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

Danielle Coffman
Miss Sedgwick 2008
Miss Kansas Sweetheart 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

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words...

"Strive for excellence, not perfection"
~H. Jackson Brown Jr.

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

The First Full Day...

During the week of the Miss Sweetheart Pageant there is no time to lose which is exactly why I started the morning at 5:45 in order to be out the door by 6:45. My host mother, Angie, had packed snacks to keep Lexy and I moving throughout the day. Breakfast was hosted by the Hoopeston Chamber of Commerce. We were able to nourish our bodies as well enjoy pleasant conversations with members of the Hoopeston community.

After breakfast, contestants 1-20 went to the Civic Center to practice our talent selections. On our arrival to the Civic Center I was met by a very special citizen of Hoopeston named Dan Reed. Dan produces our pageant video, documenting our week as well as the pageant competition. Dan and I formed a very special relationship last year through our love for the Big 12. Dan is a big Missouri fan while I am a proud supporter of our Kansas Jayhawks! Dan would wear Missouri shirts everyday last year just for me, but this year I have come back to Hoopeston prepared for Dan. After KU's successful year last year in football and basketball he has a special shirt awaiting him, but he has to endure a week long of me wearing a KU shirt to all the rehearsals.

After rehearsals, all contestants met the Hoopeston Rotary Club for lunch. Lunch was followed with an afternoon of field trips. Our first was to a corn farm right outside of Hoopeston. Randy is the owner of the farm, and gave us contestants a brief lecture on corn and soy beans. Randy's farm supplies Frito Lay with 8% of the corn used in its products. The most exciting part of the field trips was driving the tractors. These tractors are not just any ordinary tractors, but the biggest tractors made by John Deere. I drove a piece of equipment that costs two-hundred thousand dollars and is so big that I am able to fit inside the tire. Our second field trip was a tour of Hoopeston Foods, a manufacturer of canned beans. After our tour, we were able to taste sample the beans manufactured in the factory. Through both field trips, I was able to observe two vital businesses that provide the economic stability for the town of Hoopeston.

We returned to the Civic Center in order to continue more rehearsals. Afternoon rehearsals consisted of blocking swimsuit and evening gown which made me very exited for Friday night prelims. Rehearsal was followed by dinner hosted by the Hoopeston Jaycees. As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, the Jaycees are the sponsor for the Miss National Sweetheart pageant, and the week would not be possible without their support.

Thank you for all the support back home. Until Tomorrow.

Danielle Coffman
Miss Sedgwick 2008
Miss Kansas Sweetheart 2008

"Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us,
becoming all that we can be.”
~Zig Ziglar

I Don't Think We Are In Kansas Anymore...

This week I am one of 39 young women privileged to represent their home state at the 2008 National Miss Sweetheart Pageant. This blog will be updated regularly to keep those of you interested informed about my experiences here in Hoopeston IL (population 6000) which is so reminiscent to me of Pratt KS - both small rural towns that are filled with volunteers & sponsors who love & support the Miss America program wholeheartedly.

My plane arrived in Indianapolis, Indiana at 12:55pm Monday. After collecting my luggage, I joined an already gathered group of contestants as we waited for even more contestant's planes to arrive. By 3:30pm we were all on our shuttle bus for the 2 hour trip to our host town. I enjoyed this time very much. It was a perfect opportunity for us to become acquainted before we become competitors. One of the first girls I met was my housemate Lexy who is a former Miss South Dakota USA. We are both marketing majors so we hit it off instantly. I also made time to renew my warm friendship with Samantha Steckloff representing Michigan.

Upon arriving in town, one of the first things we noticed were the multitude of posters displayed for "Miss Hoopeston 2008" the Sweetcorn Festival's celebrity hostess for the week. This year she is Brooke Judy who hosted us at a delightful and delicious welcoming dinner. Following that meal we met to review our agenda for the week and we were presented with our state sashes. I learned that I am for better or worse #1 in the line-up and that the judges are from AR, IA, IL, OK, WA.

Next we were introduced to our host families. Tim, Angie, and their son Mitchell will be Lexy & my adoptive family for the week. I am so grateful that members of the community share their homes with us and in my case it is a beautiful country home that will soon be celebrating it's 100th year. After visiting for an hour or so Lexy & I headed off to our respective rooms which is where I am now writing this blog before heading off to sleep. We've been told that tomorrow (Tuesday) will be a jam-packed day. I look forward to keeping you posted and I encourage you to post questions and/or comments as the week progresses!

Let me leave you this evening with a bit of relevant trivia: Five National Sweetheart titleholders have gone on to become Miss America, including Kansas' very own Tara Dawn Holland, Miss Sweetheart 1995 and Miss America 1997. I say it's time for Kansas to bring both those titles home again!

Danielle Coffman
Miss Sedgwick 2008
Miss Kansas Sweetheart 2008

"Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed
is more important than any other thing."
~Abraham Lincoln