The Rest of June....

Between head shots, Miss America paperwork, and adjusting to a new life, I have no problem admitting that the rest of the month of June has been busy. Let me update you on a few of my favorite and most exciting appearances I’ve done over the past couple weeks.

On Thursday, June 25th, I woke up bright and early and picked up Carley (Miss Idaho’s Outstanding Teen 2009), to drive up to Sun Valley! We were going to be featured guests for the “Girls On Style” workshop for girls ages 11-13. Being one of my first appearances as Miss Idaho where I speak to young girls, I was so excited to motivate the girls and help them see what the word beauty really means. As soon as we got there, we immediately began by telling the girls a little bit about ourselves and answering some of the questions they had concerning pageants. Carley and I then performed our talents, and we had an awesome time talking to them about developing a talent and following your dreams. Then, we got to help the girls in their very own fashion shoot! The girls were all so incredible, and it was so much fun to bond with them and see how self confident and ambitious these young teens were!

Suzanne, Carley, the girls and me!

Carley and me signing autographs for the girls! They were so darling!


The skaterboy wanted our autographs on his helmet :) ha ha

The next morning, I woke up even earlier to be interviewed by Melissa Paul on the Channel 6 Morning News. Melissa Paul is a former Miss Idaho and a former titleholder from the Miss Tri-Counties pageant, so it is always so great to see her! She is an amazing woman and a fantastic role model. After a fun interview with Melissa, I went home to catch a 30 minute nap, and then on to my next interview with Don Jarret with WOW Country 104.3. Don and Clint, one of the radio managers, were a hoot! We had so much fun, and they made me laugh way too much!

Don Jarret, radio personality extraordinaire, and me!

Later that evening, I went to Hawk’s Memorial Stadium to help welcome the amazing athletes to the 2009 Idaho Special Olympics Summer Games! This was probably one of my favorite appearances I have ever done as a titleholder….it was incredible! As soon as I arrived, I met up with Carley Campbell (MIOT ’09), Alli Lance (Miss West River Valley 2009), and Kylie Kofoed (Miss Ada County 2009) and we began mingling and taking photos with the athletes. Before we knew it, the ceremony began and I was able to greet the athletes as they were walking across the stadium during the Parade of Athletes. It was an absolute blast to give the athletes high fives, hugs, and cheer for them during this incredible moment! After the Parade, I played my viola with them, and after some technical difficulty with the microphone (this tends to happen to me a lot as a string musician), I think everyone was able to hear my performance. What a fun and rewarding night!

Right before my performance

Kylie Kofoed, Miss Ada County '09, Carley Campbell, Miss Idaho's Outstanding Teen, me, and Alli Lance, Miss West River Valey '08, in the dugout during the Special Olympic Ceremony

My aunt Teri and me. Teri is a Special Olympian and competes in swimming! I am so proud of her!

After a day that I thought couldn’t be topped, Brenda (my executive director) and I drove down to Twin Falls for the 2010 Miss Magic Valley Pageant. As soon as we arrived, we went to the Canyon Crest Dining Restaurant (right on the Snake River Canyon) to have dinner with the judges. The view was fantastic! After dinner, we headed straight over to the pageant where I was able to meet the contestants, and see two of my friends from the Miss Idaho Pageant, Jessica Starley (Miss Magic Valley 2009) and Deidre Edmunds (Miss Central Valley 2009). It was so much fun to see two friendly faces and hear about all the exciting things that happened in their lives in the short time that had passed since Miss Idaho. The pageant was phenomenal, and the winners were: Heatherly Norman, Miss Canyon Rim 2010, and Courtney Barry, Miss Magic Valley 2010! They are going to be awesome at Miss Idaho this next June!
The month of June was unforgettable, and I can’t believe so much has changed in this short amount of time! One thing’s for sure, I can’t wait for Miss America in January!

Deidre Edmunds (Miss Central Valley '09), all the Miss Magic Valley Contestants, and me! They were fantastic!

Until next time!!!

Kara