5 THINGS TO PACK IN YOUR REHEARSAL BAG AND 1 SURPRISING THING TO LEAVE BEHIND

It’s finally the big weekend. You are feeling confident and ready. Besides your shoes for rehearsal, you’ll need to pack these 5 essential things in your bag and leave this one thing in your room.

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Miss Teen American Dream

Congratulations to my client, Morgan for being crowned Miss Teen American Dream on August 18th! Although we worked completely by Skype, she worked very hard. Her mother and she did all her own hair and makeup, so they didn't spend a fortune. She even wore a dress she already owned for interview. I am so proud of her efforts. By the way, this was Morgan's first pageant.

Colorado National American Miss

The Colorado National American Miss Pageant was held the weekend of June 29th through July 2nd. I am so proud of all my clients who competed that weekend!

In the Princess division, Andrea Davis made top 10. Pictured is Lyora Williams who won first runner up and numerous awards in the optionals competition.

 In the Pre-Teen division, Ashley Berry won second runner up and numerous awards in the optionals competition. Alisha Davis placed in the top 15.

 My clients in the Jr. Teen division, Taylor Stordahl (L) was third runner up and Elizabeth Wheelwright was fourth runner up along with numerous awards in the optionals.

I am so proud of my clients, Chloe Brown who was Miss Jr. Teen Colorado NAM and Kerry Ann Kelly who was Miss Teen Colorado NAM! Both young ladies placed in the top 10 at nationals last Thanksgiving in Disney Land. Both are amazing and I can't wait to see what they do next.

United America Pageant

The weekend of June 22nd through June 24th found me competing in the Classic division of the United America Pageant. I am so honored to have been chosen for the Ms United America Classic title. This is a wonderful pageant that has both down time and activities so I left feeling refreshed.

The pageant began with check in where we received our state banners. Because you may compete in more than one division, only our states are listed. I am pictured here with the fabulous, Mrs. Colorad United America, Amanda Palmer.

Friday evening was the cocktail meet and greet. It was wonderful getting to meet so many of the ladies who would be competing with me that weekend.

Tim Kretschmann, of the Pageant Cast was on hand to take pictures and interview the contestants to be released later in the year.

Interview was a 5 minute, panel style. The judges were so nice and genuinely interested in what I had to say. I can honestly say I had fun! Interview is 40% of our final score.

Saturday evening was the riverboat cruise. It was beautiful and a relaxing way to get to know the contestants better.

Of course, we had our silly moments, like this classic Titanic picture with Amanda Palmer and Autumn Stinnett, from Texas.

Michele Sharpe and I have competed in three different pageants together. She is an amazing lady! Here we are, ready for opening number. Immediately after opening number, we each had a moment in the spotlight with a one minute introduction which was 10% of our score.

Ready to rock the runway in fun fashion which is 25% of our score! Sheila Berthelsen was the outgoing Classic queen and was now competing in the Elite division. She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

Evening gown is my favorite part of any competition and 25% of our score. I am wearing a custom gown by Frankie Couture and custom earrings by Stefanie Sommers. I truly felt like a queen. Thank you Frankie and Stefanie.

Even though she is tired, Miss Annette, our director, is still beautiful! She put on a first class pageant that was even streamed live on the internet. So many amazing women have held titles and competed in the United America Pageant. Check out their website for more information. http://www.unitedamericapageant.com/

Miss Colorado America 2012

 Congratulations to my client,  Geimi De Large, for her third runner up placement at Miss Colorado this year!

Congratulations also to client Kristen Schubert for making top 15! I am so proud of you both!

Miss USA 2012

Congratulations to my client, Marybel Gonzales, Miss Colorado USA on her top 10 finish!!! It was such an honor to attend the Miss USA pageant this year. It was a great show and Marybel represented Colorado with style, grace and a little sass.

 Friday night I attended a red carpet event that included many of the former Miss USA contestants.

 I attended with my dear friend, Tina Hayes who is the reigning Ms. Lady American Dream.

 JJ Smith who is a fellow pageant coach sponsored this fun event that included a cat walk contest.

 The beautiful Blair Griffith, Miss Colorado USA 2011 was on hand to share in the festivities.

 I had the honor of meeting Mac Duggal, the amazing pageant gown designer. I even bought one of his cocktail dresses to wear to Miss USA.

I also had the privilege of meeting Carl Dunn, the CEO of Pageantry Magazine. We actually discussed Boy Scouts since his sons are active in it.

At Miss USA in my Mac Duggal cocktail representing my current title of Ms Colorado Classic United America. 

Expert Pageant Writer

I am honored and excited to announce that I am now an expert writer for The Pageant Planet. I look forward to sharing my thoughts, tips and inspiration and even the occasional interview. My articles will be published each Tuesday. To get all these great articles, simply sign on to The Pageant Planet and sign up. Once you have created your profile, you will have access to all the great benefits. I hope you enjoy my articles. Here's to your connecting with the crown!

Miss Colorado Coed 2012

I was so proud of all my clients this past weekend at the Colorado Miss American Coed Pageant! Several young ladies won or placed, but even if they didn't, I am still so proud that they each did their best!

I am so proud of my clients who are the outgoing queens. Kristen did a wonderful job as Miss Colorado Coed! She was a great roll model for all the younger queens.

Ashley has grown into such a beautiful and kind young lady. She did an amazing job as Miss Colorado Teen. She even inspired her younger sister as she competed this year.

I just love and I am so proud of all these young ladies. I have known them all for years. Even though Alina (Center Right) is not one of my personal clients, she has attended my workshops and taken diligent notes from everyone she meets. She is also a beautiful young lady, inside and out.

Ashley has been my client for over a year now. I am so proud of her 4th place in the Pre-Teen division. It was one of the toughest age groups! She was not only an amazing competitor but a true example of good sportsmanship.

Remember I said that Ashley inspired her sister? Well, here she is! Galacia was crowned Miss Centennial State Sweetheart! She worked really hard this year and it paid off!

If ever there was an example of persistence it would be embodied in this young lady. This was her 10th year competing in the Coed system. Although she made queen's quart in previous years, she had not won. She had one coaching session with me and took first runner up. This year she purchase one of my packages. Her hard work and dedication paid off with the crown! I am pleased to present your Miss Colorado Coed, Bekah!

Cyber Monday Sale

I am offering a 10% discount on my already discounted coaching packages on all packages purchased at any time during Monday, November 28th (MST) Just enter the code "Cyber" in the comment section when you purchase your package on my Pageant Coaching page. Why not give the gift of confidence to your favorite pageant competitor? I will send you a gift certificate if this will be a present. (Does not apply to previously purchased packages and can not be combined with a previously purchased package)

Miss Denver

I attended the Miss Denver Pageant to support my client, Lindsay. She represented herself well. I look forward to seeing her compete in her next pageant. She has a real fire inside!

My friend, Lori, was on hand to cheer on Lindsay. It was wonderful seeing her again.

Kristi had the difficult job of judging the pageant. I am glad I didn't have her job! Her daughter, Rylee, was on hand to support all her Miss Colorado sisters.

Miss CO High School and Collegiate 2011

I had a wonderful time attending the Miss Colorado High School and Collegiate Pageant with my sister queen and Miss Colorado International 2009, Emily and her mom, Joy. It was so wonderful to catch up with them both. 

Chelsi did an amazing job during her reign. I look forward to seeing what she will do next. I am sure that what ever she chooses, she will do it with all her heart!

I managed to catch up with Jamie after the pageant. She even looks great in a track suit! What a special lady!

It was fun to watch Micayla compete. She did a great job. I am so proud of my friend!

Our Little Miss Pageant

I had the honor of emceeing the Our Little Miss Pageant. I am pictured here with some of the amazing women who helped make this pageant a success, including Judi Sugar who is pictured second from the left.

Between the casual wear and the party wear I had the opportunity to interview two reigning queens who were there as judges. Shannon Morgan, (L) is the reigning Mrs. Colorado United States. She competed for the title of Mrs. United States this past summer where she received the Mrs. Congeniality award. Her other good news upon arriving home from the pageant was that she is expecting her first child. I also interviewed E-Dee Martin (R), who is the reigning Ms Galaxy. She also competed over the summer. It is so wonderful to have another national titleholder from our amazing state!

Shannon (C) and Tiffany Rice (R) are two of my best friends in pageantry and in life. Tiffany is an amazing photographer and did my head shot that is pictured on my blog. For more information about her wonderful photography, please visit her site at http://tiffanyjude.com/

Miss Colorado USA 2011

I attended the Miss Colorado USA Pageant to support the amazing young women who compete in this system. Congratulations to my client, Marybel Gonzales, the newly crowned Miss Colorado USA!!! I am so proud of you! You are a special young lady with a wonderful story to share.

Of course, every winner has an amazing team behind them. Angelique (L),her sister, was her stylist and her mom (R) was there to support her every step of the way.

The passing of the crown is always bittersweet. Blair has done such an amazing job and I want to congratulate her on becoming Glamour Magazines top 20 women in America!

Congratulations to Victoria Korthuis, who received the honor of 3rd runner up for Miss Teen Colorado USA! Although she is not my client, I have known this young lady for several years. She is a wonderful and gracious competitor.

 Ashley Schuett attends the same high school that my children attend. I have watched her grow and mature over the past few years. Her heart is huge!

Micayla Keely is a fun pageant girl! She loves to try new experiences and is pretty much fearless. I wish her the best of luck at her pageant this month! Watch for all these fabulous young ladies in the future!