Bright Lights, Bright Community

November was a little bit of a slow month for Miss Clinton County. Though I still got in a few appearances, I spent more time cherishing my friends and family. Obviously Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks for everyone and everything we have in our lives. I took this to heart as my family surrounded me for the days surrounding Thanksgiving.

We truly do not know what we have until it is gone. For that reason, on these special holidays we must sincerely appreciate everything which makes up the world around us. I was fortunate to have two of my three brothers with their families join us for Thanksgiving along with my niece and three nephews.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving I traveled to Clinton to assist at the Symphony of Lights 5K. Saturday night was a chilly night but that didn't stop the 210 runners from coming out! Congratulations to all of the winners. What a great way to ring in the holidays!

On December 3, I along with the Miss Clinton County Board volunteered at the Symphony of Lights gate. We had a blast and I even got to see the lights afterward! Who doesn't love jamming to Christmas music and seeing gorgeous lights. Thank you to the Symphony of Lights board for a fantastic job!!

As I head into finals week, I realize the importance of taking "me" time. I encourage you to take one hour at least this next week to something you enjoy that you wouldn't normally do. Challenge yourself, relax, and have fun. Be your own inspiration.

October

¡Hola mis amigos! It has been another busy month in the life of Miss Clinton County, but it's my favorite month!! October, the month where the leaves begin to change. There is another reason why it is my favorite... October is my birthday month!! Woohoo!! I am officially 20 years old. I celebrated 20 years with my family and friends. I was joyous when my parents came to take me out to dinner and even more blissful when they surprised me with two of my closest friends, Taylor and Aly. All in all, the year was kicked off marvelously.

The weekend before my birthday, I traveled to Newton, Iowa to watch the Miss Iowa USA and Miss Iowa Teen USA pageant. The pageant was fabulous and made even better when one of my past pageant sisters took home the title of Miss Iowa Teen USA. I loved seeing all of the familiar faces!

The weekend after my birthday I attended the Miss Greater Des Moines and Miss Metro pageant accompanied by my mother. All of the women competing were fabulous. The judges definitely had a tough decision. Congratulations to the four new title holders!

The end of the month has picked up with appearances! I spent the night of the 22nd at the event Girls Night Out. I was able to promote the Miss Clinton a County Scholarship Program, take a swing at the Necker's money grab, draw for the raffles, and have an absolute blast with all of the people came out. The vendors were absolutely amazing and the night couldn't have been better.

On the 24th, I spent the afternoon in Clinton at the Halloween House of Wonders. I was able to promote the Mardi Gras Halloween Parade as well as play the ring toss with tons of kiddos dressed up in their outstanding Halloween costumes.

On the 26th, I participated in the Mardi Gras Halloween parade. We were blessed to have an absolutely gorgeous evening. The parade turnout and the enthusiasm in Clinton were marvelous. If anyone is in the Halloween spirit, it is definitely Clinton County.

This week is Red Ribbon Week. I have spent the week handing out red ribbons in Clinton County as well as Iowa City promoting drug and substance abuse awareness and prevention. See my previous blog to learn more and find out how you can become involved.

As always, I will end with a piece of advice. Don't stress about the things you can not control. It is not worth your time or your effort. In the end, it will all work out and what is meant to happen will happen. I'm a control freak and try to be perfect. In reality, nobody is perfect so sit back and relax because you can't please everyone no matter how hard you try. So just be you and have fun with it!

Red Ribbon Week 2015

The Red Ribbon Campaign October 23-October 31

The Red Ribbon Campaign began in 1985 in response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena which infuriated parents and youth in communities all over the country. These parents and youth began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the destruction and death caused by drugs in America. The National Family Partnership (NFP) organized the very first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign. The NFP provides drug awareness by sponsoring annual National Red Ribbon Campaigns.

This year's theme, "Respect Yourself. Be Drug Free.™", created by a middle school student in Ohio, sends a powerful, positive message to our children - and we invite you to join us in spreading that message. Did you Know... Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don't, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.

People all over the country are encouraged to participate during this week of awareness. There are numerous ways to be involved. First, sign the pledge to create a drug free America at http://redribbon.org/pledge/.

Another way to be involved is by entering the 2015 Red Ribbon Photo Contest. You can enter the contest now through November 3, 2015. The winners receive an iPad and $1,000 for your school! There are two ways to enter: 1) families can submit a photo of a home decoration and 2) schools can submit a photo of a school decoration. Enter your photo at http://redribbon.org/contest/enter/.

Lastly, you can donate to the Red Ribbon Campaign. One dollar invested in prevention saves seven dollars in treatment. Donate at https://redribbon.org/donate/.

Use this week to make a difference in your school and community. I'm wearing my Red Ribbon. Are you?

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun or Busy :)

Wow! It has been a busy month! From getting ready for school, sending Taylor off to Miss America, traveling to Atlantic City, and making appearances I have been one busy bee. But, I would not have it any other way.

Before Taylor went off to Miss America I was honored to make an appearance with her at the Meadowview Pool to kick off the start of school. We judged many activities including my favorite the dance off, and had the chance to swim with the kiddos. Overall, I would say we had an absolute blast!

A little over a week later, it was time to ship Taylor off to Miss America!! Her send-off was absolutely perfect. I was blessed to be asked to perform my talent at her send off as well as see all of her stunning wardrobe and stellar talent. It was great to see everyone who came out to wish Taylor well! Before you knew it, it was our turn to leave for Miss America!

The week before traveling to Miss America could not have gone slower. Luckily, I had an appearance with the Camanche Kiwanis to help pass the time. I had the opportunity to speak about my platform, the Miss Clinton County and Miss Iowa Scholarship Program, and the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals as well as perform my talent. Thank you to all of the Camanche Kiwanis who donated to the CMN hospitals!! 

After the pain of waiting was over, it was finally time to travel to Atlantic City!!! Our flight was made much easier when my mother and I found out Miss Aly Olson was on the same flight. Our journey was extremely easy and we couldn't wait to get there. The excitement surrounding Taylor was evident as soon as we stepped off the plane. Friday night my mother and I participated in the CMN Miracle Mile which was the only time we were able to see Taylor. Saturday we shopped, of course, and watched the Show Us Your Shoes parade. 

For the second year in a row, the parade was doomed with rain, but that did not stop us! Finally, the big day was here! FINALS! My mother and I had a fantastic time eating with the Miss Clinton County board before the show and then it was time. We can not express how proud we are of Taylor and all of her accomplishments. I am blessed I had the opportunity to watch her spread her wings and take off. That will be one experience I never forget.

Upon returning from Miss America, I was asked to help and perform at the Miss Polk County Scholarship Program. All of the women looked fantastic. Congratulations to Miss Kelly Koch, the new and first Miss Polk County.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity in Centerville to ride in the Pancake Day parade as well as emcee the Miss Pancake Day Pageant. I was honored to be given that opportunity. It was marvelous to see everyone who came out to support the young women who competed. Congratulations to Miss Madison Moorman, the 2015 Miss Pancake Day.

Everyone always asks me for the best piece of advice I can give. Here it is: remember to always be yourself. A lot of people forget who they are when they try to be someone they are not. 

"Be yourself because everybody else is already taken." -Oscar Wilde

Out and About

It has been another blessed week and a half in the life of Miss Clinton County. I began the week attending DeWitt's National Night Out with two of my beautiful sister queens, Kelsey and Lily. We had a blast spending time together playing games as well as seeing many from the DeWitt community out. The National Night Out program is a marvelous one. The children were able to learn about fire safety, play games, mingle with firefighters and police officers, and much more. 

This past week ended in a whirlwind! Friday my sister queens and I were in the Tugfest parade in Le Claire. This parade was the very first time we were all together since being crowned. Even though it was blistering hot, we all enjoyed throwing candy and seeing all of the attendees in Le Claire. 

Saturday began with the Camanche Days parade in Camanche. We were honored to have Miss Iowa, Taylor Weibers, join us. The parade route was absolutely gorgeous along the river. The turnout was fabulous and we could not have had a better day.

After the parade, my parents and I loaded everything up to move me back to Iowa City for college. After a long five hours, I was finally moved in and ready to go to the Miss Scott County Pageant in Bettendorf. The pageant was fabulous and all of the girls competing were phenomenal. It is always inspiring to see other women chasing there dreams, just as I do. I would love to congratulate the new title holders Johannah, Alysa, Camryn, and Katelyn. Have a wonderful year ladies!!

Today I would like to end with a quote as I look to the week ahead. 

“Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.”

– Jack Canfield

This quote is true for so many reasons. If you do not try, you do not know what you may be able to, or what you can do. Half of the journey is failing and learning to pick yourself up. This is the only way we grow as human beings. Continue to have faith and passion.