Time seems to be flying by- my sincerest apologies for making you wait this long for my next blog update. BUT- Great news! Because it's been a while, I will make it up to you by writing an abnormally long post.
Much has happened since I last wrote to you. Every day is a new adventure as Miss Kansas, and with each day comes a bigger, fuller sense of pride to be representing the Miss Kansas Organization. I have certainly been keeping quite busy, promoting what the Miss Kansas and Miss America Organizations provide to young women each year, what it's like to be Miss Kansas, how I received the job of Miss Kansas, and many other aspects of the position in 3 radio interviews and two commercials since my last post! I've also made appearances at the Kansas State Fair, the Miss Wooded Hills local pageant, St. Joseph School, Holy Spirit Catholic School, the Kansas Masonic Home, among many others. My schedule seems to be getting busier by the second- and I couldn't be more honored to be welcomed into each appearance as the current Miss Kansas 2009.
Preparations for the Miss America Pageant in January are coming along beautifully! It's certainly not an easy task preparing for the job of Miss America, but I am working extremely hard and am so looking forward to representing Kansas to the best of my ability in Las Vegas. With the preparation comes consistent development of my platform- and speaking of PLATFORM...
I'd like to officially annouce I have a new title for my platform. It is called "The Arts: A Pathway to Creativity and Innovation." When on the road speaking on the importance of arts education as Miss Kansas, many people have come up to me and asked if I am upset that I won the title during one of the lowest years economically in our country's history, implying that the arts are continuing to be put on the backburner this year, or even cut completely from many schools across the United States. My response is quite the contrary. Now more than ever, someone must stand up and be a powerful voice for arts education, and as Miss Kansas, and hopefully Miss America, I am willingly up to this challenge. The beautiful concept of arts education is the simple fact that just because some may not want to be a musician or artist professionally does not mean that the creativity they gained through arts classes will go to waste. Have you ever noticed how some of the world's most successful businesses are as successful as they are because they produced a product completely different than anything we had ever had before? These businesses had some creative people on their side. Creativity is a powerful tool that many overlook. With every opportunity that is set in front of me, I urge educators across our state that no matter what your students want to do professionally, to encourage them to think out of the box, to think creatively. Pushing creative thinkers in the classroom NOW will in turn lead to a healthier and more successful economy.
Also- I have a few "congratulations!" to do! A big 'thumbs up' from me and the Miss Kansas Organization to Staci Klinginsmith, the new Miss Wooded Hills 2010, Berkley Matthews, Miss Leavenworth County Outstanding Teen 2010, and Leslie Carillo, Miss Wooded Hills Oustanding Teen 2010. I am very proud of all three of you, and so excited to see the difference you will make in other's lives as you spend this coming year holding your title. Congratulations!
Last, but certainly not least, I cannot write a blog without a shout out! This post's shout out goes to my beautiful sister, and part-time traveling companion, Mandy. I love her dearly, even though she is a Nebraska Husker... now that is true love!
All my blessings,
Becki