More pictures from Miss Muskingum Valley!

The lovely Top 5

Brandi's new hair-do!

My mom:)

Marlia Fontaine, Miss Ohio 2005, and me

The new Miss Muskingum Valley, Stephanie Rodgers!

Miss Ohio 2008, Karissa Martin, and me

Me, Megan Wombacker (Top 10), and Katie Camp (Miss Miami Valley)

A variety of colors as Adam Young serenades the young ladies after evening gown.

Miss Muskingum Valley

Last night, I attended the Miss Muskingum Valley scholarship program at Secrest Auditorium in Zanesville. Twenty-one young ladies vied for the title of Miss Muskingum Valley and the opportunity to compete at Miss Ohio in June. Congratulations to the new Miss Muskingum Valley, Stephanie Rodgers. Stephanie a graduate of Ohio State University and a native of Dresden, OH. This was her second Miss Ohio preliminary. Also, a huge congrats to my Miss Ohio roommate, Heather Wells, who was 1st Runner-Up! All the ladies did a fabulous job. Here is a breakdown of the scholarships awarded.

Miss Muskingum Valley 2009-

Stephanie Rodgers ($2800)

1st Runner-Up- Heather Wells ($1500)

2nd Runner-Up- Kaley Mitchell ($1000)

(pictured left)

3rd Runner-Up- Alicia Huyghe ($700) (pictured right)

4th Runner-up- Bree Grosshandler ($500)

Additional 5 in the Top 10- Megan Wombacker, Amanda Summers, Krystle Formosa, Danielle Henry, Christina Hagan ($200 each)

Ellen Spinner Interview Award- Megan Wombacker ($200)

Julie Marsh Community Service Essay Award- Megan Wombacker ($200)

Spirit of Chloe Award- Kaley Mitchell ($200)

Non-finalist Talent- Jodi Van Dyke ($200)

Titleholders at the event included Alyssa Hanson (Miss Scioto Valley), Amber Bussa (Miss Portsmouth), Katie Camp (Miss Miami Valley), Sasha Eby (Miss North Coast), Sarah Eash (Miss Fallen Timber's Outstanding Teen), and Olivia Maniaci (Miss SEO 2009) Several board members and executive directors were present as well as Miss Ohio 2008, Karissa Martin. Karissa sang her Miss America talent piece, "Girl in 14G," as well as the inspirational ballad "Astonishing" from Little Women.

Former Miss SEOs with Miss Ohio 2008, Karissa Martin

A much-needed update!

These past few months I have been neglecting my blog, and I truly apologize for that! I enjoy writing, I have since I was a little girl when I was determined to be an award-winning author (ha.. how things change), but I'll make it a late New Year's Resolution to update this blog on a regular basis. There is a great deal going on in my life, and therefore much to write about! Between my March of Dimes work, my grad school application process, and Miss Ohio preparation, I have been very busy.

Last weekend, I attended Miss Bay Village in Cleveland, OH. I had a mock interview that afternoon and attended the local program that night. Marlia Fontaine, Miss Ohio 2005, emceed and entertained at the event, singing one of my favorite songs, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." She sounded and looked phenomenal!...especially with that new baby on the way!:) Also, I wish my dad would have been in the audience because he would have been blown away by Paulette Maria Penzvalto singing, "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel. This is one of his favorite songs and he has always has wanted me to perform it. I must say; however, after hearing this power-house sing it, I'll never touch the song! She was simply incredible!

I was surprised and excited to reunite with several contestants that I have competed with in the past. They all did a much better job taking pictures of the event! My camera died by the time the program began. I enjoyed sitting with my mom and watching the pageant from the audience perspective. Congratulations to Emily Pheils, the new Miss Bay Village! She is a very sweet girl and I know she will do a wonderful job at Miss Ohio. I look forward to watching several of these young ladies in Miss Muskingum this coming weekend...and I promise, I will take good pictures this time!

Other events coming up include our Athens County March for Babies Kick Off. Our Bobcats for Babies organization has been planning this in conjunction with the Athens community director. It will take place Tuesday, March 10, 2009 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm in our Student Center Ballroom. It is a time for students and community members to learn more about our March for Babies walk in May and hear the inspirational story of our 2009 ambassador family.

We also just elected our new Bobcats for Babies officers for the 2009-2010 school year. This was very exciting, because we will need strong leaders to keep this organization going. I started Bobcats for Babies my freshman year of college with the help of a few friends, and it has since developed into a well-established organization. This past week, we recorded a PSA at the radio station and held an awareness table to promote the Kick-Off event.

If you are interested in keeping up with our March of Dimes efforts, I also have a Bobcats for Babies blog at oubobcats4babies.blogspot.com.

Again, I apologize for the lack of posts over the last few months. I promise, I will budget my time better to include blogging! Until next time, thanks for being patient with me and I will have more updates soon!