February

Hello friends!

I have had the most incredible and busy past few weeks, and now I have a nice break to share a few stories with you all. 

Upon returning from Las Vegas, I was invited to emcee the very first "North Georgia's Best of the Best" ceremony hosted by the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Every type of business imaginable was honored for exceptional service from "Best Divorce Attorney" to "Best Hearing Aid provider." Very fun night!

Later that week, I served on a "celebrity panel" of judges for the Featherfest Food Fight at the GA World Congress Center hosted by the International Poultry and Egg Association. Yes, I was paid to eat and rate delicious food from all over Atlanta. Afterwards, there was a private reception at the GA Aquarium! I got to tour the aquarium from the top of the tanks with one of my very first Miss GA girlfriends, Lace Larrabee! 

**Thank you Pennie Stathes for being my fabulous chaperone all night!

The next week, I headed to Woodstock, GA for the Miss Cherokee Rose Pageant. Thanks to Kimberly Harlan at La Chic Boutique, Erin Grizzle and I were dressed in four gorgeous gowns that evening. It was a special night for me, because Miss Cherokee County was my very first Miss GA title. I love you guys!

Last week, I headed down to Statesboro, GA to visit Scott Marchbanks at Frills n' Fancies. He dressed me in a B-E-A-utiful white gown, gorgeous shoes, and earrings for the weekend events. **Thank you, Scott!! I then made my way to Metter, GA to emcee the Miss Metter High School Pageant. Luckily, I had Lisa Lassiter there with me, because my GPS wanted me to make several wrong turns! **Thank you, Lisa! Gwenda Rotton was also very kind to let me stay with her that night; though I must say, driving on dirt roads in the rainstorm was quite an adventure. **Thank you, Gwenda! 

The next morning, I drove to Hawkinsville, GA for a weekend of the Miss Harness Festival Pageant. There were 93 contestants!! Theresa and Charles Patton did such an amazing job with this event that it was Standing Room Only. Thank goodness I sang at the beginning, because after introducing all 93 girls, I could barely speak! **Thank you Charles and Theresa Patton for taking care of me all weekend. It's no wonder your event continues to grow, and volunteers come back year after year--You are the epitome of class and grace. I love you both!

Last night, I had a new and incredible experience at Girls Inc. in Columbus, GA. Almost 50 girls of all ages competed in a pageant and talent competition as part of their annual Mother-Daughter Banquet event. It was amazing to me how much talent these girls exhibited and how much effort the volunteers had clearly put into helping the girls prepare. What touched me the most was how much the volunteers do to assist their teenage girls to seek scholarships to help further their education. One of the girls I had the privilege to meet is one of only ten girls nationwide to receive a Girls Inc. national scholarship. **Thank you to the volunteers who help these girls to believe in their dreams. And thank you, Pat Eldridge for inviting me to your event!

Thank you for reading! 

Love always,

Christina

Life after Miss America

Dearest friends,


Upon returning home from ten of the most phenomenal days of my life, I have a million things on my mind and thank-you's in my heart. Above all, I feel incredibly blessed, honored, and loved. So many people have given so much of their time and resources to help me along my journey to Miss America, and this dream of mine never could have been realized without each of you. 


First, I want to thank my family. No one has been through the "thick" of this experience like you have. Thank you for loving me even when I was not so lovable, supporting me when I didn't think I could try any harder, being there for me every single second of the way, and waiting for me with hugs and proud smiles when all was said and done. Of course this includes you Michael, also the best personal trainer and chef ever!


Snooky, Shana, and Alta: Thank you for giving of your time, sincere advice, and help with all of my preparation. Your support and encouragement has kept me strong and confident along the way, and I couldn't ask for a better team.


Greg and Galen: I can't imagine the past few months without you guys. Every single shopping trip, mock interview, inside joke, and moment we have shared together has sprinkled the fun all over this amazing journey. Thank you for helping me to be my best, but mostly for being my friends.


Chris and Sommer: Thank you for truly believing in me. You have taken every opportunity to offer your help and support to me, and that has meant the world. Thank you for making so much of my preparation possible and for making me feel like a queen every day. 


Thomas: Thank you for being such an incredible teacher, coach, mentor, and friend. The change (or should I say, improvement) that has taken place in my mental/attitudinal process because of you has made my outward presentation shine more than ever. I have never been so proud and excited to step on stage and "work it!"


Chuck: Thank you for giving so generously of your time and thoughts. It's going to be hard for me not to drive out to  the OK Cafe every Wednesday for our weekly prep date!


Matt and Meredith: I love my pictures, love knowing how to do my makeup, and love you both so much. Thank you for making me look and feel more beautiful than ever at Miss America!


Rodney: I meant when I said that "you are good for my soul." Yes, you rock at making my hair look fabulous, but you are so much fun just to be around. Thank you for coming to Vegas with me!


Keith, Joy, Cathy, and Mark: Thank you guys for helping me put together my best wardrobe ever. We said it before, and I'll say it again, I wouldn't trade my gown for any I saw in Vegas! 


On another note, I am disheartened by the negativity and lack of support for my incredible prep team, particularly on the infamous message boards. Anonymity is no excuse for crass, thoughtless, and ignorant accusations and childish name-calling. As a contestant and state titleholder, I recognize that I'm in a position to be criticized. However, the volunteers who are the selfless heart of this organization, who give everything they can because they believe in MAO while expecting nothing in return, deserve gratitude and respect. Throughout my Miss Georgia experience, I have never once felt uncomfortable with a decision about my preparation for Miss America. No one has ever forced me to wear or do something I didn't love, and I have received the advice and help of everyone who offered it to me with an open mind. I have never been happier with my talent selection, wardrobe, and modeling preparation. This experience was everything I wanted it to be, because I was true to myself, to my style, and to my vision of what my Miss America experience would be. At the end of the day, some people prefer apples to oranges; and I was the very best that I have ever been. Please think before you criticize someone who is doing the best that he/she can to help our titleholders. Let's keep in mind that these are volunteers without whom this organization could not exist. 


As Sam Haskell said in Vegas, "A parent has higher odds of having a son to play in the Super Bowl than a daughter to compete for Miss America." Please know the gratitude that my family and I feel for everyone involved in this system. You have taught me to dream, to work tirelessly, to promote worthwhile causes, and to believe in myself. You have changed my life forever. Thank you for believing in Miss America, and thank you for believing in me.


Love always,
Christina
Miss Georgia 2010

Preliminary Competitions Begin!

First day of Miss America Scholarship Preliminary Competitions begin today.  Tickets are still available from Ticketmaster!

I am so excited and READY for this!  I hope everyone made it in safely to Las Vegas! 


For those of you unable to attend, the Final Competition will be broadcast LIVE on ABC from Planet Hollywood Resorts and Casino on:

~~~~Saturday January 15th    9 pm   EST

My Competition Schedule in the Alpha Group is as follows:
Tuesday---Talent
Wednesday---On-Stage Question
Thursday--Swimsuit/Evening Wear

Saturday---FINAL COMPETITION

You can view pictures from the competition here:  http://missamerica2011.shutterfly.com/