If you have ever written a blog, you can relate when I say that it is rather intimidating. This is the first blog I have ever written. With that said, wish me luck! Ok, here we go. In late September 2008, I was crowned Miss Fort Wayne 2009, a dream and goal of mine since I first began my pageant career in high school. My first few weeks as Miss Fort Wayne I traveled all over the city cutting ribbons, speaking with radio personality Barb Richards, and running a relay. It was unbelievable.
Months later, I am still a very busy queen. Most recently, I was fortunate enough to work with Anthony Molsey, a photographer from Kokomo, IN. We put our artistic minds together and shot for 7 hours, taking almost 2,000 pictures. I cannot tell you how fun, exhausting, and scary modeling can be, but with Anthony's help and my persistent studying of models on youtube.com, the shoot was a success. I also was able to perform at FAME with local elementary students; I have felt like Miss America walking into their classroom for our first rehearsal and having all the children, boys included, scream at the top of their lungs and swarm me asking for hugs and autographs (I wasn't even wearing my crown or sash). That experience was wonderful and only solidified my reasoning for doing pageants. It is because you truly have the power to impact people. For some reason, may be the sparkly thing on my head, but people actually listen. Another appearance was at the YMCA Strong Kid's Campaign Fundraiser, "…Like a Princess". James Velez, the director of the Miss Northeast Pageant and one of my dear friends, organized an afternoon of princess pampering for little girls. I was the "stomp the runway" coach and taught girls ages 2-12 how to strut their stuff on a runway. They did wonderful and I was so proud of them all during the final runway show.
Needless to say, I have had a wonderful year as Miss Fort Wayne and I cannot wait to represent our great city at Miss Indiana in June. In the mean time, I will continue to cut ribbons, sign autographs, and try my hardest to be a great role model. In other news, I have recently been cast in the Fort Wayne Civics Production of The Full Monty. I will be playing the role of Georgie, come see the show May 15th-31st. Well, I think I made it through my first blog, whew! Thanks for reading.
Fondly,
Jess
