Here's the jist of my itinerary: We arrive Friday in Las Vegas around 2pm with no time left for dawdling, we have to rush to PH for rehearsal. I won't have time to stop in our room, so my carry-on will consist of various shoes, earrings, makeup & hairspray, etc. I will be fitted for a dress or two and rehearse for "Glam It Up!" We have to be hair & makeup ready around 6:30pm, because doors open at 7pm! I am psyched to be a model for the "Glam It Up" event, which should end roughly around 10pm. Then it's off to the Miss America Class of 2008 Reunion! I am thrilled to death to see 20 of my Miss America ladies! Who knows when I'll get to bed, but I don't care! I will surely be on a caffeine high the entire trip!
Saturday is time for some slots, shopping and lunch with my Miss Ohio family! You will watch the Miss America competition when it airs in Ohio at 8 at night but in Vegas it will be 5 in the afternoon. We'll be getting "prettied-up" soon after lunch! Who knows what Saturday night brings but we know what happens Sunday morning...flight back to O.H.I.O.! I plan to take both the video and digital cameras! Be ready for some great feedback after Miss America 2009! I can't wait to be there when they call out Karissa's name! Go Buckeyes!
The 2009 Miss America Quality of Life Award finalists have been announced:
The eight finalists and their personal platform issues are:
Miss Alabama Amanda Tapley: "Music for a Cure"
Miss Hawaii Nicole Fox: "The Adopt-A-College Program"
Miss Indiana Katie Stam: "Super Saturday of Service"
Miss Kentucky Emily Cox: "Uniquely Me - Promoting Self Esteem in Adolescent Girls
Miss Michigan Ashlee Baracy: "Breast Cancer Awareness & Education"
Miss North Carolina Amanda Watson: "Making ALS History, One Person at a Time"
Miss Rhode Island Francesca Simone: "F.A.C.T. - Families of Alzheimers Carrying the Torch"
Miss Virginia Tara Wheeler: "Empowering America's Youth"
This year, the newly renamed “Evelyn Ay Sempier Quality of Life Awards” were funded through the generosity of our Miss Americas. In honor of Miss America 1954 Evelyn Ay Sempier, the Miss America sisters funded three Quality of Life awards with special attention paid to depth of service, creativity of the project and the significant effects upon the lives of others.
Quality of Life Awards were introduced in 1988 to recognize contestants who excel in their commitment to community service. In order to be considered for the Quality of Life Award, contestants must submit an application describing their involvement with Children's Miracle Network, the national platform of the Miss America Organization, and their own personal platform issue.
The winner of the Quality of Life Award will receive a $6,000 scholarship, the first runner-up will win a $4,000 scholarship, and the second runner-up will win a $2,000 scholarship. Winners will be announced at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 22 during the 10:30 a.m. (PST) press conference.
A new year brings new blessings! On December 28, my fiance and I along with his brothers and sisters, surprised his parents with a family photos session in celebration of their 30th wedding anniversary! (For those of you who don't know, Steve is 1 of 7!) Pictured above is my soon to be "new" family, taken at the Franklin Park Conservatory. We used our wedding photographer for these family pictures, because she's the best! I hope to post more of our engagement pics and family pics later. Don't forget to check out the promo video.I got some amazing gifts for Christmas this year, one of which is a new video camera! I'm also working on a video to give to my future mother-in-law for her birthday later this month! I'll be sure to post that too. One other wonderful gift I received from my future in-laws, is a vintage hand sewn ladybug quilt! It is absolutely beautiful and I've used it the past seven days straight!
To round out my top three best gifts this Christmas, drum roll please...I'm going back to Miss America! On Christmas Day I cried my eyes out opening a box from my mom that held the MAO competition magazine, copies of emails and flight info for...Las Vegas! This came as a big surprise but is something that I truly wanted! A chance to go back and enjoy a bit of Vegas, watch Miss America from a different point of view, reunite with MAO Class of '08 and to be able to be there to support Karissa! 
I will be in attendance for Miss Ohio 2008's Send-Off Celebration to Miss America, this Sunday! Don't forget to make it out! It will be a very enjoyable event...and I'm the emcee, I mean c'mon! Smile. Here's a link to info on Karissa's send-off.I've said it time and time again but I am truly blessed!
