Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...Not! (12/21/08)

I love Erika Harold. She is the coolest of the cool, the nicest of the nice, the smartest of the smart, the genuine-est of the genuine, and the most down-to-earth person I have ever met. I’m in love with Miss America 2003 and I’m not afraid to admit it.

This past Monday, I spent an amazing four hours with Miss America 2003, Erika Harold, and Miss Illinois Executive Director, Amalia Schwerdtmann, over sushi and coffee (not at the same time…that sounds kinda gross). Erika dispensed invaluable advice about competing for Miss America and calmed my fears that becoming Miss America means losing one’s identity outside of the crown. (Miss America can still go to the movies, the mall, and out to dinner with her friends! I didn’t know that!) Our conversation reminded me of the power of the Miss America Organization (at 24-years-old, I was still giddy with excitement while waiting for Erika to come into the restaurant) and why I’ve had such a fervent desire to represent it on a national scale.

December was a month of many school appearances and my tour of Chicago Public Schools included 16 schools in 5 days – 3 of them with 4 schools a day! All the schools I visited this month had great groups of students but I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed speaking with students in my city. I addressed students and parents in Spanish, received the warmest of welcomes including roses, school apparel, a gift basket, and a gym filled with posters, and empowered two students with the knowledge that they could help their older siblings stay in school. Thank you to Brenda Vera and Ron Ragland from CPS’s AVID program for hosting me – I look forward to continuing our relationship in the future!

As promised, “Shout Outs” are in order for:

Baum Elementary - Decatur
Jerling Jr. High - Orland Park
Crown School - Chicago
Coleman School - Chicago
Joplin School – Chicago
Tanner School – Chicago
Lenart School – Chicago
Clark School – Chicago
Little Village School – Chicago
Christopher School – Chicago
Talman School – Chicago
Jahn School – Chicago
Andersen School – Chicago
Durkin Park School – Chicago
Coles School – Chicago
Lara School – Chicago
Castellanos School – Chicago
Pope School – Chicago
Goudy School – Chicago – Phew!

I also had some great appearances this month with a number of wonderful organizations and sponsors. The Vernon Hills Barnes and Noble hosted me in conjunction with the United Way to do a Christmas reading for young shoppers, I attended two holiday events with my official chaperone KL Robertson Daly (and did some serious shopping as well), helped judge the Chicago Rush’s Arena Football dance team auditions at the House of Blues in Chicago, signed autographs and took photos at a wonderful Meet and Greet with Santa for Easter Seals children and their families, and spoke to 1,000 teachers and administrators about the importance of Character Education as a keynote speaker at the Raising Student Achievement Conference in St. Charles. IRIDESSE, the pearl division of Tiffany’s, was kind enough to host a fundraiser for CMN where 10% of the day’s profits went to our cause. I also modeled the season’s hottest dresses at Le Dress’s 12 Days of Dresses event, and showed off my wardrobe and reconnected with my Miss Illinois family at my Send Off at the Schwerdtmann’s. It was a crazy month but so much fun!

It is officially less than a month until Miss America and I am in full preparation mode! I’m updating once a week so get ready to come along on this crazy ride with me!

Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! & Happy Holidays!