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| 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!
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| 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.
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| 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!
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| With Rebecca Wheeley, Miss Lakes of the Northwest |
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| With Ed McClure, one of my awesome directors! |
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| Modeling my Miss Frisco Springs Banner!! |
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| 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
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