Home Sweet Home

Well Kansas, I am back!!!

I know it has been a long time since I have written, but I have not forgotten about all of you out there!

Miss America was incredible! I went and rocked the stage and am now back to rock Kansas--that's for sure. I had a great time with my friends I made from the reality show—I want to give a special shout out to Miss Wyoming. She brought me a saddlebag! Seriously, if you know me, this is the perfect gift. I also want to say I was seen flashing the peace sign on television—since then, I have been given many peace sign gifts.

I want to tell you the most important thing I experienced at Miss America. I remember when I was preparing to head off to college. I decided not to try out for any piano scholarships, which is absurd because that is my primary instrument. I also never tried out for jazz band. I was afraid of not only failing but not getting the first position, so I did not even try. The minute after my name was not called for the top fifteen, I knew that I had no regrets. I was able to learn that you can do your very best, not get number one and still be content. Next year, I will go back to school, try out for the jazz band and everything else I was afraid to do before.

Here is just a quick overview of what I have done since returning from Miss America:

Just a couple days after returning from Vegas, I spoke and performed at a convention in Wichita for the United School Administrators of Kansas. This was a great time to see the principals from schools I had already spoken at and make new contacts.

The next appearance I made was to the Stafford elementary and middle school. (I met their principal the night before at the USA conference) This was great because I was able to speak to everyone about my platform and then perform a little longer for their after-school group. School districts like Stafford are so convenient because the elementary school, middle school and high school are all under the same roof. It was the same way in Cheney Lake.

From Stafford I drove to Pratt to try and catch a few sponsors before emceeing the multi-title pageants. Despite some technical issues, everything ran smoothly, and we crowned four lovely women! On Saturday evening, I attended the Pratt Community College basketball game where I helped crown the homecoming king and queen and sang the National Anthem. GO BEAVERS! Now, their gym is named the Beaver Dome, but I am hoping during Miss Kansas 2009 week we can rename it the Deaver Dome. This would be sweet!

Last night, I spoke and performed in Newton at a banquet to honor donors for Kidron Bethel Retirement Services. The theme of the evening was compassion. This was ideal because I hold compassion to be one of my core values so it was easy to pick up on the theme and tie it in to my speech.

I am so glad to finally mention core values. I think I have been able to define five core values of my own, for now this is. My core values are: compassion, wisdom, honesty, peace and love. Now that I have told you my core values, I challenge you to give this some thought and see what you come up with. From there, work toward them each day to make each one more prevalent in your life.

In Peace

Emily Deaver