Miss Mississippi's Official Blog

August, 2008

Oh how the days are zooming by! I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are ready for the crisp air and breathtaking colors that fall will bring. Although I am a "summer lover," I look forward to a change of scenery, style, and most of all, the holidays!

But before we think about trick or treating or Christmas gift- giving, I would like to share with you my latest experiences as I have traveled around the state, and even outside of the state, to represent Mississippi and its genuine, fun-loving, and whole-hearted people.

First, I want to tell you about this incredible eight-year-old little girl I had the pleasure of meeting who just might be a future contender for Miss Mississippi! Her name is Alexis, and she and her mother requested to meet me one afternoon. After hearing about her self-initiated project and willingness to serve others, I could not wait to meet this young servant leader! She collects teddy bears from all over the state, and gives them to highway patrol to hand to children who are in car accidents. She said that this helps them to "not be scared." :)

I was escorted via highway patrol car by Mr. Johnny Polous (to whom I give the credit for this little arrangement) to the honorary ceremony for Alexis. I will never forget the look on her face as I stepped through the door, and the way she continued to look at me for the remainder of our visit together. I brought her an autographed copy of the August edition of Southern Living Magazine that featured me as their cover model and, of course, a teddy bear. :) I was so tickled when she refused to give the bear away and told her mom that it was hers to keep and her name was Christine! We talked one-on-one for a bit, and I was thrilled to see the way this child’s eyes sparkled as she listened intently to every word. I felt further inspired to always be an encouraging example to our youth, no matter what the age level. They are capable of more than we give them credit sometimes, and it is important that we motivate and help to facilitate their aspirations. There are no inhibitions in the eyes of a child, and if we continue to direct them down the path of hope, the possibilities can be extraordinary.

The very next day was quite possibly one of the best days of my life! It was my City of D’Iberville Welcome Home party, and there are no adjectives to describe the array of emotions I discovered that day. I was, and still am, in sheer disbelief that anyone would put such effort into a single day’s festivities. You should have seen the splendor of this place! I walked into an elaborately decorated hall, with breath-taking floral arrangements atop long, elegant vases that accompanied the brightly colored table cloths on rows and rows of rounded tables. Even the chairs were dressed for the occasion! Likewise, the food matched with its vibrant color scheme of reds, oranges, greens, yellows. Oh and was it delicious! I think I ate my weight in cantaloupe!

The ceremony soon began, and I was astounded at the amount of people who were able to attend. What I think I was most surprising was that a few members of my family had driven TWELVE hours from Denton, TX, for this special day. Also something that made me feel extra- special was seeing Briggs and Pat Hopson along with Karen and Mike Jones smiling at me after a long trip from Vicksburg. Everything about the day was just over the top, beyond adequate acclaim, and something that I will remember and cherish all my life.

First, I crowned my successor and passed on my duties as Miss Gulf Coast to my first runner-up, Kerri Reddock. I was awarded the Key to the City and a proclamation by Mayor Rusty Quave and Supervisor Wendy Swetman. Mayor Quave owns Fayard’s Grocery Store in D’Iberville and had helped me raise money to compete at Miss Mississippi as Miss Mississippi Coast 2007. I won’t take you through every detail, because it was quite extensive, but it was just wonderful. I was so happy that one of my campers from Camp Kandu, Laura Lee, was able to come and represent the diabetic children in the state. We used the ceremony as an opportunity to raise money for both the Children’s Miracle Network and the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi. Thank you so so much to everyone who contributed to these wonderful organizations!!!

I would like to give a special thanks to Angie and Mr. Stenum for their generous contributions to CMN. We concluded the formalities of the ceremony with a performance from The Next Level Performing Arts Studio (my former life ha). Finally, I was able to meet and greet with friends and family that I had not seen for months. It was so great to see everyone and to see them all at the same time! The parade that followed was an absolute blast! All of the dancers from my studio rode in floats they had decorated with personally made signs wishing me lots of love and luck! (I kept every last one of them too! They are precious!) I thought I could make it through it all without crying, but if you know me, that was impossible. :) The hard work, love, and time that was exerted to generate this day was unimaginable. The list of people goes on and on, but my local directors/ adopted second mothers Reagan and Anne were simply phenomenal. Thank you guys so much. You will NEVER know how much it meant, and I will never be able to truly express my gratitude and love for you.

I was then packed and ready to meet the other Miss America contestants in Orlando to support our Outstanding Teen contestants as they competed for the crown. I was lucky enough to have Dr. Hopson, Jayney Fidell, and Kathryn Resio accompany me on the trip and give me a crash course in air travel. It has been years since I stepped inside an airport, and I was a bit confused as to the procedures, but I am now a pro. Ha! The week was filled with early mornings and late nights, an appearance on the syndicated Daily Buzz Show, a VIP tour of Disney World, a day with Shamu at Sea World, an extravagant evening fundraiser at an Orlando estate that raised $50,000 for the Miss America Organization (yay!), an elegant dinner at Maggiano’s Italian Restaurant, a Pink Ladies Sock-Hop Dinner Dance, a meeting with the producers of TLC, an autograph party, and of course four nights of fierce competition for our "little sisters." I want to congratulate Morgan Burnett, Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen 2008, for representing Mississippi so well in Orlando. She is a gorgeous girl, inside and out, and I know she has a very promising future.

A few days later, I was happily reuniting with my other family: Southern Miss. President Dr. Martha Saunders, Vice President Dr. Joe Paul, Coordinator Erin Munton, President of Student Government Association Melissa Cirino, and many other associates planned an honorary welcoming reception for me. It was lovely. My favorite part was when Dr. Saunders gave me a gift I will forever treasure. As she presented it to me, she explained its significance to the crowd. She had bought five of these necklaces from former Miss Mississippi Jalin Wood’s jewelry line. It was an antique, Mississippi 3 cent stamp enclosed in a glass charm draped from bundles of maroon and baby pink beads. She had kept one for herself, given one to our state’s first lady Marsha Barbour, and was now giving the third to me! She said that she was very particular and would be highly selective of the remaining two necklaces. What a treat!

I was then off to my second home of Vicksburg. It was talent time, and you all know what that means: Mallory Graham. :) We worked the weekend away and Chesley was a huge help as always. I am ecstatic about my routine, and I hope you all like it as well!

My next appearance was back on the coast where I attended my very first Rotary Club meeting in Ocean Springs, MS. Mr. Ernie Pinson introduced me, and I was taken aback at how much he had researched to deliver a very informed and eloquent presentation. I sang "God Bless America" as well as my talent from last year "Some of the These Days." It felt great to perform vocally again. I have been concentrating on dance so much this past year that I almost forgot about my passion for singing. I then spoke about my pageant experiences and a bit about my platform and the reason I do what I do. I was given the Key to the City and the state-renowned book that I have not been able to put down entitled Proud to Call Mississippi Home. All of the members were exceedingly welcoming and greeted me with smiles, hugs, and handshakes.

My final appearance was at the Red Carpet Bowl in Vicksburg where I sang the National Anthem to kick off each football game. This event was originally held at the end of the season, but is now established as the very first game. I was happy to be a part of this because it is a fundraiser for scholarships that are awarded to eligible students in the area. It’s a long standing tradition in Vicksburg, and by the size of the crowd and the level of excitement, I could tell this was something very special to the town.

Before I close, I would like to share with you a little piece of scripture I came across recently.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

As September rolls around, I hope you settle nicely into your new schedules and embrace the coming changes of time, weather, and festivities. Although our lives are constantly in change, we have to realize that God is always there for us with the same love, regardless of our worldly chaos. I sometimes find myself, especially now, using my busy schedule as an excuse to not spend time with God. Yet, it seems everything falls into place perfectly when I am engaged and focused on what is right and pure.

"Seek those things which are above. Keep your minds there, not on things of the earth." Colossians 3: 1-2

Warmest regards,
Christine

P.S. While in Orlando, we had the pleasure of listening to a very gifted and passionate speaker whose words still ring in my ears today. "Every chance you get, light up! Even when you are tired, you owe it to yourself, your surrounding people, and your creator to experience life and bring others that same effervescence!" If you are ever in search of a great book, Life’s Golden Ticket by Brendon Burchard is a must read!

July, 2008

I am extremely excited to be the first Miss Mississippi to bring you all of the detailed events, both past and upcoming, through this new online blog! I will do my best to keep you as informed and updated as possible. Many of you have been wondering what I have been up to, and how I have been feeling, and this is a perfect way for me to connect and share my stories with you all.

Since my crowning a little under two months ago (goodness it seems like just yesterday!), my schedule has been filled with countless events that have had me going nonstop… and I love it!!! Those of you who know me well realize that this is how I dream of living my life: always on the go and ready for the next challenge, and helping anyone that may need it along the way. Being named Miss Mississippi has given me the opportunity to do this on such a higher level.

My very first appearance was in our capital city of Jackson. The first public speaking event I was to engage in as the newly crowned Miss MS was before all of state senators! Thankfully, they were just tickled at my presence! I was given a resolution in honor of my new title, and there I stood with the biggest grin on my face as they read this eloquent and generous write-up. It was such a pleasure to be recognized by this group of people who contribute so much for my state. As they lined up for pictures, I thanked each and every one of them for all their hard work and dedication, and they took the time to congratulate and wish me the best of luck.

I was excited that my next appearance was actually on the Gulf Coast. :) The Mississippi Association of School Superintendents had a banquet at the Beau Rivage Resort. I was invited to briefly speak about my platform and also to perform my talent from the Miss Mississippi Pageant. I hope they enjoyed watching as much as I enjoyed dancing.

I soon took a trip to the top of the state in Pontotoc County. I am exceedingly proud to inform you that I was there to congratulate the small town of Ecru in becoming the first smoke free town in the country! Way to go Mississippi! It was a celebration filled with rides, music, and games and sponsored by a new product called Zerosmoke. They went national this year with Miss America, Kirsten Haglund, and they challenged this town of 944 residents to begin kicking the habit. The people were so welcoming, as well as the mayor, Tom Todd, and the Zerosmoke spokesman, Robert Weneck. As I was leaving, the superintendent at North Pontotoc High School made his way to introduce himself to me. He had just been to the coast the previous week and had seen my performance at the banquet- small world!

Greg Robbins was another individual I had the pleasure of meeting in Ecru. I soon discovered that he is the creator and star of “Pastor Jeff,” which is the only Christian sitcom in the WORLD! I heard his stories filled with years of rejection from producers who wanted him to take Christ out of his proposals. Yet he refused and pursued onward. He is now the founder and president of Uplifting Entertainment and runs a successful and spiritual entertainment business. He should be an inspiration to us all to not turn our back on our beliefs, no matter the obstacles and criticisms we may have to endure, and that God will see us through.

I was then off to San Destin, along with my mother who was ready for a weekend getaway, where I appeared at an event hosted by the Mississippi Ladies Bar Association. The event was entitled "Queen for a Day". All of the women and their daughters gathered in an elaborately decorated ballroom of the Hilton Hotel Resort and Spa to be freshly pampered with facials, manicures, and massages, and to relax in a royal atmosphere that included tables of intricately assembled hors d'oeuvres. I was a special guest and had such a lovely time speaking to some of the women who had watched the pageant, and taking pictures with their little princesses. One little one said, “I want to be a princess. Is it fun to be you?” She was absolutely precious. :)

Back to the coast we went for the Mississippi Economic Development Summer Conference. I was stationed at the Mississippi World Trade Center Booth. All were delighted to see me, and I was just happy to meet more people from my wonderful state who were hard at work and doing their best to stimulate and expand our states revenues in a financial time such as this.

Another appearance, and possibly one of my favorites, was with the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM), an organization that I had volunteered with as Miss Gulf Coast. They were hosting their annual School Kick-off at Ridgeland’s Gattie-Town pizza parlor and arcade to inform families and their diabetic children on how to prepare for managing the disease during school. All of the children received a colorful bag filled with goodies and information packets. It was a time for parents to ask questions, and also a time for the children to interact with each other and share their stories of similar life experiences.

I was absolutely thrilled to be here and reunite with some of the children I had mentored at Camp Kandu in April. This was another DFM sponsored program that uplifts the campers by stressing that this disease is in no way an obstacle that cannot be overcome, and that their dreams are attainable through hard work and simple health modifications. At the Kick-off, I spoke to encourage the children to be open with their condition and not be embarrassed when entering a new school year with new peers and authority figures. I stressed the vitality of notifying their teachers, bus drivers, etc, when complications arise, and that their health is the number one important issue.

These children are truly an inspiration to me and touch my heart in so many ways. Most of them are on an insulin pump, and some have been diabetic as early as six months old. They struggle daily, some by no fault of their own, and are afflicted with this disease that affects over 23 million Americans. Some are still uncomfortable, while others have grown to accept it and have found the light in the situation. One little girl with flowered stickers from her goody bag on her cheekbones told me that she likes not eating all of the sugary snacks, and that eating healthy makes her feel better. A little boy told me that he will never give in and that he plays baseball, basketball, and football just fine. :) I persuaded this vigorous young athlete to talk with a newly diagnosed little boy I had met who was afraid he would have to render his helmet and cleats come football season.

Sorry this edition was a bit lengthy! :) I am just catching up with August events and after those are posted I should be able to share my experiences as they come. Thanks to all who have kept me in their prayers and supported my every dream. I am so grateful for all of these wonderful opportunities and hope you enjoy reading about my month’s journey.

Best wishes,
Christine