Life brings some Exciting and Scary Changes

I do apologize for the gap in activity on my blog. MUCH has happened since April. Most of the exciting things happened in May actually, so I'll start there.

May 2011-
I came to the close of a five-year journey and finished my Vocal Music Education degree from Missouri Southern with Magna Cum Laude honors. Not quite as high as I'd originally hoped, but I do have a little gold sticker on my diploma anyway. :) A few days before graduation, I accepted a teaching position at a school in the Joplin area, which was such a blessing. I could not have asked for a greater place to start my teaching career. I walked across the stage on May 21st and was privileged to shake Governor Nixon's hand after I accepted my diploma. I was also honored to lead the singing of our "Alma Mater" in the presence of the governor and a few thousand other people. The ceremony was followed by a wonderful reception at my uncle's house where I'd lived for the past five years. Here, I was greeted by many friends and family members and LOTS of food that my amazing boyfriend had stayed up all night preparing the night before. The next day was a day in which I and countless others will never forget. On Sunday morning May 22nd, I met my boyfriend in Carthage and rode with him to my hometown for church and a get-together with my family, because it was my brother's 21st birthday. We were enjoying the afternoon and the fair weather, when we started receiving concerned calls and messages of people who had gotten wind of a terrible storm that came through Joplin a few minutes before. We had no idea that an EF5 tornado had torn through the heart of the city. We then heard from my boyfriend's father who informed us that John's sister and nephew were traveling down Rangeline about the time the storm hit and were no where to be found. In panic and disbelief, we raced toward Joplin, frantic to hear good news that they were okay. After the longest hour we had ever experienced, we finally got word that they were found and had weathered this monster of a storm still in her little Dodge Neon in a parking lot on Rangeline Road. It is hard to understand the unfathomable loss and devastation that so many Southwest Missouri residents experienced that day the months that followed. All I know is that God was there, and the people of Joplin and the surrounding communities came together and are still building back their lives and helping their neighbors, even today.

Early May - Helping at a CMNH Golf Banquet

Drawing for a winner!

World's greatest boyfriend preparing some yummy food for my graduation reception the next day.

We did it!

My proud papa

Friends gathered at the reception that turned out to be the House's "Going Away Party".

So blessed to have wonderful friends and family.

The "After photos".

May 22nd, 2011... We will never forget.

June 2011-
As a side note, my uncle's house was one of many homes that were torn apart that day. However, we were afforded the opportunity to go back into what was left of the structure and salvage many of our belongings. It was a hassle, but I dare not complain. We were blessed to have each other. Trying to prepare for the Miss Missouri 2011 pageant, that was only 2 weeks away, was a little challenging. But I had the most inspiring thoughts and feelings after what those 2 weeks revealed about the human spirit and the power of God. I was so relaxed, and Miss MO week was better than I could've imagined. I finally made the TOP TEN! It was a huge honor. AND one of my childhood best friends was crowned the new MISS MISSOURI 2011...Sydney Friar. I was SO excited for her that, had you seen my reaction, you would have thought I won. :) (See pictures at missmissouri.org if you need proof.)

So excited to have made the TOP TEN!

I sang opera this year! "O Mio Babbino Caro"

Priceless reactions to our new Miss Missouri being named Miss Sydney! :)

June and July 2011-

I continued to clean up and somewhat organize my belongings that had been soiled and returned to our "tornado house" several times looking for things that may still be salvagable. I also enjoyed lifeguarding at a local pool and roasting in the 100 degree heat for several consecutive weeks. Though I'm sure you sense my sarcasm, it truly was a blessing that I still had a job and I had a place to sleep. The summer flew by even faster this year.

August 2011-

I have started teaching elementary music in the Joplin area, and as Ronald McDonald would say, "I'm lovin' it". Forgive me, I like a little cheese now and then. I am slowly but surely transitioning into adulthood now that I have a "big kid job" and am starting to pay my own bills. :( Let me extend my gratitude to the Miss America & Miss Missouri organizations that have made it possible to graduate with very little debt.) We are part of an amazing resource for personal and professional growth, as well as financial support for education. I am proud to be a MAO gal!

*Disclaimer: The following statement could be considered an excuse.*
One of the many reasons I took SO long to blog about my summer is that my camera seems to have been lost in the shuffle of moving tornado-damaged and affected items from place to place and I really like to have pictures when I blog. Luckily, I had downloaded several before the camera disappeared. Happy viewing! 

God bless.

-LA

Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast

On Saturday April 16th, I was a volunteer server for the Waynesville Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast. I was accompanied by my sister queens: Miss Southern Central Seanica Reineke, Miss Mid-Missouri Kari Gai (not pictured), Miss Pulaski County Outstanding Teen Samantha Caraway and several of our younger area title holders. We had almost as much fun serving as we did eating the delicious pancakes and biscuits & gravy. Yum!

It was a blast to be part of such a great team of young women.

Fun with makeup!

Over Spring Break, I was able to visit Layla and meet some of her amazing friends. We had a blast with a Make-Up How To Session with Veeah. She Rocks! :D

CMN Joplin

I recently had the privilege of volunteering to help Children's Miracle Network Hospitals- Joplin in one of their fundraisers, the Discount Diaper Sale. They purchase dozens of cases of Pampers at wholesale prices and sell them to Freeman employees at a reasonable cost. This saves employees money and still allows CMNH to make a profit. Our sale began at 7:00am and by 11:30, we had sold over $7,000 in diapers. Phew! I had a great time working with the other volunteers and Heather, our awesome CMNH Joplin Events Coordinator.

After the rush had slowed, Heather offered to take me to tour the NICU(Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).What a humbling experience. One of the nurses shared her knowledge and experiences with us. We were introduced to a resident and her motherwho allowed us to take a picture of her little miracle who was now up to an impressive 3 pounds. I am so thankful for the miracles that have taken place in that hospital; many of them are possible because of CMN. Heather was proud to inform me that Joplin CMN Hospitals would be giving $1.7 million to the expansion of this facility. 

 Thank you CMN Hospitals Joplin for all you have done for the children in our community!

Music In Our Schools Month

Cody performed an original song he has been working on.

Jacob entertains the little ones.

Michael, Cody, Jacob, and myself with my 8th grade math teacher, Mr. Durnell

Jacob impresses the ladies with his cover of a Taylor Swift hit.

Michael opens his heart up to the class about his love for music. 

Cody gave some insight into his passion for the guitar.

During the last week of March, I was able to celebrate Music In Our Schools month with several classes throughout my alma mater, El Dorado Springs. I visited 12 classrooms throughout the high school, middle school, and elementary that day with the help of a few special guests. Three gentlemen that are currently members of musical ensembles at our high school traveled to the classrooms with me to spread the message that "Music Is Important to Our Education". Each of us shared our most memorable moments and our current endeavors in music, as well as how music has improved our lives. We were also able to share some of our talents with the students. We brought plenty of contrast from Jacob's rendition of a Taylor Swift song with the acoustic guitar to a little bit of opera and Norah Jones from me. We had a blast and felt that our message was spread. Music IS an integral part of a balanced education.

On the road again...

Miss Missouri 2011, here I come! I am so excited to tell you that a new adventure has just begun. I was recently crowned Miss Tri-Counties 2011. You know what that means...the privilege to compete at the Miss Missouri Pageant on June 8-11. It also means many more opportunities to promote the Miss Missouri and Miss America programs, as well as my personal platform and the title of this blog,   

"All for Art & Fun for All": The Value of Art in Education. 

I had such a wonderful experience at Waynesville on the 26th! I made several new friends including Jessica Mejia, Madelyn Lewis, Gabrielle Kirchoff, and many more. With a combination of such genuine and intelligent ladies, how could it not be a blast? We gathered for a rehearsal the night before where we learned walking patterns and some rockin' choreography by Miss Missouri 2010 herself, Erika Hebron. So much fun! Interviews happened on Saturday morning with little turbulence. I spent the afternoon with my great friend, Whitney. Bless her heart. This was the 2nd pageant day she'd spent with me, and she is such a trooper. We hung out at the hotel and watched tv for awhile before going to Wal-Mart for last-minute pageant garb and Panera Bread for lunch. Yum! If you've never tried their Greek salad, I highly recommend it. Luckily, we had a little extra time in the afternoon to polish up the opening number. Shortly after, my most dedicated pageant-follower showed up 2 hours early for the show. It was my boyfriend, John. Guess where we headed when he arrived? PANERA BREAD again! It really has a great atmosphere for soothing those pre-show jitters. Nothing like the smell of fresh-baked bread and coffee. :) Then it was SHOWTIME! Despite the adversity of 2 clogged toilets in the dressing room, Ms. Layla Earl kept the tempo movin'. With the smell of hairspray and Firm Grip in the air, I knew I was back in pageant season. I took a new approach to Talent this year. I decided to showcase my classical training by singing an aria from Puccini's opera, Gianni Schicchi. You probably won't be able to pronounce it if I tell you the name of my song, but I'll tell you anyway. :) O Mio Babbino Caro. It's a beautiful song about a girl pleading with her father to let her marry the man she loves. Aw... 

John, being the pageant expert he is, was really impressed with the overall performance of all of the contestants. The time came for winners to be announced. And the winners are... Seanica Reineke Miss Southern Central..........Kari Gai Miss Mid-Missouri....and yours truly Miss Tri-Counties. Woohoo! I'd like to especially thank the fan club I had that night. They were very vocal! Whitney, John, my sister Taylor, her friend Emily, and my mom. (Side note: this is the first pageant my mom has seen me win since I was 13. So glad she could make it that night.)

And I am so excited about my sister queens! Seanica is one of the SWEETEST people I know and this is year two for Kari and my sisterhood. I'm sure this one will be even more fun! :D

I know we are in great hands under the direction of Ms. Layla Earl and the close assistance of Paul & Lelar Corbett. 

More to come so don't be a stranger!

God bless, 

Lauren Alumbaugh