Final days...

Hello friends!

Since my last post I've been to Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando, all the way up to Amelia Island, and back to St. Pete! I spent a few days in Miami with Mary organizing my pages for the 2009 Pageant Program Book and helping her with some miscellaneous work. It's neat to be on this side of the pageant - 'in the know'! Although it is strange that my year is coming to a close, I am looking forward to pageant week and am excited to start the next chapter. My adventures as Miss Florida have opened incredible doors that I can't wait to open wider and explore!

While I was in Miami I also was honored to attend the Classic Car Show put on by the Miss Broward County Scholarship Pageant in Fort Lauderdale. It was great to see the Broward County local titleholders and we had fun mingling with the guests and checking out the fabulous classic cars!! Dr. Dauer, who owned the Classic Car Museum where the event was held, allowed us to sit in the driver's seat of some of the cars and showed us the authentic parts and apholstery that makes the cars "classic".

Going for a "ride"!

At the conclusion of the event all of the titleholders acted as backup dancers for a Marilyn Monroe impersonator as she sang "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend". It was a blast and the crowd loved it!


After that we gave out awards for the cars that were a part of the show and thanked everyone for coming. Great job to Brenda, her Board, and all of her titleholders! They plan on making this a regular fundraiser for their pageant, so keep your ears open for their next show!

After Miami I made the 7 hour drive to Norma's house on Amelia Island. Whew! Thank goodness for iPod's! I arrived in the evening and spent a few minutes talking with Norma before I crashed! The next day I was able to spend a few hours on the beach, just taking in the beautiful atmosphere and gathering my thoughts for the speaking engagements I had while I was there. It was SO nice to have some time to just stop and relax, uninterrupted. I've realized that I didn't do that enough this past year. I was so focused on doing as much as I could, that I think sometimes I missed out on just taking in the experience. To Miss Florida 2009, and really, to all of us in life - take time to absorb, enjoy, and reflect on your incredible journey.

That evening I spoke to a group at Blackrock Baptist Church and got to see the Rodeffer family again. They are such wonderful people - so encouraging! The following morning I went to Mr. Rodeffer's sister's house for a brunch with around twenty middle/high school girls from her church. Suellen was so sweet and we had some great girl time! I spoke about my year as Miss Florida and talked to them about purity and their personal relationships with God.


We also watched my "Year in the Life" DVD so they could see my dance. I had just enough time to sign some autographs and then it was off to a "fish fry" at the home of one of Mr. Rodeffer's former teachers. We were welcomed to the beautiful property with open arms and I was super excited because I had never been to a real fish fry before! Although I'm not one for fried food, I gave the fish a try and really enjoyed the popcorn shrimp! After speaking with some of the members from the School Board who were in attendance, we headed back to Norma's so I could rest for a little while before heading off to First Baptist Church of Callahan for their Wednesday night youth group.


What a great group of young people! Their band played a few worship songs and then I spoke. Afterward I signed autographs and had the chance to talk to and pray with some of the students. It was truly a blessing for me.

The following day I made my way back to St. Pete for "Princess Night" at Chick-fil-A. It was a huge success! The 2009 Sungoddess was there as well as Jewel Ann, our Miss Florida Sunshine Princess, but we weren't the only crowns there...there were over one hundred little girls dressed as their favorite Princess!


The Chick-fil-A Cow and my favorite ride, the horse-drawn Cinderella carriage, gave free rides to the girls outside. The event benefitted the Children's Dream Fund and part of the proceeds went to a young girl named Ryleigh who has leukemia. She was precious!

Riding in the Cinderella carriage together!


Cuteness!

Silly girls!!

A special thank you and congrats to the Management and Staff at the Chick-fil-A on 4th Street for such a wonderful evening. I know many young girls felt like real princesses and were truly inspired by the festivities.


Just a few more stops before the 2009 Miss Florida Pageant. See you there!!

God bless,
Sierra

Kids and Crowns

Hello!

Since my last post I made two very special appearances. I had the honor of visiting my elementary school for their Career Day and 5th Grade Graduation/Awards Ceremony! It was so neat to be back at Three Oaks! For Career Day I spoke to three groups of 5th grade girls about my job as Miss Florida. They were very excited and attentive and, apparently, the boys were jealous! They, however, did get a chance to meet me at the Awards Ceremony a few days later.

With my former teacher, Mrs. Costigan

At the Awards Ceremony I had a very enthusiastic welcome as I spoke briefly to the students about what to expect when they go to middle school and how important it is to believe in yourself, respect others, and make good decisions. I enjoyed watching each of the students receive their awards as hundreds of memories from my own elementary years raced through my mind.

With the 5th grade teachers, old and new

Afterward I took pictures with the students and, for the first time, signed some of the boys' foreheads!! (With their parents' permission of course!)


All in all, it was such a neat experience. It was amazing to realize how much I have done since I was at Three Oaks and to see the pending potential in these young people.

Prior to Career Day I had the opportunity to visit another elementary school in Fort Myers - Edison Park Elementary. There I shared my "V.I.P." message with the students and had a surprisingly intellectual Q & A session. The students were so bright and well-behaved. Getting to meet them and sign autographs afterward was truly a treat!


On Saturday, the 6th, I was back in St. Pete for the Walk for Lupus Now at Tropicana Field. I was joined by Dr. Morales and his daughter, Michelle, who has Lupus. I was honored to be a part of their fundraising and had a great time meeting and signing autographs for the participants.


I also helped FOX 13 anchor, Nerrisa Prest, draw tickets for the live auction. It was amazing to see all of the support and enthusiasm that filled the field. With all of the money raised, it was a very successful event!


Immediately following the Walk I got on the road to Orlando to perform in D & L Dance's end of the year Recital. I was invited by the owner, Lori Patai, whom I met through the Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant as she was the RN on duty during the week. I was thrilled when she called! At the beginning of the show she introduced me on stage and I shared about how dance helped me earn scholarships through pageants. Backstage I was surrounded by little girls who were super excited to meet Miss Florida and were eyeing my crown with sly smiles...a few girls said they would gladly take it when I was done with it! It was hilarious!

I only have a few more appearances left before the 2009 Pageant, but am feeling really good about all that I have done this year. This last month is a strange time, but it as given me the opportunity to reflect and soak up this year, which is really necessary after such a grand adventure. In my final days, I am making sure I am taking time to stop and smell the roses (or as Miss Florida, the beach!) before it's too late.

Looking forward to seeing you in July!

God bless,
Sierra