Life
has been excellent, busy, fast moving, exciting... and did I mention busy?
As
promised, I wanted to use this post to thank my sponsors; however, I first want
to tell you all what I have been up to. First off, I was invited to attend the
2012 Miss Warner Robins pageant. It was so thrilling, yet somewhat odd, to be
sitting in the audience watching a preliminary. I only competed in two locals
during the two years I competed in Miss Georgia, and I only attended a few preliminaries
where I wasn't competing. So to sit in the audience after having dinner with
the judges was a bit surreal. The Executive Director of the Miss Warner Robins
pageant, Marcy Waugh, treated me better than I ever could have imagined at my
first paid appearance. The judges' dinner was delicious, the pageant was
entertaining, and the stay at the hotel was relaxing. And I can’t forget to
mention the yummy breakfast I was served! A few weeks later I went to the Miss
Cobb County Pageant, where I got to attend the judges' dinner, introduce the
mistress of ceremonies, and help with on-stage question. Sitting in the audience
for this pageant was quite nerve wracking. I knew a lot of the contestants, and
to know that only one girl would walk away with the title made for an
interesting night of trying to sit still. My prayer was that each contestant
would walk away having felt they did their absolute best. At the end of the
night, the wonderful Maggie Bridges was crowned Miss Cobb County 2012.
In
between the Miss Warner Robins pageant and the Miss Cobb County pageant, I was
busy traveling, planning, and completing the grueling, yet exciting, task of
Miss America paperwork! There are a lot of administrative things to get
together, plus the re-writing and editing of the platform essay and resume. All
of this to say, I owe Greg Blazer a HUGE "thank-you" for
helping me with all the paperwork and forms.
There’s a good deal more to complete, in a shorter amount of time,
compared to Miss Georgia. I felt like a
thousand pounds had been lifted off my shoulders the day it was all turned in.
I also met with Thomas Barnette and his engineer to cut my new music - it's
fabulous!! I am so excited about the new piece I will be dancing to. After Miss
America's Outstanding Teen, I will be spending a lot of time in the studio
choreographing, and then will meet with one of the 2012 Miss Georgia judges,
Ivan Pulinkala, to get his input on my choreography. I will admit that pageant
variations are much different than traditional classical ballet variations,
each fun in their own way. I have no doubt in my mind Ivan will help
"spiff it up” and help me combine technique and pageant style for Miss
America. :-)
I later traveled to Jesup, Georgia for Jameson Kenerly's send-off to Miss America's Outstanding Teen. She has been an amazing sister queen, and I am still so thankful for the story we share (read my very first post for details). I am so excited to cheer her on in Orlando. I know she will make Georgia proud, and even more importantly, I know she will make God proud. She truly is an "outstanding teen."
This
past week I was in Atlanta modeling for Sherri Hill at the Atlanta Apparel
mart. Not only was it a great learning experience working with Lu Sierra, top
model and runway expert, it was so much fun trying on Sherri Hill dresses all
week. My feet pretty much hate me, but that is just too bad! Another perk of
the week was my fabulous roommate. Ali
Rogers, Miss South Carolina 2012, and I got to spend a whole week getting to
know each other. Let me be the first to say she is amazingly beautiful...and
not just on the outside. Wow. I could not have asked for a better roommate and
Miss America sister. During the week, I also started thinking of evening gown
options for Miss America. Thanks to my wonderful sponsors (I am getting to them
in this post!), I will have many gown options to choose from. I cannot wait
until they start arriving at the stores for me to go pick up. I also was able
to go ahead and design an interview option...which I think I am going to fall
in love with!
As
I am writing this post, my room is a disaster because I am in the middle of
un-packing from the Mart and re-packing for Miss America's Outstanding Teen in
Orlando. I leave at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, August 14. I will stop by the Rosen Centre Hotel to
freshen up, then quickly head to the theater to cheer on my Miss Georgia OT
sister, Jameson Kenerly!!!!!! I cannot contain my excitement. I will of course
write a blog post right after I get home from Orlando to update everyone on the
week. It's sure to be a memorable experience.
Now
to my sponsors.....
Thank
you, thank you, thank you. From Kia Automotive and Lasting Impressions in
Columbus, Georgia to Frills and Fancies in Statesboro, Ga, I am already being
spoiled beyond belief.
My
car is still driving like a dream and I have so enjoyed the blessing of getting
my car washed when needed at Fourth Avenue Car wash. Being able to tan when I need to at New Life
Tanning and get my nails done at SoYoung Salon and Spa is also very much
appreciated. I truly feel pampered everywhere I go!
Urban
Body Fitness (Stephen Smith) is an incredible sponsor that I could not live
without; truly. My body is missing him recently as I have not been able to see
him as much as I normally do.
Keith
Pittman at Lasting Impressions in Columbus has already been so generous with
letting me borrow dresses for any occasion I might need one, and he also has
let me keep a few that I have fallen in love with. Yay! For those who do not
know, Keith is a HUGE reason as to why I even started competing in the Miss
America Organization.
Scott
Marchbanks at Frills and Fancies has also been beyond giving. He has literally
stocked my closet FULL with daytime dresses, casual outfits, and loads of
jewelry from his boutique, in addition to beautiful cocktail dresses and gowns
from his dress store. Those who are close to me know this, but to those who do
not, my selections have always been very limited in the past due to financial
circumstances. Huge thanks to these two men for helping me always feel like
"Miss Georgia."
I
am happy to say Gregory Ellenburg is also a clothing sponsor! I was able to
meet with him while modeling at the mart and am thrilled about our choices. I
can't wait to share them with everyone :-)
Rivertown
Dental is my official cosmetic dentistry sponsor for the year. I already had my
consultation and am scheduled to go see them again at the end of August. The
whole staff is so personable, and they always make me feel right at home. I am
extremely grateful for their sponsorship as well.
Matt
Boyd Photography is yet another amazing sponsor for Miss Georgia. I had my
official photoshoot a few weeks after being crowned, and it was excellent! It
was for sure a fun-filled day spent with some remarkable people. Pictures are
below...
Julio
Cesar's Salon and Spa in Atlanta is my hair care sponsor. Oh my gosh, let me just say Julio is
amazing!!! He has set me up with hair care to keep my hair healthy (a big
necessity since I am using heat on it all the time), and he has already cut it
twice for me. Corey, who works at the salon, also shapes my eyebrows whenever I
stop in. Spending a day at Julio's always makes me feel rejuvenated and
special.
Family
Eye Care in Sandersville, Georgia has been so gracious with their services.
They offer free eye care and eye wear for Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia's
Outstanding Teen. I have not been able to visit the store yet, but am scheduled
to go in September. More details on my special visit here coming soon.
"Give
thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1
As
always, this post is really long! With that being said, I will tell y'all about
the last of my sponsors in the next post when I write about Orlando. Much love
to you all...
-Love
in Christ,
Leighton
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