Focus on the blessings and the rest will fall into place...

My sweet parents with me at the Arrival Ceremony

Good Morning!!!

It feels like afternoon right now because we had a 7:30 rehearsal this morning! This week is off to a great start and it's only Tuesday!! It is also INTERVIEW day! This is my favorite phase of competition for several reasons:

1. It reminds me of standing in front of my classroom
2. It gives me an opportunity to have a long-awaited conversation with the judges
3. I get to talk about my platform - which I'm super excited about this year!
4. I love my interview dress!! (Thanks Mom!!!) 

My interview will be sometime between 3:00 and 3:30 today, so if you have some extra time, send up positive thoughts and prayers today! If you're reading this after that time, go ahead and send up some positive thoughts and prayers for all of the girls this week - they are amazing! 

Speaking of the girls...I think that this is my favorite group of contestants so far! They are so supportive of one another and have really focused on enjoying themselves this week.  I know that every single girl has worked so hard to be here and I can't wait to cheer each girl on as she performs this week.  This is a special opportunity, we are actively creating a sisterhood that will last long beyond the week of Miss Arkansas.  Here are some of pictures of our time together so far, I think you will be able to see just how much fun we are having at Miss Arkansas: 

Me, Kathryn, and Rebecca having fun with some of the art in the Summit Arena

Group B at Arrival! 

Bethany Bell and I before Arrival
(We are roommates for the week!)

Sam and I making "shark" faces...too much fun! 

Love this girl! Sweet Natalie and me at arrival

With Rebecca, Sloane, and Sam during rehearsals on Monday

Rebecca and I will be interviewing together this year...just kidding!
(Look at the AWESOME Miss Arkansas Logo in the background) 

First look at the Miss Arkansas stage...check out the 44-foot runway!

 These are only a few of the memories I have made so far this week.  The production will be awesome this year.  The theme of the pageant is, "Miss Arkansas...75 and feeling good!" All of our songs have "feeling" in them and the production numbers are going to look amazing on the stage.  Miss Mikki is a great choreographer - she even helps the non-dancers (aka: Simone) look graceful, which is pretty spectacular.  Make sure and order your tickets on ticketmaster.com or watch it online at missarkansas.org.  I cannot wait for preliminaries to begin!

Before I sign off I want to share a little of what is on my heart today.  I was talking with my parents as we were driving to Hot Springs and we were discussing what my testimony has become since I have been involved in this organization, I know that without a doubt, my testimony is one of perseverance.  As I've said before, I never thought I would still be working on this dream at the age of 24.  But you know what? I am so glad that I am.  I have gained so many friendships and experiences because I have had the opportunity to come back year after year - and I am better because of this.  I would not trade my journey for anything.  In fact, everything is perfect in its season.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance [perseverance].  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." - Habakkuk 2:3

"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him and He will do it." - Psalm 37: 4-5

"Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." - Romans 4: 20-21

Everywhere I look this week I see blessings around me.  Blessings of friendship, hugs of encouragement, answered prayers, and the pure joy of the Lord at work in the lives of the people around me.  Whatever this week brings I know that my life will be changed for the better because of this experience.  I am trusting the process, I am trusting the plan.

My hope is that something has touched you today, whether you read it here or experienced it elsewhere, know that good things are headed your way.  You are not forgotten, you are not lost.  His timing is perfect.

See you on the other side of interview!!
~ Simone

Miss Arkansas: Day One (morning before)

This sign greeted me when I arrived in Hot Springs! 

Good morning!!

As I'm writing this blog I am standing in my evening gown while my mom is re-hemming it! It seems to have grown over night! Can I just say that I have the best mom in the world?! She always takes care of me and always makes sure that every last detail is finished!! That being said, I owe a huge thank you to my family for helping me every step of the way this year. If you see them around this week make sure to give them lots of hugs and love because as much work as I have put into this week, they have been behind the scenes making sure every thing runs smoothly. My hope is that their week will be just as special and amazing as my week will be!!

My cute momma hemming my gown this morning! 

Love you all, I will update after the arrival ceremony this afternoon!!

~Simone

Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen

Happy July!!

Ashton and I after the pageant on Saturday night

This past weekend was the Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen Pageant.  For those of you who know me, you know that I am very close to the outgoing teen, Ashton Campbell.  Ashton and I were sister queens my very first year in Miss Arkansas and we instantly hit it off and created a very special bond.  This year I had the opportunity to help her prepare for Miss America's Outstanding Teen.  We staged her song, practiced her modeling, worked on her interview, and practiced her makeup (they have to do their own makeup at nationals) until she was 100% confident and ready to represent Arkansas.  She was amazing and won the most photogenic award - which landed her a cover model opportunity with Fourpoints magazine.  Seeing her on stage every night this weekend as she prepared to give up her crown was a proud moment for me.  She is absolutely incredible and has done such a great job as Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen this year and now she is headed to the University of Arkansas in the fall, where she will be a Hog!!!! Yay!!  I cannot wait to see the amazing things that God has in store for her life in the near future, it's going to be big and she is ready to take on every challenge the world throws at her.  Clearly, I cannot brag enough about Ashton! 

Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen and her runner-ups

The new Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen is Laura Leigh Turner!!!! Ashton left big shoes for the new teen to fill, but I know that Laura Leigh will be able to do the job!  Laura Leigh is a beautiful tap dancer, she danced to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and won overall talent with her routine.  She also won the overall interview, active wear, and evening gown awards.  I am excited to cheer her on when she competes at Miss America's Outstanding Teen.  I know that she is going to sparkle on stage and dazzle the judges in interview.  She has the ability to light up the room with her smile, and I know that her joy and kind heart will bless the lives that she comes in contact with this year as Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen.  

With Miss Frisco Springs' Outstanding Teen, Bailey Craig
She was beautiful all week long! 

The teen pageant is one of my favorite events because it is a testament to the amazing ways that the Miss America program enhances the lives of the women involved in it.  Not only are these teens earning scholarship money before they even step foot on a college campus, but they are learning crucial life skills that will set them up for success from an early age.  It is humbling to see the hard work that these girls put into every area of their lives and to know that they have the ability to make big differences in the lives around them, whether they win the crown or not.  I am excited to watch these girls grow and hopefully move onto the Miss Arkansas stage! 

I also love the teen pageant because I get to be reunited with all of the Miss Arkansas contestants.  We were all talking during intermission about how excited we are for the week of Miss Arkansas.  Move in is only five short days away!! In addition to the contestants, I also get to see the many volunteers and supporters of the Miss Arkansas Organization.  These people are the meat and potatoes of the organization, we would not be able to have such an incredible program without their efforts! Since they come from all over the state, events like the teen pageant bring everybody together again, which makes for an even more fun weekend! Now I'm super excited for the Miss Arkansas week to begin! 

With Rebecca Wheeley, Miss Lakes of the Northwest

With Ed McClure, one of my awesome directors! 

Modeling my Miss Frisco Springs Banner!!

Just for fun - I found the newspaper vending machine graveyard!
Do you need a newspaper?!?

 I hope that you are preparing for a great Fourth of July.  Thank a veteran, remember your freedom, celebrate the amazing country that is America! In the meantime, I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes on freedom:  

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." - Nelson Mandela 

 This week I want to focus on loving the people around me and thanking them for all that they have done for me.  I want to encourage the people in my life so that they may pursue their lives to the fullest. 

Be Blessed,

~Simone 

Meet Natalie!

Natalie and I last year during Evening Gown  

Hello There!

I just got back from spending the day with my Miss Arkansas Princess.  Natalie was my princess last year and I am so excited that we will be spending the week together again this year!  Natalie is a nine-year-old little girl from Batesville, AR.  She loves horses (we had to end our play date early so that she could go to riding lessons) and puppies (she has five!).  She also loves dancing and received the "best smile" award in her third grade class.  She is too much fun!  Yesterday we played with her American Girl dolls, which was a throwback to when I was a little girl.  When I was around nine years old, all I wanted for Christmas was an American Girl doll.  That year, I got a letter from Santa saying that Samantha was on backorder but that I would get her in the mail after Christmas - I did, and I'm pretty sure I still have her somewhere! Anyway, Natalie and I had a blast and it was so much fun to reconnect and make plans for our upcoming week at Miss Arkansas.  We are getting very excited!! 

I hope that all is well,

~ Simone 

In Due Season

Happy Monday! 

I read a great devotional this weekend that has really got me thinking so I wanted to share it here.  This is from Joyce Meyer's "Confident Woman" series:

"'Due Season' is God's season, not ours. We are in a hurry, God isn't.  He takes time to do things right - He lays a solid foundation before He attempts to build a building.  We are God's building under construction...God is never late."

Wow! God is never late.  Let those words sink in for a moment.  He is never late - as in, God's timing is perfect timing.  I am a planner.  I like to know what is going on and when it is happening.  I also like to know that everything is going "according to plan."  But sometimes I forget that my plan isn't always the right plan or maybe it is the right plan but the wrong season (God's likes to build that foundation, remember?).  Anyways, the point I'm trying to make is that God is continually working on us, building the correct foundation so that we are strong, capable, and able to do the great things that He has planned for our lives.  Sometimes it seems like He isn't there, or that He has forgotten about the desires of our hearts, but these are times when we are being carefully crafted into something even better than what we could hope for or imagine.  These are the times that require diligence and faith - you cannot give up just because things aren't going according to your plan.

This message has been very important for me as I prepare for my last year at Miss Arkansas.  I never would have dreamed that I would still be competing at 24, but you know what? His plan has been far greater and more fulfilling than any of my own plans.  God is good - all the time.  I have faith that His good and perfect will is being done in my life.  I don't know what that will is just yet, but I am being diligent in my seed planting!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galations 6:9

So I encourage you to not give up.  Whatever it is that you are pursuing or dreaming for, be diligent and have faith that God is preparing you for great things ahead!  And if it seems like things are taking longer than you expected them too...remember that God is never late.

Tomorrow I am headed to Little Rock for some fun with friends and then I will be headed to Batesville on Wednesday to see my sweet princess.  It has been too long since Natalie and I have spent some good, quality time together and I am really looking forward to our play date!

Until next time,
~ Simone

Miss Arkansas Updates

Hello and Happy June!

This last month has flown by! Since graduating in May I have been a very busy lady.  We had our Miss Arkansas Contestant's Meeting at the end of May.  It was so great to meet all of the new contestants this year and to catch up with my Miss Arkansas friends.  Despite what the cliche movies tell you about pageant girls, some of my dearest friends are my fellow contestants.  This just goes to show you that you can't always trust the stereotypes that the media so often uses to portray pageant women (Kristen has a great blog about pageant stereotypes this week - you should go check it out here).

Hanging out with some of the contestants before the meeting! I love all of the spring colors!! 

Thanks to Michelle Roberts (Sloane's Mom) for these great pictures!!! 

Miss Arkansas Contestants that attend the University of Arkansas

We found out all kinds of new changes and opportunities that are available through the Miss Arkansas pageant this summer!  If you didn't already know, the pageant will be held July 11th-14th at the convention center in Hot Springs, AR.  It is going to be a really great show!! Our opening number dresses and shoes came in - they are going to look awesome on the Miss Arkansas stage.  A special thank you to The Royal We and Tony Bowls for providing our beautiful dresses, I cannot wait to wear mine in July.  Also in celebration of our 75th year anniversary, we are going to have a runway again this year!!  We will model both our swimsuits and our evening gowns on the runway during the competition, which will be a great way to interact with the crowd during the pageant. Another neat thing that will be happening this year is that the top 10 will answer onstage questions (like at Miss America) that will be submitted by video from celebrities all over the state of Arkansas.  I think this is a neat way to integrate the success of Arkansans with the success of the Miss Arkansas pageant.  I'm sure that there will be more surprises as the pageant gets closer - I'll keep you posted!

With Kristen and Miss White River

In addition to these announcements, the Miss Arkansas board also announced exciting news for the upcoming year.  This year Kristen has really focused on the business aspects of Miss Arkansas.  As a result, she has secured some great opportunities for the new state representative and really contributed to the overall image of the Miss Arkansas Organization.  For example, Kristen so impressed the people at Citgo during an appearance that they have decided to donate $8,000 worth of gas so that Miss Arkansas can travel across the state as she continues to advocate her platform to schools, civic groups, and business leaders.  This is amazing!!!! AND all 47 contestants will receive a $100 gift card from Citgo - what an enormous blessing!  So what car will be using all of this gas?!? They just announced that Bale Chevrolet has donated a Chevy Equinox for Miss Arkansas to drive throughout her year.  You definitely need to google this car - it is incredible.  Also, if you are ever in the Little Rock area stop by Bale Chevrolet and thank them for this very generous gift.

The contestant meeting is really a three-day event.  Saturday was a photo shoot with the incredible Tony Bowls and Jason Masters.  Last year was the first year that they did this and the results were amazing.  Not only does it create an opportunity for every contestant to meet Tony Bowls and wear one of his beautiful dresses, but it also lets us feel like models for the day! And based on the pictures, we look like real models!! Here is a link to the photos, be sure and vote for your favorite contestant.  The People's Choice winner will be announced live from stage during the final competition on July 14th.  This is a great way to promote the Miss Arkansas pageant and raise scholarship money for the contestants.  On Sunday we have the actual meeting where we find out our placement. I am very excited about my placement:

Group B - #29

Tuesday -  Interview

Wednesday - Evening Gown

Thursday - Talent

Friday - Swimsuit

Here is Group B!!

But the weekend didn't stop there! On Monday we split our time between the annual Miss Arkansas Golf Tournament and a trip to the Arkansas Children's Hospital.  The golf tournament raises a lot of the scholarship money that will be given out during the week of the pageant.  This has been a great success over the past few years and I am so appreciative of the golfers who give their time and money to help the Miss Arkansas pageant continue to be the largest scholarship provider in the nation! I spent the morning at the golf tournament and then headed to the Arkansas Children's Hospital.  We got to tour the NICU, the helipad, and the heart center. The ACH is celebrating their 100th year anniversary this year and it was really emotional to see how many lives have been saved and touched by the ACH.  The really cool part about Miss America's partnership with Children's Miracle Network is that the funds we raise to support CMN actually go straight to the Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, AR.  You can donate to CMN or you can find out more about ACH by clicking here.  

Some of the contestants during our visit to the Arkansas Children's Hospital

I think those are all of the updates from contestant's weekend.  All in all, it was a really exciting weekend and now I am even more pumped for the week of Miss Arkansas - it is going to be an incredible pageant and you won't want to miss it! 

Before I go, I want to share a verse that has been heavy on my heart this week.  For the young women who are competing in their state pageants this summer this is the time of year when it takes everything in you to press on towards the goal.  I shared this verse with my Sweetheart sisters but I want to share it with you now, hopefully you will find it as helpful as I have.  

"Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord." 

- Psalm 31:24

I think it is so important to let your heart be courageous, this is how you pursue the impossible! Stay strong,

~ Simone

Be sure and vote for People's Choice!!!  Vote Here!

And So It Begins...

Hello!!

Welcome to my new blog! In case you didn't already know, I am Simone Mullinax, Miss Frisco Springs.  I will be competing for the title of Miss Arkansas in July and this blog will keep you updated on all of my activities, thoughts, and appearances as I continue to prepare for the pageant.  In the meantime, I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself and catch up on the latest things happening in my life!

I was crowned Miss Frisco Springs on March 3, 2012.  This pageant is directed by Ed and Kathy McClure and I am thrilled to be working with the amazing Miss Frisco/Lakes board this year.  The pageant is based out of Rogers, AR and most of my appearances this year will be in the Northwest Arkansas area. I am excited to represent a title from my part of the state and I am looking forward to giving back to a community that has given me so much over the years.

Miss Frisco Spring's Outstanding Teen, Miss Frisco, Miss Lakes of
the Northwest, and Miss Lakes of the Northwest's Outstanding Teen

Digging in to our delicious cake after the pageant! 

Then on May 12, 2012, I graduated from the University of Arkansas Graduate School.  I received my Master of Arts in Communication and have spent the past two years as a public speaking instructor at the U of A.  Through this experience, I discovered that I want to be a Communication instructor. I truly believe that communication skills are critical to an individual's success and I want to give students the communication tools that will help them achieve their goals.  Periodically, I will post several of my classroom experiences and give tips for building stronger communication skills.

Me and My Family after the graduation ceremony

Miss White River, Helen Wisner, and me celebrating our recent graduation! 

In my free time I love to bake, hike, and spend time with my friends and family.  I also have an adorable dog named London who keeps me thoroughly entertained in my down time.  When I can, I love to travel and experience new cultures and places.  Here are some of my favorite memories from this year so far:

I turned 24 in February! 

Cheering on Miss Arkansas at Miss America! 

Miss White River, Me, and Miss Vermont's Sweetheart

Miss Missouri's Sweetheart and me at the
Sweetheart Reunion Brunch in Las Vegas

Sweetheart Reunion in Las Vegas during Miss America!
(CA, VT, CO, KS, MO, AR, KY, NE, MN, LA)

Hiking the beautiful Arkansas mountains
(Look at cute little London!) 

Encouraging students as they prepared for the Benchmark Exam

Helping students overcome testing anxiety

Be looking for Miss Arkansas updates very soon! Hope that all is well, 

~ Simone