Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Routine and Adventure!
Routine
I am terribly sorry for the delay in my blogging. I imagined I would have more time to keep everyone back home up to date, but the thrill of DC has completely kept me occupied for the last month and a half. I have fully adjusted to the DC lifestyle... Work hard to play hard.
There is no greater time than right now to experience D.C! There is a new president, a new congress, a new cabinet, and the same party controls both the legislative and executive branch which enables a lot of government activity. Currently, am working on updating our media contacts for our press secretary. This has been a task. It is vital that the press secretary has all the necessary media contacts available to her in order to release any messages to media outlets or constituents. I am contacting most of the newspapers, television stations, and radio stations in Kansas. I am also contacting major national news networks such as CNN, Fox News, Associated Press, Washington Post, etc.
Playing Hard
After the work week, I get to enjoy my weekends. I really appreciate my weekends now that I work a 40 plus hour work week. Last I left off, I had received tickets to the presidential inauguration. D.C. was chaos inauguration weekend. Approximately 2 million people arrived in DC for the inauguration, the most ever in our nations history. I woke up early in the morning of inauguration day and was in line by 7. By this point, the line was already half a mile from the entrance. President Obama's inauguration day was also the coldest inauguration on record, and at seven in the morning, it was definitly believable! My roommates and I huddled together to keep each other warm. By ten-thirty the line had barely moved so we made a quick judgement call and ran back to the apartment to catch the inauguration on tv since it started at eleven. While I did not get to see the inauguration in person, I was still in D.C. during a very historical moment.
I have also had the opportunity spend time with my Sweetheart sisters. Claire Buffie, Miss Indiana Sweetheart as well as Miss Michigan Sweetheart and former Miss Kansas sister, Samantha Steckloff came to DC. On the weekend of Miss America, my roommates and I watched the America Pageant in the movie theater of a friend's apartment. We followed up the evening playing Wii and my new favorie card game nertz! This past weekend I enjoyed the KU vs K-State game at a K-State pub here in DC with fellow co-workers. There are only two other KU fans, and we are very outnumbered by K-Staters. On Sunday I left for Delaware and went to Rehobeth Beach and then to Ocean City in Maryland. In total, I spent about 10 hours driving the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia between Sunday and Monday. I crossed two major bridges. One bridge crossed the Chesapeake Bay by Annapolis and looked like a roller coaster. The second bridge crossed the mouth between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay connecting Maryland and Virginia. This bridge took about thirty minutes to cross. The road would transition between bridges and under ocean tunnels. I am petrified of bridges so driving across this bridge was a monumental event for me.
I promise that for the rest of the duration of my stay, I will be more prompt in keeping you all up to date!
I miss you all.
Danielle
I am terribly sorry for the delay in my blogging. I imagined I would have more time to keep everyone back home up to date, but the thrill of DC has completely kept me occupied for the last month and a half. I have fully adjusted to the DC lifestyle... Work hard to play hard.
My weekdays are jam packed. I wake up each morning around seven to get ready for work. I enjoy my mile walk to work and arrive to Rayburn between eight and nine. I typically leave my internship around six, which makes for a long day, but I am enjoying my internship so much that my days really fly by. I bought a gym membership in the House gym. Over my lunch breaks I utilize that time to workout in order to keep my evenings free. I arrive home between six-thirty and seven, which leaves me a few hours of leisure before bed. I am taking a few online classes to keep up with school while I am in DC, so after making dinner my evenings consist of studying and hanging out with my roommates and friends I have made. I try to be in bed by eleven each night, but sometimes I am unable to make that eleven o'clock appointment.
The Internship
There is no greater time than right now to experience D.C! There is a new president, a new congress, a new cabinet, and the same party controls both the legislative and executive branch which enables a lot of government activity. Currently, am working on updating our media contacts for our press secretary. This has been a task. It is vital that the press secretary has all the necessary media contacts available to her in order to release any messages to media outlets or constituents. I am contacting most of the newspapers, television stations, and radio stations in Kansas. I am also contacting major national news networks such as CNN, Fox News, Associated Press, Washington Post, etc.
Another role I play in our office is answering constituent phone calls. Over the past month I have received many calls regarding the stimulus package, the Freedom of Choice Act, and H.R. 45 which involves gun rights. With the stimulus being pushed to be passed, I have received many calls from constituents voicing their opinions on how they would like the Congressman to cast his vote.
Three weeks ago, H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, more commonly known as the stimulus package, was passed through the house. After it past in the Senate two weeks ago, a conference was formed between both the House and the Senate to negotiate the differences of the bill in order for it to be re voted upon and signed into law by the president. On Friday, I was in DC when the single most expensive bill was voted into law by the Legislature. The bill is 1,071 pages, costing 787 billion dollars.
In order to respect the privacy of the constituents who have called into our office, I will not go into detail of the phone calls I have received, but I will say that this economic crisis is effecting many Kansans. I can only hope that the actions our government is taking is the answer to this recession. It is difficult to witness friends, neighbors, and even family losing their homes, jobs, insurance, and all else that follows.
I also attend briefings on behalf of Legislative Assistants on issues ranging from health care to terrorism. My favorite briefing thus far was on microfinance. Microfinance is the process of giving small loans to low income people, specifically those in third world countries. Microfinance provides a ladder for those in poverty to climb out of that poverty by starting their own businesses. Microfinance has provided an outlet for thieves, prostitutes, and even slaves create a stable steady income for a successful life.
Playing Hard
After the work week, I get to enjoy my weekends. I really appreciate my weekends now that I work a 40 plus hour work week. Last I left off, I had received tickets to the presidential inauguration. D.C. was chaos inauguration weekend. Approximately 2 million people arrived in DC for the inauguration, the most ever in our nations history. I woke up early in the morning of inauguration day and was in line by 7. By this point, the line was already half a mile from the entrance. President Obama's inauguration day was also the coldest inauguration on record, and at seven in the morning, it was definitly believable! My roommates and I huddled together to keep each other warm. By ten-thirty the line had barely moved so we made a quick judgement call and ran back to the apartment to catch the inauguration on tv since it started at eleven. While I did not get to see the inauguration in person, I was still in D.C. during a very historical moment.
I have also had the opportunity spend time with my Sweetheart sisters. Claire Buffie, Miss Indiana Sweetheart as well as Miss Michigan Sweetheart and former Miss Kansas sister, Samantha Steckloff came to DC. On the weekend of Miss America, my roommates and I watched the America Pageant in the movie theater of a friend's apartment. We followed up the evening playing Wii and my new favorie card game nertz! This past weekend I enjoyed the KU vs K-State game at a K-State pub here in DC with fellow co-workers. There are only two other KU fans, and we are very outnumbered by K-Staters. On Sunday I left for Delaware and went to Rehobeth Beach and then to Ocean City in Maryland. In total, I spent about 10 hours driving the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia between Sunday and Monday. I crossed two major bridges. One bridge crossed the Chesapeake Bay by Annapolis and looked like a roller coaster. The second bridge crossed the mouth between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay connecting Maryland and Virginia. This bridge took about thirty minutes to cross. The road would transition between bridges and under ocean tunnels. I am petrified of bridges so driving across this bridge was a monumental event for me.
I promise that for the rest of the duration of my stay, I will be more prompt in keeping you all up to date!
I miss you all.
Danielle
Whatever you want in life, other people are going to want it too. Believe in yourself enough to accept the idea that you have an equal right to it
~Diane Sawyer
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Time of My Life
The Opportunity
In November I was presented with the life changing opportunity to intern in Washington D.C. for Representative Jerry Moran. This next semester, I will be in our nation's capital serving at the side of Congressman Moran as he represents his constituents in Kansas. This is an experience that I will be able to utilize the rest of my professional life as I continue to strive to reach my life's goals. I will be updating my blog often so that my family, friends, and all those interested will be able to follow my journey.
How did I get here?
This summer I was presented a question that really made me reflect on who I am and who I want to become. The question was, "What do you want put on your tombstone?" I was startled by this question. The words on one's tombstone reflect one's legacy during their lifetime as well as what they have left after death. After taking a pause, I answered, "She lived." Well obviously you lived is what you are probably thinking. The meaning behind "She lived," is that many of us live our daily lives mechanically. It is easy to become comfortable in your surroundings and the shelter of your routine. The essence and presence of our life is easy to take for granted and once it is all over, you can not go back and change it. I have ONE life to live, and I am really going to LIVE it. Every new opportunity I am going to take. If one door closes, I will find a new door to open. That question and my answer has been stuck in my head ever since. It made me reevaluate who I am and the direction that I want my life to lead from now until death. I do not have a set road map, but I have goals and the drive to reach them.
Politics have always interested me and making a difference is a forefront in who I am. For the last year and a half I have interned with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This internship opened my eyes to the possibilities of making a difference through the government. This past semester I asked my professor of any possible internships in Washington D.C. Through KDHE I was exposed to state level government, and I was now eager to gain the experience first hand the federal government. I applied for the internship and Tuesday November 25, I received a phone call from Congressman Moran's office as they offered me the position. I will be receiving Washburn credit which will be put towards my Political Science Minor as well as gaining a new perspective of what can be done for the people of Kansas and the United States of America at our nation's center. Furthermore, I am following my promise, to live.
Coming to DC
The past month has been hectic trying to juggle the holidays, work, and my moving accommodations. It all came together in the end and I arrived in D.C. this past Friday. I have so much to thank for the Miss America Organization for, but currently I am particularly grateful for the friendships and networking I have created from my involvement. Over Labor Day weekend, I had the honor to compete in the National Sweetheart Pageant. This pageant is created for the runners-up from the states across the U.S. Through this pageant I became friends with Jennifer Corey, Miss District of Columbia 1st Runner Up. I had told Jen of my potential plans of coming to D.C. and when the good news of my internship arrived, Jen was ready to welcome me with open arms. She met me at the Baltimore airport and was a great tour guide for my first day in D.C. I have never lived anywhere besides Topeka before, so living in a new city for the first time, especially D.C., is very overwhelming. Jen made the transition very comfortable and at the end of the night we sat in front of the television to watch Miss America Count Down to the Crown.
- On a side note: Emily I'm so glad you are ok and you look great!
I am living in an internship housing program here in D.C. called WISH. I live in a two bedroom apartment with total of five girls. The apartment is spacious, and is surprisingly a lot more so than I anticipated. My room consists of one other girl Erica, who is from North Dakota. She is interning with a non-profit organization promoting the research in diabetes. The three girls upstairs are Nikki, Lisa, and Kristen. Nikki is interning with North Dakota's Representative. Lisa is interning with a Senator from Montana, and Kristen who is from Minnesota is interning for a lobbying company. My apartment is six blocks from Capital Hill and the House building I will be working in. I did not bring my car so the only transportation I have is the Metro (Washington DC subway system) and my feet. It is actually exhilarating not being dependant on a vehicle as a means of transportation.
Saturday morning I woke up later than I would have liked, but it was sleep much needed. By one I was out the door to embark on site seeing and becoming acquainted with DC before I start my internship on Monday. I spent the next two hours looking at the Capital Building, the House Buildings, the Senate Buildings, and the Library of Congress (which made me think of the movie National Treasure). I also walked down Pennsylvania Ave and found local coffee shops that I will be making trips to in the morning, as well as restaurants, and other small shops. By this time, it began to rain on me so I hurried back to my apartment since I did not bring an umbrella.
I spent Sunday afternoon getting to know my roommates. I am thrilled to share an apartment with such bright, confident, and capable women. Each of them are unique, but we all have very similar personality traits and goals. Sunday evening I enjoyed dinner at a very nice restaurant called Hooks in Georgetown. I have been anticipating good seafood almost as much as I have been anticipating the internship. The salmon was to die for!
The Internship
Monday was the first day of my internship. I was surprised how easy it has been to get up early each morning, but I rather enjoy it. I leave my apartment every morning by 8:15. It is 1.1 miles to Rayburn (the House Building I work in). While the weather in DC is cold, it is much more peaceful walking to work than driving. The walk to and from work is one of the favorite parts of my day.
Congressman Moran's staff is really top of the line. Everyone introduced themselves to me as they trickled in the office and made me feel welcome with their Kansas hospitality. I started training for my responsibilities right away. There are two other interns besides myself. Tom is from Lawrence and is now living in Virginia as a recent college graduate. Ashely is attending American University here in DC and is from Washington, Kansas.
Day two in my internship I started working on a tedious project for our press secretary. I hope to continue to work on projects for her so that I am able to continue to learn what her job entails. A press secretary is a job that holds a high appeal for me, and whatever I am able to pick up now, would eventually be a strong asset for me in the future.
The BEST Day Ever
Today was a very exciting and fun filled day. First, I got to meet Congressman Moran. As he is a very busy man, this was the first time he had been in the office since my first day. He was just as nice as everyone had told me he was. While Congressman Moran is the Representative for the First Congressional District in Kansas, he still is very interested in the concerns of all the constituents in Kansas, something I really admire.
I was also asked by a member of the Kansas State Society to be Kansas' Cherry Blossom Princess for the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC at the end of March. I will represent Kansas in a weeks long worth of events, parade, and a ball. I will give a speech to the Kansas State Society. Jen had the opportunity to represent DC last year (as the privilege given to DC's 2nd Runner Up) and she informed me that she got to meet Nancy Pelosi as a part of the week. I am so grateful to have the chance to represent Kansas in our nation's capitol!
Finally, I recieved a ticket at the end of the day for.... HOLD YOUR BREATH.... PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA'S INAUGURATION!!!!! I will be on capitol grounds as he becomes Commander and Chief next Tuesday. I will take pictures.
I have not even been here for a week, and while I miss everyone back at home, this is the best time of my life.
With Love,
Dani
Quote of the Week
"You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more."
-Oprah Winfrey
In November I was presented with the life changing opportunity to intern in Washington D.C. for Representative Jerry Moran. This next semester, I will be in our nation's capital serving at the side of Congressman Moran as he represents his constituents in Kansas. This is an experience that I will be able to utilize the rest of my professional life as I continue to strive to reach my life's goals. I will be updating my blog often so that my family, friends, and all those interested will be able to follow my journey.
How did I get here?
This summer I was presented a question that really made me reflect on who I am and who I want to become. The question was, "What do you want put on your tombstone?" I was startled by this question. The words on one's tombstone reflect one's legacy during their lifetime as well as what they have left after death. After taking a pause, I answered, "She lived." Well obviously you lived is what you are probably thinking. The meaning behind "She lived," is that many of us live our daily lives mechanically. It is easy to become comfortable in your surroundings and the shelter of your routine. The essence and presence of our life is easy to take for granted and once it is all over, you can not go back and change it. I have ONE life to live, and I am really going to LIVE it. Every new opportunity I am going to take. If one door closes, I will find a new door to open. That question and my answer has been stuck in my head ever since. It made me reevaluate who I am and the direction that I want my life to lead from now until death. I do not have a set road map, but I have goals and the drive to reach them.
Politics have always interested me and making a difference is a forefront in who I am. For the last year and a half I have interned with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This internship opened my eyes to the possibilities of making a difference through the government. This past semester I asked my professor of any possible internships in Washington D.C. Through KDHE I was exposed to state level government, and I was now eager to gain the experience first hand the federal government. I applied for the internship and Tuesday November 25, I received a phone call from Congressman Moran's office as they offered me the position. I will be receiving Washburn credit which will be put towards my Political Science Minor as well as gaining a new perspective of what can be done for the people of Kansas and the United States of America at our nation's center. Furthermore, I am following my promise, to live.
Coming to DC
The past month has been hectic trying to juggle the holidays, work, and my moving accommodations. It all came together in the end and I arrived in D.C. this past Friday. I have so much to thank for the Miss America Organization for, but currently I am particularly grateful for the friendships and networking I have created from my involvement. Over Labor Day weekend, I had the honor to compete in the National Sweetheart Pageant. This pageant is created for the runners-up from the states across the U.S. Through this pageant I became friends with Jennifer Corey, Miss District of Columbia 1st Runner Up. I had told Jen of my potential plans of coming to D.C. and when the good news of my internship arrived, Jen was ready to welcome me with open arms. She met me at the Baltimore airport and was a great tour guide for my first day in D.C. I have never lived anywhere besides Topeka before, so living in a new city for the first time, especially D.C., is very overwhelming. Jen made the transition very comfortable and at the end of the night we sat in front of the television to watch Miss America Count Down to the Crown.
- On a side note: Emily I'm so glad you are ok and you look great!
I am living in an internship housing program here in D.C. called WISH. I live in a two bedroom apartment with total of five girls. The apartment is spacious, and is surprisingly a lot more so than I anticipated. My room consists of one other girl Erica, who is from North Dakota. She is interning with a non-profit organization promoting the research in diabetes. The three girls upstairs are Nikki, Lisa, and Kristen. Nikki is interning with North Dakota's Representative. Lisa is interning with a Senator from Montana, and Kristen who is from Minnesota is interning for a lobbying company. My apartment is six blocks from Capital Hill and the House building I will be working in. I did not bring my car so the only transportation I have is the Metro (Washington DC subway system) and my feet. It is actually exhilarating not being dependant on a vehicle as a means of transportation.
Saturday morning I woke up later than I would have liked, but it was sleep much needed. By one I was out the door to embark on site seeing and becoming acquainted with DC before I start my internship on Monday. I spent the next two hours looking at the Capital Building, the House Buildings, the Senate Buildings, and the Library of Congress (which made me think of the movie National Treasure). I also walked down Pennsylvania Ave and found local coffee shops that I will be making trips to in the morning, as well as restaurants, and other small shops. By this time, it began to rain on me so I hurried back to my apartment since I did not bring an umbrella.
I spent Sunday afternoon getting to know my roommates. I am thrilled to share an apartment with such bright, confident, and capable women. Each of them are unique, but we all have very similar personality traits and goals. Sunday evening I enjoyed dinner at a very nice restaurant called Hooks in Georgetown. I have been anticipating good seafood almost as much as I have been anticipating the internship. The salmon was to die for!
The Internship
Monday was the first day of my internship. I was surprised how easy it has been to get up early each morning, but I rather enjoy it. I leave my apartment every morning by 8:15. It is 1.1 miles to Rayburn (the House Building I work in). While the weather in DC is cold, it is much more peaceful walking to work than driving. The walk to and from work is one of the favorite parts of my day.
Congressman Moran's staff is really top of the line. Everyone introduced themselves to me as they trickled in the office and made me feel welcome with their Kansas hospitality. I started training for my responsibilities right away. There are two other interns besides myself. Tom is from Lawrence and is now living in Virginia as a recent college graduate. Ashely is attending American University here in DC and is from Washington, Kansas.
Day two in my internship I started working on a tedious project for our press secretary. I hope to continue to work on projects for her so that I am able to continue to learn what her job entails. A press secretary is a job that holds a high appeal for me, and whatever I am able to pick up now, would eventually be a strong asset for me in the future.
The BEST Day Ever
Today was a very exciting and fun filled day. First, I got to meet Congressman Moran. As he is a very busy man, this was the first time he had been in the office since my first day. He was just as nice as everyone had told me he was. While Congressman Moran is the Representative for the First Congressional District in Kansas, he still is very interested in the concerns of all the constituents in Kansas, something I really admire.
I was also asked by a member of the Kansas State Society to be Kansas' Cherry Blossom Princess for the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC at the end of March. I will represent Kansas in a weeks long worth of events, parade, and a ball. I will give a speech to the Kansas State Society. Jen had the opportunity to represent DC last year (as the privilege given to DC's 2nd Runner Up) and she informed me that she got to meet Nancy Pelosi as a part of the week. I am so grateful to have the chance to represent Kansas in our nation's capitol!
Finally, I recieved a ticket at the end of the day for.... HOLD YOUR BREATH.... PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA'S INAUGURATION!!!!! I will be on capitol grounds as he becomes Commander and Chief next Tuesday. I will take pictures.
I have not even been here for a week, and while I miss everyone back at home, this is the best time of my life.
With Love,
Dani
Quote of the Week
"You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more."
-Oprah Winfrey
Monday, September 1, 2008
Pump Up the Volume...
To quote Dorothy..."There is no place like home." I arrived in Topeka at noon today after the long drive home from Hoopeston. Admittedly I am disappointed that I did not make top eleven at Miss National Sweetheart, but I am not disappointed in myself. I want you all to know that I did my personal best, I was true to myself, and even though I wasn't what the judges were looking for this week I am proud of my competition efforts to represent Kansas for you. What I learned this week is that you can bring home more than just awards from Hoopeston - like the blessing of new friendships that will last a lifetime, a better perspective on opinions that differ from your own and, for me, a clearer understanding of how my personal ambitions relate to the Miss Kansas & Miss America Organization's mission! All of these things have sparked a renewed drive and determination to work toward bettering my best in my preparation to win Miss Kansas 2009! Now to pick up where I left off...
On Saturday morning all the contestants gathered for the Hoopeston Sweet Corn Parade. As you can imagine with 39 girls as well as other special attractions the parade was quite an event. I was privileged to ride in my dream car for the parade, a 50th Anniversary Addition Chevy Corvette. In the words of Jim Carey it was a "B-E-A-utiful" hunk of metal. This car is unique because Chevrolet manufactured only 700 of them and the paint color was designed specifically for this car and won't ever be used again. Dick was the owner and driver of my car. He was an incredibly nice man and had previously driven Miss Indiana 2007, Nicole Rash, the first runner up to Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haguland.
After the parade, lunch was served by the Hoopeston Volunteer Fire Department. These men donate their time at the fire station while working "real' jobs and raising families. Each of these men are commendable heroes as well as the ultimate example of a good role model. I was so flattered that all the fireman remembered me from last year when apparently I made quite an impression by being the only contestant who would wear the fire helmet during the pictures.
The afternoon was allotted to quiet time at our host home. My roommate Lexi and I spent the afternoon becoming even better acquainted. In one short week we've learned that we share similar values, opinions, and ambitions and have become the type of friends that will always be there for each other through good times and bad. God blessed me this week by putting Lexi into my life - she's a real class act!
Saturday evening's competition was as top notch as the evening before. I was first to perform during the talent competition singing my song from state "At This Moment" and I walked off the stage knowing I had just given the best stage performance of my life! I went to compete and I competed well, just as so many others did this week. Being a part of this largest group of Sweetheart contestants ever was life-changing and I am grateful beyond words for having had this opportunity!
As iron hones iron, so we hone one another
~Proverbs 27:17
~Proverbs 27:17
Danielle Coffman
Miss Sedgwick 2008
Miss Kansas Sweetheart 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Better Late Than Never...
Thursday I woke up at 5:15am to get a head start in preparing for my interview. I was out the door by 6:45am to meet the other contestants for breakfast which we quickly ate and were out the door by 7:30am on route to our interview location. Once there we were given only a few minutes to change into our interview outfits.
As I prepare to go into any interview room I find that self-meditation is most beneficial for me in creating a right mind set. I block out all environmental distractions and focus only on what is most important for the moment: ME! That focus gives me the courage, confidence and charisma needed to impress upon the judges that I am deserving of the title being awarded.
Since I am the first contestant in the line-up my goal was to set the bar as high as possible here and I am very pleased to report I did just that. The judges are (of course) well qualified and had obviously done their homework. They used the interview as an opportunity to get to know both my opinions and my ambitions. The questions were challenging but fair and I left the interview with a big smile.
Once our entire group had finished this phase of competition we went to our chaperone's home to have "girl time". We all crowded around the television to watch a movie while eating chips and candy. I will sheepishly admit to you all that I fell asleep about halfway into the movie - these early mornings are killer. Next came Dairy Queen for lunch, then an afternoon of talent rehearsals. Finally before returning to our host families we were treated to a yummy potluck dinner hosted by the Women Making a Difference group. Each member brought their favorite dish to this dinner.
Competition Friday evening was F-I-E-R-C-E! I can not begin to tell you how humbled and privileged I feel to be standing on a stage with these 38 amazing women! I can however tell you that (in all modesty) I did Kansas proud in all phases last night! The talent prelim winner was Utah for her piano performance. There was a swimwear tie between Nebraska and Tennessee.
And now it's Saturday and we begin again - this time with a breakfast with Junior Women's Club. Talent competition for me this evening. More later! Keep those questions & comments coming!
Danielle Coffman
Miss Sedgwick 2008
Miss Kansas Sweetheart 2008
"To trust yourself to test your limits. That is the courage to succeed.
~Bernard Edmonds
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
New friends, Old friends...
Today was the last full day before we begin competition. Breakfast was sponsored by the Hoopeston McDonalds. It was the perfect way to start out the morning. Who does not like to start their day with a coffee and Egg McMuffin? Since we finished breakfast early, an extra trip was added to our agenda, the Hoopeston Police Department. We met other contestants in the basement of the police department, taking false mug shot pictures. I would have to say they were the best looking mug shots I have ever seen! Following the mugshots, more pictures were taken with the swat car. Before 9 a.m. we had been to breakfast and jail!
Our day continued with a trip to Con Agra, an aerosol manufacturing plant in Rossville, Illinois. The premiere client for Con Agra, is PAM kitchen spray. Our tour guide was a very intelligent young man named Michael Lee. Michael is a chemical engineer for Con Agra and has created many formula's for PAM which we all use daily in our kitchens. Small bags were provided to us at the end of our tour which were greatly appreciated by all of us.
The Con Agra trip was followed by rehearsals which lasted until one. Lunch was provided by the Pump, where we were served cheeseburgers. It is a pageant girl's dream to eat beef during pageant week. After lunch we were back to rehearsal to finish learning our opening number which is Frank Sinatra's "Chicago."
As a reward for learning our opening number, we were released to shop at the Hoopeston Boutiques. Miss Tennessee, Brooke Waddel; Miss Hoopeston, Brooke Judy; and our host Cathy Judy, made a trip to Wilma's. Every year Wilma provides every contestant with a heart pendant to wear on our state sashes. It is the sincerity of unique gestures like this that make this week unforgettable because it is representing a bigger picture. The city of Hoopeston values the growth of the contestants involved with the Miss America Organization. For 65 years, they have helped young women build from their the Sweetheart experience. They have helped the progress of many past state titleholders and Miss Americas and will continue to strengthen young women on their journey through the Miss America Organization
For dinner an ice-cream and BBQ social was hosted by the Wellington Lions Club. It is tradition that every year during the ice-cream social, the contestants get their picture taken on a mound in Wellington Park with all of the children. During the event, I was able to rekindle relationships that I had formed last year while I was at Sweetheart. Gladys and Charlie Kuntz, my host family from last year, were there and greeted me with a warm hug. I also met Alexandra Blasi's host mom, Emma Leaks.
Now it is time for me to sign off, interview is tomorrow morning. It is now time for me to self-reflect, meditate, and focus on what I can accomplish as a competitor.
Danielle Coffman
Miss Sedgwick 2008
Miss Kansas Sweetheart 2008
"Success is not so much what we have as it is who we are."
~Jim Rohn
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