Platform Reflections

While thinking about my platform and the upcoming Pageant next week, I have been reflecting on how blessed I have been this year to get to speak with so many elementary and middle school aged students. Promoting Operation Fit Kids and speaking to students about the importance of a healthy diet, exercise, and getting enough sleep. Thank you to all of the teachers at Shepard Elementary, Russell Blvd Elementary, Rock Bridge Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Mill Creek Elementary and Gentry Middle School who graciously allowed me to come into your 20 + classrooms to speak to more than 600 children about my platform.

Thank you to my dance studio for giving me time to speak with parents about how important their influence is on children and supporting their kids by providing fun ways for them to stay fit.

Thank you to my fabulous 14 friends at Rock Bridge High School who volunteered their time to come out and spend their Saturday showing 60 young children how much fun that fitness can be. I couldn't have done this event without you!

I plan to continue promoting Operation Fit Kids in the upcoming year and hope I can reach even more parents and children who will embrace the benefits of practicing a fit lifestyle.

Fitness Fun Day Participants and Volunteers

Preview Party

Megan, Jacqueline, Mary, Brittney, Maddie, Randall, Rachel

Miss Chesterfield Valley and Miss Chesterfield Valley OT 2014

Today my local pageant directors held a preview wardrobe showing for us at Lindenwood University.  Here's a Preview of the dresses that we will be wearing for the opening number!  The Miss Missouri/Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen Pageant Prelims start in just 9 days, on June 4th, 2014. The Teen winner will be crowned on June 6th and the Miss on June 7th. Come on over to Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri to see us compete! Tickets can be purchased through the Mexico Missouri Chamber of Commerce or at the door.

Thank you to my fabulous pageant directors, Pawnee Stathem, Lauren Ryan, and Keitt Stathem for all you have done to prepare us this year with mock interviews, talent rehearsals, walking lessons, and fitness prep. We sincerely appreciate your time and all that you have done for us! 

Women's and Children's Hospital Go Girl Run

I was so happy today to be able to volunteer with my friend Rontayza for the MU Women's and Children's Hospital Go Girl Run 5K and 1/2 marathon.  There were over 1,000 participants from all over the country and it was so exciting getting to see women put fitness first and take care of themselves. Women are usually guilty of taking care of everyone else before themselves and it was good to see all of the families there cheering them on. I saw moms carrying toddlers, pushing strollers, running with their children and even running while pregnant over the finish line after the 13.1 mile 1/2 marathon!

I was so excited to support one of my teachers from 6th and 7th grade, Molly Froidl, as she completed her first 5K. She has made fitness a priority in her life in the last couple of years and we talked about how it had improved her health and her relationships with her children and husband.  This just reinforced to me how important my platform, Operation Fit Kids is, and how much influence parents have in shaping fitness as a lifestyle for their children.

My Boyfriend's Back

That was the name of the song my Jazz 1 class performed to today at the 5th of 5 Columbia Performing Arts Centre recitals for the weekend. Hard to believe this season is over! It was a great year sharing my love of dance with these girls. I hope to see them again next year!

Where does a dancer go after recital? Andy's, of course! I ran into Whitney at Andy's after our recital.

Hair Practice

Thanks to the lovely Reba for helping me practice my pageant hair today! One more thing to check off the list to preparing for Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen. Just 20 days until MMOT 2014 is crowned!

Fairview Elementary Fifth Graders - Graduation!

Congratulations to these soon to be graduating Fairview Elementary Fifth graders. They were one of my favorite classes that I got to speak with this year promoting my platform "Operation Fit Kids". Thank you to Mrs. Hummel, Mr. Earls, Mrs. Lusby, and Mrs. Wilcoxson for letting me visit all of your classes and spend some time with your special kids!

24/7 Dance Convention in Dallas

This weekend I was privileged to attend the 24/7 Dance Convention in Dallas! I spent Saturday in training with some famous choreographers including Twitch and Sonya Tayeh from So You Think You Can Dance. That evening, I competed in my 7 group dances from CPAC from 4:00 - 10:30. We were back up and dancing on Sunday morning at 8am for another day of training with some really great choreographers! 11 classes and 7 dances in 48 hours. This was a HUGE convention, and I was fortunate enough to be picked for a finalist in the Non-Stop Dancer Award. I'm ready for a little rest and then we're ready for recital next weekend!

Fitness Fun Day Revisted

I've been working with all of the photos we took at Fitness Fun Day and put a short video together highlighting the fun that everyone had. Thanks to the 60 kids and 20 volunteers that turned out to help make the event such a great success in promoting my platform of Operation Fit Kids as well as raising money for MU Children's Hospital.  I've shared it on YouTube so everyone can enjoy. If you were there, see if you can spot yourself in the video! I hope to have another Fitness Fun Day soon!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU_239tZQp8