Mrs. United States 2011 is quickly approaching! This national pageant is held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the fun kicks off July 31st where contestants from all 50 states and U.S. Territories will meet for one week and the opportunity of a lifetime. There are three phases of competition; each phase of competition is weighed and scored equally. Interview, swimsuit and evening gown will be judged in an effort to find a woman who best integrates intellect with beauty. Preliminary competition will be on the evening of August 3rd and finals are on August 4th.
June has been filled with fun, lots of preparation, and traveling around the state to promote the title of Mrs. Louisiana. My husband, Richard, and I celebrated winning Mrs. Louisiana with a cruise to Mexico where the Carnival staff made us feel welcome and like celebrities. Five days to relax together and get our minds focused towards nationals was just what we needed! Sleeping in, fine dining, beautiful beaches, scuba diving, and dancing - what a great way to celebrate being Mrs. Louisiana! Be sure to ask us about our "Grease" performance in Cozumel, staring the Valenti's as Danny and Sandra Dee!
Before we left for our cruise and in a week's time frame, however, there were some items to take care of: photo shoot for my nationals' head shot, setting up a Facebook page and blog, sending in initial paperwork, writing a Press Release, creating a sponsorship flyer and ad, contacting the local papers and news stations, contacting sponsors, and (don't forget) pinching myself (over and over!). One of my favorite days was spent doing my nationals' head shot. I spent an entire day at Say Eggplant Photography in Houma with Bobby Lecompte and had the amazing Brandi Clement from Unique Trends in Thibodaux style me up! We literally shot all day, and had so much fun! I cannot thank them enough for the sponsorship.
So where do you start? Let's see - there's the evening gown, swimsuit, state costume, interview outfit, rehearsal outfits, night out outfits, dinner outfits, makeup lessons, photo shoots, interviews, appearances, travel arrangements to be made, press releases, emails and "pageant stuff." (I think that's all.) It's a full time job! This takes research, fittings, financial dedication, lots of time, and supportive patrons who are willing to help. But guess what? I'm up for the challenge and our Geaux Louisiana campaign!
I have an amazing support team, and I could not be where I am today without them. My husband, family and friends are doing everything in their power to support me, and they believe in me - day in and day out. Small blessings along the way have kept my confidence in tact, and I have turned over this experience to God - it's in His hands. Additionally, my former and present students have written in to tell me of their accomplishments and I love hearing how what they've received in class is helping them in their lives and careers. I also have a few sponsors that I need to recognize for their support:
I have managed to make a few appearances and promote my title over the last month, too. I worked the Bobby Hebert/Cystic Fibrosis golf tournament where two of our holes (alone) raised over $1800 for Cystic Fibrosis! I judged the Miss Camellia City baby pageant, went to Las Vegas to support our Miss Louisiana USA, Page Pennock, at Miss USA, and have started working at a newly founded, local charter high school. I continue to support Kiva and Heifer International, and am proud to say that I am a partner with the United Way for Greater New Orleans. Keeping pace with my chosen platform, however, I will be promoting breast and cervical cancer awareness throughout my year as Mrs. Louisiana. June has been filled with fun, lots of preparation, and traveling around the state to promote the title of Mrs. Louisiana. My husband, Richard, and I celebrated winning Mrs. Louisiana with a cruise to Mexico where the Carnival staff made us feel welcome and like celebrities. Five days to relax together and get our minds focused towards nationals was just what we needed! Sleeping in, fine dining, beautiful beaches, scuba diving, and dancing - what a great way to celebrate being Mrs. Louisiana! Be sure to ask us about our "Grease" performance in Cozumel, staring the Valenti's as Danny and Sandra Dee!
Before we left for our cruise and in a week's time frame, however, there were some items to take care of: photo shoot for my nationals' head shot, setting up a Facebook page and blog, sending in initial paperwork, writing a Press Release, creating a sponsorship flyer and ad, contacting the local papers and news stations, contacting sponsors, and (don't forget) pinching myself (over and over!). One of my favorite days was spent doing my nationals' head shot. I spent an entire day at Say Eggplant Photography in Houma with Bobby Lecompte and had the amazing Brandi Clement from Unique Trends in Thibodaux style me up! We literally shot all day, and had so much fun! I cannot thank them enough for the sponsorship.
So where do you start? Let's see - there's the evening gown, swimsuit, state costume, interview outfit, rehearsal outfits, night out outfits, dinner outfits, makeup lessons, photo shoots, interviews, appearances, travel arrangements to be made, press releases, emails and "pageant stuff." (I think that's all.) It's a full time job! This takes research, fittings, financial dedication, lots of time, and supportive patrons who are willing to help. But guess what? I'm up for the challenge and our Geaux Louisiana campaign!
I have an amazing support team, and I could not be where I am today without them. My husband, family and friends are doing everything in their power to support me, and they believe in me - day in and day out. Small blessings along the way have kept my confidence in tact, and I have turned over this experience to God - it's in His hands. Additionally, my former and present students have written in to tell me of their accomplishments and I love hearing how what they've received in class is helping them in their lives and careers. I also have a few sponsors that I need to recognize for their support:
- Dr. Hubbell - A Jeune Medical Spa
- Say Eggplant Photography
- Brandi Clement with Unique Trends
- Galleria Fitness
- Fitness NV
- Planet Beach Contempo Spa of River Ridge
- NetFashionAvenue.com
- Rhinestone Runway
- Brianna Waguespack Coaching
July 5th I return to Nicholls State University's campus and start teaching summer classes. I can't wait to educate these learners on advertising and services marketing! The next month will be exciting, and I’m ready!
Geaux Louisiana!
For sponsorship opportunities, please email mrslouisiana@gmail.com, and be sure to look for me on WWL Channel 4’s Eyewitness Morning News (at 8:05 and 8:25 am) on Monday, July 4th!
