Osmond Performance

I was so excited to be able to perform my Miss Missouri talent at the Andy Williams Moon River Theater in Branson this weekend before the Osmond's show. I was also honored to be able to meet a few of the Osmond Brothers. Many years ago, their family started the Osmond Foundation, raising money for children, the Foundation evolved into the Children's Miracle Network and has raised over 7 billion dollars for 170 Children's Hospitals across the US and Canada!  Since Children's Miracle Network has become a cause that is near and dear to my heart, it was especially touching that I could meet some of the Osmond family.

Memorial Day Thank You

Memorial Day is our American holiday to remember and be thankful for those who have fought for the freedom of our country. I have been fortunate to meet many veterans in the past few years through my work with the Mid Missouri Honor Flight and at other events as well. My Grandpa Larry is also a veteran of the Vietnam War and I am thankful for what he has done for our country. Here are some pictures of some of the Veterans I have met. Happy Memorial Day!

Dance Talent

Talent is a very important portion of competition in the Miss America pageant.  I must say, the talent portion is what drew me to do pageants in the first place!  Dance has been an important part of my life since I was 3 years old.  Not only is dance a great way to exercise, but it is also an amazing emotional outlet.  I have been able to work with world-renowned choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Sonya Tayeh, Billy Bell and Stacy Paydo.  I have also attended American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensive, Joffery Ballet Academy’s summer intensive and perform with the Moscow Ballet!  Dance has taught me so much, allowed me to travel around the country and also taught me what a real team is!   #countdowntothecrownweek5

Teens in Training Camp

Last summer, I was given the opportunity to travel to Orlando, Florida for the Teens In Training camp. This camp is held at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition during the national pageant. Not only was I able to walk away with new experiences and advice from experts in nearly every field, but I got to watch the pageant and cheer @missmoot14 on! I was allowed to go backstage, watch rehearsals, go to visitation and have front row seats to the pageant! This experience has prepared me for pageants, but more importantly many avenues of life. Teens in Training Camp rocks! @missmissouri2014 @graciewesterfield @lexi_maggelet

Megan Meier Foundation Gala

Recently I was able to attend the Megan Meier Gala with Miss Missouri Jessica Hartman and Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen Charlee Bisch. This was arranged by my sister queen, Claire Rowe, whose platform is on cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a problem that affects all teenagers in one way or another. You are either a victim, an offender or a witness. Megan Meier took her life several years ago due to excessive cyberbullying from her neighbors. Her courageous mom, Tina Meier, has now made it her mission to educate teens on the dangers of cyberbullying and try and save other teens from taking their lives. The Megan Meier Gala was a fundraiser in her honor to help her mom continue this mission.  We organized a "Selfies for a Cause" fundraiser at the event to raise more money for the Foundation.  Here we are with Tina Meier and our selfie frame!

Charlee Bisch, Rachel Spurling, Tina Meier, Faith Whatley-Blaine

Dance training with the fabulous Billy Bell!

It was a wonderful afternoon working with Billy Bell! He is such a fun person to get to know and I am thankful for my opportunity to work with him. You may recognize him from Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" but for now, he is catching a plane back to New York to perform his Broadway role!

Billy Bell

April 11th - Flashback to Miss Missouri Orientation

Today is a very exciting day for me as I head to Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen Orientation! I am going to start ‪#‎countdowntothecrown‬ until pageant week. This week, I have decided to share with you my official Miss Missouri headshot taken by the fabulous @mattboydphotography . Hair and makeup by @meredithboydcosmetics ! I am eager for this exciting journey! ‪#‎countdowntothecrownweek1‬ ‪#‎missspringfieldot2015‬

Missouri Youth Advocacy and Leadership Summit

I had a wonderful time at the Youth Advocacy and Leadership Summit today! I got to discuss hot topics with other students; Dr. Carter Ward, Executive Director of Missouri School Board Association; Dr. Margie Vandeven, Commissioner of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Kim Weber, Missouri PTA President and Matthew Essner, Director of Food Distribution in Food and Nutrition Services! ‪#‎moyouthsummit‬ ‪#‎mopta‬ ‪#‎msba‬ ‪#‎missspringfieldot2015‬ ‪#‎makeachange‬‪#‎10by20‬

Little Princess

The Little Princess program through Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen is such a great program. I have had a blast getting to know my Little Princess Katelynn! This weekend we got together and "talked pageant" and had lunch. We are so looking forward to June in Mexico, Missouri!

Miracle Maker Night

Thanks to everyone who came out for a GREAT meal from Ernie's Cafe and supported me on my Miracle Maker Night for Children's Miracle Network - MU Children's Hospital.  It was a lot of fun and a HUGE success! Here are just a few pics of the fun...

Snack Attack!

Today I was invited to Russell Elementary school to participate in Russell University. Russell University is a week where volunteers come in after school to have kids participate in a fun and educational activity after school.  I decided to teach the kids how to make healthy snacks. We had fun making Ants on a Log, Trail Mix and Strawberry Banana Smoothies. The 3rd - 5th grade students were awesome and I was so impressed with what they knew about eating healthy and how food benefits your body.

Dance Competition Weekend

I have been fortunate enough to be able to train at Columbia Performing Arts Center since I was in 1st grade. I have been on the competition team which I auditioned for and was selected for at the age of 6. The competition team, under the direction of Jen Lee, is one of the best in the nation. We are offered so many fabulous opportunities through our studio owner, Mrs. Nancy Laurie. Training in the studio has taught me how to work with others as a team and also to develop a talent that I had a passion for at a young age. I have learned ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and hip hop dance. Now, as a senior dancer on the team, I look back on the younger dancers and see how much potential they have as well. Dance teaches you so many things that relate to the 4 points of the crown. Perhaps that is why we have so many dancers competing for Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen this year!

This weekend we attended the Starpower Talent Competition in St. Louis. This is one of the largest dance competitions in the nation. Our team did very well. One of our dances, "Shattered and Hollow", a large group lyrical, won 1st overall at the competition. Many of our other dances were in the Top 10 as well. Thanks to my teachers Jen Lee, Kristen Weiser, Olympia Jordan and the rest of the CPAC staff who work tirelessly to make us the best that we can be!   #success

Shattered and Hollow

From Ashes with Olympia Jordan, our resident Choreographer

The fabulous Jen Lee

Branson Weekend

I had a great weekend in Springfield and Branson with my sister queens and wonderful 417 pageant directors!  After pageant prep on Saturday we had the opportunity to perform with the wonderful Haygood brothers and sisters at their Saturday night show in Branson. If you haven't seen this show, you need to check it out. It's fabulous!

Free Pancakes!

Mark your calendar for IHOP's National Pancake Day this Tuesday, March 3, 2015!  This is the 10th anniversary of National Pancake Day where you can receive a free short stack. In return you are encouraged to give back to Children's Miracle Network by making a donation at your IHOP restaurant.  I will be at the IHOP on Conley Road in Columbia from 12 noon - 2pm on Tuesday. Stop by and say "Hi" and enjoy your free pancakes and donate to a great cause!  All donations stay with our local MU Children's Hospital.

MU Hospital Visit

A day off of school today meant an opportunity to visit lots of kids at MU Children's Hospital. While I hate to see all of these sick kids in the hospital, it is nice to make them smile and brighten their day a bit by coming to visit!  One of the patients that I met was Gabbie who was so sweet and so excited to see me. We took pictures and blew kisses for the camera! I hope she is feeling better soon and back home with her family!

February and Fitness Fun Day

I have dedicated February to my platform, Operation Fit Kids, and have been able to share my platform of a healthy lifestyle with over 600 students in 6 different elementary schools in 25 different classrooms. It has been so much fun to get to meet these kids and share with them about the importance of eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising.  I had over 30 kids at Fitness Fun Day and we had a blast exploring basketball, cheer, kickball, dance, scooters, Little Sally Walker and more!  Here are some photos from the past week.

Fitness Fun Day is happening!

Since the precipitation has stopped, and it is predicted to be above freezing by 10am, we WILL be having Fitness Fun Day at Gentry Middle School today.  If you cannot make it and preregistered we will refund your money. Hope to see you there, and drive safe!

Rock Bridge Elementary Rocks!

I had a great time finishing out my week at Rock Bridge Elementary School visiting 1st and 2nd grade classrooms, speaking about health and fitness!  Don't forget that my Fitness Fun Day is coming up soon - Saturday, February 21st at Gentry Middle School.  It's open to all kids in Kindergarten to 5th grade.  Hope to see you there!

Shepard Elementary 4th Graders

Today I had the opportunity to visit all 4th grade classes at Shepard Elementary. These kids are studying human body systems and I was excited to talk to them about eating right and exercising to keep those systems healthy!  Thanks to Mrs. Hassemer, Mrs. Ash, Mrs. Kunkel and Mrs. Drury for having me into your classrooms to speak with your awesome students today!