Five things every contestant should pack for their week at the state pageant in Zionsville

State week is almost here, and in just a few days I will move into the official host hotel for a week of fun and excitement.  I can't wait to get settled in my hotel room, talk to my roommate and meet all of the 32 contestants competing for the state title and a chance to go on to the national pageant.

State week is an adventure and everyone has a different packing strategy, but the one thing everyone agrees on is that organization is key.  The 32 contestants have a busy schedule of appearances and preliminary competition and we want to look our best all week.  For those of you PresBlog readers who are on a contestant's support team, you know how things look on move-in day.  Lots of gowns and dresses, tons of suitcases, and pretty much just general chaos sort of like getting on a cruise ship.

Here is a list of my top five things every contestant should pack for state week:

1. Bottled water.  Staying hydrated is important no matter what you are doing, and state week is no different.  With temperatures in the 90s on check-in weekend, we can count on a hot summer week in Zionsville.  Make sure you have at least 2 bottles for everyday we are at the hotel.
2. Lip gloss.  We call carry it, but it is also easy to forget in the rush of getting out of the house to head to Zionsville, so be sure you pack at least one of your favorite lip gloss.  Not a bad idea to bring a few, so you can leave one at the hotel, carry one in your bag and leave one at the PAC.
3. Bandaids.  Bring a few bandaids in different sizes and keep a few at the hotel and at the pack.  These come in handy when you need to cover and cushion a blister.
4. Makeup removing wipes.  Cleaning your face and removing all of your makeup at night can make a huge difference for your skin, so love the skin your in by keeping it healthy and happy by removing all your makeup before you go to sleep.  Plus these handy makeup removing wipes are a great mid-day refresher.
5. Bobby pins and contour clips.  Shakespeare wrote "my crown is in my heart" and I believe that, but I also know my crown will come flying off my head if I don't have a couple pins or clips.  The 32 contestants make a lot of appearances, including my favorite at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, and those kids love to see all of us wearing our crowns.

Team Presley fans at state week should look for my family to get buttons, badges and signs to show their support at the PAC and around Zionsville.  It is going to be a great week and I can't wait to see all of you at state week 2012!