I then drove to Miami to meet with the Everglades Foundation to discuss our exciting plans for the upcoming months. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a spokesperson for them this year, especially being a ninth generation Floridian, putting my efforts towards the restoration of our Florida Everglades is vital. I can't wait to see what great things our partnership will bring for the Everglades Foundation. To find out how you can help, please visit: http://www.evergladesfoundation.org/
Later in the week, I met with Stacie Blake and Jessica Esteves of Community Tampa Bay in St.Petersburg. I shared with them my mission and personal story regarding my platform, Stop Bullying Now! During the month of October, we are working on PSA's and also the Youth Conference, as well as other anti-bullying initiatives. Please visit their website: http://www.communitytampabay.org/.
With Stacie and Jessica of Community Tampa Bay.The following day, I attended the Vincent Lecavalier Foundation Celebrity Poker Tournament to benefit the Vincent Lecavalier Foundation and All Children's Hospital in St.Petersburg. I had a wonderful time greeting guests and taking photos with a few of the Tampa Bay Lightning players and many of the other celebrities that attended. It was wonderful seeing one of the 2010 Miss Florida Judges and former Tampa Bay Buccanneer, Ryan Nece. It was great to catch up and hear about the recent successful events of his foundation. It was a fantastic event with great people for an even greater cause. Please visit: http://www.vinny4.com/ and http://www.ryannece56.com/. Thank you to Bill and Kim Doniel for traveling with me to the tournament!
Next, I traveled to Orlando to work at an IT Outsourcing Convention for three days, with the wonderful people of Stefanini. It was such a great experience to listen and learn from individuals who had such business savvy and words of wisdom to share with me. Thank you to Stefanini for an incredible and fun-filled opportunity.
Next, I traveled to New York City for a few days working on preparation for Miss America. While I was there, I had lunch with Shauna Pender, Miss Florida 2003! I have idolized Shauna growing up and it was very surreal to be spending time with such a legendary and phenomenal woman. Thank you Shauna for a FUN afternoon! :)As soon as I returned home from New York, I attended the Miss Florida Franchise Meeting held at The University of Central Florida! I was so happy to be on the UCF campus again, although it felt strange not to be walking to class with a book bag and laptop in my arms! I can't begin to say how wonderful it was so see the local directors of Florida. We appreciate them so very much and all that they do for the young women of our state. I had the pleasure of speaking to them and informing them of where my travels had taken me and give them an update of my Miss America preparations. As soon as I left the meeting, I walked down Greek Park Drive and spoke at my sorority's weekly New Member meeting to talk to all of the new young women of our chapter. I spoke to them about leadership and what wonderful opportunities Tri-Delta had given me throughout my collegiate years and how vital it is to take advantage of them. They are such a beautiful and bright group of ladies. Thank you to Brittany and Annie for allowing me to visit with PC '10! Below is a photo of myself and my Grandlittles, Lindsay and Melissa (who I had seen for the first time when I walked into the meeting!)
The following day, Mary and I anxiously awaited for the 2011 Miss America Contestant Lottery! I was thrilled when I was called fourth to pick my placement, and received the exact spot I was hoping for. Remember: Group- Sigma... Number-8..... Tuesday AM: Interview....Tuesday Preliminary: Swimsuit and Evening Gown.... Wednesday Preliminary: Talent...... Thursday Preliminary: On-Stage Question.... Woo-hoo!
Waiting for the lottery to begin.......
The next day, I traveled to Plant City to Tomlin Middle School, where I attended middle school. I was excited to attend Rachel's Challenge and speak to many of the students and parents that attended. Rachel Scott, was the first student to be killed in the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School. Her uncle, Larry Scott conducted the presentation and travels the country promoting Rachel's Challenge. This program encourages students to be kind, understanding and helpful to others. It was an honor to speak with Mr.Scott about Rachel and my platform as well. Tomlin also launched a new club, Chain Links that is supported by the PTSA to build character and deter bullying! It was incredible to be able to make a difference by spreading such an important message. Thank you to Diana Lott for inviting me and to Larry Scott for continuing to be such an inspiration across our nation. Let's all being a chain reaction of kindness in our own communities! Visit. http://www.rachelschallenge.org/
With members of the Tomlin Middle School PTSA.
Next, I traveled to Miami for an open house event at Equinox in Coral Gables. Equinox has been an incredible sponsor and I was more than excited to be able to attend the event, that even featured a bellydancer! Thank you to Tom Kreiger who has been such a great supporter of the Miss Florida Organization. Equinox is absolutely fabulous and they have fitness facilities around the country! Visit http://www.equinox.com/!
Thank you Tom Krieger, for your generosity!
My next stop was Orlando to shoot with the fabulous Deanna Meredith for crowining and publicity shots. I am so happy with the amazing looks that Deanna was able to capture! Gina Lamm provided Hair and Make-up, which could not have looked better! Thank you so very much to Deanna and Gina for a GREAT day! http://www.deannameredith.com/
Mary and I leaving Deanna's studio in my fabulous CAMARO provided by STINGRAY CHEVROLET in Plant City, Florida!That Tuesday, I attended an official BullyBusters of Hillsborough County meeting. While I was there, I had the pleasure of meeting many of the parents and kids that attended and was also given the opportunity to share my personal experiences with bullying. It is such a wonderful feeling to spread a message of hope and strength to the children and awareness to the parents. Thank you to Commissioner Rose Ferlita for beginning this wonderful and impactful program.
With Commissioner Rose Ferlita in my official BullyBusters t-shirt!
The next day, I was so excited to visit Knights Elementary to give them a Stop Bullying Now! presentation! I was pleasantly suprised at how well behaved the kids were, they were extremely attentive! I gave a presentation to 2nd and 3rd grade and another presentation to 4th and 5th grade, and had a blast interacting with each assembly and answering their (sometimes hysterical) questions :) After my presentations, I read to the 1st grade and under students, and they were just precious! I loved spending time with them and even showed a class how to put a crown on and they were so enthralled :) I had a fantastic time. Thank you to Mari Wilensky for allowing me to visit Knights!
Later that evening, I drove to St.Petersburg for a Rick Baker celebration at the Mahaffey Theater! It was wonderful to see Mr.Baker along with his beautiful family, a few of the St.Pete Council Members, and Mayor Bill Foster. It was an honor to be there and celebrate Mr.Baker's position with the University of South Florida! He was even presented with a USF Bulls T-shirt and sported it throughout the evening.
With the inspirational Rick Baker..jpg)
With friend and Mayor of St.Petersburg, Bill FosterThe next day, I was back at the Mahaffey Theater for the 3rd annual Curtain Call event! This was extremely special, as they give the audience a preview of each show coming to the Mahaffey during the year. The Miss Florida Pageant was one of the events featured and I was introduced onstage to speak about our partnership with the Mahaffey and the City of St.Petersburg. We are so thankful to call St.Pete the home of the Miss Florida Pageant. Thank you to Bill and Kim Doniel for attending with me.
Sitting in the audience of the Mahaffey where I was crowned. It was certainly a change to be sitting in the audience seats!The following day, I drove to the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando for the 2010 Florida Statewide Substance Abuse Preventions Conference. The theme of the conference was "Different Roles, Common Goals, Advancing Prevention, Empowering Lives", which parallels with my platform, Stop Bullying Now! Director of the Florida Office of Drug Control, Bruce Grant hosted the awards ceremony where I had the honor of sitting at the head table with other VIP guests including Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp. It was a pleasure to hear him speak and remind all of us that we will make a tremendous impact on our communities in preventing drug abuse. I was introduced and able to share my platform with the individuals in attendance, which is always a wonderful feeling. I handed out awards to the leaders in prevention and even recieved an award myself. Mr.Grant presented me with a Florida Office of Drug Control Who's Who in Prevention award for my service and dedication to prevention in Florida, working to protect youth and strengthen families and communities. What an honor! Thank you to Brooks Rumenik and Senta Goudy for inviting me and assisting me at the conference, I had a wonderful time!
With Lieutenant Governor of Florida, Jeff Kottkamp
Receiving my Florida Office of Drug Control Who's Who in Prevention award.
Sitting at the head table with the other VIP guests.
With King William (that's his real name!) a new friend and prevention leader!After the conference, I headed immediately to South Florida for the Crosby, Stills and Nash concert at the Hard Rock Resort and Casino. I attended on behalf of the Everglades Foundation and promoted the foundation at the front of the venue as fans arrived at the show. I had such a wonderful time with Richard and Vivian creating awareness for the Everglades as well as the Miss America Organization. While we were there, we were lucky enough to be invited backstage! Below are a couple photos from the evening.
The next day, I modeled for Juan Carlos Pinera at a beautiful "Cirque" themed benefit for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami. I had such a blast getting my hair and make-up done for this event! It was pretty wild, I must say, but looked great with the theme! It was a successful evening for St.Jude and Juan Carlos' designs looked incredible on each of the models. St. Jude is the philanthropy for my sorority, Tri-Delta, so this cause is very near and dear to me, I was thrilled to be a part of it. Below are photos of my "hot Cirque look" for the evening!
The next afternoon, I attended the Miss Florida Teen USA Pageant with Mary and Carry O'Neal of Regalia. It was a nice feeling to be in the audience and cheer for my friends that were competing. It was stiff competition but each contestant shined beautifully! Congratulations to Mikyle Crockett! Below is a photo with one of my good friends and Miss Lakeland Teen USA, Jordan Weaver, who was absolutely stunning that evening!
REMEMBER: Your Miss America ticket orders will be due at the beginning of November, please e-mail the Miss Florida Organization for ticket information.
Another reminder of my competition lineup:
Group Sigma #8
Tuesday AM- Interview
Tuesday Preliminary- Swimsuit and Evening Gown
Wednesday Preliminary- Talent
Thursday Preliminary- On-stage Question
That is all for now, everyone. I will keep you updated, as October is in full swing and Miss America is right around the corner! :)
Best Wishes,
Jaclyn
