Game day!

Hey friends! It's game day....and by that, I don't mean football......I mean, Miss America. I'll be glued to the TV tonight rooting on Miss Tennessee, Erin Hatley! Some of you may know, I was involved in the Miss America Organization and competed for the title of Miss Tennessee back in 2008. I competed in a local preliminary and won the title of Miss Historic Jonesborough and was anxious to head to state. For those of you that are not familiar with Jonesborough, it's the oldest town in the state and is full of history and beauty! Granted, I'm partial....but it's a MUST visit and houses the site for the NATIONAL Story Telling Festival. Be sure to add it to your bucket list and call me when you're in town. ;-) You won't regret it! 

Although, I'm a has been....my heart is still there and I stay actively involved by judging and emceeing various events. By competing in pageants, I was awarded scholarship money that went towards my undergrad degree and had a number of opportunities I wouldn't have otherwise been awarded. I logged over 500 hours promoting my platform on literacy awareness and received recognition from our Governor and President for my works. Unfortunately, I feel that so many have a bad taste in their mouth for pageantry due to the new show, "Toddlers & Tiaras." But, it paints such a false picture! Anyways, I just wanted to share with you all a little something that helped make me who I am today and encourage you to watch the big show tonight! 

I'll leave you with this video of Erin. Wishing her and all the contestants MUCH luck tonight. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to walk and suck in your stomach at the same time during swimsuit? (I would have posted a pic, but didn't feel it was kindergarten blog appropriate ha!) Oh to have that body again...it's a wonder I lived to tell the tale! #GoTeamTennessee