"You can't be that kid standing at the top of the water slide, over-thinking it. You have to go down the chute." - Tina Fey

"You can't be that kid standing at the top of the water slide, over-thinking it. You have to go down the chute." - Tina Fey

There are 2 days, 19 hours, 7 minutes, and 53 seconds until the final night of Miss New Hampshire!

Today, I am thankful for all of my friends and family who followed the broadcast tonight. Your support means everything to me. From my friend Annie in Vermont, to my cousins and family, and to my friends in college all around the country: thank you for sharing this journey with me.

A little inspiration <3

Today, I am proud of Holly Blanchard, our Preliminary Swimsuit Winner, and Linda Montminy, our Preliminary Talent Winner! Both of you have worked so hard for this moment! Congratulations, ladies! 

"Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!" – Anne Frank.

"Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!" – Anne Frank.

There are 3 days, 17 hours, 37 minutes, and 54 seconds until Miss New Hampshire!

Today, I am thankful for heart-to-hearts with my fellow Miss New Hampshire contestants. This organization has gifted me with true, meaningful friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Yesterday I posted a photo that said "Girls compete against one another, but women empower each other." That statement is entirely true, although girls do empower one another as well. I am fortunate to be in a circle of friends that empower one another.

Also, I am thankful to have the opportunity to meet the 2015 Miss New Hampshire panel of judges! I feel as though they truly got to know the person I am, at my core.

Thank you to Katrina Bernard Photography for photographing each contestant after interview!

A little inspiration <3

Today, I am proud of the New Hampshire Outstanding Teens. Each young woman in the Outstanding Teen program is beautiful on the outside, but most importantly, beautiful on the inside. I love getting the opportunity to chat with many of you throughout the week. I am so thankful to be a part of your experience within the Miss America Organization. Your drive, thoughtfulness, passion for service, and love of life inspire us to take life by the horns and live.

To the NHOT Class of 2015: YOU are a community of movers and shakers. I am so excited to see what comes to fruition in your futures. 

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." -Maya Angelou

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." -Maya Angelou

There are 4 days, 20 hours, 0 minutes, and 19 seconds until Miss New Hampshire!

Today, I am thankful for our safety. While areas of the country are currently experiencing unrest, I am thankful to be sleeping in a warm bed tonight. My concerns and worries of exams are minimal compared to the situations that many around the country are facing. I do believe, however, that it is our duty, as a part of our privilege of being in a safe environment, to work for justice for those who are currently experiencing unrest. Education is the best way to spread awareness of injustice.
Below are two links that provide interesting information that is relevant to issues going on today.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/04/20/upshot/missing-black-men.html?_r=0

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/04/27/402555819/freddie-gray-s-funeral-spurs-calls-for-calm-huge-crowd-expected

A little inspiration <3

Today, I am proud of my grandparents. Both sets of my grandparents overcame incredible odds through hard work and dedication. Nothing that is worth it is ever easy, and I am thankful for, and inspired by their hard work every day.

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -Helen Keller

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -Helen Keller

There are 5 days, 18 hours, 12 minutes, and 23 seconds until Miss New Hampshire!

Today, I am thankful for my brother, Christopher. Christopher turned 18 years old today, and I am so fortunate to have such an amazing brother, and a best friend. Christopher makes me laugh more than anyone I know, and is one of the most caring 18-year-old young men out there. I love you, Christopher! Happy Birthday!

A little inspiration <3

I am going to continue to talk about my brother, as I am so incredibly proud of him. He recently attended the Accepted Students Day for Environmental Engineering majors at UNH, which is one of the best environmental engineering schools in the country. Christopher is also one of the best Cross Fit athletes in the state of New Hampshire. Christopher's mental and physical strength amazes me every day!

"Quality is not an act, it is a habit." -Aristotle

"Quality is not an act, it is a habit." -Aristotle

There are 6 days, 19 hours, 37 minutes, and 59 seconds until Miss New Hampshire!

Today, I am thankful for my directors. Thank you for taking the time to make sure that Jaycie and I are ready to rock the Miss New Hampshire stage!

Also, thank you to Jenn Parthum for these adorable handmade Java Jackets! Jenn made #jennsjavajackets for each of the Miss New Hampshire contestants.

Here is a little inspiration <3

Today, I am proud of UNH's Residence Hall Association (RHA). RHA recently put on an event titled "Not Your Average Olympics," with many unconventional games on the front lawn of Scott Hall. Not only did many students attend the event, but the RHA also hosted the group Wild Cat Friends. Many tours walked by as the event took place, and the members of RHA invited the prospective students to join in on the fun. I love this school's Wildcat Pride! 

"Whoever is happy will make other people happy, too." -Anne Frank

"Whoever is happy will make other people happy, too." -Anne Frank

There are 7 days, 18 hours, 12 minutes, and 53 seconds left until Miss New Hampshire!

Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to have a fun, stress-free, rejuvenating night at the Miss New Hampshire Ball! I loved dancing the night away with the Miss New Hampshire women, my family, and my friends. The ball also raises the money for Miss New Hampshire 2015's wardrobe for her year of service.
Oh what a night!

A little inspiration <3

Today, I am proud of the women competing in Miss New Hampshire who are seniors in high school. Many of them are deciding where they want to go to school! I am so impressed with how they are already starting successful college careers... many with incredible scholarships to amazing schools (American University, Dean, NC State, UCONN, and many more), and one who has enlisted in the Army! Congratulations, Ladies!

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”  ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are eight more days until Miss New Hampshire!

Today, I am thankful for a family who loves to laugh together. My family are my best friends, and I feel so fortunate to have such a loving and supportive family who LOVES to laugh together!

Something Inspirational:

Today, I am proud of my sisters in the Miss New Hampshire program. The women in this organization are real, with real-life challenges, just like every other young woman. They are also women with amazing drive, dedicated to promoting Miss America's focus on individual potential and empowerment. I am so fortunate to be in a sisterhood with these women... women who are "Army Strong," Wish Granters, advocates for children with life-threatening illnesses, and women who strive to make students realize that kindness really does matter. I am forever grateful for the friendships I have made in this organization.

"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." -Mark Twain

"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." -Mark Twain

There are 9 days, 20 hours, 47 minutes, and 41 seconds until Miss New Hampshire!
There is still time to vote! Click on the link below!

https://www.facebook.com/MissNH/app_208195102528120

Today, I am thankful for our right to an education. Historically, literacy has always dictated an individual's potential and opportunities. Literacy provides endless possibilities to students.

A little inspiration from my main man Socrates (I also study Classical and Hellenistic Greece).

I am proud to be a part of community that is so passionate about human rights. Over the past few days, students have rallied outside the library to raise awareness of human trafficking in the United States and around the world. Students petitioned Congress to pass a bill that would further protect the rights of human trafficking victims. The exhibit is supported by the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Trafficking, or "UN.GIFT." 

Learn about the exhibit by clicking on the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/UN.GIFTVienna

"Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." -Gloria Steinem

"Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." -Gloria Steinem

Miss New Hampshire is 10 days, 19 hours, 20 minutes, and 33 seconds away!

You can vote a contestant into the Top 10 by clicking the link below!

https://www.facebook.com/MissNH/app_208195102528120

Today starts the "Ten Day Positivity Challenge." Follow the challenge, or join!

Each day, post the following three things:
1) Something that you are thankful for,
2) A motivational quote (to inspire yourself and someone else who may need it that day), and
3) Something about your community that you are proud of.

I am thankful for the support of my family, friends, professors, directors, and loved ones. This experience has truly taught me the value of camaraderie. I am continuously humbled by their support. It takes a village to raise a child, and a village to help a young woman discover herself. From the bottom of my heart, I am forever grateful for everyone involved in this journey.

Here is an inspirational message!

Adorable, right?

As for something about my community that I am proud about, I am constantly amazed by the work and dedication of UNH undergraduate students. This week is the Undergraduate Research Conference (UNH created the first URC in the country!), and the amount of valuable research that the students conducted is incredible! You can check out student research by clicking the link below!

http://unh.edu/unhtoday/2015/04/research-days-spring-brings-results-forefront?utm_source=Research%20Days%3Futm_medium%3D4-20&utm_campaign=slideshow

The Week in Review

The #MNH team at New Horizons in Manchester! We had such a fabulous time volunteering today! To see young women participating in Miss America Serves throughout the country, search #MissAmericaServes.

The Miss New Hampshire contestants also had a rehearsal today. There are 14 days, 22 hours, 17 minutes, and 2 seconds until final night's opening curtain! Order tickets by calling (603)437-9027.

Last night, we had a great time at the Granite State Ledges Assisted Living Center. The Miss New Hampshire contestants put on a fashion show for some of the residents! It wonderful to mingle and make some new friends and mentors.

Here is something adorable to brighten up your day!

Miss America Serves, Supporting New Hampshire Children's Trust, and Something Special to Brighten Your Day

Be a part of the inaugural ‪#‎MissAmericaServes‬ day! Across the country, members of the Miss America Organization will be participating in different community service projects. The Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program will be cooking and serving food at the New Horizons soup kitchen! Please consider signing up to volunteer in your community today atwww.missamericaserves.org.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Support the New Hampshire Children's Trust by wearing blue on Friday, April 10! Here are also links to the New Hampshire Children's Trust Facebook Page and Twitter Handle. 

https://www.facebook.com/NHChildrensTrust?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/NHChildrenTrust

Here is something special to brighten up your day!

Happy Easter!

The Week in Review

ATTENTION LIFE-LONG LEARNERS!
I have been seeing many posts on Facebook lately on figuring out how to pay for college!
Here are some awesome resources!
Many of these resources are specific to students in New Hampshire, but all states have very similar opportunities!

Here are my "Top Three" college scholarship sites.

1. Scholarships.com
-Great for grants, fellowships, and scholarships for BOTH in-and-out-of-state students!

https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-state/new-hampshire-scholarships/

2. NH Charitable Foundation
-Most scholarships are targeted towards NH residents, but there are a few on here for students from Vermont and Maine!

http://www.nhcf.org/scholarships

3. My College Options
-So many to apply for! This website is great to sit down with a cup of coffee, and go to town. This website also includes scholarships for EVERY state!

https://www.mycollegeoptions.org/NH/0/New-Hampshire/search-results-scholarship-search-by-location.aspx

Also, Miss New Hampshire is right around the corner!

And speaking of scholarships... 

                 

               The time has arrived!!! Who do YOU want to represent New Hampshire throughout 2015? YOU have a choice! Voters have the power to help young women throughout the state earn scholarships! The Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program gives a copious amount of scholarship money to young women every year. By voting, you can help secure a spot in the top ten for a contestant (which translates to a larger scholarship and a closer shot at becoming Miss NH)!

Here's the link!

https://www.facebook.com/MissNH/app_208195102528120

Miss New Hampshire is April 30, May 1, and May 2. For tickets, call (603)437-9027.