Making the Cut: Pantene Beautiful Lengths 2011

My school has a growing tradition that has been going on for five years at our winter pep rally. It's a very unique tradition where girls pledge to donate at least 8 inches of their hair to go towards making wigs for cancer patients. Over 200 girls pledged this year and Pantene even sent a documentary crew from Texas to record the event. I pledged to donate my hair in the fall and certainly was nervous on January 8th when the day came around.

I wore my crown and Miss Monadnock sash to represent the organization and prove that anyone who has the hair to donate, can donate and should donate. The entire school was informed that I would be participating in Miss NH in April and that it is traditional for girls to have curled long locks at the competition but that I was donating to prove that anyone can no matter their excuse. I'm proud to say I got a lot of media attention to spread the goodwill and service efforts of the Miss New Hampshire organization and let the world know that it's not a beauty pageant but an amazing scholarship organization.

My friend Caroline before the cut

After the cut :) 

Trip of a Lifetime: The Rosebowl

When I found out last fall in a climactic and dramatic football game field show presentation that my band was going to be going to the Rosebowl parade in 2011 on a phone call through the loudspeaker from the President of the Parade, Jeff Throop I was overly excited. That meant that I was going to be the Senior Drum Major in the largest Parade in the world and that I would be fulfilling another dream of mine. I never imagined that I would have this opportunity and I couldn't wait for the year to come.

The year was filled with practices in the blistering heat and the frigid cold as well as local parades until such conditions as well. The freshmen had to learn everything and perfect their marching in just a few short months and the rest of the classes had to step it up to become the best band that they could be. As a leader I was extremely proud of their progress as we became closer and closer to the date we were flying out to Pasadena California.

In California we marched on the ice at the LA Kings game, marched at night in Disney Land, performed our field show at Band Fest and of course, Marched in the 2011 Rose Parade on New Years Day. I was so proud to be their leader and as they marched behind me I knew we were representing New England wonderfully.

My fellow drum majors and I in front of Rosebowl Stadium 

Marching on Colorado Blvd In the Parade

marching in Disney Land!

Conducting At BandFest

On the Ice at the Staples Center

 Needless to say, this was the most memorable trip ever, even if I didn't get to meet Paula Deen. Without a wink of sleep we accomplished all of the tasks we set out to when we boarded the planes at Logan and I'm forever grateful for the memories.

Volunteering From Crowning through December

Being Miss Monadnock had given me the opportunity to volunteer at so many different events I would never have been able to otherwise. On December 6th I volunteered at a Monday night football game at Gillette against the Jets. Definitely one of the coldest and longest nights ever! I can't thank Rebecca Rendina enough for giving me a ride so I could do this. I'll definitely be volunteering at Gillette as much as I can over the summer.

I also attended and sung some Christmas songs at Miss Lakes Region's Polar Express of Miracles event on December 19th. That was a great event and congratulations to Caitlin for running it.

On December 23rd I volunteered at the Salvation Army Toy Shop all day. That was one of the greatest volunteer events I've ever done. It was amazing to see how much the community was able to donate even in these hard times. It was great to see all the volunteers working hard to make it so that hundreds of families could be served through this station. The day went by very fast and felt amazing. I cant wait until next year when I'll be able to volunteer both days on my winter break.

A Dream Come True!

On November 20th I made the terrifying drive to the Monadnock Region, which was scary to the girl who hardly leaves her small town. I was so fortunate to be drawn as the last contestant and have plenty of time to prepare for the interview and leave the judges with a fresh image of me in their minds. My interview was amazing and from that point on I knew I had to give it my all if I was going to use that great interview to carry me through to the crown. This was the first pageant with a new platform of which I am extremely passionate about entitled "You are Beautiful: Eating Disorder Prevention and Awareness" and a new talent song (A Moment Like This) so I had a whole new game and was hoping it would tip the scale just enough to make me memorable.

In the end, it worked. I was crowned Miss Monadnock Region 2011 and my craziest dream had come true. I had a crown on my head and would be headed to Miss New Hampshire. From the moment they announced my name a hundred ideas of what I could do with this opportunity rushed through my mind and I'm excited to accomplish everything I can in my year of service.

What this is and Where it all Began

So most of the people I know know I'm really into band and music but what they might not know is that I'm also quote on quote a "pageant girl". How this came to be is sort of an interesting story.

I was sitting at the dining room table "working on an essay" and I got a bit sidetracked, ending up on google and typing "New Hampshire Pageants" of course Miss New Hampshire was the first result, followed by Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen. I read up on the website and it sounded like an opportunity I couldn't pass up so I told my very surprised mother and the adventure began. Needless to say, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but in the end I managed to make Top 10 at states and knew I was born to do this.

In the months following Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen I had moved into the age category of "Miss" which was certainly a shocker seeing as I still felt like a teen. I competed in the following competitions:

Miss Greater Derry $100 participation award- it was such a relief to get my first local under my belt! and what a great one to start with. Miss Greater Derry is such an intense production that I gained so much experience just for having participated and I cannot wait until next year. Congratulations to MC who I had a great time talking to while we waited for our interviews

Miss Kingston/Seacoast- I am so glad I had the chance to participate in this pageant, I got third runner up! It was such a huge accomplishment for me to have a result to all the work I had been doing as far as practicing for interview and talent and stage presence. I had the chance to watch my interview with Trisha Tidd which was extremely helpful in determining what I should work on. I'm so thankful for her help. Congratulations to Bess and Sarah, way to represent the vocalists :)

Miss Londonderry- My hometown, I certainly had high hopes for this pageant but didn't end up placing. It was a great experience though and I hope to hold this title someday :) Have fun representing Londonderry Adria!

Miss Greater Plaistow- What an extravagant production! I loved this pageant and I loved the stage- best of all I got First runner Up! 300 more dollars for the scholarship fund and Congratulations to Erica Millet, you were a really awesome person to get to know that day

Miss Gate City/ Souhegan Valley- Didn't place but had a good time :) Congratulations to both Britneys!

Miss Rockingham County- third runner up with a 750 dollar scholarship! Thankyou so much to Paula Moore for her extreme generosity and congratulations to Katrina Ulaky on her first title!