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