IHOP CMN Pancake Fundraiser!

Wow, what a FUN day!

Today I made my first appearance as Miss Ventura County at the IHOP located on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles for the IHOP Pancake Day Fundraiser! Every customer today got a free stack of pancakes with donations being accepted for the Miss America Organization's official charity, Children's Miracle Network. While there, I got to meet other local titelholders I will be hanging out with at Miss California in June while meeting and greeting with all of the restaurant customers, talking about Children's Miracle Network and encouraging them to donate. In addition, I got to meet two VERY special people: Miss Sophie, a lovely little girl receiving funds from Children's Miracle Network to pay her hospital bills for the treatment of her rheumatoid arthritis- and Miss America herself, Laura Kaeppeler!
Here are some pictures from the event: enjoy!
P.S. It is proper "crown etiquette" to NOT wear one's tiara when Miss America is present; therefore, I am without crown! Haha =) 

Miss Sophie, the adorable little girl with rheumatoid arthritis; funds from Children's Miracle Network enabled her family to get the treatment she needed; without it, her father said she'd be in a wheelchair for life... what an amazing program this is!! =)

Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler!! She was very sweet; we talked about music and the importance of classical training- for the schedule she keeps, I ejoyed how personable and sweet she was; an excellent Miss America to be sure!! =)

Some of my fellow local titleholders: (from left) Miss City of Los Angeles, Laura Jean Berger; Miss City of San Diego, Anna Mason; and Miss Sierra Nevada Caylyyn Simonson  =)

                    The newly crowned Miss Los Angeles County, Monet Bagneris, and myself! She's
                    super sweet; we're both singers!

                                  Me by the donation box! Hopefully IHOP got LOTS of donations for
                                                         Children's Miracle Network today!

 

Who says pageant girls can't be goofy and have fun?! Haha!

Erin Bailey: BEST sister ever!

Family support is the most wonderful gift! I could not have competed for Miss Ventura County without the support of my amazing friends and super-incredible family: my awesome parents Mark and Charlene- and THE most incredible sister ever, ERIN BAILEY- who made me this amazing Miss CA preparation box and sent it to me from her home in Colorado!! It was SO amazing and SO amusing I just HAD to blog about it!!
The box includes:
-Jump Rope
-Deodorant
-Complete workout outfit!
-Workout Mix
-Deodorant
-Hairspray
-Nail Kit
-Energy and Protein Bars
-Calorie Counter Book
-Portable toothbrushes
-The Complete Set of Insanity Workout DVDs
-My last piece of chocolate!
-Sports Illustrated (for motivation!)
-Disney Princess Water Bottle
-Plastic tiara clips
...and a LOT more!!
Erin, you are seriously the best sister ever!! I love you!!

Crowning Moment: Becoming Miss Ventura County 2012!

Welcome to the Miss Ventura County 2012 blog!!
So this is my first blog... ever...! Shoutout to my close friend, Miss City of Orange 2012 Megan Wisler, for the idea of sharing my experiences as Miss Ventura County with everyone! Check out her blog, too; she's already had some amazing appearances in the Orange County area: http://misscityoforange2012.blogspot.com
With that being said: this is my first blog as Miss Ventura County 2012! EEK! I have to say, being crowned was so surreal- and such a blur! I loved that my close friend, former Miss Ventura County 2011 and current Miss City of Orange Megan Wisler, has now crowned me twice: when I was awarded Miss Moorpark in 2009 and now- as Miss Ventura County 2012! She's such a lovely person, and I consider it an honor to now be her successor a second time!
Some people don't realize it, but a LOT of hard work and preparation goes into competing: prior to the Miss Ventura County competition, I worked with a personal trainer and multiple interview and pageant coaches to get into shape, perfect my walk, nail my interview and onstage question, and perfect my talent performance. I worked SO hard prior to the pageant, and I feel SO blessed that all of my hard work has paid off! And now I get to serve my community and compete at Miss California... I say it to myself and I still can't believe it!
I love my home county of Ventura, and I can't wait to get started representing it! So keep your eyes on this blog- because renovations will be happening, and I have my first few appearances lined up already- which means more posts will be coming soon!! <3

                                                  Megan crowning me- again! I love when
                                                  history repeats itself!! =)