might be sitting here for a few days if I tried to write down everything that happened! But I will try to get in as much as possible.

The first few days were very intense. It was the first time that I was all of the girls for more than just a few seconds and was actually able to start to talk to them and get to know all of them. I cannot say enough good things about the contestants, I have so many wonderful memories and stories! When I left for Vegas, some people came up to me and told me to watch out because some of the girls would be mean or try to sabotage my wardrobe or what have you, but I did not run into any of that. The girls were more than happy to lend their stuff to anyone who needed it or offer words of encouragement during less than excited moments. This program has so much integrity and that was absolutely evident at Miss America.

One of the highlights of my trip was going to see Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian Hotel! WHAT A SHOW! I learned later that the theater was built to have Phantom performed there, so you can imagine what the production was like. The huge chandelier was enough to take your breath away when you walked in the door. LOVED IT. I highly recommend taking in the show if you are even in Vegas. The rest of the week was filled with rehearsals for the opening number and going over what would happen each prelim night. Those were long days, but fun nonetheless. TLC was also filming throughout the 10 days we were there. I was disappointed with the one hour special though. I wish they had put less about the swimsuit on the show, but I am sure they were looking for ratings.

I was pretty nervous throughout the week leading up to prelim nights, but everything went by so fast after it started! All in all, I wouldn't change anything I did, I enjoyed every minute and feel I did the best I could. Thanks to everyone who helped me get this far especially, Robert Towle, Audrey Findlen, John Hatcher, Janet Ross, Valerie Clemens and all those I know I am forgetting, but you know who you are and I thank you too! I'll keep you updated on the rest of my year and am looking forward to being the best Miss Maine I can be.

I'm off to Vegas!

Here we are! After all the mock interviews, talent evaluations, wardrobe checks, and more, I am ready to go and I can't wait. The staff of Miss Maine have been so helpful in preparing me and I would never be this prepared if they had not cared as much. Every question I had, every time I felt overwhelmed, no matter what I needed, they were all there for me and I could never thank them enough. I also want to thank my family for their unending support and love. Thank you for always being there for me and making me feel like I could not only reach for the stars but actually come back down with one. I love you. Charlie, I don't know what to say, I thank God everyday for you and would be lost without your love and support, thank you for being so patient ;) Most importantly, I need to thank God without which none of this would have happened. Thank you for leading me down the road less traveled.

I can't believe that I leave on Thursday. Every once in a while I get butterflies when I think about being on that big stage at Planet Hollywood, but other than that, I'm excited to see what the trip brings, hopefully a crown! Make sure to watch "The Countdown To The Crown" on TLC at 10pm and the Miss America finals on Jan. 30th at 730pm!
Thanks to all those who have supported me in this journey, let's do this!