Fairview High School 9 Health Fair

I met up with my sister queens from the Teen World and Coed Pageant systems at the Fairview High School 9 Health Fair. I love getting to see these young women and keep up with all they are doing.

We work with Chaplain Rourk of the Civil Air Patrol to educate students about "better things to do than drugs" By High School, most teens know what to do. It is always reassuring to hear them share creative ideas on how to handle stress.

I have been so blessed by knowing Chaplain Rourk. He has been such a part of my year as Mrs. Colorado International. I wish him the best of luck!

Studio A

On Tuesday night I had the opportunity to stop by Adrienne's studio, Studio A. She was teaching a modeling class when we walked in. These young ladies were reciting a positive affirmation poem. Afterwards, I was asked to speak to these incredible teens. These future leaders of America certainly are going to rock our country. Each one of them has a terrific future!

Adrienne Carver, Mrs. Maryland International, 2009 and myself. She was the one contestant I was the most intimidated by since she is a "triple crown" queen. That was silly of me. We have since become close friends and she is one of my biggest cheer leaders. I have learned never to be "star struck" by someone. We are all people and the ones we are most afraid of may one day be our closest friend!

What an honor to get to know these two beautiful queens. I am hoping to get back to Maryland in the near future and work with them again as I work on my next big project. Stay tuned!

Queens Lunch Annapolis, MD

On Tuesday of my trip to VA/MD I had lunch with some amazing Queens. LaQuisha, Mrs. Maryland Galaxy  and I were joined by Ginny Meerman, Mrs. Maryland United States and Ashley Heslop. Miss Teen Johnstown International.

Getting to meet Ginny was so wonderful. She shared about her plans for the upcoming year over lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. There is no stopping this woman when she sets her mind on something. Good luck with all your endeavors!

Since we were already at the Annapolis Mall, LaQuisha and I couldn't resist a little shoe shopping. No, this isn't her shoe closet, but I understand it could be. :)

Teen Leadership Summit, MD

I was finally able to meet one of my dear facebook friends, LaQuisha Hall, Mrs. Maryland Galaxy,  at a Teen Leadership Summit in Baltimore, MD. We have become so close over the past year or so. She is an amazing young woman with so much to give.

I was able to catch up with my International Sister Queen, Adrienne Carver, Mrs. Maryland International. I had the honor of meeting the beautiful Montressa Williams, Ms. Maryland Galaxy. These women were all speakers encouraging today's teen women to make good choices.

These two young ladies are fine examples of the teens who attended this event. From where I stand, the future looks bright!

Mrs. VA Int Pageant

I attended the Virginia International Pageant with my dear facebook friend, Ashley. We had a wonderful time!

I caught up with Deanna Linz, Mrs. Alabama International 2009. She also participated by singing a song during the pageant.

There were several local Teen title holders on hand to cheer everyone on. Their pageant will be held later this spring.

Maria Beall won first runner up. Way to go!

The beautiful Rebecca Crosen won "most photogenic". It is easy to see why.

The lovely Juliana McKee, Miss Teen District of Columbia, 2009 was on hand to cheer for her sister.

Jennifer Phillips, Mrs. Virginia International, 2009 (L) and Joy Pfister, Mrs. Virginia International 2008 represented their state beautifully.

It was so wonderful to see my dear friend Adrienne Carver, Mrs. Maryland International 2009 again. We got to know each other at nationals last summer and have become great friends.

And the winners are: Angel McCoy (C), Mrs. Maryland International 2010 and Heather Thompson (L), Mrs. Virginia International 2010.

Solance Hair Studio Grand Opening

Brie Hawk invited me to attend the grand opening for her new salon, Solance Hair Studio. I had the privilege of meeting her when I competed for Mrs. Colorado International. She represented Westminster in the Miss division. It has been an honor to get to know her and I look forward to following her many successes in the years to come.

Miss Colorado High School America Pageant

I attended the Miss Colorado High School America Pageant. I sat with Joy who is Emily Schlehuber's Mom. Emily is our Miss Teen Colorado International 2009.

Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss Colorado High School America, Annika. She has a lot of preparation for Nationals to be held in Branson, MO in March. Good Luck!

After the pageant, I had the opportunity to catch up with Christine Warembourg, Mrs. Colorado International 2006 and Mrs. Colorado United States 2007. She is a wonderful sister queen, friend and also Emily's pageant coach.

Christine and I were so proud of Emily! She made top 10!

There was a large group of visiting queens. Many of these young ladies I have had the privilege of meeting and working with them and Chaplain Rourk. We have a wonderful network of queens all making a difference for Colorado.

Super School News 30th Anniversary

I was a greeter for the Rocky Mountain PBS Super School News 30th reunion. This was a celebration of 30 years of this wonderful program that incorporates 5th and 6th graders with the station to produce a 2 minute program that airs four times a day. What a great way to teach kids about broadcasting.

There was a lot of memorabilia around the station. There were photographs of students and where they are now including one who went on to the Naval Academy. That was special for me since my husband graduated from the Academy.

This is me on the set for Super School New. I think I look pretty good behind the desk. Maybe I have a future in broadcasting?

This is one of the more recent students that did Super School News. I even met some people who did it back in the 1980's and were now bringing their children to see it. This is a wonderful outreach to the Elementary Schools.

St. Louis Catholic School Health Fair

When I arrived at the 9 Health Fair for St. Louis Catholic School, a group of girls were coming to the Civil Air Patrol Booth. When they saw my crown and banner, they just had to try them on. They are so cute! Maybe the future Miss America or Miss USA is pictured here today. "Dream Big" I always tell them.

Erin Feltes, Mrs. Colorado Galaxy was on hand to help tell the kids about "better things to do than drugs". She is a beautiful young lady with so much to give to our community. I am always blessed by our time together.

I was invited by Chaplain Rourk. We traded "hats" for this picture. I'm not sure I would want to wear his for very long. He is a wonderful mentor and roll model.

These "crash dummies" were walking around reminding everyone to "buckle up". Car seats and booster seats are so important. My family was in a horrible car wreck in 2005. My son who was in a booster seat actually walked away without any injuries, while the rest of us sustained injuries including my middle son who suffered a skull fracture. For more information go to Safe Kids Denver.

Grand Junction Bridal Show

My wonderful director, Cindy Harwood, for the Colorado International Pageants, invited me to attend the Grand Junction Bridal Show. After all, I do represent the married women of Colorado. Cindy and her husband own Dream Catchers Photography Studio in Montrose, CO.

Getting to spend the day with Roni Bibb, Mrs. Colorado International 2010 was the icing on the cake, Wedding Cake of course. She is beautiful even with her eyes closed!

Snow Sculptures Breckenridge, CO

I attended the Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, CO. It was warm for snow sculptures and many of them were already showing the effects of the bright Colorado sun. Nonetheless, they were breathtaking and and an amazing display of artistry.

The beautiful Roni Bibb, Mrs. Colorado International 2010 joined me for the afternoon of picture taking and signing autographs. I always love spending time with her. Roni has a wonderful way of making each person feel special.

We stopped in to the D'Vine Wine Tasting Room. Pete Baldwin of Naked Pete was setting up to be the entertainment for the evening.

The owners of D'Vine Wine actually are on site to customize your experience. If you are ever interested in hosting a fundraiser, they would love to help you. I know I will be calling them again.

Arrow of Light/ Crossover Ceremony

As you know by now if you have been following my blog with any regularity, Boy Scouts of America is my platform. Recently, my den had its Arrow of Light and Crossover Ceremony. The Arrow of Light is the highest award a Cub Scout can receive. It is one of only two awards that can be worn on a Boy Scout or adult leader uniform once earned. Here I am receiving my thank you gift for my years of service as a Cub Scout leader.

Grey Wolf lead the ceremony along with Dancing Doe and Sleeping Bear. Although this ceremony is very important, they kept it light with stories and quips.

Story telling is still the best way to pass information from one generation to the next. Grey Wolf had the youngest Scouts called Tiger Scouts sit behind the Webelos 2s so that they could remember and pass along the story of "stones in the water".

Grey Wolf lit the flame of worthiness. Each boy would have his arrow pass through the flame to see if they were worthy to receive the arrow of light and cross over to Boy Scouts.

We first tested Kelly Willard's arrow. Kelly is our Cub Master. Would his arrow burn through meaning he still had work left to do in the pack, or would it stay in tact indicating he was ready to move on? Sorry, Kelly, it burned through. You must stay another year as Cub Master.

Grey wolf looked deep into Matt's eyes to see if he is worthy to have his arrow pass through the flame.

Matt and Sleeping Bear hold the arrow over the flame.

Sleeping Bear inspects the arrow. It has not burned through and Matthew is worthy of the the Arrow of Light Award.

I am so proud of my Den 4, Pack 175 boys. All of them received the Arrow of Light Award. It has been a long journey to get to this point, but it has been so worth it. These young men give me hope for a bright future.

I am so proud of Matt. I will look back on these years as a Cub Scout leader as time invested in our country and the future of America.