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.