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
2 comments:
This time tomorrow I should be in Hoopeston!!! YAY! I can't wait to cheer you on!
"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To give of one's self; To leave the world a bit better; To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - This is to have succeeded." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
...and that's what I wish for YOU!
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