This week was amazing!!! I had SUCH a fun time with all 27 contestants, Krystal, the Miss New Hampshire Board, and the wonderful Mr. Jamie Staton! My dream week started off with a trip to the WMUR News 9 station. Thank you Jamie for our tour! I can definitely see myself working there some day. I hope to! After our tour, we went to Margarita's Mexican Restaurant for a delicious lunch. All of us then traveled to the Mall of New Hampshire to meet with some fabulous young fans. After a quick ice cream stop, it was off to rehearsals! The girls looked great.
Wednesday was interview day. It was awesome to see all of the girls come out of their interviews confidently. It was also my little brother's 14th birthday! His dinner of choice was Margarita's.... So we were off to Margarita's again! Good thing I love Mexican food :).
Thursday was a busy day! With dress rehearsal in the morning, we were all at Pinkerton Academy by 8:30 A.M. At noon, the wonderful Miss New Hampshire crew put together a cook out for all of the contestants and the sponsors. The Sponsor Luncheon was so much fun! All of the support that our program receives from sponsors is amazing. It was even more fun because one of my new friends (and future Outstanding Teen) was there! We had a great time. By the time the show started, everyone was ready to rock and roll. The show went off without a hitch! Jamie Staton, from WMUR News 9 and Miss New Hampshire Krystal Muccioli, were great emcees! Congrats to Alyssa McLaughlin and Megan Lyman, for winning the preliminary awards!
Friday was prelim day number two. We were at Pinkerton's Stockbridge theater early that morning for a dress rehearsal. After the dress rehearsal and lunch, my mom, the hilarious Claudette, the wonderful Jennifer Landry and I steamed all of the girls' gowns for that night's competition. Steaming was actually fun with that company! Friday night's show was awesome!!! I was so excited to perform a jazz dance to Katy Perry's "Firework"! I had such a great time dancing. Congrats to Rebecca Rendina, and Lauren April, for winning the preliminary awards! After the show, we all went back to the hotel for some refreshments. I don't think that I have ever laughed as hard as I did, on Friday night! Hanging out with the girls was awesome; just so much fun. Hahahaha!
Saturday morning was bitter-sweet. I had such an enjoyable week, hanging out with everybody, having fun, and spending time with everyone in the Miss New Hampshire Organization. After dress rehearsal, it was time to go to J.W. Hills in Manchester for another yummy lunch. I am still regretting having only one piece of bruschetta! Then my mom and I went to a quick dress fitting for a gown I was so lucky to wear on Saturday night. Trisha Tidd, of "Togate", is one of the most talented people I know (and nicest)! The actual show last night was phenomenal. The dancers, the contestants, the choreographers, the backstage crew, and volunteers all worked so hard to put this show together. The masterminds behind the whole operation, Brenda Keith and Bill Haggerty, are amazing. Their commitment to this program is what makes the program what it is today. Everyone was excited and nervous when the show started. I was thrilled to talk with Jamie on stage. He's great! I was also estatic to perform my talent on the Miss New Hampshire stage. The Miss New Hampshire production is one of the best in the country, in my opinion! We were also blessed to have the Director of Field Marketing of Miss America, Marc Angeli join us. Mr. Angeli presented Brenda Keith and Bill Haggerty with an award for their outstanding service to the Miss America Organization. As I said earlier, Bill and Brenda are two of the most amazing people that I know, and I am so thankful to be their (Teen) girl! Thank you so much for coming, Marc! After a wonderful week, we emerged with a new Miss New Hampshire. Congratulations to Regan Hartley, Miss New Hampshire 2011! The Miss New Hampshire Organization is truly a sisterhood. I feel so blessed to have 27 (+ Krystal) older sisters! I love each and every one of you, and I am grateful for your support, love, and friendship. We are truly a family. Each and every one of you are role models. I look up to you so much. I have always wanted a big sister, and now I have 27 (+ Krystal)!!!
Your little sis,
Love and Miracles,
Lauren
