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