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!

Colorado Springs Cinderella Pageant

This weekend, I put a lot of miles on my vehicle. It was so very worth it!! I spent Saturday in Colorado Springs supporting my friend, Michelle Wegner and her daughter Emma. It was a special treat because I also met up with my dear friend, Shannon Morgan. Both of the ladies are so genuine and caring. They truly represent the best in Pageantry!

 Congratulations to Emma who won her age division. Job well done!

Wine in the Pines 2011

This was our 10th year attending the Wine in the Pines fundraiser for Cerebral Palsy of Colorado. This years event was a James Bond Theme. Here I am in my best "Bond Girl" get up for Friday night. This night is a special night that features several courses served at the Keystone Ranch. This was always my dad's favorite part of the weekend.

Saturday night is the big party held at the Keystone Convention Center. When guests walk in the door, they are greeted by a giant mountain of chocolate and many fabulous desserts. Around the perimeter are various stations set up by local restaurants. This gives everyone a chance to try the best of the tastes of Keystone and Dillon. This night is more formal and includes a silent auction, a live auction and plenty of dancing afterward.

We attend every year as a family. (L-R) Randy Hart, Tracy Hart (sister), Scott (Hubby), myself and Sarah Buffum (mom). We now do this wonderful event in memory of my dad. When he was dying of prostate cancer nine years ago, he lived just long enough to make it to this event one last time. Within two weeks, he was gone. Love you, dad!!!

Way-FM and Secret Keeper Girl

Michelle the Producer at Way-FM Denver asked me to help out with the Secret Keeper Girl Live Tour, so of course I said, "yes!" I volunteered at the Holt International table. This is a special ministry that sponsors children waiting to be adopted. I also helped throw beach balls and launch confetti cannons. Although this event was a lot of fun, it really had a wonderful message of modesty for tween girls. It was great to see so many young girls learn that God has big plans for them and the importance of keeping their private parts secret!

Coed National Workshop

I was so honored to be asked to speak at the Colorado Coed workshop to prepare the state queens for the national pageant coming in November. I shared about interview skills, mental preparedness and that all important circle turn. This is a fabulous bunch of young ladies. Deonne (r) is a wonderful friend and dedicated to the Colorado Coed Pageant!

I am so proud of Kristen. I coached her for the Colorado Coed pageant where she won her state title. She is a busy young lady and still makes time to volunteer and prepare for nationals. She is a true queen!

Juvenile Diabetes Walk 2011

Erin has been a dear friend for years. She learned that she is a Type 1 diabetic in her early 20's. It doesn't always happen to children in spite of it being called Juvenile Diabetes. Erin is the reigning Mrs. Lakewood. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning!

Erin with her sign that reads "Did you know... Type 1 diabetes strikes people of any age". I am so proud of her for all her work with the JDR!

I just couldn't resist a picture with some Star Wars characters! They added some fun to a serious cause.

PBS Children's Fair 2011

I love PBS!!! I grew up watching PBS and so did my children. Of course I had to say "YES" when I was asked to volunteer at this years Kids Fair. I was security for Clifford and the other characters. It's tough to turn kids away and ask them to wait in line when it is for someone as cuddly as Clifford, the big red dog!

Out of the Darkness Walk 2011

I volunteered again at the 2011 Out of the Darkness Walk. This walk is to bring awareness to an often painful subject, suicide. I lost a childhood friend in college to suicide, so I walk and volunteer in memory of David. I worked the memory bracelet table.

Cabi Fall Fashion Show

I was honored to be invited to model at a local Denver CAbi show. CAbi stands for Carol Andersen by invitation. It is a wonderful home based fashion business. I LOVE these clothes and they are so reasonable and comfortable for designer clothes

Beauties of America Pageant

 I had an amazing time competing at Beauties of America. Here are the fabulous 40's at orientation. Ms. Che is the new director and she really went out of her way to make us all feel welcome and special. We even had a special crowning ceremony!

 That night was a Red Carpet event. we each were able to walk the red carpet and even were interviewed on camera! This was followed by a gourmet meal. What a special night.

 Tamera is the outgoing America's 40's queen. She announced her retirement from pageant competing. We'll see.

 Here I am, ready for interview. The interviews were fun. We were able to choose if we would stand or sit. There were two panels that were made up of five judges. I chose to stand to try something different. I really liked it. I left feeling confident that I had connected with the judges.

 Immediately after interviews, we were given t-shirts that have the BoA logo on them and were whisked away to a fabulous lunch at La Madeline. After that, we had limos take us to the Wounded Warrior home where we had a full tour. It was so neat to see Boy Scout Popcorn set out in basket for our Veterans to enjoy. From there we headed to Morgan's Playground, a special place for children of all abilities.

Here I am, ready for opening number. Each age group had a different color to choose your own style of dress. I borrowed this from my dear friend, Erin.

 My favorite part of any pageant is the evening gown portion. I bought this dress from Ashley Rene's and then I personally customized it. I love my Stefanie Somers earrings that were custom made for my gown!

 Waiting back stage for the judges to tabulate their votes. The beauty in white was my roommate, Margaret. She was so much fun and now I have a wonderful new friend.

 Congratulations to Carolyn, Beauties of America's 40's. I am so proud to be her first runner up! She is already doing an amazing job with her new title.

 We had a breakfast on Sunday morning to hand out awards that hadn't been awarded the night before and to debrief after the pageant. It was so wonderful to finally get a chance to catch up with my friend, Deborah, BoA 50's 2010.

 My wonderful, Facebook friend, Christine, drove down to San Antonio to cheer me on. After the pageant, she took me to see the River Walk. You may recognize the stage behind me as the one used in Miss Congeniality. What a special way to end a wonderful pageant weekend!

Queens Farewell

Today was the farewell luncheon held in honor of Tanya Kirby (L), Mrs. Colorado Galaxy and myself. It was such an honor to have so many wonderful ladies come, both young and younger.

The fabulous Erin put this brunch together for us. She is Mrs. Colorado Galaxy 2009. I had a wonderful year with her making appearances.

International sister queen, Jamie, was there to wish us well. She is so thoughtful. Now that she is married, I wonder if I can get her to compete again.

Michelle Wegner, Mrs. United America, has been a terrific friend and we have made a lot of appearances together. It was so special to have her there along with her daughter, Emma.

Client, fellow queen and, most importantly, friend!!! Good luck at Galaxy International next week, Tanya!

Mt. Sherman

Last Sunday, my husband and I climbed Mt. Sherman. It is one of over 50 mountains with it's peak above 14000 feet. These mountains are called 14ers and I am a proud member of the 14er club. I really beleive that the song, "Rocky Mountain High", must have been written at the top of one of the incredible mountains!

This is the view from one side of the mountain looking down on the town of Leadville. It is breathtaking!!

This is one of the meadow with all the mountain flowers in bloom. They bloomed late this year because of all the snow we have had. Just beautiful!!! This is why I love climbing 14ers!

Colorado NAM 2011

Congratulating Abi on her win in her division at the Colorado National American Miss Pageant. I have watched her compete in numerous pageants over the past few years. I will say this much about Abi, she is fearless!!! I love that about her!

It was wonderful seeing the Ashleys. You may recognize the Ashley on the left from a previous post where she won first runner up at MAOT. The middle Ashley I met at the Colorado International pageant the year I competed. She did a great job as a NAM queen!

Yes, it looks like the theme for the night was black, white and blue. Here I am congratulating client, Chloe, on her win as Miss Colorado Jr. Teen NAM along with Michelle, who is Mrs. United America.

Congratulations to Chloe on all her trophies and winning her division. It was such a pleasure working with her. She is a hard worker and learns quickly. Good luck at Nationals this November!

Miss Colorado Pageant 2011

I attended the Miss Colorado Pageant with two of my dear International friends. Jamie (L) was Miss Colorado International 2009 the same year I was Mrs. Colorado International. We made appearances and attended nationals together. Brie (R) was the first runner up to Jamie at Colorado International that same year. It was so wonderful catching up with both of these special ladies.

I was finally able to congratulate pageant client, Kristen, on her win at Miss Colorado Coed. She is the newly crowned Miss Colorado Coed. This was only her second appearance. I am so excited for her and the year ahead.

 Ashley was first runner up at MAOT. I have known Ashley for a couple of year both through pageantry and through my son who attends the same high school. She is genuine and giving. Her true beauty radiates from the inside out.

Fundraiser for Ashley

I had a wonderful time at the fundraiser for pageant client, Ashley. She is Jr Miss Colorado-World Teen. It was held at a fabulous barbecue place where I ate far too much yummy food. She also held a silent auction. It was a great evening and a great excuse to get my husband to take me out to dinner. Good luck at nationals, Ashley!!!

Road Trips, Cadillacs and Other Distractions

Click on the link to see my latest article at All Things Diva!!!

 I was honored to be invited by Angela Breidenbach to judge the inaugural America's Super Ms pageant in Hamilton, MT.

 Kathy Lauer, Beauties of America 50's was also on hand to judge. It was so wonderful getting to know her.

 This was the panel of judges: (L-R) Kathy, Myself, Angela, Nikki, Lindsey and Lonie. What a wonderful group of women!

 Couldn't resist a picture with this beautiful crown!

 Janet started this pageant to spread the word about buckle your seatbelt after loosing her daughter in a car accident. She is an amazingly strong woman and very organized. This was one of the best run pageants I have ever attended!

 Each of these women is so passionate about their platform as well as seatbelt safety! They have an exciting year ahead of them.