After days of practice, rehearsals, and waiting, it was finally time to officially start the competition to find the next Miss Indiana! The fourth day of the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant started bright and early with the private interview competition. The 31 contestants finished their day in front of a screaming crowd at the first night of preliminary competition at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center.
Private interview is about a quarter of a contestant's total score in the Miss America system, and most titleholders, including me, spend more time prepping for interview than any other area of competition. In the months and weeks leading up to the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant, and read the news constantly to stay current on politics and pop culture. Then I would take that knowledge into my practice interviews so I would be ready for just about any question my mock judges would throw at me. I love, love, love my interview dress, and the story behind it, and I truly felt like a Miss America when I walked into the official interview room at the Miss Indiana Pageant.
Private interview is the only chance I get to actually interact with the judges, so I try to make the most of that opportunity and really let the judges get to know me and see how I would be a good fit for the position of Miss Indiana. I've always viewed being a titleholder as a job, so that is something I try to convey to the the judges. I also love singing, and I am passionate about my beliefs, so I have a lot of things I want to tell the judges during the 10 minute private interview. For the first nine and a half minutes of the interview, the judges just fire away with their questions in no particular order. The judges get to ask anything they may want to know, and some of these questions might come from the contestant's paperwork or current events. With only 10 minutes total, I work hard to stay on track so the judges have time to ask enough questions to get to know me well and see how I can do the job of a state titleholder. I felt really good when I left the interview room and I couldn't think of a single answer I would change.
I was in Alpha Group at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant, so that means I compete in evening gown and swimsuit during the first night of preliminary competition. In swimsuit contestants are only on stage for a few seconds and I really wanted the judges to see I am physically fit. Every titleholder wants to be a good role model for healthy lifestyles and that is something we hope to showcase in the swimsuit competition. Evening gown is about poise and presence, and I spent a lot of time practicing how I would find my own pace no matter what the music would be at the state pageant. I had been waiting so long to compete at the Miss Indiana Pageant, and taking the stage in my evening gown was such an amazing moment. I love my evening gown so much, and I felt like a queen on the Miss Indiana stage. For all you princesses out there, dreams really do come true if you work hard and always keep chasing your goals.
It was really good to have my friends and family in the audience cheering for me. The energy at the PAC is really incredible when it is filled with Miss Indiana fans. And the crowd only gets bigger as the week goes on. I was really proud to see my parents and friends in the audience with their Team Presley buttons and badges and signs. Having such an incredible support system really makes it fun to compete for the title of Miss Indiana.
Keep reading all week as I post my favorite memories from the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Memories of Miss Indiana Week: Day Three
On day three at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant things really picked up, and all of our practicing came together just in time for dress rehearsal at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center, which most of us in the Miss Indiana system have taken to calling "the PAC." Tuesday we also attended the Joy of Life Luncheon in honor of Joy Robbins, who was a longtime friend, supporter and interview consultant for Miss Indiana.
The Tuesday night dress rehearsal is a full dress rehearsal of both the Wednesday and Thursday night prelims, so it is a long night but a fun night. We practice so much on Monday and Tuesday to make sure everything is just perfect for the first public show on Wednesday, so the Tuesday night dress rehearsal is our chance to run through everything - and I do mean everything - and make sure we are all on the same page and ready to go for the rest of the week. Dress rehearsals are closed to the public, so only directors and board members get to see this special sneak peek.
Doing both shows for dress rehearsals is an incredible moment. Even though the PAC is pretty much empty, when the opening number music comes on and the spotlight hits you its hard not to get excited. There are moments when it is easy to forget it is just a practice run, because the contestants are so focused on doing their best, making sure they shine in front of the judges, and knowing that on Wednesday night they will hear their family and friends cheering for them as they compete for the title of Miss Indiana.
The Joy of Life Luncheon was a really special event, and all 31 of the Miss Indiana contestants wore "cute casual in pink." Special thanks to Barbara Helm, Miss Indiana field director and judges hostess, who did so much work making the Joy of Life Luncheon a super special event for all the contestants. The Joy of Life Award is announced on the final night of the Miss Indiana Pageant and is a tremendous honor.
In Zionsville at the Miss Indiana pageant we are contestants, but win or lose, everyone one of the contestants are local titleholders in the Miss America Organization. All of us want to be Miss Indiana, many of us dreaming of going on to become a contestant in the Miss America pageant, but no matter what, we are local titleholders. At the end of the week one lucky young woman begins her journey as a state titleholder, but we are all Miss America's in our community.
The Tuesday night dress rehearsal is a full dress rehearsal of both the Wednesday and Thursday night prelims, so it is a long night but a fun night. We practice so much on Monday and Tuesday to make sure everything is just perfect for the first public show on Wednesday, so the Tuesday night dress rehearsal is our chance to run through everything - and I do mean everything - and make sure we are all on the same page and ready to go for the rest of the week. Dress rehearsals are closed to the public, so only directors and board members get to see this special sneak peek.
Doing both shows for dress rehearsals is an incredible moment. Even though the PAC is pretty much empty, when the opening number music comes on and the spotlight hits you its hard not to get excited. There are moments when it is easy to forget it is just a practice run, because the contestants are so focused on doing their best, making sure they shine in front of the judges, and knowing that on Wednesday night they will hear their family and friends cheering for them as they compete for the title of Miss Indiana.
The Joy of Life Luncheon was a really special event, and all 31 of the Miss Indiana contestants wore "cute casual in pink." Special thanks to Barbara Helm, Miss Indiana field director and judges hostess, who did so much work making the Joy of Life Luncheon a super special event for all the contestants. The Joy of Life Award is announced on the final night of the Miss Indiana Pageant and is a tremendous honor.
In Zionsville at the Miss Indiana pageant we are contestants, but win or lose, everyone one of the contestants are local titleholders in the Miss America Organization. All of us want to be Miss Indiana, many of us dreaming of going on to become a contestant in the Miss America pageant, but no matter what, we are local titleholders. At the end of the week one lucky young woman begins her journey as a state titleholder, but we are all Miss America's in our community.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Memories of Miss Indiana Week: Day Two
The 31 contestants at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant got started on rehearsals at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center on their second day of pageant week. The 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant had two nights of preliminaries and a final night with the top ten on Saturday, so the contestants have to do a lot of rehearsing to put on the shows. We practice the big opening dance number and the walking patterns for evening gown and swimsuit. We practice it over and over to make sure everything is perfect when the curtain goes up on Wednesday night.
A big thank you to the team at the Holiday Inn Express Northwest at Park 100 for being the official host hotel of the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant! We spent a full week at the hotel - I remember a few years ago Miss Indiana emcee Brad Brown said pageant week was kind of like summer camp.
One of the best parts of Monday was the cookout with the Zionsville Lions. The Zionsville Lions have been good friends of the Miss Indiana program for many years so it was really a pleasure to meet them. The cookout with the Zionsville Lions was one of the events I was looking forward to most during the week because it is a chance to thank one of our biggest supporters in person. The Zionsville Lions put on lots of great community events in Zionsville where Miss Indiana makes appearances. Miss Indiana is in Zionsville for the Fourth of July festival and the fall festival just to name a few.
When I got back to the hotel I had a great gift basket waiting for me filled with my favorite snacks and treats! Miss Indiana week is lots of fun, but it is also really exhausting because of the non-stop schedule. Sometimes it can be hard to find time to grab a snack, and eating regularly is really important to my diet, so I was super grateful to get my favorite snacks. If you are a contestant at a week long pageant, or traveling for a few days, don't be afraid to pack some snacks and bottled water. I know a lot of young women struggle to make healthy menu choices when staying at hotels, so having some healthy snacks is a really good idea.
The week really takes off as we move toward opening night and interview day, so keep reading as I post my favorite memories from Miss Indiana Week 2011.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Memories of Miss Indiana Week: Day One
The first day of the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant week was Sunday, and it was a busy start for all of the 31 contestants. We started out the day at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center where we had only a limited time window to move in to the dressing rooms. Let me tell you, organization is key to a successful move in on the first day of pageant week. Moving in at the PAC was a good feeling - hanging up my gowns in the dressing room made me really feel like a real Miss Indiana contestant, and it was a signal that I was ready to show the judges everything I had been practicing for months.
The Pet Parade in downtown Zionsville was even more fun that I expected! After we left the PAC we headed to Earth Explorer Toys where I would be doing autographs after the big main parade on Saturday. I had a couple signs I wanted to hang in the window at Earth Explorer Toys promoting the Miss Indiana program, so I wanted to get them up early. My signs had the complete schedule of the prelims and finals so I hope maybe this got a few more people to come see the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant. I really hope this is an idea that takes off, because it would be great to see pictures and promotions for Miss Indiana filling storefront windows during pageant week.
It was raining at the time of the pet parade, but armed with my black polka dot umbrella and my favorite pink heels I was excited to meet the Zionsville residents and their pets. I had put together little bags of dog treats to hand out during the parade, and let me tell you, the treats were a big hit. I was also giving out photo buttons which were very popular and I quickly ran out, so I will have more next year. Handing out buttons and treat bags with my picture really made me feel like a celebrity. Special thanks to the person who lent me their dog for the parade!
After the parade we had a quick welcome reception in downtown Zionsville and then it was on to the host hotel to get checked in and settled for the week. One of the best parts of Miss Indiana is spending the entire week with such an amazing group of young women. Every one of them are so beautiful and talented. The hotel rooms were cozy to say the least, and my room had a wardrobe but no closet. This is where it pays to be prepared with your own clothes rack.
I loved my door decorations! Special thanks to Team Presley for putting together the amazing letters that spelled out my name on my hotel room door, plus I had more promotional signs for my door like the ones I put up at Earth Explorer Toys. Seeing the door decorations at the hotel is really cool, and if you are not familiar with Miss Indiana it is a tradition you might not know, but it is something that really makes the girls feel special.
Day one at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant was a blast, and the rest of my week was even better. Keep reading all week as I post my Memories of Miss Indiana Week!
The Pet Parade in downtown Zionsville was even more fun that I expected! After we left the PAC we headed to Earth Explorer Toys where I would be doing autographs after the big main parade on Saturday. I had a couple signs I wanted to hang in the window at Earth Explorer Toys promoting the Miss Indiana program, so I wanted to get them up early. My signs had the complete schedule of the prelims and finals so I hope maybe this got a few more people to come see the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant. I really hope this is an idea that takes off, because it would be great to see pictures and promotions for Miss Indiana filling storefront windows during pageant week.
It was raining at the time of the pet parade, but armed with my black polka dot umbrella and my favorite pink heels I was excited to meet the Zionsville residents and their pets. I had put together little bags of dog treats to hand out during the parade, and let me tell you, the treats were a big hit. I was also giving out photo buttons which were very popular and I quickly ran out, so I will have more next year. Handing out buttons and treat bags with my picture really made me feel like a celebrity. Special thanks to the person who lent me their dog for the parade!
After the parade we had a quick welcome reception in downtown Zionsville and then it was on to the host hotel to get checked in and settled for the week. One of the best parts of Miss Indiana is spending the entire week with such an amazing group of young women. Every one of them are so beautiful and talented. The hotel rooms were cozy to say the least, and my room had a wardrobe but no closet. This is where it pays to be prepared with your own clothes rack.
I loved my door decorations! Special thanks to Team Presley for putting together the amazing letters that spelled out my name on my hotel room door, plus I had more promotional signs for my door like the ones I put up at Earth Explorer Toys. Seeing the door decorations at the hotel is really cool, and if you are not familiar with Miss Indiana it is a tradition you might not know, but it is something that really makes the girls feel special.
Day one at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant was a blast, and the rest of my week was even better. Keep reading all week as I post my Memories of Miss Indiana Week!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Countdown to Miss Indiana: 1 day to check-in!
With only one full day remaining before the 31 contestants check in for the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant in Zionsville, I want to take a moment to thank all of my friends and supporters who have helped make this journey possible.
An ancient Chinese proverb says the journey is the reward - I believe that is true. I've learned so much in the past few months - about our state, about Miss America, about my platform, and most importantly, about myself.
When you see the 31 contestants in the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant take the stage next week, you will see an amazing show. The work for that show started months ago, if not years ago, for most of the contestants. I know I have been working so hard to get ready and make sure I can really shine, and I know all of the contestants are so excited about the pageant this year.
To my Miss Indiana princesses - I will be there to see you soon!
An ancient Chinese proverb says the journey is the reward - I believe that is true. I've learned so much in the past few months - about our state, about Miss America, about my platform, and most importantly, about myself.
When you see the 31 contestants in the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant take the stage next week, you will see an amazing show. The work for that show started months ago, if not years ago, for most of the contestants. I know I have been working so hard to get ready and make sure I can really shine, and I know all of the contestants are so excited about the pageant this year.
To my Miss Indiana princesses - I will be there to see you soon!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Countdown to Miss Indiana: 3 days to check-in!
In just a few days the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant will kick off in Zionsville for a week of excitement!
The biggest day of Miss Indiana Pageant Week is on Saturday, June 25th. On Saturday at noon the Miss Indiana Parade will head down Main Street in beautiful downtown Zionsville featuring all 31 of the 2011 Miss Indiana contestants, teen pageant contestants and princesses.
Come meet me at Earth Explorer Toys after the parade in downtown Zionsville! Earth Explorer Toys is an independent toy store and is full of wonderful gift ideas for your favorite Miss Indiana princess. Earth Explorer Toys is at the corner of Main and Pine in downtown Zionsville, and I will be there immediately following the Miss Indiana Parade giving out free autographed pictures and other special promo items from Team Presley. Come meet me at Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville on Saturday, June 25th after the parade!
The biggest day of Miss Indiana Pageant Week is on Saturday, June 25th. On Saturday at noon the Miss Indiana Parade will head down Main Street in beautiful downtown Zionsville featuring all 31 of the 2011 Miss Indiana contestants, teen pageant contestants and princesses.
Come meet me at Earth Explorer Toys after the parade in downtown Zionsville! Earth Explorer Toys is an independent toy store and is full of wonderful gift ideas for your favorite Miss Indiana princess. Earth Explorer Toys is at the corner of Main and Pine in downtown Zionsville, and I will be there immediately following the Miss Indiana Parade giving out free autographed pictures and other special promo items from Team Presley. Come meet me at Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville on Saturday, June 25th after the parade!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Countdown to Miss Indiana: 5 days to check-in!
In only five days, the 31 contestants competing for the title of Miss Indiana will arrive in Zionsville for the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant - I can't wait!
A part of the week I am most excited about is our visit to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Riley is the only Children's Miracle Network Hospital in Indiana, and all 31 of the Miss Indiana contestants will visit Riley during pageant week. I am a Riley kid, so I am excited to go on the hospital tour and hear about all the cool things they are doing at Riley, like the new tower that will significantly increase the hospital's ability to keep children healthy in Indiana.
In addition to our visit to Riley, the Miss Indiana contestants get to spend time at the local boys and girls club and go to a cookout with the Zionsville Lions Club. The Zionsville Lions are great friends of the Miss Indiana program and I can't wait to thank them for their support.
I've been really busy working on my interview prep and making sure I have everything perfect for my talent performance. In the Miss America Organization, each Miss Indiana contestant gets a ten minute private interview with the judges. Each contestant works hard to use those ten minutes for the judges to really get to know them, their personalities, passions and platforms.
Miss America is the face, the voice and the talent of the national organization, so the judges are looking for a talented Miss Indiana. I will be singing this year at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant on the second night of prelims, so I hope you will all be there to cheer for me. While Miss Indiana doesn't need to be a professional entertainer, she needs to have a strong talent and be ready to share her talent at appearances. I once sang the National Anthem at an arm wrestling contest, so believe me when I say I am always ready at a moments notice.
Miss Indiana week kicks off on Sunday with a pet parade in downtown Zoinsville. You can get the complete schedule by clicking on my Road to Miss Indiana tab, including the times and dates of each pageant night. If you don't already have tickets, plan to get them during pageant week at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center ticket office before each show.
A part of the week I am most excited about is our visit to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Riley is the only Children's Miracle Network Hospital in Indiana, and all 31 of the Miss Indiana contestants will visit Riley during pageant week. I am a Riley kid, so I am excited to go on the hospital tour and hear about all the cool things they are doing at Riley, like the new tower that will significantly increase the hospital's ability to keep children healthy in Indiana.
In addition to our visit to Riley, the Miss Indiana contestants get to spend time at the local boys and girls club and go to a cookout with the Zionsville Lions Club. The Zionsville Lions are great friends of the Miss Indiana program and I can't wait to thank them for their support.
I've been really busy working on my interview prep and making sure I have everything perfect for my talent performance. In the Miss America Organization, each Miss Indiana contestant gets a ten minute private interview with the judges. Each contestant works hard to use those ten minutes for the judges to really get to know them, their personalities, passions and platforms.
Miss America is the face, the voice and the talent of the national organization, so the judges are looking for a talented Miss Indiana. I will be singing this year at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant on the second night of prelims, so I hope you will all be there to cheer for me. While Miss Indiana doesn't need to be a professional entertainer, she needs to have a strong talent and be ready to share her talent at appearances. I once sang the National Anthem at an arm wrestling contest, so believe me when I say I am always ready at a moments notice.
Miss Indiana week kicks off on Sunday with a pet parade in downtown Zoinsville. You can get the complete schedule by clicking on my Road to Miss Indiana tab, including the times and dates of each pageant night. If you don't already have tickets, plan to get them during pageant week at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center ticket office before each show.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Countdown to Miss Indiana: 9 days to check-in at Zionsville
Calling all Miss Indiana Fans! We are now less than ten days away from check-in for the 31 contestants competing at the 2011 Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant in Zionsville, and I couldn't be more excited!
With only a little more than a week to go, I am busy making all the final last-minute arrangements. I've been waiting for so long to compete in the Miss Indiana Pageant, and all those years in the teen program made me even more excited. The teen pageant was a one-night event, but with Miss Indiana, I get to spend the entire week in Zionsville with the 31 contestants competing for the title fo Miss Indiana.
As I count down to Miss Indiana, I am also getting ready to start school at Vincennes University in the fall. I am taking a big step forward with Miss Indiana in June and in my school career later this year, and I am thrilled to have all of my PresBloggers along for the ride. It has been an incredible journey.
Miss Indiana kicks off the first night of preliminary competition on Wednesday, June 22nd at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center. See you there!
With only a little more than a week to go, I am busy making all the final last-minute arrangements. I've been waiting for so long to compete in the Miss Indiana Pageant, and all those years in the teen program made me even more excited. The teen pageant was a one-night event, but with Miss Indiana, I get to spend the entire week in Zionsville with the 31 contestants competing for the title fo Miss Indiana.
As I count down to Miss Indiana, I am also getting ready to start school at Vincennes University in the fall. I am taking a big step forward with Miss Indiana in June and in my school career later this year, and I am thrilled to have all of my PresBloggers along for the ride. It has been an incredible journey.
Miss Indiana kicks off the first night of preliminary competition on Wednesday, June 22nd at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center. See you there!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Countdown to Miss Indiana: 12 days to check-in day
Operation Miss Indiana is in full swing, and with only 12 days remaining until the 31 contestants check in for the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant in Zionsville, I am more and more excited everyday.
I am incredibly grateful for Team Presley - all my family and friends who are working so hard to help me get ready for the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant. Because of Team Presley, we have buttons, badges, signs, autograph pictures, and everything else a titleholder might need to promote her platform and make kids smile during Miss Indiana week. I am so excited to take the stage at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant, and I can't wait to perform my talent, but I am reminded that my trip to Miss Indiana really is a team effort.
Don't forget, the big Miss Indiana parade is on June 25th at noon in downtown Zionsville. This is a great family event. It is free to watch the parade on main street, and immediately following the parade all 31 of the Miss Indiana contestants will be doing autographs and pictures in the downtown merchants. A big thank you to all the Zionsville merchants for their continued support of Miss Indiana.
I am incredibly grateful for Team Presley - all my family and friends who are working so hard to help me get ready for the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant. Because of Team Presley, we have buttons, badges, signs, autograph pictures, and everything else a titleholder might need to promote her platform and make kids smile during Miss Indiana week. I am so excited to take the stage at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant, and I can't wait to perform my talent, but I am reminded that my trip to Miss Indiana really is a team effort.
Don't forget, the big Miss Indiana parade is on June 25th at noon in downtown Zionsville. This is a great family event. It is free to watch the parade on main street, and immediately following the parade all 31 of the Miss Indiana contestants will be doing autographs and pictures in the downtown merchants. A big thank you to all the Zionsville merchants for their continued support of Miss Indiana.
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