August/ MAOTeen Recap

Hello Everyone. I'm so sorry it's been a while since i last blogged but its a crazy mess here at home ever since i got back! Here's what has gone on in August and a bit of September! Another crazy thing- i'm officially a junior in high school! 

August 4^th, Send Off at PLHS:

I spent the day surrounded by family and friends and people from all around the community! I held my sendoff/ gown showing at my high school because my high school is very important to me. We had a local sponsor donate a photo booth, so people who attended took very much advantage of that! I would like to thank everyone who came out to support me on my adventures heading into the most important week in my life. I also want to thank each and every sponsor who put their own time and money into making this event possible. Of course none of this would have been attempt-able if it wasn't for my sister Chelsea, who put all this together in her free time; in between work, and getting ready to compete and win the title of Miss Midwest 2013.

August 10^th, Saturdays’s Check in:

Now I’m at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. It’s check in day! We visited different stations set up in multiple ballrooms to take care of the little things like paperwork. We received our opening number dresses, our fitness wear, and the tote bags we would use throughout the week. We filmed our onstage introductions that we would use on stage if we made top 12, 10, or 8, I could not say anything right! We took so many re takes! (: once we finally got that down I moved on into the Tony Bowls Photo shoot room. We were borrowed a dress, and jewelry. We had pro hair and makeup stylists there giving us mini make overs. Then the fun began in front of the camera! The pictures were absolutely gorgeous! Thank you to everyone who helped out with that all the stations and filming! We then had a two hour mandatory rehearsal! I got to meet all the girls and it was so much fun! It was kind of awkward at first but that’s alright we still had fun! After rehearsal we moved into our rooms and met with our roommates! My roommate was Miss Puerto Rico OT Daniella Ramirez! I LOVED HER! We are good friends now and we had so much fun! Everything from ding dong ditching, to scaring each other as we left the bathroom! I can’t wait to see her again! I think we already have a vacation for one of us planned. We had our parent and welcome meeting, then the girls and I had a get to know you party! It was great! I knew instantly I would absolutely love these girls!

Plane Ride to MAOTeen

oh hey! It's me!

My roommate Daniela

August 11^th, Sunday’s events:

Sunday, was boring! We had a 9 hour rehearsal. My feet hurt, my head hurt from all the numbers we learned! Although, our night picked up when we went to Dave and Busters for dinner. We had the time of our lives, had amazing food, and got to play some pretty exciting games! Thank you for the sponsorship!

The Air Hockey Table Broke before i could play it! And there's a photo bomber in the background!(: (Samantha Washington (Nebraska OT))

 

August 12^th, Monday’s events:

Surprise, Surprise we had yet another full; day of rehearsals but this time, we were split up because red and white groups had interviews, but blue group had another 9 hour rehearsal. That night we went to Medieval Times! What is that you ask? LIVE JOUSTING! That’s what that is! We had the chance to present our state flags, then watch the show, eat some dinner! Our knight, the blue knight, won the jousting for the night! WE WON! The food was delicious, and we had the greatest times of our lives!

August 13^th, Tuesday’s events:

Prelim #1!!!!!!! I woke up bright and early for my interview with the judges while the red and white groups were in rehearsal! I would say it went pretty well! We headed out for rehearsal at the theater right after blue group interviews were over! Then we started our first of many on stage rehearsals, with all lighting, sound, and crew! It was so much fun and I’m not going to lie, super scary at first. Prelims went great; I had my night of fitness which is not my favorite competition. We ended the night with visitation with family and friends and back to the hotel it was!

August 14^th, Wednesday’s events:

I had my on stage talent rehearsal, then it was production rehearsal! Prelims went awesome and my talent went the best it’s ever gone! You know how I throw my weapon in the air and catch it? I threw it the highest I’ve ever thrown it! Absolutely breathtaking! The crowd loved it and my mom said people were talking about it the entire time after, and they freaked out during my talent! Thank you to everybody for the support on my talent!

Talent Rehearsal

August 15^th, Thursday’s events:

WE GOT TO SLEEP IN! You have no idea how tired I was! I slept in until like 1:00! At 1:30 we walked to the hotel and started our rehearsals! I was sad knowing that it was our last night of complete competition! I walked in my gown, and I answered my question pretty darn well if you ask me, and then it was all over! It was all in the hands of the judges!

August 16^th, Friday’s events:

We had a day off of rehearsals, and competition! The day was spent at SeaWorld with our princesses! We had so much fun! Right as we were about to leave it started down pouring! When we finally got out of the rain, we rushed back to the hotel to get ready for that night’s gala!  “An evening with the stars” it was called! It was so much fun, and we danced the night away after eating the most delicious meal!

my cheering section!

August 17^th, Saturday Finals:

We woke up and went straight to a full day of rehearsals! Why? Because that night was.. *drum roll* FINALS! Someone, one of my 51 friends would we crowned the new Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2014! It was a bitter sweet day because we all were so excited for what the night would be, but at the same time we all knew that it was our last day together! I did not make it into top 12, top 10, or top 8 nor did I win the title but I’m okay because I got to come back home to an amazing and supportive family and so many wonderful and amazing friends! Congratulations to Leah Sykes the new Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2014! We ended the night with an awards gala to give out a little bit more rewards! We all went back to our families that night, after we all hugged, and cried and refused to let go of each other! I’ll never forget this week! It was one I will treasure for the rest of my life! For some reason i don't have any finals night pictures but this was taken at the awards gala with my big sister and loudest cheerleader!

August 18^th, plane ride home:

We left Sunday… That’s really all I have to say…. It was a boring plane ride home but I did have Jordan Synder (Miss Wyoming OT) to keep me busy on the plane towards the end!

August 22^nd, state fair:

My older sister, Chelsea, my mom and I went and enjoyed the state fair! We had so so so much fun! “The Great Minnesota Get-together” they call it and well, they were right! Every year it’s such a blast and full of family traditions! Chocolate/ white milk, turkey burgers, deep fried pickles, deep fried veggies, deep fried candy bars, draft root beer, then we always go to the coliseum, the horse stables, the dairy barn, the pig barn, the cattle barn, the Miracle of Birth Center. We end our night with the amusement park, we always go on techno power, area 51, and then we go to whatever has the shorter line!

August 24^th, Brainerd lakes/ Central Lakes Scholarship pageant

Congratulations to the new queens!
Miss Brainerd Lakes: Bailey Wachholz!
Miss Central Lakes: Lauren Johnson!
Miss Brainerd Lakes Outstanding Teen: Molly West!
Miss Central Lakes Outstanding Teen: Lauren Anderson!

August 25^th, Waterpark of America event

I spent the day at the Water Park of America with the Retired FBI Agents of Minnesota. We talk to kids and families about the importance of safety, as well as handing out fee personal ID kits. I met so many fantastic and wonderful people! Thank you to the FBI group and the WPOA for inviting me to be a part of this amazing event! I can’t wait to work with you more in future!

the two cutest kids ever

September 7^th, Miss Moorhead pageant

Congratulations to the new queens!
Miss Moorhead- Maren Goff
Miss Moorhead Outstanding Teen- Sage Hovet!

Miss America 2013!

Wow it’s hard to believe that I leave in less than 48 hours to go the place I only dreamed of, Miss America. I’ll be gone for an entire week making appearances, being in rehearsal, seeing my MAOTeen sisters, and most importantly cheering on my big sister Queen Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh! Rebecca- you are a beautiful, funny, amazing, sweet, kind-hearted young women and I’m glad to call you a role model a sister and a friend! You’re going to do absolutely amazing on stage, and if for some odd, unknown, messed up reason you don’t win Miss America- I’m still going to be proud of you. Just remember you're coming home to an amazing state with “Minnesota nice”people and of course.. me. (: I love you so much sis! Rock their socks off and remember that 5.34 million+ people here in Minnesota are cheering you on every step of the way. 

Here are some of my favorite photos taken at the Tony Bowls photo shoot!