August 31st

It is official…I am 22 years old! This is the first birthday it seems that I do not have some sort of coming of age to celebrate, but I do have quite the handful of memories and blessings to be thankful for! The cake and flowers from my little sisters and Michael for starters made me feel instantly at-home even though I was in Orlando. :) **Thank you guys! I love you!

Lots and lots of catching up to do, so I’ll try and be brief…

I spent a fantastic day at April Brinson Slaughenhoup’s Grand Opening of “Crowning Moments.” If you have a little girl who has ever dreamed of being a princess, this is her dream store! I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I would have loved to be a little girl again so I could shop and play there—SUCH a neat place! **Congratulations April on your huge success, and thank you to the whole family for allowing me to be a part of the festivities!

After celebrating at “Crowning Moments,” I headed over to BodyBe1 to meet Roland (my trainer) for the first time. I was SO nervous after all I had heard about his training and food restrictions (I love to eat haha), but he ended up being the sweetest and most encouraging guy! He will be keeping tabs on my measurements and body fat percentage as I follow his workout routine, but he says I'm not allowed to “diet” until October! Yes sir!

The next day, I visited Greg and Galen’s house to help judge Camille’s final mock interview prior to Miss America’s Outstanding Teen! She was absolutely incredible and so at ease no matter what we asked her. It’s no wonder she did such a phenomenal job—**CONGRATULATIONS Camille on winning 2nd runner-up in MAOT! You were at the top of your game every night and shined like you always do. I couldn’t be a more proud sister queen!

Later on that week, I had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem for Aflac’s Convention at the Cobb Galleria Center. **Thank you, Oz, for setting that up!

Of course, all of last week I spent time in Orlando supporting Camille in MAOT and getting to know all 52 of the other Miss America contestants! We had several opportunities to be filmed in promotion of the Miss America Pageant, and a couple of these included me performing my own 60 second cooking show (you'll see it in October) and our fun-filled day at Disney World's Magic Kingdom!The week was truly a blast thanks to several people. Theresa and Charles Patton were there for me from the moment I arrived in Orlando to take me shopping and out to lunch whenever I had some free time. **Thank you Theresa and Charles for taking care of me and also for the sweet birthday gifts! I love you guys!

The week also wouldn’t have been the same without Rodney Hullender’s talent and generosity. **Thank you SO much, Rodney, for styling my hair every day in Orlando! You are the sweetest, and I’m so lucky to call you my friend!

Lastly, two of my favorite people came to Orlando for the final night of competition…Greg and Galen! **You guys never fail to make me laugh until I’m in tears, and I cherish all the time we spend together!

After a week of Teen Pageant-ing; Greg, Galen, and I boarded a flight for Atlanta to visit Sherri Hill, Keith Pittman, and Joy Little of “Lasting Impressions” at the Mart. I am beyond excited about the new gowns we have selected for Las Vegas!! **Thank you Keith and Lasting Impressions for always going above and beyond to make me look and feel my best!

That’s all for now, folks!

Love,

Christina

Friday the 13th

Happy Friday the 13th!!

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The past two weeks have been a whirlwind—LOTS going on in Miss GA-land! After I finished my photo shoot with Matt and Meredith Boyd, I began a week of preparation for the Miss Cobb County Pageant. For those of you who may not know, the Miss Cobb Board is the reason I began competing 5 years ago, and they have been a huge addition to my family and an even bigger blessing in my life ever since. Just as is tradition for the Miss Cobb folks after a night of rehearsal, we all congregated at the Marietta Diner on Wednesday night for some much needed catching up. The Diner is famous for its cakes, so don’t be alarmed-- I didn’t finish it all by myself! J **To the Miss Cobb County Board and supporters, I love each and every one of you so much!!

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Thursday, August 5^th was Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day. I spent my Miracle Treat Day at DQ in Columbus, GA where I greeted customers and delivered Blizzards and Icees to the children at Columbus Regional Hospital. The hospital volunteers were able to pack up 512 DQ treats for the patients—LOTS of smiles in the hospital that day! **Thank you to everyone who participated in DQ Miracle Treat Day and especially Jennifer Joyner (Children’s Miracle Network coordinator for Columbus Regional) and Miss Columbus, Cassie Lee who helped me all day!

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Friday, I had my FIRST voice lesson on my Miss America talent selection! It was so exciting to finally work on my new music—still a surprise!

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Later that evening, I had the privilege of attending dinner with the Miss Cobb Board and the 2011 judges at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse—compliments of Terry Chandler. It was SO much fun, and I enjoyed once again being in the presence of some of my dearest friends. Casy looked fabulous as always on her last evening as Miss Cobb, and I remember so well the bittersweet emotions of letting that special title go. **Thank you Terry for a fantastic dinner and everyone who attended!

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Saturday was the big night—Miss Cobb 2011! That afternoon, I had my hair styled by Michael at Julio Cesar Salon and Spa in Buckhead. **Thank you to the crew at Julio Cesar!!

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I had an incredible evening at the pageant and performed my Miss GA talent selection once more. **Congratulations to my new Miss Cobb County sister, Briana Jewett!! You are beautiful inside and out, and I am so excited to watch you grow this year. You have an amazing support team on your side!

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Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending my Outstanding Teen, Camille Sims’ MAOT Send-Off Party. She was absolutely stunning as ever, and I can’t wait to watch her rock the MAOT stage! **GOOD LUCK, CAMILLE! I just know you will do Georgia (and America) proud! ;)

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A couple days ago, I did a photo shoot for Kennesaw State University’s paper “The Sentinel.” **Thank you Noel Madali for a wonderful time (despite the heat) on KSU’s beautiful campus!

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I’ve got a full day of traveling and fun tomorrow, so that’s all for now! If you’re near Columbus, GA (August 14^th), be sure and stop by the new Crowning Moments store! Bring your little princesses too, and I’ll be there from 11-2.

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Love,

Christina

Hello August!

Dear friends,

The last couple of weeks have been a blast and quite eventful, so get ready!

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First, I visited Lasting Impressions in Columbus, GA to pick up a few additions to my appearance wardrobe. I have always loved working with Keith, Miss Joy, and Mr./Mrs. Scott at the shop; this has just been more than I could have ever imagined. Cathy has been altering a few dresses at a time, so I add a few more to my wardrobe whenever I'm in town. It feels like Christmas! I have never before said to a man, "Oh, I'll just wear this gown for both of those appearances." and have his response be, "No, no, there's no need to wear the same dress twice!" I officially want to be Miss GA forever. **Thank you a million times, Keith, Joy, Cathy, and Mark for making me look and feel fantastic! You are THE BEST!

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On Thursday, I met Julio of Julio Cesar's Salon and Spa in Atlanta. We discussed some ideas for my hair, and now I have an excellent stylist nearby who can help me style my hair for appearances! He has already done my highlights and lowlights, and I love his work! **Thank you so much, Julio!!

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The next day, my Miss Southern Heartland Director, Stacy Wagner, took me with her to visit our dear friend and hair stylist, Rodney Hullender (Splash Salon in Chattanooga, TN). The appointment was made for her, but she was SO kind to let Rodney work miracles with my hair that afternoon. My hair has never been so full and thick in my life! **Rodney and Stacy, you are beyond amazing to me, and I'm so blessed to call you my friends.

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Sunday was a very special day, as I got to design my Miss America "Dream Dress." I visited Keith at Lasting Impressions; and between myself, Snooky, Alta, Shana, Greg, Galen, and Joy-- we put my vision to paper. I CAN'T WAIT to see how it turns out! **Thanks again to Keith and the Miss GA crew for spending the day with me and sharing your creative ideas!

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Tuesday, I visited Dale Carnegie of Atlanta, Georgia about the scholarship they have awarded me. I am absolultely thrilled to be participating in their program, and I had so much fun getting to know some of the crew! **Thank you so much Don David and Wendy Johnson! This experience will be life-changing!

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Wednesday, I met with Meredith Boyd to practice our makeup and hair ideas for my Miss Georgia photo shoot. Meredith prepared SO well, and she nailed the look I wanted to portray in my photos! Last night we did the shoot, and I am very excited to see how the pictures turned out! Of course it wouldn't have been the same without my personal stylists and entertainers of the evening, Greg and Galen. It's a good thing we were on the final look when I started tearing up from laughing so hard. **Thank you Matt and Meredith for a fabulous shoot and FUN experience! Also, thank you Miss Alice Surber and Kathryn Coffee for letting me borrow your beautiful Christmas props for my Miss GA Christmas Card pictures!
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Thursday, I had lunch at Marlow's Tavern (yum!) with Debra Day (Director of Development at Kennesaw State University's Bagwell College of Education). She was truly delightful and informative to me on recent developments at KSU where I will be pursuing my degree in Early Childhood Education. **Thank you, Debra, for a wonderful afternoon and delicious veggie burger! :)

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More exciting news...my ARTISTRY products came in! I am so excited to be using Artistry Skin Care. **Thank you so much, Susan McGary!
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Lastly, this past weekend I was invited to perform at the Miss Warner Robins Pageant. This was my first trip to Warner Robins, GA; and it was such a neat place! Therisa and Charles Patton accompanied me on this trip, and they are the sweetest couple ever. We had a delicious dinner with the judges, and the pageant was so much fun. I loved getting to know some of the contestants backstage and getting to know Marcy Waugh, director of the pageant. She was also very sweet to me, and her new queens are lucky to be working with her! Congratulations to the new Miss Warner Robins, Mandy Best! **Therisa and Charles Patton: Thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality! Marcy: Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your pageant! I had so much fun getting to know you, and I wish you a wonderful year!

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That's all for now, my friends!

Love always,

Christina

Miss GA 2010