Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen

over and out

2009-06-29T20:12:00.000-07:00

well, this is going to be my last post my friends!

It is a bittersweet feeling, kinda makes my tummy feel funny actually. I have learned so much from this year. Thinking back at myself from a year ago, the girl who hardly knew how to wear makeup, didn't have a facebook, wasn't connected with politics all that much, and hadn't a clue how to blog (still not sure if that last one has changed! hehehe). I know that the experience of holding this title has helped me to grow in ways that I never would have without it. I feel much more like I know who I am as a person and what I stand for if that makes any sense at all. I am sure much of that comes from interview experiences and resume writing. I feel confident that whatever I do in my future there will be lessons taken from this experience that I will always be leaning on. I thank God often that I have been so privileged to be called Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen 08 for these 14 months. Just thinking about that is a humbling fact. I am really just a small-town girl who did this pageant as a sort of shot-in-the-dark thing hoping to learn things and have fun and excited about possibilities it might bring for my career future. The many ways that I have been blessed by the people in this organization, the people who have really made me part of their family, is really mind blowing! These relationships have touched my life and I am so grateful for that. I also think fondly about the pretty things of pageantry! I know this sounds really silly but I just have to say it because it is so true! I have really loved being able to wear the crown! It is really a small part of pageantry in essence and this organization obviously stands for so much more but it is really really fun to wear the crown! It is a wonderful feeling to put on a pretty dress, and wave in a parade as Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen. I know there are people who think that that part of the year of service isn't what really counts and to a certain extent they are right. It is really the community service that is incorporated and all of those types of aspects that are truly important. But the parades are just fun! So I just had to say that those have been a very exciting part of my year. My blog wouldn't be complete without saying that.

I also have a ton of people that I could thank, however, I have thanked them in my welcome letter in the program book, in my farewell video, in past blogs, and in thank you cards, so I will not thank them again here. I will generally say that I am forever grateful to all the people who helped shape my year.

Now I absolutely have to say CONGRATULATIONS SARAH!!!!! I am so proud of you hunny! You are going to make an absolutely fantastic teen titleholder and I cannot wait to watch your year unfold. Congrats also to Laura Hall our new Miss Vermont. I really was so impressed with all of the amazing talent and poise displayed by all of our teens and miss contestants on Saturday. We have some extremely smart and talented ladies in our state! It was a fantastic show and I couldn't have been happier with the results. One thing I must mention is the bumpit!

Probably the funniest crowning ever occurred Saturday night when Sarah crampton's name was called. She had worn Bumpit in her hair. This is a hairpiece that is place underneath the hair to give it a teased/lifted look. It is impossible to pin a crown to this! So, when miss Sarah won I spent a few moments untangling this lovely bumpit from her hair much to the confusement of Dana our MC. This joke will never be lived down. Congratulations also to Caroline Bright and Mary Branagin our Miss runners up. and also to Brooke Connor and Jacki Chace our teen runners up. You were fantastic ladies!

Well, Id better be off to bed soon it is late. I am beginning to get used to being a "hasbeen" haha. Its a funny title to hold but rather carefree! I am so glad to forever be part of the pageant sisterhood. Who knows? Maybe I will compete in the Miss category in a few years. Or perhaps life with take me in another direction. Whatever happens I am grateful for my time spent as Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen and am honored to forever hold the 2008 title.

Much love to all my friends new and old from this year, many thanks, and good luck Sarah! May your reign be completely fantastic!

yours

Blaize Hall

Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen 2008

.......Over and out

and this is when it's really hard to say quite how i feel

2009-06-25T13:17:00.001-07:00

hey there friends

I'm sure a lot of you know this weekend is the 2009 Miss Vermont and Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen pageant. That means that I will be giving up my title, performing as the state teen for the last time and crowning somebody new. WOw! A whole year went by that fast? how did that happen? it's funny because as the pageant draws closer every minute I am not really sure how I even feel about this! I am excited to be passing on the crown! I really am so thrilled to see all of the contestants and watch them compete and to give the title to the new girl! But of course I also feel sad because after Saturday is over I will no longer be the state titleholder. I will never again sit in a car with signs with my name on them in the windows and wave at people with a crown on my head as this title. I will never perform on the piano as this title again. I am sad to see this year ending and there is always of course the feeling of wishing I had done more, wondering if there was some other way I could have used the title that was given me. Was there something different I should have done? Did I represent my state well? I am full of questions, regrets, happy memories,satisfaction, anticipation, excitement! I feel a bit relieved in a way that I will now be moving on. I somehow feel resolved, like my time has come, I have served my term and now it is someone else's turn to do the job. Yet at the same time I know that I will miss it! I have many things to look forward to this summer and the coming school year. I recently received the role of Cinderella in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical with a local theatre company and I am thrilled to be spending my time performing. I will be on the xcountry running team this fall which is also exciting. I have all of these things to look forward to but at the same time I know that probably nothing I do this summer could possibly be as exciting as nationals was last summer!

I feel like throughout this year Miss Vermont's Outstanding teen 08 has become a part of my identity and after Saturday that part of me might be lost! It's a little bit scary! But I guess what's really important is knowing that I will always hold the title of the 2008 teen. The many things I've learned this year will go with me wherever life takes me. The memories I have can never be taken away and the things I've learned about pageantry, about how people work, and mostly about myself are things that will benefit me my whole life! and I guess it's good to remember that I will always be me no matter what title I hold. That I need to stay true to who I am and what I believe in no matter who is interviewing me or what organization I represent.

Well, thanks for listening to me think myself through all this! au revior for now!

Blaize Hall

your miss VT Outstanding Teen 08

p.s. special special thanks to Caroline my mentor in SO MANY WAYS!!! thank you for everything you did to help me last summer and for all that you taught me. you are the best!

thanks to my mom, grandmother,Dave and Marie, Red Clover, Sue, Pam, Belinda and many others! It wouldn't have happened without you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! (and happy new year too! )

2008-12-26T08:31:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas too all my bloggers and blog readers! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday yesterday. I don't know about the rest of you but this month always flies by so quickly! Once I get through thanksgiving, I always feel like there are just endless days until christmas will finally be here, but before I know it, the presents are spread around a colorful tree and there are tins of cookies made and then I am singing "Silent Night" in my church full of candles and before I know it, I'm waking up to a beautiful snowy christmas! Now, I can only catch my breath for a second before the New Year will be upon us! So, resolutions anyone? I always plan to up my grades, eat more veggies, say nicer things to my family, go running more often, ect... the usual that lasts about a month tops. Well, this year I've decided not to make resolutions, but to make little changes in my lifestyle that will last the whole year. Drastic changes are like diets, they last for a little while but I eventually give them up. My hope is that if I just make little commitments, like to eat at least one fruit and vegetable every day and to still enjoy all the holiday treats I love so much, that my "resolution" will be much more manageable. anyway, I'll have to give an update on how my un-resolution commitments work out.

Have a very Happy New Year and enjoy the excitment of entering 2009. and eat christmas cookies! ; )

Blaize

graduation from Dale Carnegie Course

2008-12-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

Hey! so a few weeks ago I successfully graduated from the Dale Carnegie Course of human relations and leadership development. This 12 session class was a great experience in so many ways. I met the coolest people and each week we all learned new ways to present information in more compelling, captivating and comprehensive styles. I am so glad to have had this experience and I know that the skills I have obtained through this course will help me throughout my life. A quick thank you to everyone involved in teaching the class as well as to my fellow participants!

yours,

Blaize Hall

MVOT '08

a quick note about being sweet 16

2008-12-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

so, as you can probably guess by the title I am now 16 and yes it really is so sweet! It is also very confusing and I still don't have the answer to the meaning of life. Bummer! well, I did at least have a very nice celebration. On my actually birthday last month, my Mom was out of town so my family and I celebrated a couple of days before. I was given a lapful of exciting Miss America's Outstanding Teen goodies from the tradeshow in Orlando this summer. Among my treasures were a poster, wonderful pink travel mug for hot tea and cocoa, the DVD set, and a coveted little shoe-shaped clock. A few weeks later I celebrated again with what I must say was an awesome party. True, not as many ppl as I'd hoped were able to come but we sang the night away with karaoke and dancing and yummy cake designed by my best friend and when it was over, the deafening roar of music was left in my ears and the complete exhaustion that can only come from good clean fun was my only though as I drifted off into a blissful sweet 16 sleep with dreams of the year to come.....
k, so that was a little corny, but I'm allowed to have fun with this right?
anyway, just wanted to say that I love birthdays. They're never what you expected, sometimes not what you hoped for but they are always somehow just right and leave you feeling loved and at the same time expectantly waiting for more days to fill your life with memories and good times, lessons and love, and many jobs worth doing.
May birthdays always be happy!
Blaize Hall
MVOT
p.s. and if you don't have a facebook, get one because birthday wall posts from friends online will totally make your day! :)

MAOT continued and an update on life

2008-10-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

O.K., so it has been way to long since I last wrote and I apologize to all the faithful readers of my blog. Life has been absolutely insane as usual, but I will try to catch up now. I guess I'll start right where I left off.

The next day we got up early, had breakfast in our lovely hostesses' suite, and went over to the theatre for a LOOOONNNNGGGGG rehearsal day. It was the longest rehearsal day of the whole week and we learned almost all of the production numbers that day. We had a break for lunch and a few short water/snack breaks, but besides that we were busy dancing the entire day! It was actually incredibly fun but entirely exhausting. We learned a lot of our opening High School Musical medley number, we learned "It's our time to shine Girls!" the opening number tradition, we learned our fitness number, and our evening wear opening parade. It was a great day, and at the end of the day, we went to Medieval Times. This was a completely new experience for me and I really enjoyed it. When we stepped off of the bus the "King" was there to greet us and there were trumpeters! After pictures were taken we went inside and took more pictures by the throne. After that, we paraded our state flags in the arena and then sat down for an evening of entertainment and a medieval meal. We ate the food with our fingers off of the plate just like in medieval times and it was actually pretty fun!
We had many exciting outings at MAOT including visiting a cafe and hearing a local band play, a shopping trip at Bloomingdale's with complementary makeovers (my personal favorite), a 50's sock hop and more!
We also had many similar rehearsal days of lots of sweat and sore muscles, and brain overload, but believe it or not, it was all wonderful in a strange way. We would have moments where we would all fall asleep on a ten minute bus ride because we were that tired, but we'd also have moments of uncontrollable excitement where it honestly didn't matter how tired we were because the experience was just that wonderful!
Part of what made the experience so great was the girls. Even during competition when true colors showed through, I think each of the girls showed exactly why they were there and just how truly outstanding they were! Yes, we were all emotionally exhausted and there were things that happened that I'm sure we will all laugh at later on...but bottom line, I met people that I will be friends with for life and we shared moments that are completely unforgettable - in a good way.
Not only were the people amazing (including the judges I must add) but the actual experience of performing at a national level, of proudly carrying the state flag onto the stage with 51 other titleholders is something that has touched me in a way that will never cease to affect my life. I am so grateful to have been chosen for the honor of representing my state and would not have traded the experience for the world.

I would love to write more in detail but for now I must go.

Your very own Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen '08

Blaize Hall : )

p.s. the above pictures are obviously of Maot, one is of opening number, a couple are of just me and the last one is of my roommate Crystal from California. SHE IS AWESOME!!!!!

MAOT, I don't even know where to start!

2008-08-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! I seriously don't even know where to start! I guess first of all, MAOT is probably one of the most amazing experiences EVER!!!!!
If I had to describe it in three phrases I would probably call it insanely fun, once-in-a-lifetime learning, and to be honest, absolutely exhausting!
I,sadly, did not journal while I was in Orlando, but I will try to remeber every awesome moment.
Caroline, my wonderful traveling companion and I left early on the morning of Wed. the 6th. Our flight left on time and my two, HUGE suitcases were barely under the weight limit. On the plane we watched a beautiful sunrise and ate white chocolate and lime cookies (they were really good!) We were slightly delayed in JFK airport NYC, but we arrived in Orlando with pleanty of time to check out the gorgeous Rosen Center and the pool before supper. The rumors are true, the deli in the Rosen Center has perfectly delicious food and all of the servers, waiters, bell hops, etc. are the nicest people! Anyway, I tend to go off on tangents so back to my story. After a thorough investigation and delicious food, we went to bed and normally this wouldn't be an important detail but I just have to say that these beds were the most comfortable beds I'd ever slept in with the perfect softness so that you sink into them, but enough firmness to be pleasant.
The next morning we went to registration. I was immediately given Caitlin's line of makeup Be...ybf, had some autograph signing to do, a short video clip taken and went off to my Tony Bowls photo shoot. All 52 girls got to have a professional photo shoot done in a Tony Bowls gown with a hair and makeup artist. It was so much fun! I was put in an animal print that fit beautifully and my hair was curled with a butterfly clipped to one side. Again, so much fun! After that, Caroline had to catch her flight home and I basically had the whole day to check into my new room and meet my roommate, Crystal, from California. Later in the evening we had our official orientation meeting where we got the run-down for our stay and learned all the rules such as no cell phones allowed ever! We also recieved amazing duffel bags full of little surprizes from generous sponsors. Finally after a delicious dinner, gifts from our speaker Rhonda Shear, and some dancing time, we went exhausted to bed. Little did we know what was in store for us the next day...

To Be Continued

oh, I forgot!

2008-08-03T17:49:00.001-07:00

I forgot to thank Sue Lackey for all her wardrobe help and Sue Enimajae ( I think I just totally butchered the spelling of her last name, sorry!) for her nail care, and Kelly Aiello at Red Clover for her awesome hair care and tips!

Thanks to all the other people I'm forgetting! Thanks HEAPS to everyone who has financially donated!!!!!

goodnight!

Blaize Hall

MVOT '08

send off party, thank you's, and FAN MAIL ADRESS!!!!! Write to me in Florida!!!!

2008-08-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

Hi all
so first off I have to thank everyone for their amazing support!!!!! So many people have helped me in big and small ways to prepare for the national competition and I couldn't have possibly survived without any of them!
I want to thank all of the piano teachers who helped me prepare including my mother, Mrs. Johnson, Barbara Williams, Mrs. Miranda, Mary Branagin, Sara Watson. I want to thank Needleman's for their offer of a dress to borrow even though it never worked out and thanks for all the dress bags! I want to thank Eco for their jewelry discount, Wayne Tarr for his photos, Harry Benoit, Sarah Jo Wiley, Amy Jackman, Hannah Nelson Manley, Barb Wilkinson, and all the rest of the MVSO board for their countless hours. I want to thank all of the car wash volunteers for their hours of help last Saturday and to thank Executive Car Wash for the use of their facilities! I want to thank my neighbors, friends and family who have stood by me and helped in so many ways all summer. I want to thank Shelby Gregoire and Brittany Perdue for their wardrobe help. I want to thank everyone who came to my send-off party today and made it such a special time! I could go on and on like this for pages! But I won't 'cause it may get boring. I just want to say that those who didn't get mentioned weren't forgotten and that I so appreciate every single thing that has been done to help me prepare and to make this a great experience for me. THANK YOU!!!!
Today I had a fabulous send-off party at North Avenue Alliance Church where I attend. Again thanks to everyone who helped to make that happen or stayed to watch! I was quizzed on interview questions which certainly helped me to prepare, and I played my piano talent and modeled my evening gown. Afterwards there was yummy cake and punch, brownies, veggies, nuts and M&Ms. It was a wonderful time and I was so encouraged by the kind words of everyone there. I felt so much better about the competition just from the encouragement I received.
Not to say I don't still have regular melt-downs but at least they are at home and they are stress-relieving!

So, here's what I've been waiting to say. PLEASE write to me in Florida!!!!! I would love fan mail or just an encouraging note. It would be awesome to have stuff to read while I'm down there and everyone loves mail!
The address where I can be reached is:

Blaize Hall
Vermont's Outstanding Teen
The Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, Fl, 32819

so please write! I would love to hear from anyone! Thanks!

For now, Goodnight
I'm so tired!
Blaize : )
MVOT '08

p.s. I forgot to mention that on Saturday I ran in the local Fairfax Egg Run. I can't say my time was great for a 5K at 34min but I am glad I was a least able to do it after pulling my back earlier in the week! Thanks to chiropractic help (I used to be terrified of chiropractors but my Mom convinced me to try it again) I feel much better. The other bit if exciting news is that i got a heat rash on Saturday. Kind of a gross random fact but i just wanted to say how glad I am that it has cleared up! I had such a fun time Saturday evening playing kick-ball, whiffel (spelling?) ball and 500 with my brothers and their friend. I normally don't like that sort of stuff but it's usually cause I'm too busy or stressed to enjoy and and I've never considered myself all that athletic. I'm scared to death of games with balls flying at me! But I really REALLY enjoyed it and wasn't half bad. I don't really know why all these facts are interesting but it's my life, so I figured I'd just write down what I've been up to. Since I haven't had much time to keep a personal journal I'll be using this as sort of an overall Blaize's Life For a Year journal. I'll be writing down in Florida in a notebook so when I get back I can transfer it all to this blog. Well, so much for going to bed soon. Sometimes when I get writing I just can't stop. I just think of more and more things to say. I'd really better go!
Bye!

car wash!

2008-07-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hi
So, you can probably guess what I'm writing about. Yup, we had a car wash on Saturday and it was totally fabulous! The day started out comfortably cool and NOT RAINING!!!! YAY! We arrived at the car wash and there were immediately customers. We set up our sign and my good "manager person" (that's what I've decided to call her because I think it encompasses basically everything she does) taught me the correct way to wave at a car wash. Let me tell you, this is not a pageant wave, parade wave, or swiveling princess wave. This is a frantically fast, arm killer that is as energetic as you can make it without jumping into the air and flying! Yes, my arm hurts! But thankfully I had friends to wave with me. We got a lot of cars!
I was so glad that all the volunteers came! we had plenty of people to wash/vacuum/scrub/blast with hoses etc. The day was quite a good time. I got pretty sun burnt unfortunately, but spent the afternoon in the garage with the blaster hose. It was a really awesome blaster hose and almost knocked me over when I first turned it on!
Anyway, it got progressively hotter and hotter and at exactly 5;05pm the thunderstorm hit. It was absolutely perfect timing as the car wash was scheduled to end at 5. We gathered everything up and dashed for our cars, utterly exhausted but completely happy.
Thank you to my family and friends who helped!
And now I must get back to practicing piano for nationals. I leave next Wed! I am so excited.
Bye!
Blaize : )
MVOT '08
p.s. we have my evening gown. It is gorgeous and a deep shade of pink. I love it!

getting closer...

2008-07-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

Getting nervous and oh soooo excited as nationals draw closer every day!!!! Still trying to fundraise... car wash on saturday. Practicing piano, collecting wardobe items, practicing for interview. Lots to do.
Still enjoying summer though. Went camping with my cousins, a family tradition. Lots of jogging, canoeing, etc. Not as much novel reading as I would like, but hopefully I'll have time when school starts.
Oh, I can't believe I am leaving for Orlando in less than two weeks!!!!!
I have only been on a plane one other time in my life. I'm so excited!
well, gotta go!
Bye!
Blaize Hall MVOT

The Latest News on my life

2008-07-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hi
so, last night the Miss America's Outstanding Teen lottery was held online/over the phone to determine what placement the contestants would hold in the competition order. It was pretty exciting and very interesting to see how the system worked and to know that 52 other girls were logged onto their computers across the country all waiting to see which dates of competition they would do their favorite phase, what other talents were going to be performed, and what order we would all compete in. I was glad to have gotten my first choice in picking my mights of competition and will be performing my piano talent on the first night.
Well, I've got to go! Bye!
Blaize
MVOT

4th of July weekend

2008-07-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

I just have to say that I love 4th of July weekend. It is such a happy time (fireworks, red white and blue, sparkly things) and the patriotism is wonderful! This weekend I was in two parades, one on the 3rd in Montpelier and one on the 4th in Milton. The Montpelier parade was wonderful. I met the nicest people and Ashley was at the appearance with me! We had a snazzy white convertible to ride in and there were lots of people(one family in particular who allowed me to use there bathroom, thank you!) and funny Pirates of the Caribbean characters in the parade. Ashley and I had just gotten our autograph cards which are pretty awesome I must admit and we were able to sign lots of them on Thursday. Friday in Milton was also fabulous. It was rather warm but so much fun! The weekend overall was very enjoyable. We had a family barbecue and my mother made her "flag cake" cake with whipped cream on top and blueberries and strawberries in the design of our flag.

Face Book

2008-06-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

Guess What?
I just got a facebook account!
It is so much fun. I am getting touch with people I haven't seen in a long time and having a blast. I'm certainly still confused about some things, but I've learned so much. It's really awesome.
Well, I've gotta go. I have mountains of stuff to do to be ready for nationals.
Bye!
Blaize MVOT

Vacation!!!!!!!

2008-06-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

It's summer time!!!!! Yippee!!!!
I am so happy to be done with school and studying and exams and early morning classes and school lunches and math and EVERYTHING!
I do love certain parts of school but I am glad to be on summer break.
I am in Virginia right now with my family and we are spending today relaxing at our friends house after two long days of sightseeing in D.C.
Our nation's capital is breathtakingly amazing, I've just got to say, and our tour of the capitol building was one of the most amazing things I've ever had the privilege of being part of.
"America the beautiful", right? As much as there are things about our country that I don't agree with, I can't help but be overwhelmed with the awesome detailed planning of our forefathers when creating this nation and by the freedoms that I as an American so often take for granted.

Well, it is gorgeous weather and I think we are headed to the pool and I don't want to miss out so I've got to go. Enjoy the sunshine everyone!

Blaize
MVOT

p.s. I almost forgot to mention that I had my official pageant clothing consulting appointment on Friday. I learned so much about what colors look good on me (summer), my body type, etc. Very helpful in preparing for nationals.

Appearances, Final Exams, and Fundraising

2008-06-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hello

I think the title basically explains what today's post will say.
Pretty much, my life right now consists of appearances on the weekends, among other homework studying for my final exams which draw closer every day, and trying to fund raise for the national pageant in Orlando this August. I might have already mentioned this or you may already know, but I will tell you anyway. One of the expectations that this position entails, is the obligation - or I would say privilege - of representing Vermont in the best light possible in the national Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant in Orlando, Florida this August. As you might guess, this costs a significant, actually a VERY large amount of money. Our aims are high and I am currently seeking multiple sponsorships and fundraising opportunities. So far, I haven't been extremely successful I am sad to report, however, I have not yet begun to fight, OK, OK, I'll admit, that was a corny, misplaced quote!
But I certainly have not lost hope in any sense what so ever and I'm excited for all that the summer holds (and not just about fundraising).
Excelling at finals unfortunately has to be my biggest concern right now, but as soon as they are over - a week from today!!!!! - I can begin my summer! I will be spending much of my time preparing for the pageant, practicing my talent piece, a piano Sonatine by Aram Khachaturian (great last name, huh?) And of course, summer parties with all my awesome friends, good 'ol family vacations. camping trips (I love the outdoors!) and hopefully a lot of shopping if I can get some jobs!
Well, speaking of the fact that summer isn't here yet (boo hoo) and I do have exams, I'd better go study!

Au revoir!
Blaize Hall
MVOT

P.S. If anyone reading this is by some chance interested in sponsoring my trip to Orlando in some way or has any helpful fundraising tips
PLEASE email me at vtoutstandingteen08@gmail.com
or feel free to e-mail me just to chat!

my weekend and prom night

2008-05-27T13:06:00.001-07:00

Hello

Being as inexperienced a blogger as I am, I really have no idea when I should write or even what to say. I guess for the next year, I'll just write about everything important that happens in my life, even if it doesn't exactly pertain to being MVOT.

That being said, this weekend was definitely important!

First of all, I participated in my home town's Memorial Day parade.

I rode in a white Corvette that is literally twice my age (I feel so young!) and was driven by a very nice gentleman who owned the 'vette. The weather was strange and continually shifted between cool and cloudy and brilliantly sunny (it was unfortunately so when my picture was taken for the paper and there wasn't a thing I could do to overcome my squint!).

Anyhow, it was a very nice parade and it was wonderful to stand and smile and give a little "pageant wave". Afterwards there was a dedication of a cannon being donated to our war memorial and a motivational speaker.

When the speech was done, taps was played and the guns fired, we went home. Caroline, my amazing manager (it is difficult to find a title for her, she does so many things! Manager comes pretty close to encompassing them all) stayed at my house for a couple of hours and she, my Mom, and I worked on nationals paper work, and other event planning.

Now for the really exciting, super, best highlight of my weekend.

Saturday night, I went to prom!!!!!!!

It was a wonderful night and I had so much fun and I wasn't even tired until I got to my friends house and totally crashed.

Here are some details.

I was asked by a very nice senior in my gym class and after much parental persuasion, I was allowed to go.

I went to another friend's house in Essex (where I go to school) and a bunch of us girls got ready for the night there. I tried to curl my hair, but my hair didn't respond very well. It looked fine anyway, though. I wore my coral/orangish dress from Deb that I was crowned in at the pageant this year. Once we were completely ready (which always takes longer than you have time for) we went to the house of one of the girl's dates. All of the parents were there to take pictures.

Once pictures had been sufficiently taken, we had planned to go to dinner at American Flat Bread. Unfortunately, we hadn't made reservations and our plans quickly changed. Thankfully, we were able to find a place that could take us and we set of to drive to the restaurant.

Let me tell you, things never go exactly as planned and our evening was certainly not going to.

It turned out that one of our drivers had a very flat tire!

We were able to make it to a gas station where we discovered that putting air into the tire wasn't going to suffice and that the tire would have to be replaced! And, of course, no one knew how to do that. I have some pretty funny pictures of all the guys trying to figure out how to change the tire. None of their attempts proved successful however, and we were soon forced to find other means of transportation. When that was done, we realized, we no longer had time to have a sit-down dinner and still make it to prom before the doors closed. We ended up just getting ice cream at Rocky's, which was fine because no one really felt like eating a big dinner anymore anyway.

We arrived at the prom just in time.

It was lovely.

Our prom was held at the Echo Center on the Burlington water front, an ideal location.

The bottom floor was used for dancing. It was extremely crowded, but not unpleasant.

The upper floors were spaciously vacated and the balcony was a beautiful refuge from the noise and heat inside. The water front was gorgeous.

It was a very enjoyable night and my date even got Prom King (and my good friend got Prom Queen so it was perfect).

We stayed almost until the end, then went to the Essex Cinemas where the after prom party was to be held. We watched the new Narnia film which I would recommend to anyone, I thought it was just as good as the first one, even though it differed from the book a bit.

By the time that was over, I was getting tired ( it was almost three a.m.)

so I met up with my friend and her date took us to her house where we ended up chatting until it was light out and falling asleep mid-sentence.

Whew! That was a long entry!

To summarize, the rest of my weekend was spent catching up on sleep, going running, cleaning my room (it had been a while and my Mom was getting sick of the constant clutter) and doing homework.

Well, I'd say I've written quite enough. I have a humongous English project to do and tons of house cleaning. My grandparents are coming soon! Yay! Plus, I'm planning on finally getting my driver's permit on Friday. I've been waiting since November and there always seems to be some reason or another why I can't get an appointment so I hope I actually get it now.

Anyway, my next 'appearance' is at Teen Fest on March 31 where I will be signing at an autograph table. Let's see how good my signature is!

Wow, I've really got to go or I will never stop writing. What's up with me today?

Bye Bye!

Eewww that is way to cutsie. Oh well! Bye Bye just the same.

Blaize : )

Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen '08

My First blog post ever, here I go!

2008-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hi

Has your mother ever told you, "make sure you learn at least one new thing every day"? Well, I learned something new today. I learned how to make a blog! I wouldn't exactly say that I am now an expert on blogging, but here I am, actually making a blog, and it's really not that hard!

So, why am I sitting here writing?

Well, three weeks ago, I was crowned Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen 2008 and I will be writing in this blog about the next year of my service to the Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization, Inc.

So many things have happened to me since that magical weekend when my life changed. The pageant itself was, of course, an amazing experience and I will never forget the shock I felt upon winning or the anticipation for a fulfilling year of service.

And indeed it has been already! The day after the pageant Ashley Wheeler (Miss Vermont '08) and I made our first 'appearance' at the St. Albans Maple Fest Parade. Unfortunately our car never arrived and we had to find other floats to join. In the end, it turned out to be fine because of a nice family with a horse-drawn cart (for Ashley) and a wonderful pick-up truck pulling the Red Stone Villa float (for me).

After that, life has been a whirlwind of events. I never knew I could receive so many e-mails in one day! And they just keep coming!
I already have a ton a appearances scheduled and appointments to make, not to mention the mountain of paperwork to submit for the national competition in August (more later) and all of the fundraising events Caroline and I are planning for the summer.
Speaking of Caroline, I ought to tell you that after participating in the Kid's Day parade in Burlington, I spent the morning with my outstanding manager going over paperwork, being taught how to blog, and going through the mall finding my sizes in all different brands of clothing for competition.

Well, that about sums up everything I have to say for now! I've got to go get ready for a show that I am performing in tonight with Lamoille County Players.

Au Revoir!
Blaize : )
Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen 2008
(I love this title!)