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!
