November 19, 2009

On November 19, 2009, I attended the Family & Children's Place 6th Annual Family Reunion Breakfast and Eric Tachau Gold Medal Awards at the Galt House. I was the guest of Rosalie Guthrie and her law firm, Brammel and Clubb, PSC of New Castle, Kentucky. The breakfast focused on Family & Children's Place's plans to create a new Child Advocacy Center. Representatives from the agency were joined by clients, guests, and emcee Carrie Weil of WAVE 3 TV. Everyone learned more information about the programs offered by the agency. We also heard the story of a family who benefited from the child abuse programs and services offered by Family & Children's Place after their child was a victim of sexual abuse.

I can think of very few causes more important to support than the mission of Family & Children's Place. Family & Children's Place is dedicated to helping families become healthy, safe, and stable through resources and professional staff who help make a real and positive difference. Traumatic experiences, unexpected events, difficult relationships, and outside influences can threaten a family and its children's well being. Family & Children's Place exists to help restore stability. The Child Advocacy Center will also allow a child who is a victim to be treated medically and emotionally in one place, as well as speak to authorities and medical personnel at one time. That way, the child won't have to tell the story of an attack or abuse more than once, and at different facilities.

Check out http://www.familyandchildrensplace.org/ to learn more or donate. Special thanks to Rosalie and her law firm for supporting this great cause!

October 31, 2009

Today I had one of the most unique experiences of my year. Unfortunately, I was so sick with the flu that I didn't get to enjoy it much. But I did my best! I was invited to a photo shoot with Andrew Kung, a Lexington-based photographer working on some editorial ideas and a coffee table book on fashion. The styling team came all the way from Chicago for the shoot. Andrew is an amazing photographer. One of the aspects of his work he likes most is lighting. He even brings studio lighting to the outdoors to make his dramatic vision come alive. For today's shoot, he brought the studio lighting to a billboard on top of a building in downtown Louisville. Dressed in a Valentino gown worth almost $7,000, I found myself climbing up the side of a brick wall to get to the rooftop. It was sooooo cold and windy. After being positioned on the scaffolding, his assistant took the fur coat I was wearing and the shoot began. The end result was this really cool spread! I would love to work with Andrew again. His vision and work amazes me!




Photos: Andrew Kung
Styling: Ruben Lopez and Brandy Flint
Hair and Make Up: Cynthia Chea
PA: Nicci Gilland

October 1, 2009

Today I received some exciting news! I was selected to participate in Leadership Oldham County. This program is sponsored by the Oldham County Chamber of Commerce. It mirrors programs like Leadership Louisville and Leadership Kentucky. As a participant in the program, I will have a chance to visit a number of local human service, public safety, and economic development organizations. I will also participate in extensive discussions about leadership styles and meet with a leadership consultant to identify my strengths and weaknesses for leadership roles. Before graduating from the program, I will work on a project with a group to incorporate lessons from the year while enhancing the Oldham County community. Learn more about the Oldham County Chamber of Commerce at www.oldhamcountychamber.com.

September 26, 2009

Today was a super fun day! I walked in the Nickers by Chris Avery fashion show. Chris rocked out the preparation for this show. He transformed an industrial space used for auto repair and auto body work into a posh scene for the show. Giant chandaliers hung from the ceiling. The runway was the longest I've ever walked. He flew in a DJ. Fog and lighting made the atmosphere electric! The hair and make up team created amazing crazy hair pieces and make up looks for the models, both male and female. (And wow...talking about the bodies on those male models!)

After the show, Chris held a party for the launch of his collection. Check out his line of stylish underwear or place an order online at http://mynickers.com/.

The finale was the most exciting part for me since I was one of the two models who walked with the designer!

May 17, 2009

I am so excited! Today I received copies of the photos from Clay Spann. Here are my three favorites, including the photo I will be using as my publicity photo and the photo that will appear in the Miss United States program book!

May 13, 2009

Today I attended a breakfast benefit in Buckner, Kentucky for the local Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, CASA of the River Region. The mission of CASA is to advocate for abused and neglected children involved in family court by training and supervising community volunteers.

CASA is a cause that is very special to me because I see the importance of CASA advocates in the Family Court system. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don't get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. They stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence--the one adult who cares only for them.

Last year, more than 68,000 CASA volunteers served more than 240,000 abused and neglected children through 1,018 program offices. CASA volunteers have helped more than two million abused children since the first program was established in 1977.

Please take a moment to learn about CASA at http://www.casaforchildren.org/. You can also check out the CASA of the River Region website at http://www.casajc.org/.

May 11, 2009

On May 10 and 11, I worked with the Got Milk? program to educate people about the health benefits of including dairy products in their diet. Drinking three glasses of milk a day may significantly reduce your risk of bone disease and fractures. Consuming milk later in life may slow the rate of bone loss and help maintain bone density. Check out http://www.whymilk.com/ for more information about why milk is nature’s wellness drink and how you can incorporate milk into your diet with tasty recipes!

Here’s a picture of Jon Gewertz, leader of the touring Got Milk? team and me:



This is Molly, the Goldenrod dairy cow:

A photo of the Got Milk? team:

May 8, 2009

On May 8, I attended the annual banquet and fundraising dinner of the Political Action Committee of the Women’s Network, a statewide organization of politically active women. Members and a host of Democratic dignitaries welcomed keynote speaker, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, granddaughter of Franklin D. Roosevelt, America’s 32nd President. Over four-hundred people attended and the event raised $50,000.

The Women’s Network is dedicated to achieving a society that is both free and fair, embracing the Four Freedoms set forth by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941: freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship God in their own way, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

The Kentucky’s Women’s Network, a statewide organization, was launched five years ago to advance Democratic principles and increase citizen participation in the political process as voters, volunteers, and candidates. Currently the organization has over 900 members statewide with significant chapters in Lexington, Northern Kentucky, Louisville, Paducah and Frankfort.

April 22, 2009

Today I wore jeans to work as part of Denim Day USA 2009. Staff members at the courthouse and I were supporting Peace Over Violence's campaign to raise awareness and educate the public about rape and sexual assault. The event was part of Sexual Assault Awareness month.

In 1988, an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore jeans, reasoning she must have helped her attacker remove them. People all over the world were outraged. Wearing jeans became an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.

Last year, on Denim Day an unprecedented 600,000 individuals and organizations signed up to wear jeans in support of raising awareness about the need to end sexual violence. This year the organization aimed to at least double that amount.

By wearing my denim, I united with others around the country against the sexual assault of girls, women, boys, and men. I stood in support of survivors and with the hope of breaking the silence to end sexual violence.

Learn more about Denim Day at http://www.denimdayusa.org/.

April 14, 2009

Today I flew to Alabama to see one of my favorite people in the pageant world, Clay Spann. When it comes to headshots, Clay is the best. I took some different outfits with me, and he helped me pick the perfect ones for my program book headshot and my publicity picture. I hadn't seen Clay and Joey since 2006, and it was fabulous! When I flew back to Kentucky, I knew my headshots were going to be perfect!

March 12, 2009

Today was such an honor. I went to the the state capitol in Frankfort and received recognitions from the Kentucky House of Representatives, Senate, and Governor.

First, I met with my State Senator, Ernie Harris. Harris presented a proclamation on the Senate floor in my honor. I also had the opportunity to hold the Senate gavel.

Second, I met with my State Representative, David Osborne. Osborne presented a proclamation on the floor of the House of Representatives in my honor.

Then it was time for a lunch break. Tim Corrigan treated me to lunch in the basement of the Capitol building.

Third, I went to the Governor's office. While I was waiting to see the Governor, I spoke with some high school students from Corbin, Kentucky. After catching up with Governor Beshear, he bestowed upon me the coveted honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel.

The whole day was very special to me. Special thanks to Governor Beshear, Senator Harris, Representative Osborne, Tim Corrigan, and everyone else who made the day such an honor. I've enjoyed growing up in Oldham County, and Senator Harris and Representative Osborne have always been very supportive of me, all the way back to when I was in grade school!

I hope to add photos with Representative Osborne and Governor Beshear soon!

March 7, 2009

Today I attended the grand opening party for Dressing Room. It was complete with lots of gorgeous clothes, appetizers, desserts, and a champagne bar. Dressing Room is the newest addition to Lodge 820 on Louisville's Frankfort Avenue. Dressing Room houses some of the finest specialty designer labels such as Camilla and Marc, Elizabeth and James, Alexander Wang, Larsen Gray, Rebecca Minkoff, Madison Marcus, Alexis Bittar, and many more!

Best friends and sisters, Julia and Jacqueline Buckler, own the boutique together and are committed to providing clients with excellent fashion service. Julia and Jacqueline offer private showings, Edit-Your-Closet, and personal styling. Email Julia or Jacqueline at julia@thedrshop.com and jacqueline@thedrshop.com. Or stop by the shop at 2836 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY.

Here's photos from the event by Jacob Zimmer of Zymage, LLC. Need photo services for your event or help planning a fashion show/production? Email Jacob at jacobzimmer@modelshooter.net.

(I just loved that skirt, and a black tank with ruffle embellishment by Elizabeth and James!)

February 22, 2009

On February 22, I made an appearance as a celebrity model at the Louisville "Meet Me at the Altar" bridal fashion show. (Check out http://www.louisvillealtar.com/ for more information about the bridal show.) Another one of the celebrity models was Jennifer Hoffman, a contestant on "The Amazing Race."

Jacob Zimmer, of Zymage , LLC produced the show. Jacob is a top event producer in the area who also has a professional photography studio. For more information about Jacob's services as a fashion show director, event producer, photographer, and party host, visit http://www.zymage.com/.

All the dresses were by David's Bridal. See more at http://www.davidsbridal.com/. Pure Salon & Spa provided hair and make-up services. Check out Pure online at http://puresalonspaexperience.com/.

Here are some photos of the show by Justin Hilliard/Zymage, LLC:

Modeling bridesmaid and bridal gowns...



A group photo after one of the shows:


Jacob Zimmer and I at the conclusion of the event...


Special thanks to Jacob for putting on a great show and getting me involved with the event!

February 15, 2009

When I woke up this morning, I wondered if the night before was all a dream. I was delighted to find out it was real! To celebrate, I met a friend at my favorite Louisville-area breakfast spot, Cafe Beignet. This New Orleans-style restaurant serves breakfast from heaven--powdered sugar covered beignets, little piggie sausages, potato cakes, and chicory coffee.

After breakfast, I was on the road to Indianapolis, Indiana for a modeling assignment then three days of legal seminars. I met up with close friend, and up-and-coming photographer specializing in edgy artistic work, Mike Arledge of Studio Sparta. He and make-up artist Alayna Miller teamed up for the shoot.

Here are two of my favorites from the shoot:

To contact Mike or Alayna for professional photography or expert make-up services, email Mike at mikejarledge@yahoo.com and Alayna at alayna04@hotmail.com.

February 14, 2009

Today, I achieved a dream I’ve chased for years. I won the chance to represent myself, my family, and the state of Kentucky at a national pageant. I also started what I know will be the best year of my life.

The Miss Kentucky United States pageant was held at the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington, Kentucky. You can learn more about the venue at http://www.thecarnegie.com/. The pageant was directed by Lynda O’Neal and her daughter, Laura Grant.


The day began bright and early with rehearsals of the walking patterns and opening routine. Here are some photos from the rehearsal:









After rehearsals, contestants participated in one-on-one interviews with each member of the panel of judges. For my interview, I wore an ivory suit that I designed with custom clothier Colleen Clemons. Colleen constructed the suit by hand for me! She’s an amazing tailor!

I was pleased with my interview, but I didn’t have time to rest for long. Immediately after interviews, I had to prepare for the night’s competition. The show consisted of an opening routine, swimsuit competition, evening gown competition, and on-stage question-and-answer.
In the opening routine, all the contestants wore black cocktail dresses. Mine was a strapless black satin dress with a pleated “crumb-catcher” bust from Bebe online at http://www.bebe.com/.

Here are photos from the opening routine:

I wore a two-piece black velvet Jamye Shaw swimsuit purchased on consignment from another contestant a few years ago. Here’s a photo from the swimsuit competition:

I wore an ivory beaded Sherri Hill for Jovani gown with long charmeuse scarf purchased from Jill Rowland at Dazzles in Columbia, South Carolina. When I saw a photo of the gown, it was love at first sight! Jill was so good to me. She held the gown for a few months until my best girlfriend and I could drive down to South Carolina to pick it up.

Here are some photos from the evening gown competition:


When it was time to announce the winner, I had no idea it would be me. I had done the best I could, which was exactly what I set out to do, but I was so surprised that the announcer called my name. I felt relieved to finally have reached what I set out to accomplish after years of competing and practicing. I felt ecstatic knowing that I could be proud of myself and what I learned from years of competing in pageants. I was excited about the year full of special opportunities to see new places, meet new people, and make a difference in my community and the state of Kentucky. I was satisfied to know that my friends and family, who have supported me tirelessly, could share in my achievement. And I was definitely elated to find out I’d be traveling to Las Vegas for the first time to compete in the national competition.

Here are some photos from the crowning:

Check back for more posts…it’s going to be an incredible year! Las Vegas, here I come!