Busy Busy

Last week was a BUSY week! November 4, I was invited to perform at Garden City High School. A senior there, Lauren Deaver (who I found out later is my distant cousin) was completing a senior project by raising money for scholarships. It was a great evening. Garden City is a 6A school and I had no idea. Many of my classmates from Wichita State come from Garden City. Their jazz band, symphony orchestra and show choir also performed. Each group was incredible! After the concert was over, I found out that many of the students had been at the Wichita State Jazz Festival this past spring when I conducted my original composition. It was great to hear what they thought about it--even that they remembered me!

November 5, I appeared at Maize Elementary, the second largest elementary school in Kansas. The kids were great. They had some 700 kids total. Luckily, they broke them up and I gave two separate presentations.

Last Saturday, I was honored to participate in the Veteran's Day Parade in Wichita. At the end of the parade, I knew I was going to speak just a moment to the Gold Star Mom's; however, I did not realize I was going to be speaking directly after the Mayor of Wichita. Nonetheless, it turned out fantastic!

Last Sunday, Youth Horizons had a fundraising gala at St. Vincent de Paul. The area that the gala was in was beautiful. I am not entirely too sure what it is called, but I felt like I was in another country during a different era. There was so much talent in one evening!

Monday and Tuesday I spent in Pratt visiting sponsors and ending my trip with a discussion of current events with several highly involved community members from Pratt.

Thursday and Friday I was in Topeka. On Thursday I spent all day at Aldersgate assisted living home. I gave 5 different presentations, as it is a huge facility and felt well received. The elderly really love jazz, so I love doing these events! They usually know some of the songs I am doing and are still getting to experience a little more modern music too. Friday, I joined the Kansas Family Partnership to receive a proclamation for Red Ribbon Week. I was able to meet Governor Sebelius, which I have been wanting to do for a long time! From there, I went to McCrites assisted living home and did some more entertaining. They also new many of the songs I sang, so it was a blast!

Saturday I was the MC, along with Jennifer Jones (Miss Butler County 2008 ), for the Miss Augusta/Butler County Pageant. This was my first experience in being an MC, but I had a great time! From the feel of the crowd and all of the participants too, I think it was an all around successful evening. Jennifer crowned Danielle Coffman the new Miss Butler County 2009 and I crowned Lauren Werhan the new Miss Augusta 2009. It was a great evening. I really felt like each girl that participated did a wonderful job and was glad to have so many new girls competing. It kind of took me back to the first local I ever competed in when I was a senior in high school trying to find myself. What a great opportunity. I hope each of them continues to be involved in our organization.

Sunday I attended the Kansas Association of Counties at Century II with Berry Tractor & Equipment. I had a great time taking pictures with many of the influential leaders across the state of Kansas, as well as signing autographs. Berry Tractor & Equipment is located here in Wichita, and they even had a big yellow tractor inside the convention hall!

Well, my week is starting to pick up again, so I will write again soon!

In Peace

Emily