Blair’s Blog

Hello Again! The remainder of April has been pretty busy! I did quite a bit of work with the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports- filming a video for the “Lighten Up Louisiana” Website, serving as the emcee for the Baton Rouge Corporate Cup Run, and doing the “play by play” with Cox Cable at the Elementary State Championship Fitness Meet.

Within that same week, I was a guest at the North Oaks Hospital Volunteer Banquet, where I sang and had the opportunity to thank all of the volunteers for their daily service to the Hammond community. I also visited the Kiwanis Club in Ponchatoula and spoke to them about my year as Miss Louisiana. And to round out the week, I filmed a segment for the Angel Ministries Telethon in Monroe, then traveled to Tickfaw to sing for the Italian Festival.

In the last few days, I’ve had some especially enjoyable appearances to finish off the month of April. I was the guest of honor at Our Lady of Prompt Succor School’s “Louisiana Celebration Day,” in Alexandria. I signed autographs, watched the kids’ festival costume parade, and even learned a cajun dance! The next day, I did my RJ Reynolds “Right Decisions Right Now” presentation at Hammond Eastside Primary School. They were a wonderful and VERY COMICAL group. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of them! And lastly, I returned to Southeastern to emcee the Wind Symphony’s “Red Cape Tango” Concert at the Columbia Theatre. It was a fantastic concert, and I was so glad to be a part of the performance.

Now it’s on to the month of May… I’ll have plenty more to report soon!

Hello Again!

Another busy couple of weeks have passed, and it’s starting to become more and more apparent that my year is almost over. Being at the state meeting this past weekend made me realize that I only have a short   2 1/2 months left. So Strange!

But on with what I’ve been up to…. I was able to attend three more elementary school fitness meets as a spokesperson for the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. I traveled to Walker, Lafayette, and New Iberia, watching all of the children in each area do a fantastic job in competition. I’m really looking forward to cheering them on at the upcoming state meet! I also worked with the Governor’s Coucil in a slightly different way to promote health and physical fitness. I, along with eight teenagers, filmed a commercial in Baton Rouge encouraging youth in Louisiana to lead healthy lifestyles. It was a lot of fun to film, and I’m anxious to see how it comes out!

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of emceeing and entertaining at the Amite Oyster Festival Pageant, near my hometown of Hammond. All of the contestants did a wonderful job, and I wish the new Amite Oyster Festival Queen a great year full of amazing opportunities! This weekend, I was at the State Meeting, of course. It was great to see all of the young women who will be competing for the titles of Miss La. Outstanding Teen 2009 as well as Miss Louisiana 2009. I wish you all the very best of luck and look forward to seeing you again in June.

To close out this past weekend, I participated in the “Revolution Runway” event in Monroe. It was a runway show that highlighted boutiques in the Monroe area, benefiting the Children’s Coalition. I modeled a dress from K-Sera that I loved! I also got to model a $10,000 necklace that was raffled off.  It was absolutely beautiful, but I must admit, it made me a little nervous to be wearing it!

Now it’s on to the rest of April! Check back to see what I’m up to!

Hi Again!

Sooo much has happend since my last post! First, I’ve wrapped up my RJ Reynolds school tour with three schools in Hammond. I had the pleasure of speaking to Trafton Academy, Southeastern Lab School, and my Alma Mater: Holy Ghost Catholic School! They were three wonderful groups, and I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to each of them! During the week of my RJR “wrap up,” I also had the pleasure of being a guest at a Legislative Dinner in Shreveport. I got to meet many of the people who make important decisions for our state every day, including our Lt. Governor, Mitch Landrieu. I was also able to have dinner with a group of Representatives and had so much fun visiting with them. To Rep. Henry Burns, I’m still planning on coming to be your “brownie taste tester” at the Wooden Spoon! To end a busy week, I was a guest at the Italian Festival Ball in the opposite corner of the state… Tickfaw! It was so good to be in the small town where I grew up to celebrate an upcoming festival that I’ve enjoyed since I was a little girl.

The following week didn’t slow down much! I began the week taking pictures for the Miss La. program book in my Miss America wardrobe… Can’t believe it’s already time for that! Then, I headed back off to Shreveport to talk to the 11th and 12th graders of Magnet High School at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. They were truly a fun group to meet! That same day I also spoke to the Shreveport Rotary Club, then I headed back to Hammond to prepare for my first appearance with the Louisiana Governor’s Council on Health and Physical Fitness. The following day, I attended my first fitness meet and worked with Rudy Macklin in Basile, La. It was a lot of fun to be a part of the event and to see how much fun all of the kids had participating. This was my first of many events like this one, and I’m looking forward to the rest that will come in the next couple of months!

You aren’t going to believe this, but I’m still not to the end of week two yet… The next day, I got on a plane to Orlando for the International CMN Celebration. I had the opportunity to meet kids from throughout the U.S., as well as other countries, who are treated by CMN hospitals. It was an incredibly inspiring and humbling experience that I will never forget. I also got to walk the red carpet before a Delta sponsored Gala and met golf legend, Arnold Palmer!

What a couple of weeks! And the weeks ahead are looking just as busy and full of excitement! So be sure to stay tuned, and I’ll see you all at the State Meeting!

Hi Everyone!

I’ve had the opportunity to make a lot of great and unique appearances since my last post! I served as the Grand Marshall of Hammond’s Krewe of Omega Mardi Gras Parade and also rode in the Hammond Developmental Center’s Mardi Gras Parade. I LOVE Mardi Gras, so being a part of both parades was a lot of fun! I also had the pleasure of emceeing and singing for the Miss Minden Pageant. I had a wonderful time in Minden, but I was also a little sad to be emceeing my last prelim for the year ;( Now that all of the preliminaries are over, I am looking so forward to the State Meeting in April! I can’t wait to meet all of the new contestants and catch up with some of my old friends!

Rounding out this past week, I had two great opportunities to talk about my platform. First, I spoke to Ms. Lynn Copeland’s teaching sorority about Tourette Syndrome. They were extremely receptive and a wonderful group to meet. Just yesterday, I was a guest on a Canadian Radio Show, talking about my experiences with Tourettes. The Radio Show features a one hour medical segment every Saturday, where special guests discuss different health-related issues with two doctors. So as one of the guests on this week’s show, I did a 15-minute interview about my platform that aired live, throughout Canada!

Now I’m moving on to another busy week in March! This month is getting crazy! Talk to you all soon!

-Blair

Hi Everyone,

The last couple of weeks have been a lot of fun for me, being that I emceed two great university pageants. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend and emcee the Miss Northwestern Lady of the Bracelet Pageant. This week, I had the pleasure of co-emceeing the Miss Southeastern Louisiana University Pageant with my Aunt Veda! The contestants at both Universities did a fantastic job, and I’m so glad that I was there to cheer you all on! There are still a few preliminaries on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to seeing who will fill those last spots!

Next on the agenda is Mardi Gras… Mardi Gras is one of my favorite times of the year, and I’m so excited that I’ll be riding in some of the parades! After that, the calendar is looking busier and busier! This year is flying by!

I hope everyone has a LOVEly Valentine’s Day and a memorable Carnival Time!

-Blair

Well, I’m back! I’m still trying to catch up on sleep and taking one suitcase at a time! But in the meantime, I wanted to tell you all about my Miss America experience…

Even though I’m exhausted, I had such an amazing time in Las Vegas! After already living with the other 51 contestants for three weeks on the Queen Mary, seeing all of them again was like a big reunion! As you all know, I was on the purple team during the reality show… And although all of the groups shared a special bond, ours was especially close. The other 7 girls in the purple group are more like my sisters than my friends. So just being able to share the Miss America experience with them, made it incredibly memorable.

While in Vegas, we had A LOT of really, really long rehearsals, and very LITTLE sleep. But we got to do a lot of fun things too. We saw “Phantom of the Opera,” which was right up my alley! And we even got to meet the cast after the show was over. We also got to take a gondola ride at the Venetian, meet Joaquin Phoenix, walk the runway in a fashion show, and race electric cars at an indoor racetrack.  So even though there was a lot of work involved, we got to play some too!

Now that I’m back in Louisiana, I’ve had the opportunity to really reflect on the 10 days that I was in Vegas, competing for the title of Miss America. And as I look back, I feel content knowing that I did the best that I could in every competition, and privileged to come back to a state as special as Louisiana. I appreciate everyone who encouraged me, supported me, cheered me on, and helped me to prepare for the Miss America Pageant.  My journey would have never been the same without each and every one of you!

Now, as I look ahead, I’m looking forward to continuing my job as Miss Louisiana and serving the state that I’m so proud to represent.

All my love,

Blair

Hello and Happy New Year Everyone!

The first couple weeks of 2009 have been very busy! While I was home for the Holidays, I finished up some last minute wardrobe shopping and alterations- always fun! I also attended the Miss Crescent City New Orleans Pageant. Shortly after, I headed back to Monroe to prepare for my Trunk Show. And in the midst of my preparation, I was able to take some pictures for Delta Style Magazine at Choices Boutique. It was a lot of fun!

Before I knew it, the day of my Trunk Show had arrived! I was very excited to show my Miss America wardrobe, and the show went great! Thanks Jon and Jennifer! I appreciate everyone who made my trunk show a wonderful event that I’ll never forget! The following day, I emceed and entertained at the Miss Monroe’s Outstanding Teen Pageant. All of the Teens did a wonderful job in competition, and it was great to be a part of the pageant’s first year!

So now, it’s time to pack! It’s hard to believe, but I leave for Las Vegas this Thursday! I am so excited, but at the same time, in such a state of disbelief. After so much preparation, it’s finally here!  So Vegas, here I come!

Hi!

I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas Season with family and friends! I know that I am!

I spent this last week doing multiple interviews to promote the Miss America Reality Show, “Countdown to the Crown” as well as the actual Miss America Pageant. It’s been really exciting to see such interest being generated by the rebuilding of our amazing program. And as the date of the reality show premiere approaches, I’m getting more and more excited to see the finished product of our three weeks in L.A.!

I also attended a press conference to promote the new Miss Louisiana preliminary, the Miss Monroe Pageant last week. It was so nice to see the support extended by the entire city of Monroe and the anticipation on the faces of its citizens in attendance. Unfortunately, I won’t be here for the Miss Pageant, because I will already be in Las Vegas. But I’m really looking forward to attending and emceeing the Outstanding Teen Pageant the weekend before I leave!

Later that night, I attended the Miss La. Tech University Pageant, where I had the opportunity to emcee the show and sing one of my favorite Christmas songs, “The Christmas Song.”  It was a lot of fun (I always enjoy that part of my job as Miss Louisiana)! And all of the young women who participated did a fantastic job. 

So far, this week has been filled with more preparation for Miss America! I can’t believe it’s right around the corner! I’ll keep you posted on my adventures through the New Year!

-Blair

Hello Everyone!

I’m glad to report that my latest CMN Fundraiser was a great success! We had a wonderful turnout, and as usual, the people in the Hammond community were extremely generous. Before Sunday, I had never played Bunko before, but now I understand why everyone says it’s so much fun! Thank You to everyone who had a part in making this event possible and successful!

With a great start to the week, I continued on to Ruston to start my RJ Reynolds School appearances on Monday morning. I visited numerous junior high schools and middle schools throughout Lincoln Parish over the course of four days, speaking about the importance of making good, healthy decisions. I was truly impressed by all of the attentive and respectful young adults I spoke to.

As a part of my tour, I also spoke at an asssembly of over 500 fifth graders at the Ruston Civic Center. It was so much fun!! Special thanks to Ms. Cathi Cox and Ms. Judy Burt for making this big event possible. I know that all of the kids had a wonderful time, and so did I! Also, big thanks to the Ruston High students that participated, as well as the La. Tech Dance Team,  Kineseology staff from La. Tech, and of course, football hall of famer, Mr. Fred Dean. You all helped to make this assembly a memorable and informative one.

The coming week will be another busy one! As always, I’ll let you know how it goes! Until then, Enjoy the Christmas Season!

-Blair

Since my last post, I’ve had the opportunity to make several appearances in the Southern part of the state…

I attended the Columbia Theatre’s “Trim the Tree” Party in Hammond, where I met dozens of adorable kids and drew the name of a lucky child who will participate in the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Concert this month. I attended LSU’s “Holiday on Campus” event as well, where I signed lots of autographs alongside     Miss LSU. We had a great time, and I also sang a Christmas Song at the event.

Later in the week, I emceed the Southeastern Wind Symphony “Collage Concert” and sang “Nessun Dorma.” I also spoke to the High School Honor Band participants about my job as Miss Louisiana before the concert began. The Wind Symphony and various ensembles gave a beautiful concert, and I really enjoyed being back in the Music Department at Southeastern!

Next on the agenda is tomorrow’s CMN fundraiser, called “Bunko for the Kids.” It’s going to be a Bunko Tournament in Hammond, and I’m hoping for a great turnout! I’ll let you all know how it goes!