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